Battery Pack Transportation Device and Battery Swap Station Containing the Same

Abstract

This application relates to a battery pack transportation device and a battery swapping station including the same. The battery pack transportation device of this application includes a conveying component, on the surface of which rubber is provided. The Shore A hardness of the rubber is > 60, and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.8. The battery pack transportation device of this application effectively enhances the wear resistance of the coating on the surface of the battery pack in contact with the rubber and improves the service life of the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of new energy. Specifically, this application relates to a battery pack transportation device and a battery swapping station including the same. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the new energy vehicle market in China has shown a trend of rapid growth. With the rapid development of new energy, the energy replenishment system has become an inevitable issue. Currently, there are two ways to replenish energy for pure electric vehicles in China. One is to build charging piles, which is relatively common, and the other is to layout battery swapping stations. Compared with charging piles, on the one hand, battery swapping has a crushing advantage in terms of energy replenishment efficiency. On the other hand, due to the unified management of battery swapping stations, all users no longer need to worry about battery attenuation and safety issues, because each battery can receive corresponding battery inspections every time it is swapped. In order to increase the warranty years of power batteries, more stringent requirements are put forward for the battery pack transportation device in the battery swapping station. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, this application provides a battery pack transportation device and a battery swapping station including the same. By controlling the Shore A hardness of the rubber in the battery pack transportation device and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack, the wear resistance of the coating on the surface of the battery pack in contact with the rubber is effectively enhanced, and the number of battery pack turnover times and the service life of the battery pack are improved.

[0004] In the first aspect of this application, a battery pack transportation device is provided. The transportation device includes a conveying component, and rubber is provided on the surface of the conveying component. The Shore A hardness of the rubber > 60, and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.8.

[0005] In the second aspect of this application, a battery swapping station is provided. The battery swapping station includes the battery pack transportation device described in the first aspect.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0007] The battery pack transportation device of this application can effectively enhance the wear resistance of the coating on the surface of the battery pack in contact with the rubber, improve the number of battery pack turnover times and the service life of the battery pack by controlling the Shore A hardness of the rubber in the battery pack transportation device and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack, without the need to repair the battery pack or adjust the coating formula of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack. Starting from the modification on the battery swapping station side, for the existing mass-produced replaceable battery packs, improving the battery pack transportation device in the battery swapping station can economically solve the problem that the coating of the bottom guard plate is easily worn at the root. Detailed Embodiments

[0008] For the sake of brevity, only some numerical ranges are specifically disclosed in this application. However, any lower limit can be combined with any upper limit to form a range not explicitly recited; and any lower limit can be combined with other lower limits to form a range not explicitly recited, and similarly any upper limit can be combined with any other upper limit to form a range not explicitly recited. In addition, each individually disclosed point or single numerical value by itself can be used as a lower limit or an upper limit and combined with any other point or single numerical value or combined with other lower limits or upper limits to form a range not explicitly recited.

[0009] Unless otherwise specified, the terms used in this application have the well-known meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical values of the various parameters mentioned in this application can be measured by various commonly used measurement methods in the art (for example, they can be tested according to the methods given in the embodiments of this application).

[0010] The list of items connected by the terms "at least one of", "at least one", "at least one kind of" or other similar terms can mean any combination of the listed items. For example, if items A and B are listed, then the phrase "at least one of A and B" means only A; only B; or A and B. In another example, if items A, B, and C are listed, then the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means only A; or only B; only C; A and B (excluding C); A and C (excluding B); B and C (excluding A); or all of A, B, and C. Item A can include a single component or multiple components. Item B can include a single component or multiple components. Item C can include a single component or multiple components.

[0011] The present application will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. It should be understood that these specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application and not to limit the scope of the present application.

[0012] I. Battery pack transportation device

[0013] The battery pack transportation device provided by the present application includes a conveying component, and rubber is provided on the surface of the conveying component. The Shore A hardness of the rubber > 60, and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.8. The battery pack transportation device of the present application has low wear on the coating on the surface of the battery pack during transportation of the battery pack, and can effectively extend the number of current conversion times of a single battery pack.

