A battery replacement station and battery replacement method suitable for multiple specifications of vehicle models

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery swap station that can adapt to multiple specifications of vehicle models and a corresponding battery swap method, and relates to the technical field of mobile battery swap equipment. The battery swap station includes a battery rack, and each battery rack includes a plurality of battery slots, and each battery slot can accommodate at most one battery; there is a guide rail tunnel on the front of the battery rack, in which a guide rail, an RGV forklift, a movable bridge plate and a support column are provided; the RGV forklift is provided with a lifting platform, a rotating platform and a telescopic fork leg that can be horizontally extended in both directions. Compared with the traditional battery swap station, the battery swap station and the battery swap method of the present invention can not only adapt to the battery swap of multiple vehicle models, but also reduce the strict restrictions on parking positions and improve the efficiency of battery swap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of mobile battery replacement for electric vehicles, and in particular relates to an electric battery replacement station and a battery replacement method for replacing batteries of electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] New energy vehicles are becoming more and more popular, but due to the battery capacity limitation of electric vehicles, electric vehicles cannot maintain long-term high mileage driving, especially electric vehicles, which are heavy, energy-intensive, and take a long time to charge. If you want to expand the mileage and shorten the idle time, the main measure is to set up a battery swap station. When the vehicle is about to run out of power, the battery replacement solution is adopted. It only takes a few minutes to extend the mileage by hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, the use of special battery replacement equipment to achieve automatic battery replacement is the technical development direction of electric vehicle charging and swap stations.

[0003] At present, most of the battery swap stations on the market are roof-mounted battery swap stations, with battery racks placed side by side on one or both sides of the battery swap vehicle, which greatly increases the width of the battery swap station. The length and height of the battery swap station are not reasonably utilized, resulting in a large area of ​​the station and a long battery replacement time. The battery specifications of a single battery swap station are single and cannot be adapted to a variety of vehicle models. The parking position requirements are high, and the vehicle position needs to be repeatedly adjusted by the driver or an external drive device. Summary of the invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery swap station and a battery swap method that are suitable for multiple specifications of vehicle models. The battery swap station rationally utilizes the length and height of the battery swap station, shortens the width of the battery swap station, effectively utilizes the site area, shortens the battery swap time, and improves the battery swap efficiency; at the same time, it can adapt to battery swaps of multiple vehicle models and can reduce strict restrictions on parking locations.

[0005] Technical solution: The present invention can adopt the following technical solution:

[0006] A battery swap station that can accommodate vehicles of various specifications, comprising a guide rail tunnel, guide rails at the bottom of the guide rail tunnel, an RGV forklift and a mobile bridge plate that move on the guide rails, a battery rack at one side of the guide rail tunnel, and a battery swap parking space at one end of the battery rack for parking vehicles; the guide rail tunnel and the guide rails pass through the battery swap parking space, and a plurality of support columns are provided at the intersection of the guide rail tunnel and the battery swap parking space; when the mobile bridge plate moves to the battery swap parking space, the support columns abut against the bottom of the moving bridge plate; when the mobile bridge plate moves out of the battery swap parking space, the RGV forklift moves to the battery swap parking space; the battery rack comprises a plurality of battery slots for charging batteries, each battery slot accommodating a battery; the RGV forklift is used to take and place batteries on the battery rack and batteries on vehicles; the RGV forklift has a lifting platform, on which a rotating platform is installed, and the rotating platform rotates around its own center; the rotating platform is installed with telescopic fork legs and a visual sensor.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes speed bumps and arrival sensors for detecting the arrival of vehicles, sensors for scanning license plates, as well as gates and battery-swap parking spaces. The speed bumps, arrival sensors and gates are all arranged in the area where the battery-swap parking spaces are located.

[0008] Furthermore, the width of the movable bridge plate is approximately the same as the width of the guide rail tunnel, and the height of the movable bridge plate is approximately the same as the ground height of the battery swapping parking space, so that when the movable bridge plate is located at the battery swapping parking space, it is used to carry the vehicle to travel through the guide rail tunnel.

[0009] Furthermore, battery racks are provided on both sides of the guide rail tunnel.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the battery compartments is provided with two battery support blocks for carrying batteries, and a space is formed between the two battery support blocks for the telescopic fork legs of the RGV forklift to be inserted.

[0011] Furthermore, each battery compartment supports accommodating batteries of different specifications.

