Passage door limiting device and battery swap station

Abstract

The invention discloses an access door limiting device and a battery swap station, the access door limiting device is used for the electric vehicle battery swap station, and the battery swap station is provided with a battery swap device used for disassembling and assembling a battery pack from an electric vehicle and a channel for the battery swap device to move back and forth between a battery pack disassembling and assembling position and a battery pack handover position; the channel door limiting device comprises a limiting body, and the limiting body is arranged on the channel in an overturning mode so as to open or close the channel. According to the channel door limiting device of the battery swap station, the on-off state of the channel is controlled in an overturning mode, the risk that a foreign matter standing in the channel is knocked down by the battery swap equipment is reduced, and the safety of the battery swap station is improved.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of a Chinese invention patent with an application date of January 23, 2020, application number 202010085437.5, and name “Passage door limit device and battery swap station”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of mechanical structures of battery swap stations, and in particular to a channel door limiting device and a battery swap station. Background Art

[0003] The access door is set between the battery swap room and the charging room of the battery swap station. When removing the low-power battery pack from the vehicle or loading the fully charged battery pack into the vehicle, the access door between the battery swap room and the charging room is lifted up to open the battery swap channel. The shuttle vehicle runs on the battery swap channel connecting the battery swap room and the charging room, and completes the operation of removing or loading the battery pack at the bottom of the vehicle.

[0004] However, in the prior art, there are no safety measures in the battery exchange channel, and there is a risk of foreign objects remaining in the battery exchange channel. There is further a risk that the foreign objects will be hit by the shuttle vehicle in the battery exchange channel, which is particularly dangerous when the foreign objects are people. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art and to provide a channel door limiting device and a battery swap station.

[0006] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A channel door limiting device is used in an electric vehicle battery replacement station, wherein the battery replacement station has a battery replacement device for removing and installing a battery pack from an electric vehicle and a channel for the battery replacement device to travel back and forth between a battery pack removal and installation position and a battery pack handover position; the channel door limiting device comprises a limiting body, and the limiting body is flipped and arranged on the channel to open or close the channel;

[0008] The limiting body is configured to flip toward the battery pack disassembly and assembly position to open the channel.

[0009] Preferably, the limiting body is configured to flip as the battery exchange device moves on the channel to open or close the channel.

[0010] Preferably, the channel door limiting device further comprises a driving part, and the driving part acts on the limiting body to flip the limiting body.

[0011] Preferably, the driving part comprises a linear motion component, a driving output end of the linear motion component is connected to the limiting body, and the linear motion component enables the limiting body to open or close the channel through linear reciprocating motion.

[0012] Preferably, the linear motion component is an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0013] Preferably, a passage door is provided in the battery swap station between the battery pack disassembly and assembly position and the battery pack handover position, and the passage door limiting device is provided on the passage door.

[0014] Preferably, the limiting body is connected to the passage door via a hinge.

[0015] Preferably, the passage door limiting device further comprises a first rotating shaft, the first rotating shaft passes through the limiting body, and both ends of the first rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the passage door; or,

[0016] The passage door limiting device further comprises a second rotating shaft, both ends of which are rotatably connected to the limiting body and the passage door respectively, and one second rotating shaft is respectively arranged on both sides of one end of the limiting body.

[0017] Preferably, the limiting body is one piece, and the upper end or the lower end of the limiting body is connected to the passage door; or, the limiting body is two pieces, and the front end of the limiting body located in the front is connected to the passage door, and the rear end of the limiting body located in the rear is connected to the passage door.

[0018] Preferably, the flip angle of the limiting body is 85°-95°.

[0019] Preferably, the distance from one end of the limiting body connected to the passage door to the end of the limiting body is 400mm-500mm, and after the limiting body is flipped, the end of the limiting body is greater than 600mm away from the electric vehicle.

[0020] Preferably, the channel door limiting device further comprises a first sensor for detecting foreign matter, and the first sensor is arranged at the end of the limiting body.

[0021] Preferably, the first sensor is a pressure sensor or an edge sensor.

[0022] Preferably, the channel door limiting device further comprises a second sensor for detecting whether the limiting body is flipped into place, and the second sensor is connected to a control unit to control the flipping of the limiting body.

[0023] A battery swap station, comprising the channel door limiting device as described above.

