Charging device, charging assembly and battery swap station

Abstract

The invention discloses a charging device, a charging assembly and a battery swap station, the charging device comprises a floating disc, and the floating disc is used for bearing a battery pack; the electric connector is electrically connected with the battery pack so as to charge and discharge the battery pack; the linkage mechanism comprises a sliding mechanism, a first traction piece and a second traction piece, the first traction piece is connected with the sliding mechanism and the floating disc, the second traction piece is connected with the electric connector and the installation base, the electric connector is installed on the installation base and moves relative to the installation base, and the second traction piece is connected with the sliding mechanism in a sliding mode. According to the scheme, the linkage mechanism is arranged between the floating disc and the electric connector, so that the electric connector is driven to move towards the direction of the battery pack to form electric connection. The linkage mechanism forms a movable pulley structure. The moving distance of the second traction piece is twice that of the first traction piece, and therefore the displacement of the electric connector is larger than that of the floating disc.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of a Chinese invention patent with an application date of April 3, 2020, application number 202010260555.5, and name “Charging device, charging assembly and battery swap station”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a charging device, a charging assembly and a battery replacement station. Background Art

[0003] With the development of society and the advancement of science and technology, electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular among consumers. As the power source of electric vehicles, battery boxes need to be charged in time. Due to the requirements of driving range and power, the battery box power required by the car is getting higher and higher. The traditional charging method cannot meet the needs of some scenarios. The battery box needs to be replaced and charged on the charging rack so that the vehicle can be used normally during the charging time.

[0004] The charging rack is provided with an electrical connection plug that matches the electrical connection socket on the battery pack. When the battery pack on the electric vehicle is unloaded and placed on the charging rack for charging, the electrical connection plug on the charging rack and the electrical connection socket on the battery pack need to be docked. In the prior art, the electrical connection plug is generally driven by an external driving mechanism to approach the electrical connection socket on the battery pack to achieve docking. This results in complex and high cost connections for the equipment in the charging rack, and additional power needs to be provided to drive the electrical connection plug to move.

[0005] In addition, the electrical connection plug on the existing electric vehicle is generally set on the side of the space inside the car for placing the battery box to ensure the stability of the electrical connection of the vehicle during driving. If the electrical connection plug in the charging rack is also set on the side, the battery box needs to be rotated as a whole to achieve electrical plug-in. For battery boxes with larger dimensions, the rotation of the battery box will cause problems such as occupying a large space and cumbersome operation. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect that the charging device in the prior art has poor adaptability and cannot connect to battery packs with different charging port directions, resulting in cumbersome adjustment of the battery pack position, and to provide a charging device, a charging assembly and a battery swap station.

[0007] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A charging device, characterized in that the charging device comprises:

[0009] a floating plate, the floating plate being used to carry the battery pack;

[0010] an electrical connector, used to form an electrical connection with the battery pack to charge and discharge the battery pack;

[0011] A linkage mechanism includes a sliding mechanism, a first traction member, and a second traction member. The first traction member is respectively connected to the sliding mechanism and the floating plate, the second traction member is respectively connected to the electric connector and the mounting seat, the electric connector is installed on the mounting seat and moves relative to the mounting seat, and the second traction member is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism.

[0012] This solution sets a linkage mechanism between the floating plate and the electrical connector, thereby driving the electrical connector to move toward the battery pack to form an electrical connection. The linkage mechanism includes a sliding mechanism, a first traction member, and a second traction member, thereby forming a movable pulley structure. The moving distance of the second traction member is twice that of the first traction member, thereby achieving a displacement of the electrical connector greater than that of the floating plate.

[0013] Preferably, the floating plate moves a first displacement in a first floating direction under the action of the gravity of the battery pack; when the floating plate generates a first displacement along the first floating direction, the linkage mechanism drives the electrical connector to move a second displacement in a direction close to the battery pack, so that the electrical connector forms an electrical connection with the battery pack.

