Battery swapping devices and mobile battery swapping stations

Abstract

This invention relates to the technical field of battery swapping equipment, providing a battery swapping device and a mobile battery swapping station, comprising: a battery base, a support frame, a drive module, and a battery swapping mechanism; the battery base is used to hold batteries; the support frame is supported above the battery base and includes a fixed part and a sliding part; the sliding part is slidably connected to the fixed part, allowing the sliding part to switch between a retracted state and an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the sliding part is located on at least one side of the battery base, and the sliding part forms a battery swapping channel; the battery swapping mechanism is slidably connected to the support frame and can reciprocate between the battery base and the battery swapping channel for gripping and transferring batteries; the drive module is used to drive the movement of the battery swapping mechanism. The entire battery swapping process can be completed with only one trailer, reducing cost and space occupation; in addition, the support frame provides support for the battery swapping mechanism, and compared with a cantilever structure, the battery swapping mechanism is less prone to deformation, ensuring accurate and stable gripping of batteries and guaranteeing work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of battery swapping equipment, and more particularly to a battery swapping device and a mobile battery swapping station. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing severity of environmental problems, the electrification of engineering vehicles and machinery is developing rapidly. During operation, electric machinery needs to have its depleted batteries replaced at battery swapping stations to solve its range and charging problems. Battery swapping stations include fixed stations and mobile stations. Fixed stations can provide fixed-point battery swapping; however, due to the limited mobility of engineering machinery, mobile stations reduce construction costs and improve the flexibility and relocation of stations, enabling rapid deployment.

[0003] Currently, most mobile battery swapping stations use a combination of battery swapping equipment vehicles and battery vehicles. This method often requires two semi-trailers, which takes up a lot of space and is costly. The battery swapping devices mostly use a cantilever design, but the weight of a single battery in heavy trucks, excavators and other construction machinery is more than 2 tons. The cantilever gripper is very likely to cause great deformation of the battery swapping device, resulting in inaccurate battery gripping and placement, which affects work efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a battery swapping device and a mobile battery swapping station to reduce the problems of large space occupation, high cost, and easy deformation of engineering machinery during battery swapping in the prior art, which affect work efficiency. The invention aims to reduce the cost and space occupation of the battery swapping station while ensuring work efficiency.

[0005] This invention provides a battery swapping device, comprising: a battery base, a support frame, a drive module, and a battery swapping mechanism;

[0006] The battery holder is used to hold the battery;

[0007] The support frame is supported above the battery base and includes a fixing part and a sliding part;

[0008] The sliding part is slidably connected to the fixed part, so that the sliding part can switch between a retracted state and an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the sliding part is located on at least one side of the battery base, and the sliding part forms a battery swapping channel.

[0009] The battery swapping mechanism is slidably connected to the support frame and can reciprocate between the battery base and the battery swapping channel to grab and transfer the battery.

[0010] The drive module is used to drive the movement of the battery swapping mechanism.

[0011] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the drive module includes:

[0012] A first linear module is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism to reciprocate along a first direction;

[0013] The second linear module is connected to the output end of the first linear module and is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism to reciprocate along a second direction; the second direction is parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding part and perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the first linear module includes:

[0015] The first guide rail is fixedly connected to the support frame and is provided with two rails spaced apart along the first direction;

[0016] The first slider is slidably connected to the first guide rail, and the two ends of the second linear module are respectively connected to the first sliders on the two first guide rails;

[0017] The first driving component is used to drive the first slider to reciprocate along the first guide rail.

[0018] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the second linear module includes: The second linear module includes:

[0019] The second guide rail is hinged at both ends to the first sliders on the two first guide rails respectively. When the sliding part is unfolded, the second guide rail is perpendicular to the first guide rail. When the sliding part is retracted, the second guide rail is inclined between the two first guide rails.

[0020] The second slider is slidably connected to the second guide rail, and the battery swapping mechanism is connected to the second slider;

[0021] The second driving component is used to drive the second slider to reciprocate along the second guide rail.

[0022] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the sliding part is provided with a liftable support leg, which provides support for the sliding part when the sliding part is unfolded.

[0023] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a driving component is provided between the fixed part and the sliding part for driving the sliding part to unfold or retract.

[0024] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the fixing part is connected to and supported on the battery base through a liftable support part, which is used to drive the support frame to rise and fall.

[0025] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a compartment covering the support frame is further included to provide protection for the battery base and the battery swapping channel.

