Battery swapping device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle battery replacement, and discloses a battery replacement device, which comprises a battery replacement base, a battery replacement platform arranged on the battery replacement base, and a walking mechanism, the walking mechanism comprises an axle penetrating through the battery replacement base and walking wheels fixed at both ends of the axle, the axle extends along a first direction, and the walking wheels rotate to drive the battery replacement base to walk along a second direction, and the battery replacement device further comprises a sliding mechanism connected between the battery replacement base and the axle, so that the battery replacement base can move along the first direction relative to the axle. The battery replacement device provided by the present application can help to reduce the overall height of the battery replacement device and improve the versatility of the battery replacement device for battery replacement vehicles with different chassis heights.

Description

Battery swapping equipment Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle battery swapping technology, and more specifically to a battery swapping device. Background Technology

[0002] When replacing the battery pack in an electric vehicle, the battery swapping equipment needs to be driven from the side of the vehicle to the bottom of the vehicle. The depleted battery pack is then unlocked and removed from the bottom of the vehicle. After the depleted battery pack is moved out, the fully charged battery pack is then moved and locked onto the vehicle.

[0003] Because the parking location of each battery swapping vehicle is somewhat unpredictable, and the battery packs are installed at the bottom of the vehicle via several locking mechanisms, the battery swapping equipment needs to be adjusted in multiple directions before and after moving into the bottom of the vehicle to accurately align with the battery packs or locking mechanisms, ensuring successful battery pack removal or installation. This necessitates the addition of various directional adjustment mechanisms to the battery swapping equipment, as well as coordination and avoidance designs between these mechanisms. Consequently, the existing battery swapping equipment has a complex overall structure, inflexible posture adjustment, and difficulty in controlling positioning accuracy. Furthermore, the existing battery swapping equipment is relatively tall, resulting in poor versatility for battery swapping vehicles with different chassis heights.

[0004] Therefore, the battery swapping equipment used in chassis-type battery swapping needs to be optimized. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery swapping device to solve the problems of existing battery swapping devices, such as complex structure, high overall height, and poor versatility.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a battery swapping device, including a battery swapping base, a battery swapping platform disposed on the battery swapping base, and a traveling mechanism. The traveling mechanism includes an axle disposed through the battery swapping base and traveling wheels fixed at both ends of the axle. The axle extends along a first direction, and the traveling wheels rotate to drive the battery swapping base to travel along a second direction. The battery swapping device also includes a sliding mechanism connected between the battery swapping base and the axle, so that the battery swapping base can move relative to the axle along the first direction.

[0007] The battery swapping device provided by this invention uses an axle running through a battery swapping base and traveling wheels fixed at both ends of the axle. The rotation of the axle and the forward movement of the traveling wheels drive the battery swapping base to travel in a second direction, facilitating smooth movement of the device to the bottom of the vehicle. A sliding mechanism connecting the battery swapping base and the axle enables relative movement between them, allowing the battery swapping base to move relative to the axle in a first direction. The traveling function and the adjustment function in the first direction are implemented within the same layer, helping to reduce the overall height of the battery swapping device and improve its versatility for vehicles with different chassis heights. During the battery swapping process, the battery swapping base can move in the first direction, replacing the traditional method of moving the battery swapping platform in the first direction. This simplifies the structure of the components related to the movement of the battery swapping platform, resulting in a simpler overall structure, more flexible posture adjustment, and more precise positioning.

[0008] Preferably, the sliding mechanism includes a sliding bearing sleeved on the axle and fixed to the battery swapping base, wherein the axle and the sliding bearing are slidably arranged along a first direction to drive the battery swapping base to move along the first direction.

[0009] A sliding bearing is used to achieve a slidable connection between the battery swapping base and the axle. The sliding bearing acts as a transitional connector, providing support to the axle and enabling synchronous movement of the battery swapping base and the wheels in the second direction. Simultaneously, the sliding bearing acts as a movable connection, allowing relative movement between the axle and the battery swapping base, preventing jamming and ensuring smooth movement of the battery swapping base in the first direction. By incorporating the sliding bearing, smooth movement of the battery swapping base in both the first and second directions is achieved. The structure is simple, easy to assemble, and occupies little space, which helps reduce the overall height of the battery swapping equipment and improves its versatility for battery swapping vehicles with different chassis heights.