[0014] This solution uses the gravity of the battery pack to move the floating plate, that is, uses the battery pack's own gravity to achieve electrical connection, does not require additional power to drive the electrical connector to move, and this linkage method can be applied to electrical connections of battery packs in various orientations.

[0015] Preferably, the first floating direction is a vertical downward direction, the floating plate supports the battery pack in a vertical direction, and the floating plate is displaced toward the first floating direction due to the gravity of the battery pack.

[0016] The first floating direction is vertically downward, that is, the gravity of the battery pack can be fully applied to the floating plate, so that the floating plate can drive the movement of the linkage mechanism more timely.

[0017] Preferably, the second displacement is greater than the first displacement. The distance between the electrical connector and the floating plate needs to change with different states.

[0018] When the battery pack is moved in, the electrical connector must be spaced a certain distance from the battery pack to avoid interference; after the battery pack is moved in, the electrical connector contacts the battery pack and charges. Therefore, by setting the second displacement greater than the first displacement, the electrical connector gradually approaches the battery pack during the movement of the battery pack to avoid interference during the movement.

[0019] Preferably, the direction of the second displacement is a vertically downward direction, the electrical connector is arranged above the floating plate, and the linkage mechanism is arranged to be linked in a vertically downward direction.

[0020] Therefore, the orientation of the charging port of the battery pack is completely perpendicular to the direction in which the battery pack is moved in. Since the charging port of the battery pack is horizontal when matched with the charging vehicle, the battery pack only needs to be flipped 90 degrees between the electric vehicle and the charging device, which can significantly simplify the battery replacement process and enable the battery replacement equipment to complete the rotation of the battery pack in a smaller space.

[0021] Preferably, the floating plate is connected to a floating reset element, and the floating reset element is used to drive the floating plate to reset along a second floating direction when there is no gravity of the battery pack, and the second floating direction is opposite to the first floating direction.

[0022] After the battery pack is removed, the floating reset element provides an active restoring force to restore the floating plate to its original position to prepare for the subsequent battery pack to enter charging.

[0023] Preferably, the floating reset element is an elastic element, and when the battery pack is carried on the floating plate, the elastic element is deformed in the first floating direction and generates an elastic restoring force toward the second floating direction.

[0024] Preferably, the electrical connector is connected to a charging reset element, and the charging reset element is used to drive the electrical connector to reset when there is no gravity of the battery pack.

[0025] After the battery pack is removed, the charging reset element provides an active restoring force to restore the floating plate to its original position to prepare for the subsequent battery pack to enter charging.

[0026] The floating reset element and the charging reset element can be provided at the same time, thereby enabling the electrical connector and the floating disk to be reset regardless of the linkage mechanism.

[0027] In some linkage mechanisms, such as connecting rods, only one of the floating reset element and the charging reset element is required, and the reset of any one of the electrical connector and the floating disk will drive the reset of the other one.

[0028] Preferably, the charging resetting element is an elastic element, and when the floating plate carries the battery pack, the elastic element deforms in the direction of the second displacement and generates an elastic deformation force in the direction opposite to the second displacement.

[0029] Preferably, the charging device further comprises a guiding mechanism, and the guiding mechanism is used to guide the electrical connector to move towards the battery pack under the action of the linkage mechanism to achieve electrical connection.

[0030] The guiding mechanism can guide the moving direction of the electrical connector, so that the electrical connector can move toward or away from the battery pack along a fixed track.

[0031] Preferably, the guiding mechanism comprises a slider and a guide rail, wherein the slider or the guide rail is fixed on the electrical connector and is slidably connected to the guide rail or the slider which is relatively fixed.

[0032] The slider moves along a fixed track on the guide rail. The slider can be arranged on the electrical connector to move with the electrical connector, or can be arranged at a relatively fixed position to guide the movement of the electrical connector.

[0033] Preferably, the electrical connector includes a connecting socket and a charging head, wherein the charging head is disposed on the connecting socket, wherein the connecting socket is connected to the linkage mechanism, and the charging head is used to connect to a charging port of a battery pack.