[0026] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the carriage includes at least two compartments that are fitted together; one of the compartments is disposed outside the fixed part, and the remaining compartments are disposed outside the sliding part, with the multiple compartments slidingly fitted together.

[0027] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a battery swapping port communicating with the battery swapping channel is provided on the side of the carriage, the width of the battery swapping port is greater than that of the battery swapping channel, and an openable and closable carriage door is provided on the battery swapping port.

[0028] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the battery base is fixedly connected to both ends of the battery base along a first direction, and the shielding plates are overlapped and slidably connected to the side wall of the compartment.

[0029] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the battery swapping mechanism includes a gripper body; the gripper body includes:

[0030] seat body;

[0031] Multiple locking tongues are retractably mounted on the base body;

[0032] The third driving component is fixedly connected to the base and its output end is connected to the latch, and is used to drive the latch to extend or retract.

[0033] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a locking tongue seat is fixedly connected to the base, and the locking tongue is slidably inserted through the locking tongue seat.

[0034] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of guide posts for aligning and engaging the gripper body with the battery frame.

[0035] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the side of the guide post facing the outer side of the base body is chamfered.

[0036] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the battery swapping mechanism further includes a support base and a connector;

[0037] The support base is connected to the second slider; the gripper body is floatingly connected to the bottom of the support base through the connector, and can be raised and lowered by the connector.

[0038] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, the connector includes:

[0039] The winch is fixedly connected to the support base;

[0040] The hoisting rope is wound around the winch and its end is fixedly connected to the gripper body.

[0041] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a floating locking mechanism is provided between the support base and the gripper body.

[0042] According to a battery swapping device provided by the present invention, a floating locking mechanism is further included, which is disposed between the support base and the gripper body; the floating locking mechanism includes:

[0043] A locking pin is fixedly connected to one of the support base and the gripper body;

[0044] A locking seat with a hole is fixedly connected to the other of the support base and the gripper body, and the locking pin and the locking seat can be plugged into each other.

[0045] The present invention also provides a mobile battery swapping station, including a vehicle body and the aforementioned battery swapping device, wherein the battery base is fixedly connected to the vehicle body.

[0046] This invention provides a battery swapping device and a mobile battery swapping station. During battery swapping, the sliding part can slide relative to the fixed part to unfold, thereby forming a battery swapping channel on at least one side of the battery base. The battery swapping mechanism is driven by a drive module to reciprocate between the battery base and the battery swapping channel to grab and transfer the battery. The entire battery swapping process can be completed with only one trailer, reducing cost and space occupation. In addition, the support frame can cover the entire battery base and battery swapping channel area after unfolding, so that the support frame can provide support for the battery swapping mechanism throughout the entire battery swapping process. Compared with the traditional cantilever structure, the battery swapping mechanism is less prone to deformation when grabbing and transferring large-tonnage batteries, ensuring that the battery swapping mechanism can accurately and stably grab the battery and guaranteeing work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery swapping device provided in the embodiment of the present invention in its working state;

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the battery swapping device provided in an embodiment of the present invention in an idle state;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a state diagram of the second guide rail in the unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4This is a state diagram of the second guide rail in the retracted state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the mobile battery swapping device provided in an embodiment of the present invention in an idle state;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mobile battery swapping device provided in an embodiment of the present invention in its working state;

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of battery swapping via a battery swapping channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of battery swapping via a battery swapping port provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 9 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the battery swapping mechanism provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 10 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the battery swapping mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 11 This is the third structural schematic diagram of the battery swapping mechanism provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] Figure label:

[0060] 1. Battery base; 2. Support frame; 20. Fixing part; 21. Sliding part; 22. Support part; 220. Second hydraulic cylinder; 23. Support leg; 230. First hydraulic cylinder; 24. Drive component; 3. Drive module; 30. First linear module; 300. First guide rail; 301. First slider; 31. Second linear module; 310. Second guide rail; 311. Second slider; 4. Battery swapping mechanism; 40. Support base; 41. Connector; 410. Winch 411. Lifting rope; 42. Grab body; 420. Base; 421. Locking tongue; 422. Third drive component; 423. Locking tongue seat; 424. Transmission unit; 425. Guide column; 426. Photoelectric sensor; 43. Floating locking mechanism; 430. Locking pin; 431. Locking seat; 5. Carriage; 50. Frame; 51. Carriage panel; 52. Carriage door; 53. Cover plate; 6. Battery; 7. Car body; 70. Chassis; 71. Support leg. Detailed Implementation

