Hoisting and transferring device

Abstract

A hoisting transfer device comprises a pair of grabbing mechanisms spaced from each other in the first horizontal direction and a first adjusting mechanism used for adjusting the distance between the pair of grabbing mechanisms. The first adjusting mechanism comprises a first translation element which can translate in a reciprocating mode in the first horizontal direction and comprises a first protrusion; the second translation element can translate back and forth in the first horizontal direction and comprises a second bulge; and a third rotating element including a first slot and a second slot, the first protrusion being slidably received within the first slot and the second protrusion being slidably received within the second slot. Translation of one translating element in a first horizontal direction along a first orientation causes sliding of the first projection within the first slot, rotation of the third rotating element, and sliding of the second projection within the second slot, and causes the other translating element to translate in the first horizontal direction along a second orientation opposite the first orientation, therefore, the distance between the pair of grabbing mechanisms is adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of mechanical manufacturing, and more particularly to a hoisting and transferring device for, for example, a battery module. Background Art

[0002] With the development of electric vehicles, battery modules are widely used to power corresponding components of electric vehicles. One type of battery module includes a plurality of battery cells bonded together, which may be fixed in a frame welded by pressure plates and tension plates.

[0003] In the production and manufacturing process of battery modules, it is often necessary to transfer the battery modules from one station to another for various processing or testing. This is usually implemented using a sling. However, on the one hand, some battery modules may contain different numbers of battery cells (for example, the battery module may contain 18, 22, 28, 32 or other numbers of battery cells), which makes some battery modules have different lengths from other battery modules; on the other hand, the specifications or sizes of the multiple battery cells contained in some battery modules may also be different from the rules or sizes of the multiple battery cells contained in other battery modules, resulting in the width or height of some battery modules being different from other battery modules. Existing slings are difficult to be used for battery modules of different sizes, which brings great changes to the production and manufacturing of battery modules.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a hoisting and transferring device for a battery module, which can be adjusted in at least one dimension so as to be suitable for hoisting and transferring a variety of battery modules with different sizes. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems as well as other problems, and to achieve additional advantages.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a lifting and transferring device, which can be used for lifting and transferring battery modules or other items. The lifting and transferring device includes: a pair of gripping mechanisms spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction, the pair of gripping mechanisms being configured to grip the item from opposite ends of the item; and a first adjusting mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the pair of gripping mechanisms in the first horizontal direction. The first adjusting mechanism includes: a first translation element connected to a first gripping mechanism in the pair of gripping mechanisms, the first translation element being capable of reciprocating translation in the first horizontal direction and including a first protrusion; a second translation element connected to a second gripping mechanism in the pair of gripping mechanisms, the second translation element being capable of reciprocating translation in the first horizontal direction and including a second protrusion; and a third rotating element capable of rotating around a rotation center, the third rotating element including a first slot and a second slot disposed on opposite sides of the rotation center, wherein the first protrusion is slidably received in the first slot and the second protrusion is slidably received in the second slot. Translation of one of the first translation element and the second translation element along the first direction in the first horizontal direction causes sliding of the first protrusion in the first slot, rotation of the third rotation element, and sliding of the second protrusion in the second slot, and causes the other of the first translation element and the second translation element to translate in the first horizontal direction along a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby adjusting the spacing between the pair of grasping mechanisms in the first horizontal direction.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first translation element and the second translation element are at substantially the same height, and the third rotation element is located at the same side of the first translation element and the second translation element in height.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first translation element and the second translation element both have a substantially "U" shape, and one leg of the first translation element is disposed between two legs of the second translation element.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first translation element and the second translation element are respectively disposed on a first slide rail and a second slide rail.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first slide rail and the second slide rail are disposed on a support plate.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a side portion of at least one of the first translation element and the second translation element includes a pushing handle, and a corresponding side portion of the support plate includes a plurality of indication marks for indicating a pushing distance of the pushing handle.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pushing handle includes a fastening element, which is configured to fasten the pushing handle to the corresponding side of the support plate at the predetermined position when the pushing handle moves to the predetermined position to prevent the first translation element and the second translation element from translating in the first horizontal direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening elements are configured as fastening screws, and the corresponding side portions of the support plate are provided with a plurality of discrete recesses for receiving the fastening screws.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism includes a gripping element having a hook portion, so as to hook the object through the hook portion.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first grasping mechanism and the second grasping mechanism includes a pair of grasping elements having hook portions, the hook portions of the pair of grasping elements extending toward or away from each other along a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, and the spacing between the pair of grasping elements in the second horizontal direction can be adjusted.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacing between the pair of grasping elements in the second horizontal direction is adjusted by a second adjustment mechanism. The second adjustment mechanism includes: an elongated rotating element disposed between the pair of grasping elements; and an elastic compression element disposed on opposite sides of the pair of grasping elements. When the elongated rotating element is rotated toward the second horizontal direction from a third vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, the elongated rotating element pushes the pair of grasping elements away from each other to increase the spacing between the pair of grasping elements; and when the elongated rotating element is rotated from the second horizontal direction toward the third vertical direction, the elastic compression element pushes the pair of grasping elements from opposite sides of the pair of grasping elements to reduce the spacing between the pair of grasping elements.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the opposite ends of the article includes at least one through hole, the hook portions of each pair of grasping elements in the first grasping mechanism and the second grasping mechanism extend away from each other along the second horizontal direction, and each pair of grasping elements is configured to extend into a corresponding one of the through holes to hook the article.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the opposite ends of the article includes at least two or more through holes, the hook portions of each pair of grasping elements in the first grasping mechanism and the second grasping mechanism extend toward each other along the second horizontal direction, and each pair of grasping elements is configured to extend into the corresponding two through holes to hook the article.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook portion of the gripping element of the first gripping mechanism and the hook portion of the gripping element of the second gripping mechanism extend toward each other along the first horizontal direction.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hoisting transfer device further includes one or more pairs of guide elements, each pair of guide elements being spaced apart in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding element includes a roller, and when the lifting transfer device moves downward along a third vertical direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, the roller contacts the side surface of the object in the second horizontal direction to guide the downward movement of the lifting transfer device.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacing between each pair of guide elements in the second horizontal direction can be adjusted.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lifting and transfer device also includes a limiting member, the object includes a flange extending outward in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, and the limiting member is configured to abut the flange to prevent the lifting and transfer device from contacting the upper surface of the object.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the article is a battery module, which includes an upper surface with electrodes, wherein a surface of the hoisting transfer device facing the upper surface of the battery module with electrodes is configured as an insulating surface.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hoisting and transferring device further comprises a hoisting ring, and the hoisting and transferring device is capable of rotating relative to the hoisting ring.