[0034] Preferably, a floating element is provided between the connecting socket and the charging head to achieve a floating electrical connection between the electrical connector and the battery pack.

[0035] The floating element realizes the floating displacement of the charging head. Therefore, even if there is an error in the docking process with the charging port of the battery pack, the error can be corrected by the floating displacement of the charging head.

[0036] Preferably, the floating element is an elastic element, and a receiving cavity for receiving the charging head is provided in the connecting seat, and the charging head is arranged in the receiving cavity through the elastic element.

[0037] The elastic element can buffer the movement of the charging head through its own compression and extension. One end of the elastic element can abut the charging head and the other end can abut the inner wall of the accommodating cavity, so that the movement of the charging head relative to the inner wall of the accommodating cavity can be smoothly realized.

[0038] Preferably, the charging head is also provided with a positioning pin, and the positioning pin is used to dock with a positioning hole provided on the battery pack.

[0039] Preferably, the charging device also includes a slider and a guide rail, and the electrical connector also includes a base, on which the slider or the guide rail is fixed and is slidably connected to the corresponding guide rail or the slider, and the connecting seat extends in a direction away from the slider and the guide rail.

[0040] A charging assembly is characterized in that the charging assembly includes the charging device.

[0041] A battery swap station, characterized in that the battery swap station comprises:

[0042] The vehicle platform is used to dock the electric vehicle for battery pack replacement;

[0043] A charging assembly, used to place a battery pack, including the charging device;

[0044] Battery exchange equipment is used to remove, place and transfer batteries between electric vehicles and the various charging compartments of the charging assembly.

[0045] The positive and progressive effect of the present invention is that the movable electrical connector of the present invention does not need to be in the same direction as the transmission direction of the battery pack, and the orientation of the electrical connector can be any orientation. The linkage mechanism generates linkage through the change of the load of the floating plate, so that the electrical connector can respond in time and dock with the battery pack. The power for the movement of the electrical connector comes from the gravity of the battery pack, and no external drive is required, which is conducive to simplifying the internal structure of the charging device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a charging assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement and configuration of a charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the upper structure of a charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the side structure of a charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of an electrical connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 7 The figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery swap station according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0054] like Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment discloses a charging assembly 2, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The charging assembly 2 shown includes a charging compartment A. A charging device 20 is installed in each charging compartment A. Figure 3As shown, the charging device 20 of this embodiment includes a floating plate 21, and the floating plate 21 is used to carry the battery pack 4 and move a first displacement in a first floating direction V under the gravity of the battery pack 4. In this embodiment, the floating plate 21 can be a flat plate structure, a frame structure or other structural members that can be used to support the battery pack and float along the first direction. The charging assembly 2 also includes a fixed plate 28, which is arranged below the floating plate 21 and is used to support and carry the floating plate 21. The charging compartment A is composed of a charging rack, and the charging rack is composed of multiple horizontal and vertical beams. The floating plate 21 can also be directly arranged on the charging rack.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the charging device 20 of this embodiment also includes an electrical connector 22, which is used to form an electrical connection with the battery pack 4 to charge and discharge the battery pack 4. In this embodiment, the electrical connector 22 is arranged above the floating plate 21 in the charging compartment A, and can be electrically plugged with the battery pack 4 in the vertical direction to charge and discharge the battery pack. The electrical connector 22 can be directly arranged on the crossbeam of the charging rack through the mounting seat. The electrical connector 22 includes a charging head 221 and a wiring terminal (not shown in the figure, which can actually be located at the top or side of the electrical connector 22). The charging head 221 is used to form an electrical connection with the charging port of the battery pack 4, and the wiring terminal is used to connect an external charging module to charge the battery pack 4.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, the charging device 20 of this embodiment also includes a linkage mechanism 23, which is connected to the floating plate 21 and the electrical connector 22 respectively. When the floating plate 21 generates a first displacement along the first floating direction V, the linkage mechanism 23 drives the electrical connector 22 to move a second displacement along the direction close to the battery pack 4, so that the electrical connector 22 forms an electrical connection with the battery pack 4.