[0024] Preferably, the battery swapping equipment of the battery swapping station includes a shuttle vehicle, the shuttle vehicle is used to complete the replacement of the battery pack, and the channel door limiting device is arranged at the exit of the shuttle vehicle;

[0025] When the battery swap station needs to swap batteries, the channel door limit device is switched to flip to open the channel, the shuttle vehicle passes through the channel, and the battery pack is replaced.

[0026] On the basis of being in accordance with the common sense in the art, the above-mentioned preferred conditions can be arbitrarily combined to obtain the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are:

[0028] In the present invention, the channel door limit device of the battery swap station controls the opening and closing of the channel in the form of flipping, which reduces the risk of foreign objects being knocked down by the battery swap equipment in the channel and improves the safety of the battery swap station. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of a channel door limiting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 An exploded view of a channel door limiting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of a channel door limiting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a channel door limiting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a channel door limiting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a limit body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 The figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery swap station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] Battery swap station 10

[0038] Passage door limit device 1

[0039] Limit body 11

[0040] The first connection portion 111

[0041] The second connection portion 112

[0042] Ear plate 113

[0043] Hinge 12

[0044] First rotating shaft 13

[0045] The second rotating shaft 14

[0046] Driving unit 15

[0047] Linear Motion Components 151

[0048] Support 16

[0049] First sensor 17

[0050] Battery replacement room 2

[0051] Mounting Block 21

[0052] Charging room 3

[0053] Channel 4

[0054] Passage door 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the following examples.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] See also Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention provides a channel door limit device 1, which is used in an electric vehicle battery swap station 10. The battery swap station 10 has a battery swap device for disassembling and assembling a battery pack from an electric vehicle and a channel 4 for the battery swap device to travel back and forth between a battery pack disassembling and assembling position and a battery pack handover position; the channel door limit device 1 includes a limit body 11, which is flipped and arranged on the channel 4 to open or close the channel 4.

[0058] Specifically, the battery swap station 10 includes a battery swap room 2 and a charging room 3, wherein the electric vehicle is parked in the battery swap room 2, and the depleted battery pack taken out of the electric vehicle is stored in the charging room 3 for charging. The battery swap station 10 has a passage 4 connecting the battery swap room 2 and the charging room 3, and the passage door limit device 1 is arranged at a critical position between the battery swap room 2 and the charging room 3 to control the opening and closing of the passage 4. The battery swap equipment can reciprocate in the passage 4, and in the reset state, the battery swap equipment is located in the charging room 3; when in use, the passage door limit device 1 is opened to make the passage 4 unobstructed, and the battery swap equipment runs to the battery pack disassembly and assembly position of the battery swap room 2, and removes the depleted battery pack or installs the fully charged battery pack at the bottom of the electric vehicle, and then the battery swap equipment returns to the charging room 3. At this time, if the battery swap equipment clamps the depleted battery pack, the battery swap equipment runs to the battery pack handover position to store the depleted battery pack. Indeed, the battery pack disassembly and assembly position is located at the bottom of the corresponding electric vehicle in the battery swap room 2, and the battery pack handover position is located in the charging room 3.

[0059] The channel door limit device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention controls the opening and closing of the channel 4 by means of the limit body 11 which is flipped and arranged on the channel 4. In detail, the part of the battery swap station 10 other than the channel door limit device 1 is defined as the battery swap station 10 body, and the limit body 11 is installed on the battery swap station 10 body and is located at the critical position between the charging room 3 and the battery swap room 2, wherein the limit body 11 is movably connected to the battery swap station 10 body, so that the limit body 11 can be flipped on the battery swap station 10 body to open the channel 4.

[0060] The limit body 11 is configured to control the on and off of the channel 4 by flipping. The flipping action of the limit body 11 at least serves as a safety warning for personnel staying on the channel 4: when a person stays on the channel 4, in some cases the limit body 11 touches the person during the flipping process, thereby reminding the person to avoid it; in other cases, although the limit body 11 does not touch the person, its flipping action can attract people's attention, thereby making people aware of safety issues and avoiding the channel 4 position.

[0061] The above describes the embodiment of the present invention from the perspective of structure. The following further describes the channel door limiting device 1 from the perspective of usage conditions:

[0062] After the electric vehicle is stably docked in the battery exchange room 2, the limit body 11 and the battery exchange equipment act simultaneously or one after the other, so that the channel 4 is opened, and the battery exchange equipment runs along the channel 4 to the battery pack disassembly and installation position, and removes the low-charge battery pack of the electric vehicle, or installs the fully-charged battery pack on the electric vehicle; then the battery exchange equipment returns to the charging room 3 along the channel 4.