[0010] Preferably, the sliding mechanism includes a groove extending along a first direction and a slider slidingly disposed in the groove, one of which is located on the wheel axle and the other is located on the battery swapping base.

[0011] The sliding mechanism includes a sliding groove and a slider. While realizing the movable connection between the wheel axle and the battery swapping base, it also plays a guiding role, making the movement direction of the battery swapping base more accurate and improving the positioning accuracy.

[0012] Preferably, the sliding mechanism includes a first transmission component, which is used to drive the battery swapping base to reciprocate along a first direction.

[0013] The power source can be transmitted to the battery swapping base or axle through the first transmission component, enabling the battery swapping base to move back and forth. The space on the battery swapping base can be used reasonably as needed. The arrangement of the power source and the first transmission component can be flexibly adjusted, making the battery swapping equipment structure more compact, reducing the height of the battery swapping equipment, and optimizing the overall size.

[0014] Preferably, the first transmission component includes a rotating shaft disposed on the battery swapping base and a gear sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft, wherein the gear meshes with the axle to drive the battery swapping base to move.

[0015] The battery swapping base moves along the first direction by using gears and axles to drive the transmission through gear meshing. This allows the movement function in the first direction and the walking function to be realized in the same space at the same height, resulting in a compact structure and reasonable space utilization.

[0016] Preferably, the rotating shaft is arranged perpendicular to the wheel axle, and the gear is a bevel gear with end face teeth on the end face, the end face of the bevel gear facing the wheel axle so as to mesh with the teeth on the wheel axle.

[0017] The arrangement of the rotating shaft and wheel axle, whether perpendicular or parallel, allows for efficient use of the space in the second direction, simplifying the structure, reducing the size and height of the equipment, and saving floor space. Using bevel gears simplifies the number of gears, making transmission more direct and flexible, and further simplifying the structure.

[0018] Preferably, the axle includes a first axle and a second axle arranged at intervals along the second direction. The first axle and the second axle are respectively provided with walking wheels at both ends. The battery swapping equipment is driven to move by driving the first axle and / or the second axle to rotate. The first transmission component acts on the first axle and the second axle to drive the battery swapping base to move along the first direction.

[0019] By arranging a first and second axle at intervals along the second direction, with each end of the axle equipped with a walking wheel, the force on the battery swapping device in the second direction can be balanced, ensuring smooth and stable movement. Depending on actual battery swapping needs, the first or second axle can be driven individually to move the device, or both axles can be driven simultaneously, flexibly optimizing the device's structure and adapting to various battery swapping scenarios. Furthermore, by directly applying the first transmission component to the first and second axles, either through independent drive by multiple motors or through a single motor driven by a synchronization component, the battery swapping base can move smoothly along the first direction, preventing skewing or jamming during movement and ensuring smooth movement of the base in that direction.

[0020] Preferably, the rotating shaft extends from the first wheel shaft to the second wheel shaft. The gears include a first gear and a second gear located at both ends of the rotating shaft. The first gear and the second gear mesh with the teeth on the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft, respectively, so that the rotating shaft drives the first gear and the second gear to rotate synchronously, thereby moving the battery swapping base. The first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft, which are spaced apart along the second direction, can balance the force on the battery swapping equipment in the second direction, making the battery swapping equipment move smoothly and steadily. By extending the rotating shaft from the first wheel shaft to the second wheel shaft and setting the first gear and the second gear at both ends of the rotating shaft, the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft can be synchronously driven by a single power source and a shared rotating shaft, reducing the number of rotating shafts, saving space, and making the movement of the battery swapping base more effortless and stable.

[0021] Preferably, the battery swapping platform is rotatably mounted on the battery swapping base;

[0022] The battery swapping base is equipped with a second transmission component, which is used to drive the battery swapping platform to rotate relative to the battery swapping base.

[0023] Because the vehicle body may be slightly tilted after being parked at the swapping location, the swapping equipment will experience an angular deviation when it reaches the bottom of the vehicle. Therefore, by making the swapping platform rotatable, precise alignment between the platform and the battery pack, its installation space, or the locking mechanism can be achieved based on actual conditions, thereby improving swapping efficiency. Utilizing a separately designed second transmission component further enhances structural reliability and ensures precise control.

[0024] Preferably, the second transmission assembly includes a transmission wheel and a transmission rack meshing with the transmission wheel. One of the transmission rack and the transmission wheel is fixed to the battery swapping base, and the other is fixed to the battery swapping platform. The transmission rack extends in an arc shape around the rotation center of the battery swapping platform.