[0014] The battery pack of a new energy vehicle includes a bottom guard plate, and the coating is provided on the surface of the bottom guard plate to achieve the effects of anti-corrosion and anti-chip. Under battery swapping and charging replenishment, in order to avoid bumping or scratching the coating on the surface of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack during the transfer of the battery pack, battery pack transportation devices are usually used in battery swapping stations to transport the battery pack. Generally, the battery pack is transmitted to four positions such as the connection position, the buffer position, the lifting position, and the battery storage position through the battery pack transportation device. When the battery pack is transferred from one position to another, cyclic relative sliding friction occurs between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack. As the number of transfers increases, since the wear resistance of the coating on the surface of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack is poor, the coating becomes thinner and even exposes the metal bottom plate, increasing the exposure of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack, thereby increasing the risk of exposure and even corrosion of the metal bottom plate. Since the maintenance cost of the existing battery packs is relatively high, and repair and maintenance are not conducive to improving the battery swapping experience, improving wear from the perspective of the battery pack transportation device is an effective solution.

[0015] In this application, the "sliding friction coefficient" refers to the ratio of the frictional force generated between the coating on the surface of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack and the rubber in the battery pack transportation device in a relative motion state to the pressure perpendicular to the contact surface between the bottom guard plate of the battery pack and the rubber in the battery swapping station's battery pack transportation device.

[0016] In this application, "wear resistance" refers to the ability of the coating surface to resist wear and is a durability of a material. "Wear-resistant" means that the coating is not easily worn under high-frequency friction, and no phenomena such as thinning of the surface thickness or peeling of the coating layer will occur.

[0017] In this application, the "number of transfers in the battery swapping station" refers to the number of times the battery pack completes round trips between the battery storage and the battery swapping platform through the battery transportation device in the battery swapping station. Here, the "battery transportation device" is used to transfer the battery between the battery swapping platform and the battery storage, the "battery swapping platform" is used for vehicle positioning and battery swapping operations, and the "battery storage" is used for battery storage and charging. Taking the second-generation battery swapping station of NIO as an example, one transfer in the battery swapping station means that the battery pack makes a round trip through the connection position, the buffer position, the lifting position, and the battery storage in the battery swapping station once.

[0018] In some embodiments, the conveying component includes a chain or a roller. The battery pack transportation device can use a chain or a roller to achieve the periodic transportation of the battery pack. In some embodiments, the surface of the conveying component is provided with rubber, and the transportation device contacts the surface coating of the bottom guard plate of the battery pack through the rubber to achieve the transportation of the battery pack. In some embodiments, during transportation, the rubber on the upper cover of the chain in the battery pack transportation device rubs against the coating on the surface of the battery pack.

[0019] In some embodiments, the Shore A hardness of the rubber is 61, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 or any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the Shore A hardness of the rubber is 70 to 90. When the Shore A hardness of the rubber is relatively small, on the one hand, hard particles transferred from the rigid object during contact may sometimes be embedded in the soft rubber material during the abrasion process, which plays a role in scratching the hard material in the reverse direction. On the other hand, at this time, the true contact area with the hard material is larger, resulting in more severe abrasive wear. Those skilled in the art can control the rubber and thus select a rubber with a suitable Shore A hardness by adjusting the type, particle size, content of the filler added to the rubber, and the vulcanization degree of the rubber. Generally speaking, the higher the vulcanization degree, the greater the hardness of the rubber; as the content of the filler in the rubber increases, the hardness also increases. In some embodiments, the Shore A hardness of the rubber is 70 to 75.