[0061] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0062] To facilitate understanding of the battery swapping device and mobile battery swapping station provided by this invention, its application background is first explained. Mobile battery swapping stations have advantages such as low construction cost and flexible relocation, and can be deployed quickly. Currently, most mobile battery swapping stations use a combination of battery swapping equipment vehicles and battery vehicles, that is, two semi-trailers, one of which carries the battery and the other carries the cantilevered battery swapping equipment. The battery swapping equipment picks up the battery and moves it to the machine to be swapped to realize battery swapping.

[0063] However, the aforementioned battery swapping stations suffer from large space requirements and high costs. Furthermore, the batteries of heavy trucks, excavators, and other construction machinery weigh over 2 tons each, making the cantilevered battery swapping equipment prone to deformation during the grabbing and transporting process. This leads to inaccurate battery placement and reduces work efficiency. Based on these considerations, this invention provides a battery swapping device and a mobile battery swapping station, reducing the cost and space requirements of the swapping station. It also replaces existing cantilevered battery swapping equipment, mitigating the problem of inaccurate battery placement caused by device deformation and its impact on work efficiency.

[0064] The following is combined with Figures 1-11 This invention describes the battery swapping device and the mobile battery swapping station.

[0065] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A battery swapping device includes a battery base 1, a support frame 2, a drive module 3, and a battery swapping mechanism 4; wherein, the battery base 1 has multiple battery slots arranged side by side for placing batteries 6; the support frame 2 is supported above the battery base 1 and provides an installation position for the drive module 3 and the battery swapping mechanism 4.

[0066] The support frame 2 includes a fixed part 20 and a sliding part 21. The sliding part 21 is slidably connected to the fixed part 20, allowing the sliding part 21 to have two states relative to the fixed part 20: a retracted state and an extended state. When the sliding part 21 is in the extended state, it forms a battery swapping channel on at least one side of the battery base 1, for vehicles to be swapped to enter and exit. The battery swapping mechanism 4 is slidably connected to the support frame 2 and is used to grip the battery 6. The drive module 3 is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism 4 to reciprocate between the battery base 1 and the battery swapping channel, thereby transferring the battery 6 between the battery base 1 and the vehicle to be swapped, completing the battery swapping operation.

[0067] In actual operation, a trailer can be used in conjunction with a tractor to transport the battery swapping device. During this process, the sliding part 21 is in a retracted state. After the battery swapping device is transported to the predetermined position, the sliding part 21 slides relative to the fixed part 20 to unfold the sliding part 21, thereby forming a battery swapping channel on at least one side of the battery base 1. When the battery swapping vehicle enters the battery swapping channel, the drive module 3 drives the battery swapping mechanism 4 to reciprocate between the battery base 1 and the battery swapping channel, grabbing and transferring the depleted battery from the vehicle to be swapped to the battery base 1, grabbing and transferring the fully charged battery from the battery base 1 to the vehicle to be swapped, thus completing the battery swapping work. After the battery swapping is completed, the sliding part 21 slides and is retracted. The entire battery swapping process can be completed with just one trailer, thus reducing costs and space requirements. In addition, the support frame 2 can cover the entire battery base 1 and the battery swapping channel area after it is unfolded. Thus, the support frame 2 can provide support for the battery swapping mechanism 4 throughout the entire battery swapping process. Compared with the traditional cantilever structure, the battery swapping mechanism 4 is less prone to deformation when grabbing and transferring large-tonnage batteries 6, ensuring that the battery swapping mechanism 4 can accurately and stably grab the batteries 6 and guarantee work efficiency.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The support frame 2 is a rectangular frame structure. Its fixing part 20 is connected to and supported on the battery base 1 through the support part 22. The shape of the fixing part 20 is adapted to the shape of the battery base 1. The length direction of the battery base 1 is set as the first direction and the width direction as the second direction. The sliding part 21 and the fixing part 20 slide and cooperate along the second direction. During battery swapping, the sliding part 21 slides and unfolds along the second direction, thereby forming a battery swapping channel on the side of the battery base 1.