[0012] The present invention also provides a technical solution of a battery replacement method based on the above-mentioned battery replacement station, comprising:

[0013] In the initial state, the gate is closed and the moving bridge plate is at the battery-changing parking position;

[0014] When the battery swap vehicle enters the battery swap parking space, it passes through the movable bridge plate and stops so that the battery position of the vehicle is above the movable bridge plate;

[0015] The mobile bridge plate moves on the guide rail in the direction away from the battery rack and moves out of the battery swapping vehicle position. The RGV forklift moves on the guide rail toward the battery swapping vehicle. When the lifting platform is detected to have entered the battery swapping area, the RGV forklift stops moving.

[0016] When the rotating platform rotates to the right position, the RGV forklift records the position data, and the lifting platform starts to rise, so that the upper surface of the telescopic fork legs contacts the lower surface of the battery of the battery swapping vehicle. When the reaction force of the battery is greater than the preset threshold, the lifting platform stops rising, and the battery swapping station console sends an unlocking signal to the battery swapping vehicle.

[0017] Then the locking device on the battery swap vehicle performs the unlocking operation to make the battery fall onto the lifting platform. After unlocking, the battery swap vehicle sends an unlocking completion signal to the control console of the battery swap station, the lifting platform descends to the lowest height, and the RGV forklift moves the battery to an empty battery compartment.

[0018] The RGV forklift moves to the location of a fully-charged battery and carries the fully-charged battery to the lifting platform. The RGV forklift moves to the same location according to the location data recorded when the battery is removed, that is, arrives under the battery swap vehicle. The lifting platform drives the fully-charged battery to rise. When the upper surface of the fully-charged battery presses against the battery swap vehicle and applies a reaction force exceeding the preset threshold to the telescopic fork legs, the lifting platform stops rising, and the battery swap station console sends a locking signal to the battery swap vehicle.

[0019] Finally, the locking device on the battery swap vehicle performs the locking operation. After the locking is completed, the RGV forklift resets and moves the bridge plate into the battery swap parking space. After the bridge plate is moved into place, the battery swap vehicle drives away from the battery swap station.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The battery swap station of the present invention reasonably utilizes the length and height of the battery swap station, shortens the width of the battery swap station, and effectively utilizes the occupied area; it can adapt to battery swap vehicles and batteries of various lengths and models. In working scenarios where multiple vehicles coexist, there is no need to prepare multiple battery swap stations of different specifications. When a vehicle needs to replace the battery, it can reach the nearest battery swap station to carry out the battery replacement process, reducing the cost of laying multiple battery swap stations and saving the time of finding the corresponding battery swap station; the parking accuracy requirements for the battery swap vehicle body position are low, and the battery swap method is simple and intelligent to operate, and the entire process is automated, the battery swap time is shortened, and the battery swap efficiency is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery swap station of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a top view of the battery swap station of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 The present invention is a power station Figure 2 A is an enlarged schematic diagram.

[0024] In the figure:

[0025] 1. Battery shelf; 101. Battery support block; 2. Guide rail; 3. Locking device; 4. Mobile bridge plate; 5. RGV forklift; 501. Lifting platform; 502. Rotating platform; 503. Telescopic fork leg; 504. Visual sensor; 6. Guide rail tunnel; 7. Battery; 8. Battery exchange vehicle; 9. Gate; 10. Speed ​​bump; 11. Support column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages to be solved by the present invention clearer, the following will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In the following description, specific details such as specific configurations and components are provided only to help fully understand the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, for clarity and brevity, the description of known functions and structures is omitted.

[0027] It should be understood that "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the embodiment drawings in the specification of the present invention, heavy-duty truck battery replacement will be used as an illustrative diagram, which does not mean that the battery replacement station of the present invention cannot be used for other different battery replacement vehicle models.

[0028] In various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the size of the serial numbers of the following processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides a battery swap station and a battery swap method thereof, wherein the battery swap station is characterized in that it includes:

[0030] A battery rack 1, wherein the battery rack includes a plurality of battery slots, each battery slot accommodating at most one battery 7, and battery support blocks 101 are arranged on both sides between each battery slot and the battery 7, and the battery support blocks 101 can hold both sides of the battery to leave space between the bottom surface of the battery and the battery slot so that the telescopic fork leg 503 can be extended. The battery slots of the battery rack 1 can charge the battery 7, and the battery slots support accommodating batteries of various specifications, such as light trucks, heavy trucks, tractors, muck trucks and other batteries of all different specifications in the working scenario of the battery swap station.