[0025] The system utilizes a transmission rack and pinion mechanism to provide both transmission and guidance, resulting in a smaller footprint and reduced overall height and size of the battery swapping equipment, thus improving its practicality. The transmission rack extends in an arc around the rotation center of the battery swapping platform, ensuring more precise rotation angles.

[0026] Preferably, the axis of the drive wheel is offset from the rotation center of the battery swapping platform, and there are multiple drive wheels arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner with respect to the rotation center of the battery swapping platform.

[0027] The drive wheels are offset from the rotation center of the battery swapping platform and are arranged symmetrically. On the one hand, multiple drive wheels can be used to share the load of the battery swapping platform, reduce the pressure on each drive wheel, improve the service life and reliability of the drive wheels, and ensure effective transmission. On the other hand, the symmetrical arrangement of drive wheels can make the rotation of the battery swapping platform more stable and avoid problems such as rotation jamming caused by the swaying of the battery swapping platform.

[0028] Alternatively, the shaft of the drive wheel can be arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the battery swapping platform.

[0029] The shaft of the drive wheel is arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the battery swapping platform, which can reduce the number of drive wheels and simplify the structure of the battery swapping equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the power swapping device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a battery swapping device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first transmission component and the wheel axle in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first transmission component and the walking mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the engagement of the second transmission component in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery swapping base in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the battery swapping platform in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 10-Battery swapping base; 20-Battery swapping platform; 30-Walking mechanism; 31-Axle; 311-First axle; 312-Second axle; 313-Meshing gear; 32-Walking wheel; 40-Sliding mechanism; 50-First transmission assembly; 51-Rotating shaft; 52-Gear; 521-End face gear; 60-Rotating motor; 70-Drive motor; 80-Second transmission assembly; 81-Transmission wheel; 82-Transmission rack. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the overall concept of the present invention, a detailed description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0041] It should be noted that many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0042] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a battery swapping device, including a battery swapping base 10, a battery swapping platform 20 disposed on the battery swapping base 10, and a traveling mechanism 30. The traveling mechanism 30 includes an axle 31 passing through the battery swapping base and traveling wheels 32 fixed at both ends of the axle 31. The axle 31 extends along a first direction, as indicated by arrow A in FIG1. ​​The traveling wheels 32 rotate to drive the battery swapping base 10 to travel along a second direction, as indicated by arrow B in FIG1. ​​The battery swapping device also includes a sliding mechanism 40 connecting the battery swapping base 10 and the axle 31, so that the battery swapping base 10 can move back and forth relative to the axle 31 along the first direction A. Those skilled in the art will understand that the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0043] The battery swapping device provided by this invention uses an axle 31 that runs through the battery swapping base 10 and traveling wheels 32 fixed at both ends of the axle 31. When the axle 31 rotates and the traveling wheels 32 move forward in the second direction B, the battery swapping base 10 can be driven to travel in the second direction B, facilitating the smooth movement of the battery swapping device to the bottom of the vehicle. A sliding mechanism 40 connecting the battery swapping base 10 and the axle 31 enables a sliding connection between them, allowing relative movement. This allows the battery swapping base 10 to move relative to the axle 31 in the first direction. The traveling function and the adjustment function in the first direction are implemented on the same layer, which helps to reduce the overall height of the battery swapping device and improve its versatility for battery swapping vehicles with different chassis heights. During the battery swapping process, the battery swapping base 10 can move in the first direction A, replacing the traditional method of moving the battery swapping platform 20 in the first direction. This simplifies the structure of the components related to the movement of the battery swapping platform 20, making the overall structure of the device simpler, the posture adjustment more flexible, and the positioning more accurate.

[0044] The present invention does not limit the specific structure of the sliding mechanism 40, for example:

[0045] Implementation Example 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a sliding mechanism 40 that is sleeved on a wheel axle 31 and fixed to the battery swapping base 10. The wheel axle 31 and the sliding bearing are slidably arranged along a first direction to drive the battery swapping base 10 to move along the first direction A.