[0063] From the above, it can be seen that the channel door limit device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention reduces the risk of foreign objects being knocked down by the battery swapping equipment in the channel 4 through the flipping action, thereby improving the safety of the battery swapping station 10.

[0064] Please continue reading Figure 1 The limiting body 11 is configured to flip toward the direction of the battery pack disassembly position to open the battery pack in channel 4. The flipping of the limiting body 11 toward the direction of the battery pack disassembly position has a more obvious reminder effect on the personnel located in channel 4.

[0065] Furthermore, the limiting body 11 is configured to flip as the battery exchange device moves on the channel 4 to open or close the channel 4.

[0066] Specifically, the operation method of the limiting body 11 and the battery exchange device is, for example: when the battery exchange device moves from the charging chamber 3 to the side of the battery exchange chamber 2, the limiting body 11 flips over to open the channel 4; when the battery exchange device moves in the opposite direction, the limiting body 11 flips over to close the channel 4.

[0067] Indeed, in other embodiments, as an alternative means, the operating sequence of the limit body 11 and the battery exchange device can be achieved in other ways, for example: first control the limit body 11 to open the channel 4, then control the battery exchange device to operate, and when the battery exchange device returns to the charging chamber 3, control the limit body 11 to close the channel 4.

[0068] See also Figure 2 The passage door limiting device 1 further includes a driving unit 15, which acts on the limiting body 11 to flip the limiting body 11.

[0069] Specifically, the driving part 15 is fixed on the body of the battery swap station 10, and the output end of the driving part 15 is connected to the limiting body 11. The output end of the driving part 15 outputs a certain form of movement to make the limiting body 11 flip.

[0070] Please continue reading Figure 2 The driving part 15 includes a linear motion component 151, a driving output end of the linear motion component 151 is connected to the limiting body 11, and the linear motion component 151 enables the limiting body 11 to open or close the channel 4 through linear reciprocating motion.

[0071] Specifically, the linear motion component 151 is fixed on the body of the battery swap station 10, and the linear motion component 151 outputs linear reciprocating motion. The driving output end of the linear motion component 151 is movably connected to the ear plate 113 of the limiting body 11 to drive the limiting body 11 to flip back and forth.

[0072] Furthermore, the linear motion component 151 can adopt an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder. The driving output end of the above-mentioned linear motion component 151 is the piston end of the electric cylinder or the piston end of the pneumatic cylinder. The other end of the electric cylinder or the other end of the pneumatic cylinder is hinged on a support 16, and the support 16 is fixed on the body of the battery swap station 10. Of course, in other embodiments, as an alternative means, the other end of the electric cylinder or the other end of the pneumatic cylinder can also be directly hinged on the body of the battery swap station 10.

[0073] Furthermore, it is preferred that a driving portion 15 is respectively provided at the front end and the rear end of the limiting body 11 to improve the stability of the limiting body 11 during the flipping process.

[0074] See also Figure 1-3 A passage door 5 is provided in the battery swap station 10 between the battery pack disassembly and assembly position and the battery pack handover position, and the passage door limiting device 1 is provided on the passage door 5 .

[0075] Specifically, the channel door 5 is located at the boundary between the battery exchange room 2 and the charging room 3. After the channel door limit device 1 closes the channel 4, the channel door 5 and the channel door limit device 1 jointly separate the battery exchange room 2 and the charging room 3.

[0076] The channel door stopper 1 is movably connected to the channel door 5 to realize the flipping of the channel door stopper 1 relative to the channel door 5. The linear motion assembly 151 can be arranged in the inner wall of a mounting seat 21. The electric cylinder or the air cylinder can be directly hinged to the inner wall of the mounting seat 21 or connected to the inner wall of the mounting seat 21 through the support 16. Figure 3 As shown, it is located in the charging room 3 and is arranged close to the passage door 5. The mounting seat 21 is fixed to the bottom of the battery swap station 10 body, and an installation space is formed at the bottom of the battery swap station 10 body. The linear motion component 151 is located in the installation space.

[0077] Furthermore, it is preferred that the limiting body 11 is rotatably connected to the passage door 5, and three methods of rotatably connecting are described below.