[0026] It should be noted that the various aspects of the present disclosure described for one embodiment may be included in other different embodiments, although not specifically described for the other different embodiments. In other words, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, as long as they are not mutually contradictory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood after reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a battery module;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a lifting transfer device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a first adjustment mechanism of the lifting transfer device shown;

[0031] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 The lifting and transfer device shown in the figure is used for lifting and transfer. Figure 1 The battery module shown is a schematic perspective view.

[0032] It should be understood that like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain features may be varied and not drawn to scale for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in a variety of different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present disclosure more complete and fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0034] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. All terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of simplicity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0035] The singular forms "a", "said" and "the" used in the specification include plural forms unless clearly indicated. The terms "include", "comprise" and "contain" used in the specification indicate the presence of the claimed features, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term "and / or" used in the specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0036] In the specification, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached to,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “contacting” another element, etc., the element may be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or contacting another element, or intervening elements may be present.

[0037] In the specification, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for convenience of description and are not intended to be limiting. Any technical features represented by "first", "second", "third", etc. are interchangeable.

[0038] In the specification, spatial relational terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", etc. may describe the relationship of one feature to another feature in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relational terms include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, when the device in the drawings is turned over, features previously described as being "below" other features may now be described as being "above" the other features. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0039] The present disclosure relates to a hoisting and transferring device, which can be used to hoist and transfer battery modules between non-passing workstations or positions. However, it should be noted that the hoisting and transferring device of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be used to hoist and transfer other appropriate objects between non-passing workstations or positions, such as objects with similar structures or constructions to battery modules.