[0020] In some embodiments, the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.8. In some embodiments, the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.43, 0.45, 0.47, 0.5, 0.53, 0.55, 0.57, 0.6, 0.63, 0.65, 0.67, 0.7, 0.73, 0.75, 0.77, 0.8 or any value therebetween. When the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is too large, the wear between the bottom guard plate and the rubber is aggravated, which may lead to the wear of either the battery pack bottom guard plate or the rubber, thereby reducing the service life of the battery pack and increasing the loss of components in the battery swapping station. When the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is too small, the frictional force between the battery pack bottom guard plate and the rubber is insufficient to provide sufficient resistance, resulting in sliding on the contact surface and inability to maintain stable transportation of the battery pack, and there is a slipping phenomenon during the transfer process of the battery swapping station. In some embodiments, the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.6. In some embodiments, the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.4 to 0.6. In this application, those skilled in the art can adjust the coefficient of sliding friction between the bottom guard plate and the rubber by adjusting the type of rubber, the type of the coating on the rubber surface, and the thickness of the coating on the rubber surface.

[0021] In this application, "slipping" includes that during the transmission of the battery pack in the battery swapping station, due to insufficient friction on the surface of the bottom guard plate coating of the battery pack, the battery pack cannot maintain a stable position and slides, and also includes that during the transmission of the battery pack, due to the transfer from one bin to another bin or due to changes in motion states such as acceleration or deceleration, the battery pack loses stability and slides.

[0022] In some embodiments, a lubricating layer is provided on the rubber surface, and this lubricating layer is between the friction surfaces of the rubber and the surface coating of the battery pack. By providing this lubricating layer, the sliding friction coefficient between the two interfaces can be greatly reduced, thereby promoting the reduction of frictional resistance, reducing mechanical wear, prolonging the service life of the bottom guard plate coating of the battery pack, and further prolonging the number of times the battery pack is transferred.

[0023] In some embodiments, a lubricating layer is provided on the rubber surface, and the thickness of the lubricating layer is 5 μm to 60 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lubricating layer is 5 μm, 10 μm, 15 μm, 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm or any value therebetween. When the thickness of the lubricating layer is too large, the usage amount of the coating material will increase, resulting in an increase in cost, and it will also increase the overall weight of the package, which is not conducive to lightweighting. When the thickness of the lubricating layer is too small, with a little friction, the coating will be worn until it falls off, and a stable lubricating film cannot be formed, and the friction and wear cannot be effectively reduced, which will reduce the mechanical strength and wear resistance of the bottom of the battery pack, easily expose the bottom plate of the battery pack, and further affect the safety and reliability of the battery. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lubricating layer is 15 μm to 40 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lubricating layer is 15 μm to 30 μm. In this application, those skilled in the art can adjust process parameters such as the concentration of the lubricating layer coating, the viscosity of the lubricating layer coating, the coating method, and the coating speed to control the thickness of the lubricating layer.

[0024] In some embodiments, the rubber includes at least one of nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, cis-butadiene rubber, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber. In some embodiments, the rubber includes nitrile rubber. Any rubber material that can meet the requirements of transporting the battery pack and can resist the wear of the surface coating of the battery pack and / or the slipping phenomenon during the battery transfer process can be used in this application.

[0025] In some embodiments, the lubricating layer includes at least one of lubricating particles, solvents, and resins. Any lubricating layer that can meet the requirements of reducing the friction between the rubber and the bottom guard plate coating of the battery pack and / or the slipping phenomenon during the battery transfer process can be used in this application. The lubricating layer is obtained by coating a lubricant on the rubber surface and then drying. The coating methods include but are not limited to spraying, electrophoretic coating, brushing, dipping, etc.

[0026] In some embodiments, the lubricating particles include at least one of molybdenum disulfide, graphite, and polytetrafluoroethylene. These lubricating particles can also be referred to as solid lubricants, which are dispersed in a solvent and a resin.