[0031] There is a guide rail tunnel 6 on the front of the battery rack 1. The guide rail tunnel 6 is arranged parallel to the battery rack 1. The tunnel is two steps of different heights. The lowest step is provided with a guide rail 2. The side of the guide rail 2 close to the battery rack is installed with an RGV forklift 5, which can move along the guide rail 2; the side away from the battery rack 1 is installed with a movable bridge plate 4, which can also move along the guide rail 2. The second step is provided with a plurality of support columns 11. The support columns 11 are between the RGV forklift 5 and the movable bridge plate 4 in the initial stage and are located directly below the battery exchange parking space. They are used to support the movable bridge plate 4 when the movable bridge plate 4 is in the battery exchange parking space to bear the weight when crossing the bridge. The movable bridge plate 4 can be moved along the guide rail by setting an RGV walking trolley that moves along the guide rail 2 at the bottom or other walking devices that can move on the guide rail in the prior art.

[0032] like Figures 1-2 The RGV forklift shown in the figure is equipped with a lifting platform 501; a rotating platform 502 is installed on the lifting platform 501, which can rotate around its own center; a group of telescopic fork legs 503 that can be retracted in both directions and a visual sensor 504 are installed on the rotating platform 501, wherein the telescopic fork legs 503 that can be retracted in both directions are used to enable the removal and placement of batteries on the battery racks 1 on both sides of the guide tunnel 6; the visual sensor 504 can identify the deflection angle of the battery swap vehicle 8, so that the rotating platform 502 is rotated to align with the battery swap vehicle 8. Therefore, the battery swap vehicle 8 does not need to be parked very accurately in the battery swap parking space, and it only needs to park the front wheels between the speed bumps. There is no special requirement for the angle of the vehicle body, and there is a certain tolerance.

[0033] like Figure 2 The lengths of the guideway tunnel 6 and the guideway 2 shown should meet the following requirements:

[0034] On one side of the RGV forklift 5 , when the RGV forklift 5 moves to the outermost side, the telescopic fork legs 503 on the RGV forklift 5 can place and remove the battery 7 on the battery rack 1 farthest from the battery swap vehicle 8 .

[0035] On one side of the movable bridge plate 4, sufficient margin is left so that when viewed from a top view, there will be no overlapping area between the movable bridge plate 4 and the battery-swap vehicle 8 and the movable bridge plate 4 is as far away from the battery-swap vehicle 8 as possible, at least half a meter away.

[0036] When the battery swapping vehicle 8 is in place, when the battery swapping station as a whole is viewed from a top-down perspective, the RGV forklift 5, the movable bridge plate 4 and the battery swapping vehicle 8 will not overlap.

[0037] like Figure 1 The movable bridge plate 4 shown in the figure should be directly above the support column 11 when the battery-swapping vehicle 8 has not entered the battery-swapping parking space, and the upper surface of the support column 11 should be in contact with the lower surface of the movable bridge plate 4.

[0038] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the width of the movable bridge plate 4 is approximately the same as the width of the guide rail tunnel 6, and the height of the movable bridge plate 4 is approximately the same as the ground height of the battery swapping parking space, so that when the movable bridge plate 4 is located at the battery swapping parking space, it is used to carry the battery swapping vehicle 8 to travel through the guide rail tunnel 6.

[0039] like Figure 2 The width of the guideway tunnel shown should meet the following conditions:

[0040] Its width should be greater than the maximum dimensions of the length, width, and height of the battery 7 to facilitate the free movement of the battery 7 and the RGV forklift 5 in the tunnel;

[0041] Its width should be smaller than the front and rear wheel tracks of the battery-swapping vehicle 8 to ensure that the vehicle will not fall into the pit after the movable bridge plate 4 is removed.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery swap station also includes a speed bump 10 and a location sensor for detecting the location of a vehicle, a sensor for scanning a license plate, a gate 9 and a battery swap parking space. The speed bump 10, the location sensor and the gate 9 are all arranged at the location of the battery swap parking space; the sensor for scanning the license plate can compare the license plate of the battery swap vehicle 8 with the vehicle information in the battery swap station console, and then confirm whether the battery swap vehicle 8 is a light truck, a tractor or other work vehicle model.