[0040] First refer to Figure 1 , describes the structure of a battery module 10 that can use a lifting and transfer device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery module 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of battery cells 11 may be stacked together in alignment with each other and bonded to each other with an adhesive. The plurality of battery cells 11 may be fixed in a frame formed by two opposing tension plates 12 and two opposing pressure plates 13. The tension plates 12 and the pressure plates 13 may be welded together. The number of the plurality of battery cells 11 included in the battery module 10 may vary depending on actual conditions. For example, the battery module 10 may include 18, 22, 28, 32 or other numbers of battery cells 11, so that different battery modules 10 have different lengths, wherein the length of the battery module 10 is along its length direction (i.e.: Figure 1In some embodiments, the size of the multiple battery cells 11 included in some battery modules 10 may also be different from the size of the multiple battery cells 11 included in other battery modules 10, so that the battery modules 10 may have different widths or heights, wherein the width of the battery module 10 is along its width direction (i.e.: Figure 1 The height of the battery module 10 is measured along the Y direction shown in FIG. 1 , and the height of the battery module 10 is measured along the height direction (ie: Figure 1 In some embodiments, each tension plate 12 may include a flange 14 extending outward in the width direction (or Y direction) of the battery module 10. In some embodiments, each pressure plate 13 includes a plurality of through holes extending in the height direction (or Z direction) of the battery module 10. The plurality of through holes may include a first through hole 15 located at the center of the pressure plate 13 and a second through hole 16 and / or other through holes located on both sides of the first through hole 15. Each through hole may be separated by a partition wall 17.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , describes the specific structure of the lifting transfer device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The lifting transfer device 100 may include a pair of gripping mechanisms 200 spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction. The pair of gripping mechanisms 200 are configured to grip the battery module 10 or other objects from opposite ends of the battery module 10 or other objects. In the embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first horizontal direction may be Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to adapt to the length or width of the battery module 10 or other objects to be hoisted and transferred, the spacing between the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 of the hoisting and transferring device 100 in the first horizontal direction is configured to be adjustable, which is achieved by the first adjustment mechanism 300.

[0042] like Figure 3 As more clearly shown, the first adjustment mechanism 300 may include a first translation element 301 connected to a first gripping mechanism of the pair of gripping mechanisms 200, a second translation element 302 connected to a second gripping mechanism of the pair of gripping mechanisms 200, and a third rotation element 303 capable of rotating around a rotation center 304. The first translation element 301 is capable of reciprocating in a first horizontal direction (e.g., capable of rotating in a first horizontal direction). Figure 3 The second translation element 302 can reciprocate in the first horizontal direction (e.g., can move left and right in the X direction as shown) and includes a first protrusion 305. Figure 3The third rotation element 303 includes a first slot 307 and a second slot 308 disposed on opposite sides of the rotation center 304. The first protrusion 305 of the first translation element 301 is slidably received in the first slot 307, and the second protrusion 306 of the second translation element 302 is slidably received in the second slot 308.

[0043] By means of the first adjustment mechanism 300, the distance between the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 of the hoisting transfer device 100 in the first horizontal direction can be adjusted by translating any one of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 in the first horizontal direction along a predetermined first direction (for example, to the left or to the right). For example, when the first translation element 301 is translated in the first horizontal direction along a predetermined first direction (for example, to the left or to the right), the translation of the first translation element 301 will cause the first protrusion 305 to slide in the first slot 307 of the third rotating element 303, and the sliding causes the third rotating element 303 to rotate around the rotation center 304; the rotation of the third rotating element 303 further causes the second protrusion 306 to slide in the second slot 308, and the sliding of the second protrusion 306 causes the second translation element 302 to translate in the first horizontal direction along a second direction (for example, to the right or to the left) opposite to the predetermined first direction, thereby causing the distance between the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 in the first horizontal direction to increase or decrease. Similarly, when the second translation element 302 is translated in the first horizontal direction along a predetermined first direction (for example, to the left or to the right), the translation of the second translation element 302 will cause the second protrusion 306 to slide in the second slot 308 of the third rotation element 303, and the sliding causes the third rotation element 303 to rotate around the rotation center 304; the rotation of the third rotation element 303 in turn causes the first protrusion 305 to slide in the first slot 307, and the sliding of the first protrusion 305 causes the first translation element 301 to translate in the first horizontal direction along a second direction opposite to the predetermined first direction (for example, to the right or to the left), thereby causing the spacing between a pair of grasping mechanisms 200 in the first horizontal direction to increase or decrease.

[0044] The first adjustment mechanism 300 of the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to operate. The operator can easily adjust the spacing between the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 of the hoisting transfer device 100 in the first horizontal direction by simply translating any one of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302, so as to grasp battery modules or other items with different lengths or widths, thereby increasing the versatility of the hoisting transfer device 100 of the present invention.