[0078] Please continue reading Figure 2 In one approach, the limiting body 11 is connected to the passage door 5 via a hinge 12. Specifically, at least one hinge 12 is installed at the bottom of the passage door 5, preferably four hinges 12, and when there are multiple hinges 12, preferably the hinges 12 are evenly distributed at the bottom of the passage door 5. The limiting body 11 is installed on the hinge 12 to achieve a rotational connection with the passage door 5. Figure 2 The main structure of the passage door 5 is hidden in the figure, and only the square steel at the lower end of the passage door 5 is simply indicated, and the hinge 12 is installed on the square steel. In addition, the hinge 12 can be realized by using existing technology.

[0079] See also Figure 4In the second method, the channel door limiting device 1 further includes a first rotating shaft 13, the first rotating shaft 13 passes through the limiting body 11, and the two ends of the first rotating shaft 13 are rotatably connected to the channel door 5. Specifically, the upper end of the limiting body 11 has a first connecting portion 111 protruding upward, and the first connecting portion 111 is continuously arranged from the front end to the rear end of the limiting body 11. The first connecting portion 111 is provided with a through hole, and the first rotating shaft 13 passes through the through hole. The two ends of the first rotating shaft 13 are rotatably connected to the channel door 5. For example, the specific connection structure is: the channel door 5 is provided with a first card slot (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the two ends of the first rotating shaft 13, and the rotating shaft can rotate in the first card slot. When installing, the first rotating shaft 13 that passes through the limiting body 11 can be pressed into the first card slot.

[0080] See also Figure 5 In the third means, the passage door limiting device 1 further comprises a second rotating shaft 14, the two ends of which are rotatably connected to the limiting body 11 and the passage door 5, respectively, and a second rotating shaft 14 is provided on both sides of one end of the limiting body 11. Specifically, the upper end of the limiting body 11 has two protruding second connecting parts 112, and the two second connecting parts 112 are disposed at the front and rear sides of the limiting body 11. A blind hole is provided on the second connecting part 112, and the opening of the blind hole is opposite to the passage door 5. A second clamping groove corresponding to the second connecting part 112 is provided on the passage door 5, and the two ends of the second rotating shaft 14 are respectively inserted into the blind hole of the second connecting part 112 and the second clamping groove, and the second rotating shaft 14 is rotatably connected to the second connecting part 112 and the second clamping groove.

[0081] The above lists three methods to illustrate the connection structure between the limiting body 11 and the passage door 5, but the specific connection structure between the two is not limited to the above three methods.

[0082] The structure of the limiting body 11 can be embodied in different forms, and two methods are given below to illustrate this.

[0083] In one embodiment, the limiting body 11 is a single piece, and the upper end or the lower end of the limiting body 11 is connected to the passage door 5. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The upper end of the limiting body 11 is connected to the passage door 5 as an example. Of course, as an alternative means, the lower end of the limiting body 11 can also be connected to the passage door 5, that is, the above three connection means of the limiting body 11 and the passage door 5 are adaptively adjusted and applied to the lower end of the limiting body 11. In this means, it is preferred that one limiting body 11 is controlled by two linear motion components 151 to obtain higher stability, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0084] In another approach, Figure 6As shown, the limiting body 11 is composed of two pieces, and the front end of the limiting body 11 located in the front is connected to the passage door 5, and the rear end of the limiting body 11 located in the rear is connected to the passage door 5. In this method, it is preferred that the two limiting bodies 11 are each controlled by a linear motion component 151, and the two linear motion components 151 act synchronously.

[0085] The above lists two means to illustrate the embodiment of the limiting body 11, but these two means are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0086] Furthermore, the flip angle of the limiting body 11 is preferably 85°-95°, so that the channel 4 can be opened to a greater extent, and redundancy is reserved for the flip angle of the limiting body 11, thereby reducing the risk of the driving part 15 and the limiting body 11 getting stuck.

[0087] Furthermore, it is preferred that the distance from one end of the limiting body 11 connected to the passage door 5 to the end of the limiting body 11 is 400mm-500mm. After the limiting body 11 is flipped over, the end of the limiting body 11 is greater than 600mm away from the electric vehicle. Therefore, on the one hand, the limiting body 11 will not interfere with the electric vehicle, and on the other hand, it can better warn people on the passage 4.