[0027] In some embodiments, the solvent includes at least one of N-ethylpyrrolidone (NEP), γ-butyrolactone (GBL), and water. The solvent generally serves as a transfer liquid for the lubricating particles and the resin system in the lubricating layer formulation and is used to transport the lubricating particles to the precise positions required for specific applications. This solvent has the characteristic of a low flash point and can be removed during the curing process of the resin system. It can be organic, water-based, or a product without volatile organic compound (VOC) content. Solvent-based lubricants can also be used to dilute or adjust the viscosity of existing formulations.

[0028] In some embodiments, the resin includes at least one of polyamide-imide resin (PAI) and epoxy resin. The role of the resin in the lubricating layer is to increase the adhesion of the coating, improve the weather resistance and chemical resistance of the coating, adjust the rheological properties of the coating, increase the hardness and wear resistance of the coating, and improve the appearance of the coating. Any resin that meets the aforementioned requirements can be applied in this application.

[0029] In some embodiments, the bottom guard plate includes a metal plate and a coating provided on the surface of the metal plate. In some embodiments, the metal plate includes a steel plate or an aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the metal plate is a steel plate. Compared with other metal plates, the steel plate has better tensile strength and elongation, can meet the requirements of impact resistance, is beneficial to improving the protection effect on the battery pack, and thus enhances the service life of the battery.

[0030] In some embodiments, the coating includes at least one of a polyvinyl chloride coating, a polyamide coating, a polyester coating, and an epoxy coating. In some embodiments, the coating includes a polyvinyl chloride coating.

[0031] In some embodiments, an anti-corrosion layer is further provided between the metal plate and the coating to further improve the anti-corrosion performance of the metal plate. The anti-corrosion layer can be an electrophoretic layer or a primer layer, as long as the electrophoretic layer or the primer layer can effectively isolate the metal plate from the external environment of the battery pack as a protective layer and protect the metal plate from environmental erosion, especially when the coating is damaged, to protect the metal plate from the external environment, thereby enhancing the service life of the battery pack.

[0032] In some embodiments, the anti-corrosion layer is an epoxy electrophoretic paint layer, an acrylate electrophoretic paint layer, an acrylic electrophoretic paint layer, a polyurethane electrophoretic paint layer, a polyester electrophoretic paint layer, an epoxy primer layer, a polyacrylic acid primer layer or a polyester primer layer. The electrophoretic layer as an anti-corrosion layer can achieve control of the thickness of the anti-corrosion layer by adjusting the electrophoretic time, electric field strength, solution concentration, pH value, etc. The primer layer as an anti-corrosion layer can achieve control of the thickness of the anti-corrosion layer by adjusting the spraying speed, spraying distance, nozzle size and shape, etc.

[0033] 2. Battery swap station

[0034] The present application also provides a battery swap station, which includes the above-mentioned battery pack transportation device.

[0035] In some embodiments, battery replacement is usually performed in a battery replacement station. In a complete battery replacement process, after the vehicle to be replaced arrives at the battery replacement station, the vehicle is first parked on the battery replacement platform, and then the battery replacement platform positions the vehicle. After positioning, the battery pack transport device removes the low-power battery from the vehicle to be replaced, and transports the low-power battery to the battery compartment, and then receives the fully charged battery from the battery compartment, and installs the fully charged battery on the vehicle to be replaced, and finally transports the low-power battery back to the battery compartment. At this point, the battery replacement is completed and the vehicle can leave the battery replacement platform.

[0036] In some embodiments, the battery swap station includes a battery swap platform, a battery rack, a battery pack transport device, a battery docking device, and a battery cache device. The battery swap platform is used to carry the vehicle to be swapped, the battery rack is used to store the power battery, the battery pack transport device is arranged below the battery swap platform and is used to replace the power battery for the vehicle to be swapped, and the battery docking device and the battery cache device are arranged below the battery swap platform.