[0045] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, Figure 3As shown, the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 can be at substantially the same height, thereby ensuring that the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 connected thereto also have substantially the same height. The third rotation element 303 can be located at the same side of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 in height. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the third rotating element 303 is located at the upper side of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 in height, so that the first protrusion 305 of the first translation element 301 and the second protrusion 306 of the second translation element 302 extend upward into the first slot 307 and the second slot 308, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the third rotating element 303 may also be located at the lower side of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 in height, so that the first protrusion 305 of the first translation element 301 and the second protrusion 306 of the second translation element 302 extend downward into the first slot 307 and the second slot 308, respectively. In some embodiments, the third rotating element 303 may also be located at the height between at least a portion of the first translation element 301 and at least a portion of the second translation element 302, so that, for example, the first protrusion 305 of the first translation element 301 extends downward into the first slot 307, and the second protrusion 306 of the second translation element 302 extends upward into the second slot 308.

[0046] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 are both configured to have a substantially "U" shape. Each of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 includes two legs extending parallel to each other and an opening between the two legs. The first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 are arranged in a manner that one leg of the first translation element 301 extends between the two legs of the second translation element 302 via the opening of the second translation element 302, so that the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 have a compact structure. The first protrusion 305 and the second protrusion 306 are respectively arranged (e.g., fixedly arranged) on the legs of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 that are close to each other, which enables the size of the third rotation element 303 to be made smaller. In some embodiments, the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 may have other different structures as long as their functions can be achieved. For example, the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 may be directly constructed into a flat plate shape with one leg.

[0047] like Figure 3As shown, the third rotating element 303 has a long strip structure. The first slot 307 and the second slot 308 extend a certain length along the extension direction of the third rotating element 303. The rotation angle of the third rotating element 303 and the adjustment range of the spacing between the two gripping mechanisms 200 can be controlled by setting the lengths of the first slot 307 and the second slot 308. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first slot 307 and the second slot 308 are configured to penetrate the body of the third rotating element 303 in the height direction, however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first slot 307 and the second slot 308 may also not penetrate the body of the third rotating element 303 in the height direction, as long as they can accommodate the first protrusion 305 and the second protrusion 306 respectively.

[0048] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, in order to make the first protrusion 305 and the second protrusion 306 slide more easily in the first slot 307 and the second slot 308, respectively, the first protrusion 305 and the second protrusion 306 may include rollers. The rollers may reduce the friction between the first protrusion 305 and the first slot 307 and the friction between the second protrusion 306 and the second slot 308. In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, in order to make the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 slide more easily in the first horizontal direction, the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 may be disposed on the first slide rail 309 and the second slide rail 310, respectively. The first slide rail 309 and the second slide rail 310 may guide the sliding of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302. The first slide rail 309 and the second slide rail 310 may be disposed on the support plate 311. In some embodiments, the first slide rail 309 and the second slide rail 310 may be formed integrally with the support plate 311. In other embodiments, the first slide rail 309 and the second slide rail 310 may be formed as separate components and then fixed to the support plate 311 in an appropriate manner.

[0049] Continue to refer to Figure 3In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, in order to facilitate pushing at least one of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 along the first horizontal direction, the side of at least one of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 may include a pushing handle 312. The pushing handle 312 may extend downward from the side of the corresponding translation element so that the operator can hold and apply force. In order to control the pushing distance of at least one of the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 and thereby adjust the pair of gripping mechanisms 200 to a desired spacing, a plurality of indicator marks for indicating the pushing distance of the pushing handle 312 may be provided on the corresponding side of the support plate 311. The indicator mark may be a number, which may be used to indicate the spacing of a pair of gripping mechanisms 200 or the length of an item that can be gripped. For example, the indicator mark can be 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and the like, which are respectively used to indicate that when the push handle 312 is in the position indicated by the number, the spacing between the pair of grasping mechanisms 200 is suitable for grasping a battery module containing the number of battery cells represented by the number.