[0046] A sliding bearing is used to achieve a slidable connection between the battery swapping base 10 and the axle 31. The sliding bearing acts as a transitional connector, providing support for the axle 31 on the battery swapping base 10, thus enabling synchronous movement of the battery swapping base 10 and the traveling wheels 32 in the second direction. Furthermore, the sliding bearing acts as a movable connection, allowing relative movement between the axle 31 and the battery swapping base 10, preventing jamming and ensuring smooth movement of the battery swapping base 10 in the first direction. By using a sliding bearing, smooth movement of the battery swapping base 10 in both the first and second directions is achieved. This design is simple, easy to assemble, and occupies little space, which helps reduce the overall height of the battery swapping equipment and improves its versatility for battery swapping vehicles with different chassis heights.

[0047] Example 2: The sliding mechanism 40 includes a groove extending along a first direction and a slider sliding on the groove. One of the groove and the slider is located on the axle 31, and the other is located on the battery swapping base 10.

[0048] The sliding mechanism 40 includes a sliding groove and a sliding block. While realizing the movable connection between the wheel axle 31 and the battery swapping base 10, it also plays a guiding role, making the movement direction of the battery swapping base 10 more accurate and improving the positioning accuracy.

[0049] Specifically, the battery swapping base has a through hole for the axle to pass through. A mounting portion can be formed by extending the battery swapping base at the through hole location, and a slider or groove can be mounted on the mounting portion. In practice, to facilitate the mounting of the slider or groove on the axle, it is preferable to increase the outer diameter of the axle to provide sufficient design space.

[0050] It should be noted that Implementation Example 1 and Implementation Example 2 can be implemented independently or in combination. Based on Implementation Example 1, by combining the scheme of Implementation Example 2, the slider and the groove can be used to guide and optimize the smoothness of the displacement of the battery swapping base in the second direction.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sliding mechanism 40 includes a first transmission component, which is used to drive the battery swapping base 10 to reciprocate along a first direction.

[0052] The power source can be transmitted to the battery swapping base 10 or the wheel axle 31 through the first transmission component, so as to realize the reciprocating movement of the battery swapping base 10. The space on the battery swapping base 10 can be rationally utilized as needed. The arrangement of the power source and the first transmission component can be flexibly adjusted, making the battery swapping equipment structure more compact, reducing the height of the battery swapping equipment, and optimizing the overall size.

[0053] The present invention does not limit the specific structure of the first transmission component. For example, in embodiment 3, preferably as shown in Figures 1-3, the first transmission component 50 includes a rotating shaft 51 disposed on the battery swapping base 10 and a gear 52 sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft 51. The gear 52 meshes with the axle 31 to drive the battery swapping base 10 to move. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the rotating shaft 51 is arranged perpendicularly to the axle 31, and the gear 52 is a bevel gear with end face teeth 521 on its end face, the end face of the bevel gear facing the axle 31 to mesh with the axle 31. Meshing teeth 313 that mesh with the end face teeth 521 are provided on the axle 31.

[0054] Preferably, in this embodiment, the meshing teeth 313 are directly machined on the outer surface of the wheel axle 31. Of course, a meshing tooth 313 can also be fitted around the outer circumference of the wheel axle 31 to achieve meshing with the end face teeth 521. The transmission method using a rotating shaft and gears results in a compact structure and reasonable space utilization.

[0055] The perpendicular arrangement of the rotating shaft and wheel axle 31 allows for efficient use of space in the second direction, reducing the size and height of the power swapping equipment and saving floor space. The use of bevel gears simplifies the number of gears, making transmission more direct and flexible, and simplifying the structure. The use of a nut and circumferential gear meshing avoids transmission jamming, resulting in smoother transmission.

[0056] Of course, in the above-mentioned transmission method, the first transmission component 50 also includes a power source for driving the rotating shaft to rotate. Preferably, the power source is a rotary motor 60.

[0057] Additionally, it should be noted that, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the rotating shaft 51 is a long shaft, which can be a single shaft structure or composed of multiple short shafts connected by couplings. The two ends of the rotating shaft 51 are respectively connected to the corresponding wheel axle 31. This structure allows the first transmission component 50 to transmit power through a single rotary motor 60, simplifying the overall structure of the power swapping equipment.