[0069] The bottom of the sliding part 21 is provided with a liftable support leg 23. When the sliding part 21 slides and unfolds, the support leg 23 can extend and support the ground, thereby providing support for the sliding part 21. Through the cooperation of the support part 22 and the support leg 23, the support frame 2 can be stably supported above the battery base 1, thereby providing stable support for the battery swapping mechanism 4.

[0070] Specifically, the outrigger 23 can adopt a sleeve structure and be driven to extend and retract by the first hydraulic cylinder 230.

[0071] Specifically, the support part 22 is designed to be height-adjustable. The support frame 2 can be raised and lowered as a whole through the support part 22, thereby adjusting the height of the support frame 2 according to the actual working conditions, which facilitates battery swapping for vehicles of different heights.

[0072] Specifically, the support part 22 can adopt a sleeve structure and be driven to extend and retract by the second hydraulic cylinder 220.

[0073] Specifically, the support frame 2 can be formed by multiple horizontally and vertically arranged long beams. The specific specifications and materials of the long beams can be selected according to actual needs, but they must ensure that they meet the required support strength. The long beams arranged along the second direction adopt a telescopic sleeve structure, thus forming the aforementioned fixed part 20, and a sliding part 21 that can slide and unfold or be stored along the second direction. Depending on the actual battery swapping requirements, the telescopic sleeve can be two-stage or three-stage. When the telescopic sleeve has two or more stages, it can form one fixed part 20 and one or more sliding parts 21.

[0074] A driving component 24 is provided between the fixed part 20 and the sliding part 21 to drive the sliding part 21 to slide relative to the fixed part 20, thereby realizing the expansion or contraction of the sliding part 21. Specifically, the driving component 24 can be any linear driving element such as a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or electric actuator, as long as it can drive the sliding part 21 to expand or contract. In this embodiment, the driving component 24 is a hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged along the second direction. Its cylinder body is fixedly connected to one of the sliding part 21 and the fixed part 20, and its piston rod is fixedly connected to the other. The expansion or contraction of the sliding part 21 is realized by the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder.

[0075] The drive module 3 includes a first linear module 30 and a second linear module 31. The first linear module 30 is connected to the support frame 2 and is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism 4 to reciprocate along a first direction. The second linear module 31 is connected to the output end of the first linear module 30 and is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism 4 to reciprocate along a second direction. The battery swapping mechanism 4 is connected to the output end of the second linear module 31. Through the cooperation of the first linear module 30 and the second linear module 31, the battery swapping mechanism 4 can move simultaneously along the first and second directions, so that the working range of the battery swapping mechanism 4 covers the entire battery base 1 and the battery swapping channel, thereby enabling it to clamp the battery 6 at any position on the battery base 1 or the vehicle to be swapped to achieve battery swapping.

[0076] The first linear module 30 includes a first guide rail 300, a first slider 301, and a first driving member. Two first guide rails 300 are spaced apart along a first direction. One first guide rail 300 is fixedly connected to the fixing part 20, and the other first guide rail 300 is fixedly connected to the sliding part 21. When the sliding part 21 is retracted or extended, the distance between the two first guide rails 300 changes accordingly. The first slider 301 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 300. Both ends of the second linear module 31 are respectively connected to the first slider 301 on the two first guide rails 300. The first driving member drives the first slider 301 to reciprocate along the first guide rail 300, thereby causing the second linear module 31 and the battery swapping mechanism 4 to reciprocate along the first direction.

[0077] The first guide rail 300 and the first slider 301 can be mutually cooperating T-shaped guide rails and sliders, C-shaped guide rails and sliders, cylindrical guide rails and guide sleeves, cylindrical guide rails and linear bearings, etc., and can be selected according to actual needs.

[0078] The first driving component can be a linear drive element such as a gear rack, a lead screw and lead screw nut, or a linear motor that works together. The specific choice can be made according to actual needs.

[0079] The second linear module 31 includes a second guide rail 310, a second slider 311, and a second driving member. The two ends of the second guide rail 310 are respectively hinged to the first sliders 301 on the two first guide rails 300, and the hinge axis is perpendicular to the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction. When the sliding part 21 is in the unfolded state, the second guide rail 310 is perpendicular to the first guide rail 300. When the sliding part 21 is retracted, the second guide rail 310 rotates around the hinge axis, so that the second guide rail 310 is tilted and retracted between the two first guide rails 300.

[0080] The second slider 311 is slidably connected to the second guide rail 310, and the battery swapping mechanism 4 is connected to the bottom of the second slider 311; the second driving member is used to drive the second slider 311 to slide back and forth along the second guide rail 310, thereby driving the battery swapping mechanism 4 to move back and forth in the second direction.