[0050] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the push handle 312 may include a fastening element 313. The fastening element 313 is configured to fasten the push handle 312 to the corresponding side of the support plate 311 at the predetermined position when the push handle 312 moves to the predetermined position, so as to prevent the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 from further translating in the first horizontal direction. The fastening element 313 may be configured as a fastening screw. The corresponding side of the support plate 311 may be provided with a plurality of discrete recesses 314 for receiving the fastening screws. When the first translation element 301 and the second translation element 302 are translated to the desired predetermined position, the fastening screw may be screwed into a corresponding one of the recesses 314 to implement fastening. Thereafter, when it is necessary to move the first translation element 301 or the second translation element 302, the fastening screw may be unscrewed from a corresponding one of the recesses 314. In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned multiple indicator marks can be respectively disposed near a corresponding recess 314 to indicate the distance between a pair of gripping mechanisms 200 or the length of an object that can be gripped by the gripping mechanisms 200 .

[0051] return Figure 2 In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the hoisting transfer device 100 may include a frame structure 320 for covering the first adjustment mechanism 300. When the first adjustment mechanism 300 includes a push handle 312, the frame structure 320 may include an opening 321 that enables the push handle 312 to move in the first horizontal direction.

[0052] Next, continue to refer to Figure 2, the specific structure of each gripping mechanism 200 will be described. The gripping mechanism 200 may include a gripping element having a hook portion to hook the battery module 10 or other objects through the hook portion. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, each gripping mechanism 200 includes a pair of gripping elements 201. Each gripping element 201 includes a pair of gripping elements 201 extending in a vertical direction (e.g., Figure 2 The rod 202 extends in the Z direction (shown in FIG. 1 ) and the hook 203 is located at the end of the rod 202. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the hook portions 203 of a pair of gripping elements 201 are configured to be aligned along a second horizontal direction (eg, Figure 2 The pair of gripping elements 201 extend away from each other in the Y direction (shown in FIG. 1 ), and the spacing between the pair of gripping elements 201 in the second horizontal direction can be adjusted.

[0053] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the spacing of the pair of gripping elements 201 in the second horizontal direction is adjusted by a second adjustment mechanism 400. The second adjustment mechanism 400 may include an elongated rotating element 401 disposed between the pair of gripping elements 201 and a spring compression element 402 disposed on opposite sides of the pair of gripping elements 201. The elongated rotating element 401 may be disposed in a generally circular recessed portion 403 formed at a middle position of the pair of gripping elements 201 and may be rotated by a rotating handle 404. When the elongated rotating element 401 is oriented in the vertical direction in the recessed portion 403, the pair of gripping elements 201 has a minimum spacing (e.g., a spacing of zero) in the second horizontal direction, and when the elongated rotating element 401 is oriented in the second horizontal direction in the recessed portion 403, the pair of gripping elements 201 has a maximum spacing in the second horizontal direction. Therefore, when the elongated rotating element 401 is rotated from the vertical direction toward the second horizontal direction, the elongated rotating element 401 can push the pair of gripping elements away from each other to increase the distance between the pair of gripping elements 201. In addition, when the elongated rotating element 401 is rotated from the second horizontal direction toward the vertical direction, the elastic compression element 402 can push the pair of gripping elements 201 from opposite sides of the pair of gripping elements 201 to reduce the distance between the pair of gripping elements 201. In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the elastic compression element 402 can be configured as a coil spring. The elastic compression element 402 and the pair of gripping elements 201 can be sleeved on a crossbar extending along the second horizontal direction.

[0054] In use Figure 2When the pair of gripping elements 201 shown grab the battery module 10 or other items, the pair of gripping elements 201 of the first gripping mechanism 200 and the pair of gripping elements 201 of the second gripping mechanism 200 can be adjusted to positions aligned with the first through holes 15 at opposite ends of the battery module 10 by adjusting the first adjustment mechanism 300. Then, the hoisting moving device 100 is moved downward along the vertical direction from above the battery module 10 until the pair of gripping elements 201 of the first gripping mechanism 200 and the pair of gripping elements 201 of the second gripping mechanism 200 are inserted into the corresponding first through holes 15. At this time, the hooks 203 of each pair of gripping elements 201 should extend through the first through holes 15 and be located below the bottom of the first through holes 15. Then, each pair of grabbing elements 201 is rotated from the vertical direction toward the second horizontal direction by rotating the rotating handle 404 to increase the distance between each pair of grabbing elements 201 until the hooks 203 of each pair of grabbing elements 201 can hook the bottom side wall of the first through hole 15 (for example, the partition wall 17).