[0058] In Example 4, preferably, the first transmission component 50 is a linear power source capable of outputting linear motion, such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0059] More preferably, the linear power source is installed on the battery swapping base, and the output end of the linear power source is fixedly connected to the axle; or, the battery swapping equipment also includes a support frame, the axle is rotatably disposed through the support frame, the axle and the support frame are limited and fixed along the extension direction of the axle, the linear power source is installed on the support frame and located on the side of the battery swapping base, the output end of the linear power source is fixed to the side of the battery swapping base or fixed to a sliding bearing, and then the linear power source is used to directly drive the battery swapping base or the sliding bearing to move relative to the support frame in the first direction.

[0060] Since the wheel axle and the battery swapping base are slidably connected, the relative movement between the wheel axle and the battery swapping base can be achieved by using the first transmission component described above. Since the wheel axle supports the weight of the entire battery swapping equipment, the wheel axle remains stationary during the operation of the first transmission component, thereby enabling the movement of the battery swapping base.

[0061] Based on Example 3, more preferably, as shown in FIG4, the walking mechanism 30 includes a first wheel shaft 311 and a second wheel shaft 312 arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the gear 52 includes a first gear 521 and a second gear 522 located at both ends of the rotating shaft 51, the first gear 521 and the second gear 522 respectively meshing with the first wheel shaft 311 and the second wheel shaft 312.

[0062] By arranging a first axle 311 and a second axle 312 at intervals along the second direction, with each end of the first axle 311 and the second axle 312 equipped with a walking wheel, the force on the battery swapping equipment in the second direction can be balanced, ensuring smooth and stable movement of the equipment. Depending on actual battery swapping needs, the first axle 311 or the second axle 312 can be driven to rotate independently to move the equipment, or both axles can be driven simultaneously to achieve movement, flexibly optimizing the structure of the battery swapping equipment and adapting it to various battery swapping scenarios. In this case, the first transmission component acts directly on the first axle 311 and the second axle 312, which can be driven independently by multiple motors or by a single motor through a synchronization component. This allows the battery swapping base to move smoothly along the first direction, preventing skewness or jamming during movement and ensuring smooth movement of the battery swapping base along the first direction.

[0063] Regarding the specific walking method of the battery swapping equipment, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the walking mechanism 30 includes two axles 31, as shown in Figure 4, namely a first axle 311 and a second axle 312 arranged at intervals along the second direction. Walking wheels 32 are respectively provided at both ends of the first axle 311 and the second axle 312, for a total of four walking wheels 32, to support the battery pack and carry the battery pack for walking and moving. By arranging the first axle 311 and the second axle 312 at intervals, the force on the battery swapping equipment in the second direction can be balanced, so that the battery swapping equipment can travel smoothly and stably.

[0064] By arranging first axles 311 and second axles 312 at intervals along the second direction, and with wheels at both ends of each axle, the force on the battery swapping equipment in the second direction can be balanced, ensuring smooth and stable movement. Driving either the first axle 311 or the second axle 312 individually reduces the number of drive motors required. Driving the first axle 311 and the second axle 312 also reduces the size of the drive motor used for each axle, making driving more effortless and achieving efficient space utilization. The first transmission assembly acts on the first axle 311 and the second axle 312 to move the battery swapping base along the first direction, preventing skew or jamming and ensuring smooth movement of the battery swapping base in the first direction.

[0065] In Figures 1, 2, and 4, only one drive motor 70 is shown driving the second wheel axle 312 to rotate, thereby driving the walking wheels 32 at both ends to rotate and achieve movement. This is suitable for situations where the battery pack is relatively light, such as when swapping the battery pack of a passenger car, a single drive motor 70 can provide the required power.

[0066] Considering the large weight of battery packs in heavy-duty commercial vehicles such as trucks, if a single motor were used to drive only one axle on one side for movement, a very large motor would be required to ensure reliable and stable operation. This would result in a large space occupied by the drive motor, leading to a bulky and inefficiently designed battery swapping device, increased costs, and inefficient space utilization. Therefore, in this scenario, two drive motors are needed to drive the first axle 311 and the second axle 312 respectively to move the battery swapping device. This approach ensures stable movement of the device while also achieving efficient space utilization, a compact structure, and cost reduction when applied to battery swapping in heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles.