[0057] The present embodiment utilizes the gravity of the battery pack 4 to move the floating plate 21, and sets a linkage mechanism 23 between the floating plate 21 and the electrical connector 22, thereby driving the electrical connector 22 to move toward the battery pack 4 to form an electrical connection. That is, the electrical connection is achieved by utilizing the gravity of the battery pack 4 itself, and no additional power is required to drive the electrical connector 22 to move. Moreover, this linkage method can be applied to electrical connections of the battery pack 4 in various directions.

[0058] The electric connector 22 of the present invention is linked with the battery pack 4 through the linkage mechanism 23, and is no longer a fixed electric connector 22. Therefore, the moving electric connector 22 does not need to be in the same direction as the transmission direction of the battery pack 4, and the orientation of the electric connector 22 can be any orientation. Among them, the linkage mechanism 23 generates linkage through the change of the load of the floating plate 21, so that the electric connector 22 can respond in time and dock with the battery pack 4. The power for the movement of the electric connector 22 comes from the gravity of the battery pack 4, and no external drive is required, which is conducive to simplifying the internal structure of the charging device 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first floating direction V is a vertical downward direction. Figure 3 The floating plate 21 receives the battery pack 4 in the vertical direction shown, and moves toward the first floating direction V with the gravity of the battery pack 4. The first floating direction V is vertically downward, that is, the gravity of the battery pack 4 can be fully applied to the floating plate 21, so that the floating plate 21 can drive the movement of the linkage mechanism 23 more timely.

[0060] In this embodiment, the floating plate 21 can float in the vertical direction. Specifically, the floating plate 21 is installed in the charging compartment. In this embodiment, the floating plate 21 is installed on the fixed plate 28 and can move in the vertical direction under the gravity of the battery pack 4. It can be a spring, a rubber pad or other elastic member that can withstand the gravity compression of the battery pack and restore the deformation after withdrawing the battery pack 4. In other embodiments, the floating plate 21 can also be directly installed on the horizontal and vertical beams of the charging rack to achieve floating load-bearing.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second displacement is greater than the first displacement. When the battery pack 4 enters the charging compartment, the bottom of the battery pack is higher than the surface of the floating plate. Therefore, the distance between the electrical connector 22 and the surface of the floating plate 21 must be greater than the height of the battery pack 4 to avoid interference; therefore, after the battery pack 4 is placed on the floating plate 21, the distance moved by the electrical connector 22 must be greater than the distance moved by the floating plate to achieve electrical connection between the electrical connector 22 and the battery pack 4.

[0062] like Figure 3As shown, the direction of the second displacement of this embodiment is the vertical downward direction, the electrical connector 22 is arranged above the floating plate 21, and the linkage mechanism 23 is arranged between the electrical connector 22 and the floating plate 21, driving the electrical connector 22 to move downward in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the charging port of the battery pack 4 is facing upward when entering the charging compartment A. In order to achieve electrical connection, the electrical connector with the charging head 221 facing downward is moved downward in the vertical direction through the linkage mechanism, that is, the direction of the second displacement is the vertical downward direction to achieve electrical connection between the electrical connector and the battery pack. When the battery pack 4 is installed on the electric vehicle, the battery pack 4 and the electrical connector 22 on the electric vehicle are generally electrically plugged in the horizontal direction. The horizontal electrical plugging is suitable for the electric vehicle during driving, especially for the situation of severe shaking of the vehicle, so as to provide a reliable and stable electrical connection. When the battery pack 4 on the electric vehicle is unloaded and connected to the electrical connector located in the horizontal direction on the inner side of the charging compartment to realize charging and discharging, the battery pack needs to be rotated 180 degrees horizontally to dock with the electrical connector in the charging compartment. For a battery pack with a larger size, a larger battery replacement space is required, which is not suitable for the situation of a smaller battery replacement area. With the electrical connector 22 arranged above the floating plate in this embodiment, it is only necessary to flip the battery pack 4 90 degrees in the vertical direction to realize charging and discharging, without occupying a larger battery replacement space. At the same time, the gravity of the battery pack 4 is used to realize the electrical connection between the battery pack 4 and the electrical connector 22, eliminating the need for an additional driving mechanism. The electrical connection between the two can be realized by placing the battery pack in place on the floating plate, eliminating the complex operation of aligning the electrical connector and the battery pack, and the charging docking efficiency is higher and the charging cost is lower.