[0043] The battery replacement method of the above-mentioned multi-specification battery replacement station is:

[0044] In the initial state, the gate 9 is in a closed state, the movable bridge plate 4 is in the battery exchange parking space, which is directly above the support column 11, and the lifting platform 501 of the RGV forklift 5 is at the lowest height;

[0045] When the battery swap vehicle 8 enters the battery swap parking space, it needs to pass over the movable bridge plate 4, and the front wheels enter between the speed bumps 10. The arrival sensor is triggered, that is, the battery swap vehicle 8 is basically in place, and the vehicle is successfully connected to the battery swap station console. The driver can then press the "battery swap" button;

[0046] At this time, the station console scans the license plate to confirm the model of the battery swap vehicle 8 and the specifications of the battery 7, in preparation for the subsequent battery swap process. For example, if the battery swap vehicle 8 is a light truck, the subsequent RGV forklift 5 will take the light truck specification battery from the battery rack 1, and so on;

[0047] The mobile bridge plate 4 moves on the guide rail 2 in the direction away from the battery rack 1 to the end of the guide rail, and at the same time, the RGV forklift moves on the guide rail 1 toward the battery swap vehicle 8. When the RGV forklift 5 detects that the lifting platform 501 has entered the battery swap area, it stops moving; the rotating platform 502 determines the offset angle of the battery 7 on the battery swap vehicle 8 through the visual sensor 504, and rotates itself so that the telescopic fork leg 503 installed on its upper surface is parallel to the longer side of the battery 7;

[0048] When the rotating platform 502 rotates to the position, the RGV forklift 5 records the position data, and the lifting platform 501 starts to rise, so that the upper surface of the telescopic fork leg 503 contacts the lower surface of the battery 7 of the battery swap vehicle 8. When the reaction force of the battery 7 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold (for example, 5000N), the lifting platform 501 stops rising, and the battery swap station console sends an unlocking signal to the battery swap vehicle 8;

[0049] Then, the locking device 3 on the battery swap vehicle performs the unlocking operation. After the unlocking is completed, the battery swap vehicle 8 sends an unlocking completion signal to the battery swap station console, the lifting platform 501 descends to the lowest height, the rotating platform 502 returns to the vertical position of the telescopic fork leg 503 and the guide rail 2, and the RGV forklift 5 moves away from the battery swap vehicle 8. An empty battery slot on the battery rack 1 is located through the information from the battery swap station console. After that, the RGV forklift 5 moves to a position where the telescopic fork leg 503 and the battery 7 removed from the battery swap vehicle 8 can be completely placed in the battery slot, and the lifting platform 501 begins to rise to the corresponding empty battery slot height, the telescopic fork leg 503 extends to completely place the battery in the battery slot, and the lifting platform 501 descends. At this time, the battery rack 1 is on the battery support block 101 of the battery slot, the upper surface of the telescopic fork leg 503 is separated from the lower surface of the battery 7, and the telescopic fork leg 503 is retracted. At this time, the entire battery removal work is completed;

[0050] Next, the battery installation begins. The RGV forklift 5 moves to a fully charged battery of corresponding specifications according to the information from the battery swap station console. The lifting platform 501 rises to the height of the corresponding battery compartment, and the telescopic fork leg 503 extends. The lifting platform 501 continues to rise until the battery 7 leaves the battery support block 101. The telescopic fork leg 503 retracts with the battery, and then the lifting platform 501 descends to the lowest height. The RGV forklift 5 moves to the corresponding installation position according to the position data recorded when the battery is removed. The rotating platform 502 rotates to the same angle as when the battery is removed, and the lifting platform 501 starts to rise. When the upper surface of the battery 7 contacts the battery swap vehicle 8 and applies a reaction force exceeding a preset threshold to the telescopic fork leg 503, the lifting platform 501 stops rising, and the battery swap station console sends a locking signal to the battery swap vehicle 8.

[0051] Finally, the locking device 3 on the battery swap vehicle 8 performs the locking operation. After the locking is completed, the battery swap vehicle sends a locking completion signal to the battery swap station control console, the RGV forklift 5 is reset, and the bridge plate 4 is moved to enter the battery swap parking space. After the bridge plate 4 is moved into place, the gate 9 is opened, and the battery swap vehicle 8 leaves the battery swap station. Finally, the gate is closed again, and the entire battery swap process is completed.