[0067] Of course, the present invention can also obtain power from the drive motor 70 at the second wheel axle 312 through a synchronization component to drive the first wheel axle 311 to rotate. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the driving method of the battery swapping equipment. As shown in Figures 1-4, the drive motor 70 and the wheel axle 31 are driven by a gear assembly to rotate the wheel axle 31, thereby enabling the walking wheel 32 to move in the second direction. Alternatively, the drive motor 70 and the wheel axle 31 can also be driven by a transmission mechanism such as a timing belt, sprocket, or chain.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5-7, in a preferred embodiment, the battery swapping platform 20 is rotatably mounted above the battery swapping base 10. The battery swapping base 10 is provided with a second transmission assembly 80, which is used to drive the battery swapping platform 20 to rotate relative to the battery swapping base 10.

[0069] Because there may be angular errors after the battery swapping equipment reaches the bottom of the vehicle, the battery swapping platform 20 is rotatable. This rotation allows for precise alignment of the battery pack with the vehicle, improving swapping efficiency. The use of a second transmission component enhances structural reliability and ensures precise control.

[0070] As shown in Figures 5-7, the second transmission assembly 80 includes a transmission wheel 81 and a transmission rack 82 that meshes with the transmission wheel. One of the transmission rack 82 and the transmission wheel 81 is fixed to the battery swapping base 10, and the other is fixed to the battery swapping platform 20. The transmission rack 82 extends in an arc shape around the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the transmission rack 82 is disposed on the back of the battery swapping platform 20, and the transmission gear 81 is disposed on the top surface of the battery swapping base 10. Of course, the positions of the transmission rack 82 and the transmission gear 81 can be interchanged. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the axis of the transmission gear 81 is offset from the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20. Multiple transmission gears 81 are provided, for example, two, and these multiple transmission gears are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20. Correspondingly, the transmission rack 82 is arranged symmetrically.

[0072] The transmission utilizes the meshing of the transmission rack 82 and the transmission wheel 81, which occupies less space, thus reducing the overall height and size of the battery swapping equipment and improving its practicality. The transmission rack 82 extends in an arc shape around the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20, thereby ensuring more precise rotation angle of the battery swapping platform 20.

[0073] The axis of the drive wheel 81 is offset from the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20, and multiple drives are arranged symmetrically. On the one hand, multiple drive wheels can be used to share the load of the battery swapping platform 20, reduce the pressure on each drive wheel, ensure the service life and reliability of the drive wheels, and ensure effective transmission of the drive wheels. On the other hand, the symmetrical arrangement of the drive wheels 81 can make the rotation of the battery swapping platform 20 more stable and avoid problems such as rotation jamming caused by the swaying of the battery swapping platform 20.

[0074] Of course, it should be noted that in another preferred embodiment, the axis of the transmission wheel 81 is coaxially arranged with the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20. The transmission rack 82 can extend from an arc shape to a ring shape or retain the arc shape.

[0075] The shaft of the drive wheel 81 is arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the battery swapping platform 20, which can reduce the number of drive wheels 81 and simplify the structure of the battery swapping equipment.

[0076] When a battery swapping vehicle needs to have its battery replaced, the vehicle must first drive to the designated battery swapping location or area. After the vehicle has arrived and been powered off, the battery swapping equipment will perform the battery removal and installation operations.

[0077] Referring to Figures 1-7, based on the aforementioned battery swapping equipment, the battery removal process is as follows:

[0078] The drive motor 70 is controlled to rotate the first wheel axle 311 so that the battery swapping equipment can move along the second direction to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle. When the battery swapping platform of the battery swapping equipment is aligned with the depleted battery of the battery swapping vehicle in the second direction, the drive motor 70 is controlled to stop.

[0079] Based on the offset of the battery swapping platform and the depleted battery of the battery swapping vehicle in the first direction, the rotary motor 60 is controlled to operate, driving the rotary shaft 51 to rotate, thereby driving the battery swapping platform 20 to align with the depleted battery in the first direction.

[0080] Based on the deflection angle between the battery swapping platform 20 and the depleted battery, the transmission wheel 81 is controlled to rotate, and the transmission rack 82 is adapted to move, thereby driving the battery swapping platform to rotate relative to the battery swapping base, so that the unlocking mechanism on the battery swapping platform and the locking mechanism on the depleted battery pack are aligned, and the battery swapping platform and the depleted battery are precisely aligned.

[0081] The control mechanism raises the battery swapping platform, and the unlocking mechanism acts on the locking mechanism to unlock the battery pack from the battery swapping vehicle. The battery swapping platform, carrying the depleted battery, descends, and the battery swapping equipment transfers the depleted battery to the designated location.