[0063] In other embodiments, the electrical connector 22 may also be adaptively disposed on the side or bottom of the charging compartment to accommodate different orientations of the socket end of the battery pack 4 placed in the charging compartment A. Specifically, the linkage mechanism 23 in this embodiment may be used, and only the setting position of the electrical connector 22 needs to be adjusted, and the electrical connector 22 moves in a direction toward the battery under the gravity of the battery pack 4.

[0064] like Figure 3As shown, the floating plate 21 of the present embodiment is connected to a floating reset element 26, and the floating reset element 26 is used to drive the floating plate 21 to reset along the second floating direction when there is no gravity of the battery pack 4, and the second floating direction is opposite to the first floating direction V. After the battery pack 4 is removed, the floating reset element 26 provides an active restoring force to restore the floating plate 21 to its original position to prepare for the subsequent battery pack 4 to enter charging. The floating reset element 26 in the present embodiment can be the same element as the elastic member mentioned above, or can be set as different elements respectively. By setting the floating reset element 26, in the process of removing the battery pack 4 from the floating plate 21, the floating reset element 26 acts on the floating plate 21 to move upward in the vertical direction to reset, thereby driving the electrical connector 22 to separate from the battery pack 4 to achieve electrical connection. No additional driving mechanism is required to drive the electrical connector to separate from the battery pack. At the same time, the electrical connection can be separated during the process of taking the battery pack, which improves the efficiency of taking and placing the battery pack, thereby improving the overall battery replacement efficiency. Figure 3 As shown, the floating reset element 26 of this embodiment is an elastic element. When the floating plate 21 carries the battery pack 4, the elastic element is deformed in the first floating direction V and generates an elastic restoring force toward the second floating direction. Specifically, the floating reset element 26 can be an element such as a spring that can be elastically deformed under the action of an external force and can recover the deformation after the external force is removed. The two ends of the floating reset element are respectively connected to the floating plate 21 and the fixed plate 28, or the two ends of the floating reset element 26 are respectively connected to the floating plate and the horizontal and vertical beams on the charging rack.

[0065] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the electrical connector 22 of this embodiment is connected to a charging reset element 27 , and the charging reset element 27 is used to drive the electrical connector 22 to reset when there is no gravity of the battery pack 4 .

[0066] The charging reset element 27 can be set between the electrical connector 22 and the mounting seat 24, or between the electrical connector 22 and the horizontal and vertical beams on the charging rack. By setting the charging reset element 27, during the process of removing the battery pack, since the floating plate 21 no longer applies a downward force to the electrical connector 22, the electrical connector 22 moves upward under the action of the charging reset element 27 to return to its original position, so that the subsequent battery pack 4 can be placed.

[0067] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the floating reset element 26 and the charging reset element 27 of this embodiment can be provided at the same time, so that the electrical connector 22 and the floating plate 21 can be reset regardless of the linkage mechanism 23. In the case of some linkage mechanisms 23, such as connecting rods, only one of the floating reset element 26 and the charging reset element 27 is required, and the reset of any one of the electrical connector 22 and the floating plate 21 will drive the reset of the other.