[0052] In summary, the battery swap station of the present invention reasonably utilizes the length and height of the battery swap station, shortens the width of the battery swap station, and effectively utilizes the floor space; it can adapt to battery swap vehicles and batteries of various lengths and models. In working scenarios where multiple vehicles coexist, there is no need to prepare multiple battery swap stations of different specifications. When a vehicle needs to swap batteries, it can reach the nearest battery swap station to replace the battery, reducing the cost of laying multiple battery swap stations and saving time in finding the corresponding battery swap stations; the parking accuracy requirements for the battery swap vehicle body position are low, and the battery swap method is simple and intelligent to operate, and the entire process is automated, the battery swap time is shortened, and the battery swap efficiency is improved. The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary personnel in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles described in the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery replacement method for a battery replacement station suitable for multiple specifications of vehicle models, characterized in that: The battery swap station includes a guide rail tunnel, guide rails at the bottom of the guide rail tunnel, an RGV forklift and a mobile bridge plate moving on the guide rails, a battery rack located on one side of the guide rail tunnel, and a battery swap parking space for vehicles located at one end of the battery rack; the guide rail tunnel and the guide rails pass through the battery swap parking space, and a plurality of support columns are provided at the intersection of the guide rail tunnel and the battery swap parking space; when the mobile bridge plate moves to the battery swap parking space, the support columns abut against the bottom of the mobile bridge plate; when the mobile bridge plate moves out of the battery swap parking space, the RGV forklift moves to the battery swap parking space; and also includes a speed bump arranged in the area where the battery swap parking space is located, and the speed bump is only arranged on the side where the front wheels of the battery swap vehicle are located, and no speed bump is arranged on the side where the rear wheels of the battery swap vehicle are located; The battery rack includes a plurality of battery slots for charging batteries, each battery slot accommodating a battery; The RGV forklift is used to take and place batteries on battery racks and batteries on vehicles; The RGV forklift has a lifting platform, on which a rotating platform is installed, which rotates around its own center; a telescopic fork leg and a visual sensor are installed on the rotating platform; In the initial state, the gate is closed and the moving bridge plate is at the battery-changing parking position; When the battery swap vehicle enters the battery swap parking space, it stops from the time when it passes through the movable bridge plate to the time when the front wheels enter the speed bump so that the battery position of the vehicle is above the movable bridge plate; The mobile bridge plate moves on the guide rail in the direction away from the battery rack and moves out of the battery swapping vehicle position. The RGV forklift moves on the guide rail toward the battery swapping vehicle. When the lifting platform is detected to have entered the battery swapping area, the RGV forklift stops moving. When the rotating platform rotates to the right position, the RGV forklift records the position data and the lifting platform starts to rise, so that the upper surface of the telescopic fork legs contacts the lower surface of the battery of the battery swapping vehicle. When the reaction force of the battery is greater than the preset threshold, the lifting platform stops rising and the battery swapping station console sends an unlocking signal to the battery swapping vehicle. Then the locking device on the battery swap vehicle performs the unlocking operation to make the battery fall onto the lifting platform. After unlocking, the battery swap vehicle sends an unlocking completion signal to the control console of the battery swap station, and the lifting platform descends to the lowest height. The RGV forklift moves the battery to an empty battery compartment. The RGV forklift moves to the location of a fully-charged battery and carries the fully-charged battery to the lifting platform. The RGV forklift moves to the same location according to the location data recorded when the battery is removed, that is, arrives under the battery swap vehicle. The lifting platform drives the fully-charged battery to rise. When the upper surface of the fully-charged battery presses against the battery swap vehicle and applies a reaction force exceeding the preset threshold to the telescopic fork legs, the lifting platform stops rising, and the battery swap station console sends a locking signal to the battery swap vehicle. Finally, the locking device on the battery swap vehicle performs the locking operation. After the locking is completed, the RGV forklift resets and moves the bridge plate into the battery swap parking space. After the bridge plate is moved into place, the battery swap vehicle drives away from the battery swap station.

2. The battery replacement method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a location sensor for detecting the location of the vehicle, a sensor for scanning the license plate, as well as a gate and a battery-swap parking space. The location sensor and the gate are both arranged in the area where the battery-swap parking space is located.

3. The battery replacement method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The width of the movable bridge plate is approximately the same as the width of the guide rail tunnel, and the height of the movable bridge plate is approximately the same as the ground height of the battery swapping parking space, so that when the movable bridge plate is located at the battery swapping parking space, it is used to carry the vehicle to travel through the guide rail tunnel.

4. The battery replacement method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Battery racks are provided on both sides of the guide rail tunnel.

5. The battery replacement method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: Each of the battery compartments is provided with two battery support blocks for carrying batteries, and a space is formed between the two battery support blocks for the telescopic fork legs of the RGV forklift to be inserted.

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