[0055] In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, the hook portions 203 of the pair of grabbing elements 201 may be configured to move in a second horizontal direction (eg, Figure 2 16). In this embodiment, each pair of grasping elements 201 can be rotated from the vertical direction to the second horizontal direction by rotating the rotating handle 404 to increase the spacing between each pair of grasping elements 201, so that each pair of grasping elements 201 is aligned with two different through holes (for example, the second through hole 16). Then, the hoisting moving device 100 is moved downward along the vertical direction from above the battery module 10 until each of the grasping elements 201 of the first grasping mechanism 200 and the grasping elements 201 of the second grasping mechanism 200 are respectively inserted into a corresponding through hole (for example, the corresponding second through hole 16), at which time, the hook portion 203 of each grasping element 201 should extend through the corresponding through hole and be located below its bottom. Afterwards, each pair of grabbing elements 201 is rotated from the second horizontal direction toward the vertical direction by rotating the rotating handle 404 to reduce the distance between each pair of grabbing elements 201 until the hook portion 203 of each grabbing element 201 can respectively hook the bottom side wall of a corresponding through hole (for example, the partition wall 17).

[0056] In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, each gripping mechanism 200 may include only one gripping element 201, and the hook 203 of the gripping element 201 of the first gripping mechanism 200 and the hook 203 of the gripping element 201 of the second gripping mechanism 200 may extend toward each other in the first horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the gripping mechanism 200 may not include the second adjustment mechanism 400. The first adjustment mechanism 300 may be used to adjust the spacing between the first gripping mechanism 200 and the second gripping mechanism 200 so that the hooks 203 thereof hook the bottom of the battery module 10 or other objects from opposite sides of the battery module 10 or other objects.

[0057] Reference Figure 4 In order to move the hoisting and moving device 100 downward in the vertical direction from above the battery module 10, the hoisting and moving device 100 may further include one or more pairs of guide elements 101. Each pair of guide elements 101 may be spaced apart in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction. The spacing between each pair of guide elements 101 may be slightly larger than, for example, the width of the battery module 10 (e.g., 5 mm or 10 mm larger) so that the battery module 10 does not prevent the downward movement of each pair of guide elements 101. The guide element 101 may include a roller 104. When the hoisting and transferring device 100 moves downward in the vertical direction from above the battery module 10, the roller 104 may contact the side surface of the battery module 10 in the second horizontal direction to guide the hoisting and transferring device 100 to move downward more smoothly. In some embodiments, the spacing between each pair of guide elements 101 can also be configured to be adjustable (for example, each pair of guide elements 101 can be set on a telescopic rod whose spacing can be adjusted), so that the lifting and moving device 100 according to the present disclosure can be suitable for battery modules 10 or other items with different widths.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the upper surface of the battery module 10 generally includes electrodes, in order to prevent the components of the lifting and transfer device 100 (e.g., the lower surface of the support plate 311) from contacting the upper surface of the battery module 10 and damaging the electrodes or causing a short circuit, the lifting and transfer device 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a limiting member 102. The limiting member 102 may be configured to prevent the lifting and transfer device 100 from continuing to move downward by abutting against the flange 14 of the battery module 10, thereby preventing the lifting and transfer device 100 from contacting the upper surface of the battery module 10 containing electrodes. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to further prevent a short circuit that may be caused by contacting the upper surface of the battery module 10, the corresponding components of the lifting and transfer device according to the present disclosure may be made of insulating materials, or the corresponding surfaces (e.g., the lower surface of the support plate 311) may be configured as insulating surfaces (e.g., sprayed with an insulating coating, etc.).

[0059] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hoisting transfer device 100 may further include a lifting ring 103. The hoisting transfer device 100 may be lifted or lowered by the lifting ring 103. Preferably, the hoisting transfer device 100 may be rotated relative to the lifting ring 103, so that the orientation of the hoisting transfer device 100 may be conveniently adjusted to align with the orientation of the battery module 10 or other items to be hoisted. The lifting ring 103 may be rotatably fixed to the top of the hoisting transfer device 100 by a swivel bearing.

[0060] The above describes exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All changes and modifications are included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. The present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and the equivalents of these claims are also included.