[0068] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the charging reset element 27 of this embodiment is an elastic element. When the floating plate 21 carries the battery pack 4, the elastic element deforms in the direction of the second displacement and generates an elastic deformation force in the opposite direction of the second displacement. Specifically, the charging reset element 27 can be an element such as a spring that can be elastically deformed under the action of an external force and can recover the deformation after the external force is removed.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown, the charging device 20 of this embodiment further includes a guiding mechanism, which is used to guide the electrical connector 22 to move toward the battery pack 4 under the action of the linkage mechanism 23 to achieve electrical connection. The guiding mechanism can guide the moving direction of the electrical connector 22.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, the guide mechanism of this embodiment includes a slider 252 and a guide rail 251, wherein the slider 252 or the guide rail 251 is fixed to the electrical connector 22 and is slidably connected to the relatively fixed guide rail 251 or the slider 252. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the electrical connector 22 of this embodiment includes a connecting seat 222 and a charging head 221 , wherein the charging head 221 is disposed on the connecting seat 222 , wherein the connecting seat 222 is connected to the linkage mechanism 23 , and the charging head 221 is used to connect to the charging port of the battery pack 4 .

[0071] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a floating element 223 is provided between the connection base 222 and the charging head 221 of this embodiment to realize floating electrical connection between the electrical connector 22 and the battery pack 4. The floating element 223 realizes the floating displacement of the charging head 221. Therefore, during the docking process with the charging port of the battery pack 4, even if there is an error, the error can be corrected by the floating displacement of the charging head 221.

[0072] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the floating element 223 of this embodiment is an elastic element, and a receiving cavity for receiving the charging head 221 is provided in the connecting seat 222, and the charging head 221 is arranged in the receiving cavity through the elastic element.

[0073] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a positioning pin 220 is also provided on the charging head 221 of this embodiment, and the positioning pin 220 is used to dock with a positioning hole provided on the battery pack 4.

[0074] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the charging device 20 of this embodiment also includes a slider 252 and a guide rail 251, and the electrical connector 22 also includes a base 224, on which a slider 252 or a guide rail 251 is fixed, and is slidably connected to the corresponding guide rail 251 or slider 252, and the connecting base 222 extends in a direction away from the slider 252 and the guide rail 251.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, the linkage mechanism 23 of this embodiment includes a sliding mechanism 233, a first traction member 231, and a second traction member 232. The first traction member 231 is connected to the sliding mechanism 233 and the floating plate 21 respectively, and the second traction member 232 is connected to the electric connector 22 and the mounting seat 24 respectively. The electric connector 22 is mounted on the mounting seat 24 and moves relative to the mounting seat 24. The second traction member 232 is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism 233. Thus, the structure of the movable pulley is formed.

[0076] The first traction member 231 and the second traction member 232 may be structures such as steel wire ropes and belts. The sliding mechanism 233 may be structures such as pulleys or sliders. The second traction member 232 slides below the sliding mechanism 233, wherein the second traction member 232 not only slides relative to the sliding mechanism 233, but also moves up and down with the sliding mechanism 233. The first traction member 231 is directly fixed on the sliding mechanism 233, and thus moves together with the sliding mechanism 233. Therefore, regardless of the direction of movement, the moving distance of the second traction member 232 includes the sliding distance relative to the sliding mechanism 233 and the distance moving along with the sliding mechanism 233, while the first traction member 231 only includes the distance moving along with the sliding mechanism 233, so the moving distance of the second traction member 232 is twice that of the first traction member 231. At the same time, one end of the second traction member 232 is connected to the mounting seat 24 and remains fixed. Therefore, the electrical connector 22 connected to the other end of the second traction member 232 achieves twice the movement distance relative to the first traction member 231, thereby achieving the second displacement being greater than the first displacement.

[0077] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment also discloses a battery swap station, which includes a vehicle loading platform for electric vehicles 3 to dock for replacing battery packs 4; a charging assembly 2 for placing the battery packs 4, including a charging device 20; and a battery swap device 1 for taking, placing and transporting batteries between the electric vehicle 3 and each charging compartment A of the charging assembly 2.