[0081] The second guide rail 310 and the second slider 311 can be mutually cooperating T-shaped guide rails and sliders, C-shaped guide rails and sliders, cylindrical guide rails and guide sleeves, cylindrical guide rails and linear bearings, etc., and can be selected according to actual needs.

[0082] The second drive component can be a linear drive element such as a gear rack, a lead screw and lead screw nut, or a linear motor that works together. The specific choice can be made according to actual needs.

[0083] It is understandable that the battery swapping mechanism 4 can be fixedly connected to the second slider 311, or it can be rotatably connected to the second slider 311 via a slewing bearing. When the battery swapping mechanism 4 is rotatably connected to the second slider 311 via the slewing bearing, the angle of the battery swapping mechanism 4 can be adjusted, so that the battery 6 can be gripped and placed more accurately and conveniently.

[0084] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The frame is covered by a compartment 5, which can protect the battery base 1 and the entire battery swapping channel, so that the battery swapping operation is not affected by rainy weather.

[0085] Specifically, the carriage 5 includes at least two interlocking compartments. One compartment is located outside the fixed part 20 and is used to protect the battery base 1. This compartment is the first compartment. The other compartments are located outside the sliding part 21 and are used to protect the battery swapping channel. These are the second compartments. Depending on the size of the battery swapping channel, there may be more than one second compartment.

[0086] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The second compartment has openings at both ends along the first direction for vehicles to enter or exit the battery swapping channel. The side of the second compartment has a battery swapping port, which is wider than the battery swapping channel. The battery swapping port has five doors that can be opened and closed. When the vehicle to be swapped is wide, such as an excavator or bulldozer, the five doors can be opened to allow the vehicle to enter the battery swapping channel from the battery swapping port for battery swapping.

[0087] Specifically, the fifth door of the carriage is hinged to the fifth carriage.

[0088] Specifically, the body includes a frame 50 and a body panel 51; the body panel 51 is fixedly connected to the corresponding frame 50, and the body panels 51 of different bodies are stacked vertically and slidably connected along the second direction; in this way, the different bodies can be fitted together, and when the sliding part 21 slides out or retracts along the second direction, the different bodies can slide out or retract accordingly. When the body is in the retracted state, it can provide all-round shielding protection for the bottom plate of the battery 6.

[0089] A shielding plate 53 is fixedly connected to both ends of the battery base 1 along the first direction, and the surface of the shielding plate 53 is perpendicular to the battery base 1. The carriage panels 51 at both ends of the first compartment are overlapped with and slidably connected to the shielding plate 53. When the height of the support frame 2 is adjusted by raising and lowering the support part 22, the shielding plate 53 can slide relative to the carriage panels 51 at both ends of the first compartment, thereby always providing shielding for both ends of the battery base 1 and improving the protection effect.

[0090] In another embodiment, the fixing part 20 and the sliding part 21 can also be configured as two frames that are stacked vertically and slidably connected along the second direction, so as to realize the unfolding or storage of the sliding part 21.

[0091] During battery swapping, the drive component 24 drives the sliding part 21 to slide and unfold along the second direction to form a battery swapping channel. At the same time, the second guide rail 310 unfolds and is perpendicular to the first guide rail 300. According to the height of the vehicle to be swapped, the support part 22 extends and retracts to adjust the overall height of the support frame 2. Then, the outrigger 23 extends to support the ground. The support part 22 and the outrigger 23 together form a stable support for the support frame 2. Through the cooperation of the first drive component and the second drive component, the battery swapping mechanism 4 is driven to move along the first and second directions to grab and transfer the battery 6, thus completing the battery swapping operation.

[0092] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The battery swapping mechanism 4 includes a support base 40, a connector 41, and a gripper body 42. The support base 40 is connected to the bottom of the second slider 311. The gripper body 42 is floatingly connected to the bottom of the support base 40 through the connector 41, and the gripper body 42 can be raised and lowered under the drive of the connector 41 to complete the gripping of the battery 6.