[0082] Referring to Figure 1-7, based on the above-mentioned battery swapping equipment, the installation process of a fully charged battery is as follows:

[0083] The battery swapping equipment carries a fully charged battery. The control drive motor 70 is activated to drive the first wheel axle 311 to rotate, so that the battery swapping equipment can move along the second direction to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle. When the battery swapping platform of the battery swapping vehicle is aligned with the battery installation position of the battery swapping vehicle in the second direction, the control drive motor 70 is activated to stop.

[0084] Based on the offset of the battery mounting position of the battery swapping platform and the battery swapping vehicle in the first direction, the rotary motor 60 is controlled to move, driving the rotary shaft 51 to rotate, thereby driving the battery swapping platform to align with the battery mounting position in the first direction.

[0085] Based on the deflection angle between the battery swapping platform and the battery mounting position, the transmission wheel 81 is controlled to rotate, and the transmission rack 82 is adapted to move, thereby driving the battery swapping platform 20 to rotate relative to the battery swapping base 10, so that the fully charged battery on the battery swapping platform 20 is precisely aligned with the battery mounting position.

[0086] The control platform 20 is raised, and the locking mechanism acts on the mating parts on the battery pack to lock the battery to the battery swapping vehicle.

[0087] In this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature.

[0088] The technical solutions protected by this invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. It should be noted that any combination of the technical solutions of any embodiment with one or more other embodiments is within the scope of protection of this invention. Although the invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, some modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of this invention are within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

Claims

1. A battery swapping device, comprising a battery swapping base, a battery swapping platform disposed on the battery swapping base, and a traveling mechanism, characterized in that, The walking mechanism includes an axle running through the entire battery swapping base and walking wheels fixed at both ends of the axle. The axle extends along a first direction, and the walking wheels rotate to drive the battery swapping base to move along a second direction. The battery swapping equipment also includes a sliding mechanism connected between the battery swapping base and the axle. The axle includes a first axle and a second axle arranged at intervals along the second direction. The walking wheels are respectively provided at both ends of the first axle and the second axle. The sliding mechanism acts synchronously on the first axle and the second axle, and both the first axle and the second axle remain stationary during the operation of the sliding mechanism, so that the battery swapping base can reciprocate relative to the axle along the first direction, which is perpendicular to the second direction.

2. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding mechanism includes a sliding bearing sleeved on the axle and fixed to the battery swapping base. The axle and the sliding bearing are slidably arranged along the first direction to drive the battery swapping base to move along the first direction.

3. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sliding mechanism includes a groove extending along the first direction and a slider sliding on the groove. One of the groove and the slider is located on the axle, and the other is located on the battery swapping base.

4. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding mechanism includes a first transmission component, which drives the battery swapping base to reciprocate along the first direction.

5. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first transmission assembly includes a rotating shaft disposed on the battery swapping base and a gear sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft. The gear meshes with the teeth on the axle to drive the battery swapping base to move along the first direction.

6. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rotating shaft is arranged perpendicular to the wheel axle, and the gear is a bevel gear with end face teeth on the end face, the end face of the bevel gear facing the wheel axle so as to mesh with the teeth on the wheel axle.

7. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The battery swapping device is driven to move by rotating the first axle and / or the second axle; the first transmission component acts on the first axle and the second axle to drive the battery swapping base to move along the first direction.

8. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The rotating shaft extends from the first axle to the second axle. The gear includes a first gear and a second gear located at both ends of the rotating shaft. The first gear and the second gear mesh with the teeth on the first axle and the second axle, respectively, so that the rotating shaft drives the first gear and the second gear to rotate synchronously and then drives the battery swapping base to move.

9. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery swapping platform is rotatably mounted on the battery swapping base; the battery swapping base is provided with a second transmission assembly, which is used to drive the battery swapping platform to rotate relative to the battery swapping base.

10. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second transmission assembly includes a transmission wheel and a transmission rack meshing with the transmission wheel. One of the transmission rack and the transmission wheel is fixed to the battery swapping base, and the other is fixed to the battery swapping platform. The transmission rack extends in an arc shape around the rotation center of the battery swapping platform.

11. The battery swapping equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, The axis of the drive wheel is offset from the rotation center of the battery swapping platform. There are multiple drive wheels, and the multiple drive wheels are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner about the rotation center of the battery swapping platform; or, the axis of the drive wheel is arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the battery swapping platform.

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