[0078] The movable electrical connector of the present invention does not need to be in the same direction as the transmission direction of the battery pack, and the orientation of the electrical connector can be any orientation. The linkage mechanism generates linkage through the change of the load of the floating plate, so that the electrical connector can respond in time and dock with the battery pack. The power for the movement of the electrical connector comes from the gravity of the battery pack, and no external drive is required, which is conducive to simplifying the internal structure of the charging device.

[0079] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for illustration and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging device, characterized in that: The charging device comprises: a floating plate, the floating plate being used to carry the battery pack; an electrical connector, used to form an electrical connection with the battery pack to charge and discharge the battery pack; A linkage mechanism includes a sliding mechanism, a first traction member, and a second traction member. The first traction member is respectively connected to the sliding mechanism and the floating plate, the second traction member is respectively connected to the electric connector and the mounting seat, the electric connector is installed on the mounting seat and moves relative to the mounting seat, and the second traction member is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating plate moves a first displacement in a first floating direction under the action of the gravity of the battery pack; When the floating plate generates a first displacement along the first floating direction, the linkage mechanism drives the electrical connector to move a second displacement along a direction close to the battery pack, so that the electrical connector forms an electrical connection with the battery pack; Preferably, the first floating direction is a vertical downward direction, the floating plate supports the battery pack in the vertical direction, and the floating plate is displaced toward the first floating direction due to the gravity of the battery pack; Further preferably, the second displacement is greater than the first displacement.

3. The charging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The direction of the second displacement is a vertical downward direction, the electrical connector is arranged above the floating plate, and the linkage mechanism is arranged to be linked in a vertical downward direction.

4. The charging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The floating plate is connected to a floating reset element, and the floating reset element is used to drive the floating plate to reset along a second floating direction when there is no gravity of the battery pack, and the second floating direction is opposite to the first floating direction; Preferably, the floating reset element is an elastic element, and when the battery pack is carried on the floating plate, the elastic element is deformed in the first floating direction and generates an elastic restoring force toward the second floating direction.

5. The charging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrical connector is connected to a charging reset element, and the charging reset element is used to drive the electrical connector to reset when there is no gravity of the battery pack; Preferably, the charging resetting element is an elastic element, and when the floating plate carries the battery pack, the elastic element deforms in the direction of the second displacement and generates an elastic deformation force in the direction opposite to the second displacement.

6. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The charging device further comprises a guiding mechanism, which is used to guide the electrical connector to move towards the battery pack under the action of the linkage mechanism to achieve electrical connection; Preferably, the guiding mechanism comprises a slider and a guide rail, wherein the slider or the guide rail is fixed on the electrical connector and is slidably connected to the guide rail or the slider which is relatively fixed.

7. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector includes a connection seat and a charging head, wherein the charging head is arranged on the connection seat, wherein the connection seat is connected to the linkage mechanism, and the charging head is used to connect to the charging port of the battery pack; Preferably, a floating element is provided between the connection base and the charging head to realize a floating electrical connection between the electrical connector and the battery pack; Further preferably, the floating element is an elastic element, a receiving cavity for receiving the charging head is provided in the connecting seat, and the charging head is arranged in the receiving cavity through the elastic element.

8. The charging device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The charging head is also provided with a positioning pin, and the positioning pin is used to dock with a positioning hole provided on the battery pack; And / or, the charging device also includes a slider and a guide rail, and the electrical connector also includes a base, on which the slider or the guide rail is fixed and is slidingly connected to the corresponding guide rail or the slider, and the connecting seat extends in a direction away from the slider and the guide rail.

9. A charging assembly, characterized in that: The charging assembly includes a charging device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A battery swap station, characterized in that: The battery swap station comprises: The vehicle platform is used to dock the electric vehicle for battery pack replacement; A charging assembly for placing a battery pack, comprising a charging device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8; Battery exchange equipment is used to remove, place and transfer batteries between electric vehicles and the various charging compartments of the charging assembly.

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