[0093] Specifically, both the support base 40 and the gripper body 42 are rectangular in shape. The connector 41 includes a winch 410 and a hoisting rope 411. There are four winches 410, which are fixedly connected to the four corners of the support base 40. The hoisting rope 411 is wound around the winch 410 and its end is fixedly connected to the gripper body 42. The winch 410 can be used to wind up and unwind the hoisting rope 411, thereby driving the gripper body 42 to rise and fall. At the same time, by controlling a single winch 410, the winding and unwinding length of a single hoisting rope 411 can be controlled, thereby adjusting the posture of the gripper body 42 so that it can better match the posture of the battery 6, making it easier to grab, pull out or place the battery 6.

[0094] A floating locking mechanism 43 is provided between the gripper body 42 and the support base 40. Through the floating locking mechanism 43, a rigid engagement between the gripper body 42 and the support base 40 can be achieved, which facilitates the transfer of the battery 6.

[0095] Specifically, the floating locking mechanism 43 includes a locking pin 430 that can be plugged in and a locking seat 431 with a hole; wherein, the locking pin 430 is fixedly connected to one of the gripper body 42 or the support base 40, and the locking seat 431 is fixedly connected to the other and corresponds to the locking pin 430. When the winch 410 retracts the hoisting rope 411 and raises the gripper body 42 to a certain height, the locking pin 430 is plugged into the locking seat 431, thereby achieving a rigid fit between the gripper body 42 and the support base 40.

[0096] In another embodiment, the connector 41 may also employ linear drive components such as cylinders or hydraulic cylinders to achieve the lifting and lowering of the gripper body 42.

[0097] In another embodiment, the connector 41 can be removed, and the support frame 2 can be raised and lowered as a whole by raising and lowering the legs 23 and the support part 22. This can also achieve the raising and lowering of the gripper body 42 and complete the gripping of the battery 6.

[0098] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11The gripper body 42 includes a base 420, a locking tongue 421, and a third driving member 422. Multiple locking tongues 421 are located at the bottom of the base 420. The arrangement of each locking tongue 421 can be adjusted according to the shape of the battery 6. In this embodiment, there are four locking tongues 421 arranged in a rectangular pattern. The locking tongue 421 has two states: extended and retracted. Before gripping the battery 6, the locking tongue 421 is in the retracted state. When gripping the battery 6, the locking tongue 421 extends and engages with the upper frame of the battery 6, thus establishing a connection with the battery 6. After the battery 6 is moved to a predetermined position, the locking tongue 421 retracts, disengaging from the battery 6. The third driving member 422 is used to drive the locking tongue 421 to extend or retract.

[0099] Specifically, a latch 421 seat is fixedly connected to the base 420 at the position corresponding to each latch 421. A through hole is provided on the latch 421 seat along the extension / retraction direction of the latch 421. The latch 421 is cylindrical and slidably inserted into the latch 421 seat. One end of the latch 421 is a mating end, which can extend or retract from the latch 421 seat under the drive of the third driving member 422. The other end is connected to the third driving member 422. The third driving member 422 can be a linear drive element such as a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or electric actuator.

[0100] Specifically, two adjacent locking tongues 421 can be connected to each other via a transmission part 424. There are two third driving members 422, each of which is connected to the two transmission parts 424. In this way, each third driving member 422 can simultaneously drive the extension and retraction of two locking tongues 421, which simplifies the structure and reduces costs.

[0101] Specifically, the bottom of the base 420 is provided with multiple guide posts 425. When gripping the battery 6, the guide posts 425 can be inserted into the top frame of the battery 6, thereby achieving alignment and engagement between the gripper body 42 and the top frame of the battery 6. It is understandable that the arrangement of the guide posts 425 can be adaptively adjusted depending on the different top frames of the battery 6. The parts of the guide posts 425 that contact the top frame of the battery 6 are all provided with chamfers, thereby facilitating the guidance and alignment of the guide posts 425.

[0102] Specifically, a photoelectric sensor 426 is installed on the base 420 to assist the gripper body 42 in grasping and placing the battery 6. It should be noted that using the photoelectric sensor 426 to identify the workpiece's pose is a mature existing technology, and its principle will not be elaborated here.

[0103] The mobile battery swapping station provided by the present invention is described below. The mobile battery swapping station described below can be referred to in correspondence with the battery swapping device described above.

[0104] A mobile battery swapping station includes a vehicle body 7 and the aforementioned battery swapping device; the battery base 1 of the battery swapping device is fixedly connected to the vehicle body 7.

[0105] Specifically, the vehicle body 7 can be a combination of a trailer and a tractor. The aforementioned battery swapping device is fixedly connected to the chassis 70 of the trailer, and the battery swapping device can be moved by the tractor pulling the trailer.