[0037] Before the battery swap begins, the fully charged battery is transported from the battery rack to the bottom of the battery swap platform by the battery pack transport device and temporarily stored in one of the battery docking devices or battery cache devices. After the battery swap begins, the vehicle to be swapped is parked on the battery swap platform, and the battery pack transport device removes the depleted battery from the vehicle to be swapped and transports it to the other of the battery docking devices or battery cache devices. Then the battery pack transport device receives the temporarily stored fully charged battery and installs it on the vehicle to be swapped. The vehicle to be swapped can leave the battery swap platform after the battery swap is completed. At the same time, the battery pack transport device transports the depleted battery to the battery rack for charging. At this point, the battery swap is completed and the vehicle can leave the battery swap platform.

[0038] In some embodiments, there are four positions for transferring battery packs in the battery swap station: docking position, cache position, lifting position, and battery position. A round trip of a battery pack in the four positions is counted as one battery swap. Example

[0039] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the methods in the embodiments are all conventional methods in the art; the raw materials, materials, and reagents in the embodiments are all conventional raw materials, materials, or reagents that are commercially available unless otherwise specified.

[0040] Test method

[0041] 1. Shore A hardness measurement

[0042] The Shore A hardness of the rubber was measured using an LX-A Shore A hardness tester.

[0043] 2. Coefficient of sliding friction measurement

[0044] The coefficient of sliding friction was measured with reference to GB / T 10006-2021 Plastics - Films and sheeting - Determination of coefficient of friction.

[0045] 3. Lubricating layer thickness measurement

[0046] The thickness of the lubricating layer was measured using a PosiTector 200 device. This thickness refers to the dry film thickness on the rubber surface. This device is an ultrasonic coating thickness gauge for non-metallic substrates.

[0047] 4. Number of battery pack transfer cycles measurement

[0048] The battery pack was sequentially passed through the docking position, buffer position, lifting position, and battery compartment by program control, and then from the battery compartment to the lifting position and buffer position in sequence, and finally back to the docking position. This completed one cycle. The battery pack was continuously transferred in cycles, and the number of battery replacements was recorded until the coating on the bottom guard plate of the battery pack was worn through and the metal bottom plate was exposed.

[0049] 5. Slipping measurement during battery replacement transfer

[0050] The battery pack was tested for battery replacement at the battery replacement station. During the battery replacement transfer process, no positioning defects, abnormal noises, or idling of the rollers were considered qualified (no slipping). Example 1

[0051] A battery pack transportation device, wherein the rubber is nitrile rubber (NBR), the rubber hardness is 70 - 75A, and the coefficient of sliding friction between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.42. The thickness of the lubricating layer on the rubber surface is 30 μm, the coating on the bottom guard plate that rubs against the rubber is a PVC coating, its hardness is 55D, and the coating thickness is 1 mm. The battery pack's round trip through the buffer position, docking position, lifting position, and battery compartment is considered one transfer.

[0052] Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5

[0053] Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are achieved by adjusting the hardness of the rubber in the battery pack transportation device, the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the bottom guard plate of the battery pack, the thickness of the lubricating layer, etc. on the basis of Example 1. The specific adjustment measures and test results are shown in Table 1.

[0054] Table 1

[0055]

[0056] Although some exemplary embodiments of the present application have been illustrated and described, the present application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that some modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack transport device, characterized in that: The transport device includes a conveying component, the surface of which is provided with rubber, the Shore A hardness of the rubber is 70 to 75, and the sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.8; the surface of the rubber is provided with a lubricating layer, and the thickness of the lubricating layer is 5μm to 60μm.

2. The battery pack transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.2 to 0.

6.

3. The battery pack transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sliding friction coefficient between the rubber and the coating on the surface of the battery pack is 0.4 to 0.

6.

4. The battery pack transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lubricating layer has a thickness of 15 μm to 40 μm.

5. The battery pack transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coating includes at least one of a polyvinyl chloride coating, a polyamide coating, a polyester coating and an epoxy coating.

6. The battery pack transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying member includes a chain or a roller.

7. The battery pack transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rubber includes at least one of nitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber and hydrogenated nitrile rubber.

8. A battery swap station, comprising the battery pack transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images