Claims

1. A lifting and transfer device, characterized in that: The hoisting transfer device comprises: a pair of gripping mechanisms spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction, the pair of gripping mechanisms being configured to grip the article from opposite ends of the article; and A first adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the pair of gripping mechanisms in the first horizontal direction, the first adjustment mechanism comprising: a first translation element connected to a first gripping mechanism of the pair of gripping mechanisms, the first translation element being capable of reciprocating translation in the first horizontal direction and comprising a first protrusion; a second translation element connected to a second gripping mechanism of the pair of gripping mechanisms, the second translation element being capable of reciprocating translation in the first horizontal direction and comprising a second protrusion; and a third rotating element capable of rotating about a rotation center, the third rotating element comprising a first slot and a second slot disposed on opposite sides of the rotation center, wherein the first protrusion is slidably received in the first slot and the second protrusion is slidably received in the second slot; wherein translation of one of the first translation element and the second translation element along the first horizontal direction causes sliding of the first protrusion in the first slot, rotation of the third rotation element, and sliding of the second protrusion in the second slot, and causes translation of the other of the first translation element and the second translation element along a second direction opposite to the first direction in the first horizontal direction, thereby adjusting the spacing between the pair of grasping mechanisms in the first horizontal direction.

2. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first translation element and the second translation element are at substantially the same height, and the third rotation element is located at a same side of the first translation element and the second translation element in height; Preferably, the first translation element and the second translation element both have a substantially "U" shape, and one leg of the first translation element is disposed between two legs of the second translation element.

3. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first translation element and the second translation element are respectively arranged on the first slide rail and the second slide rail; Preferably, the first slide rail and the second slide rail are arranged on a support plate; More preferably, a side portion of at least one of the first translation element and the second translation element includes a pushing handle, and a corresponding side portion of the support plate includes a plurality of indication marks for indicating a pushing distance of the pushing handle.

4. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The push handle includes a fastening element, and the fastening element is configured to fasten the push handle to the corresponding side of the support plate at the predetermined position when the push handle moves to the predetermined position, so as to prevent the first translation element and the second translation element from translating in the first horizontal direction; Preferably, the fastening elements are configured as fastening screws, and the corresponding side portions of the support plate are provided with a plurality of discrete recesses for receiving the fastening screws.

5. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each of the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism includes a gripping element having a hook portion to hook the object through the hook portion; Preferably, each of the first grasping mechanism and the second grasping mechanism comprises a pair of grasping elements having hook portions, the hook portions of the pair of grasping elements extending toward or away from each other along a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, and the spacing between the pair of grasping elements in the second horizontal direction can be adjusted.

6. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spacing between the pair of gripping elements in the second horizontal direction is adjusted by a second adjustment mechanism, wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises: An elongated rotating element disposed between the pair of gripping elements; and elastic compression elements disposed on opposite sides of the pair of gripping elements, wherein, when the elongated rotating element is rotated from a third vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction toward the second horizontal direction, the elongated rotating element pushes the pair of grasping elements away from each other to increase the distance between the pair of grasping elements; and when the elongated rotating element is rotated from the second horizontal direction toward the third vertical direction, the elastic compression element pushes the pair of grasping elements from opposite sides of the pair of grasping elements to reduce the distance between the pair of grasping elements; and / or Each of the two opposite ends of the article comprises at least one through hole, the hook portions of each pair of gripping elements in the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism extend away from each other along the second horizontal direction, and each pair of gripping elements is configured to extend into a corresponding one of the through holes to hook the article; and / or Each of the two opposite ends of the article comprises at least two or more through holes, the hook portions of each pair of gripping elements in the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism extend toward each other along the second horizontal direction, and each pair of gripping elements is configured to extend into the corresponding two through holes to hook the article; and / or The hook portion of the gripping element of the first gripping mechanism and the hook portion of the gripping element of the second gripping mechanism extend toward each other along the first horizontal direction.

7. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hoisting transfer device further includes one or more pairs of guide elements, each pair of guide elements being spaced apart in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction; Preferably, the guide element comprises a roller, and when the hoisting transfer device moves downward along a third vertical direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, the roller contacts the side surface of the object in the second horizontal direction to guide the downward movement of the hoisting transfer device; Preferably, the spacing between each pair of guide elements in the second horizontal direction can be adjusted.

8. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lifting and transferring device further comprises a limiting member, the object comprises a flange extending outward in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, and the limiting member is configured to abut against the flange to prevent the lifting and transferring device from contacting an upper surface of the object.

9. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The article is a battery module, which includes an upper surface with electrodes, wherein a surface of the hoisting transfer device facing the upper surface of the battery module with electrodes is configured as an insulating surface.

10. The hoisting transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hoisting transfer device further comprises a hoisting ring, and the hoisting transfer device can rotate relative to the hoisting ring.

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