[0106] Specifically, the chassis 70 of the vehicle body 7 is equipped with liftable support legs 71, which are used to provide support for the battery base 1 and adjust the flatness of the battery base 1 according to road conditions.

[0107] The innovation of this invention lies in the following: During battery swapping, the drive component 24 drives the sliding part 21 to slide and unfold along the second direction to form a battery swapping channel. At the same time, the second guide rail 310 unfolds and is perpendicular to the first guide rail 300. According to the height of the vehicle to be swapped, the support part 22 extends and retracts to adjust the overall height of the support frame 2. Then, the support leg 23 extends to support the ground. The support part 22 and the support leg 23 together form a stable support for the support frame 2. Through the cooperation of the first drive component and the second drive component, the battery swapping mechanism 4 is driven to move along the first and second directions to grab and transfer the battery 6, thus completing the battery swapping operation. After the battery swapping is completed, the drive component 24 drives the sliding part 21 to slide and retract. The entire battery swapping process can be completed with just one trailer, reducing costs and space requirements. In addition, the support frame 2 can cover the entire battery base 1 and the battery swapping channel area after it is unfolded. Thus, the support frame 2 can provide support for the battery swapping mechanism 4 throughout the entire battery swapping process. Compared with the traditional cantilever structure, the battery swapping mechanism 4 is less prone to deformation when grabbing and transferring large-tonnage batteries 6, ensuring that the battery swapping mechanism 4 can accurately and stably grab the batteries 6 and guarantee work efficiency.

[0108] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery swapping device, characterized in that, include: Battery base (1), support frame (2), drive module (3) and battery swapping mechanism (4); The battery base (1) is used to hold the battery (6); The support frame (2) is supported above the battery base (1) and includes a fixing part (20) and a sliding part (21); The sliding part (21) is slidably connected to the fixed part (20), so that the sliding part (21) can switch between a stored state and an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the sliding part (21) is located on at least one side of the battery base (1), and the sliding part (21) forms a battery swapping channel. The battery swapping mechanism (4) is slidably connected to the support frame (2) and can reciprocate between the battery base (1) and the battery swapping channel for gripping and transferring the battery (6); The drive module (3) is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism (4) to move; The drive module (3) includes: The first linear module (30) is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism (4) to reciprocate along the first direction; The second linear module (31) is connected to the output end of the first linear module (30) and is used to drive the battery swapping mechanism (4) to reciprocate along a second direction; the second direction is parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding part (21) and perpendicular to the first direction; The first linear module (30) includes: The first guide rail (300) is fixedly connected to the support frame (2) and two rails are arranged at intervals along the first direction; The first slider (301) is slidably connected to the first guide rail (300), and the two ends of the second linear module (31) are respectively connected to the first slider (301) on the two first guide rails (300); The first driving member is used to drive the first slider (301) to reciprocate along the first guide rail (300); The second linear module (31) includes: The second guide rail (310) is hinged at both ends to the first sliders (301) on the two first guide rails (300). When the sliding part (21) is unfolded, the second guide rail (310) is perpendicular to the first guide rail (300). When the sliding part (21) is retracted, the second guide rail (310) is inclined between the two first guide rails (300). The second slider (311) is slidably connected to the second guide rail (310), and the battery swapping mechanism (4) is connected to the second slider (311); The second driving member is used to drive the second slider (311) to reciprocate along the second guide rail (310).

2. The battery swapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding part (21) is provided with a liftable support leg (23), which is used to provide support for the sliding part (21) when the sliding part (21) is unfolded.

3. The battery swapping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing part (20) is connected to and supported on the battery base (1) through the liftable support part (22) and is used to drive the support frame (2) to rise and fall.

4. The battery swapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A driving component (24) is provided between the fixed part (20) and the sliding part (21) for driving the sliding part (21) to unfold or retract.

5. The battery swapping device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It also includes a compartment (5) covering the support frame (2) to provide protection for the battery base (1) and the battery swapping channel.

6. The battery swapping device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The carriage (5) includes at least two compartments that are fitted together; one of the compartments is located outside the fixed part (20), and the other compartments are located outside the sliding part (21), with the multiple compartments sliding together.

7. A mobile battery swapping station, characterized in that, Includes a vehicle body (7) and a battery swapping device as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the battery base (1) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (7).

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