[0088] See also Figure 4-6 Furthermore, the channel door limit device 1 also includes a first sensor 17 for detecting foreign objects, and the first sensor 17 is arranged at the end of the limit body 11. Among them, the first sensor 17 is preferably an edge sensor, or a pressure sensor, and the first sensor 17 is mainly used to detect people located on the channel 4. When the first sensor 17 detects that there are people on the channel 4, it feeds back a signal to the body of the battery swap station 10, and the body of the battery swap station 10 makes a corresponding response. The corresponding response here is, for example: controlling the linear motion component 151 of the drive unit 15 to stop moving, controlling the battery swap equipment to stop moving, and controlling an alarm device to send an alarm signal. Of course, the first sensor 17 can also be used to detect other foreign objects located on the channel 4.

[0089] Furthermore, the passage door limiting device 1 also includes a second sensor for detecting whether the limiting body 11 is flipped into place, and the second sensor is connected to a control unit to control the flipping of the limiting body 11 .

[0090] Specifically, the second sensor is preferably fixed at a position of the limit body 11 close to the passage door 5; the detection signal of the second sensor is fed back to the control unit of the battery swap station 10 body, and the control unit determines and controls the flipping state of the limit body 11 according to the received detection signal.

[0091] Example 2

[0092] See also Figure 7The embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery swap station 10, which is provided with a channel door 5 battery swap device as in Example 1, wherein the shape, structure and application environment characteristics of the channel door 5 battery swap device in this embodiment are the same as those in Example 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0093] Furthermore, it is preferred that a passage door limiting device 1 is provided on each side of the power exchange room 2.

[0094] Furthermore, the battery swapping equipment of the battery swapping station 10 of the present embodiment includes a shuttle car, which is used to complete the replacement of the battery pack, and the channel door limit device 1 is arranged at the exit of the shuttle car; when the battery swapping station 10 needs to replace the battery, the channel door limit device 1 is switched to flip to open the channel 4, the shuttle car passes through the channel 4, and completes the replacement of the battery pack.

[0095] Specifically, when not in operation, the shuttle is located in the charging room 3, and the exit of the shuttle is located at the boundary between the charging room 3 and the battery exchange room 2. The operation of taking out the battery pack and the operation of installing the battery pack of the electric vehicle are both understood as battery exchange.

[0096] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, those skilled in the art should understand that this is only an example, 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 channel door limit device, used in an electric vehicle battery swap station, wherein the battery swap station has a battery swap device for removing and installing a battery pack from an electric vehicle and a channel for the battery swap device to and from a battery pack removal and installation position and a battery pack handover position; characterized in that: The channel door limiting device comprises a limiting body, and the limiting body is flipped and arranged on the channel to open or close the channel; The limiting body is configured to flip toward the battery pack disassembly and assembly position to open the channel.

2. The channel door limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting body is configured to flip as the battery exchange device moves on the channel to open or close the channel; And / or, the passage door limiting device further comprises a driving part, the driving part acts on the limiting body to flip the limiting body; Preferably, the driving part comprises a linear motion component, a driving output end of the linear motion component is connected to the limiting body, and the linear motion component enables the limiting body to open or close the channel through linear reciprocating motion; More preferably, the linear motion component is an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

3. The channel door limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A passage door is provided in the battery swap station between the battery pack disassembly and assembly position and the battery pack handover position, and the passage door limiting device is provided on the passage door.

4. The channel door limiting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting body is connected to the passage door via a hinge; And / or, the passage door limiting device further comprises a first rotating shaft, the first rotating shaft passes through the limiting body, and both ends of the first rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the passage door; or, The passage door limiting device further comprises a second rotating shaft, both ends of which are rotatably connected to the limiting body and the passage door respectively, and one second rotating shaft is respectively arranged on both sides of one end of the limiting body.

5. The channel door limiting device according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that: The limiting body is one piece, and the upper end or the lower end of the limiting body is connected to the passage door; or, the limiting body is two pieces, and the front end of the limiting body located in the front is connected to the passage door, and the rear end of the limiting body located in the rear is connected to the passage door.

6. The channel door limiting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The flip angle of the limiting body is 85°-95°; And / or, the distance from one end of the limiting body connected to the passage door to the end of the limiting body is 400mm-500mm, and after the limiting body is turned over, the end of the limiting body is greater than 600mm away from the electric vehicle; And / or, the channel door limiting device further comprises a second sensor for detecting whether the limiting body is flipped into place, and the second sensor is connected to a control unit to control the flipping of the limiting body.

7. The channel door limiting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The channel door limiting device also includes a first sensor for detecting foreign matter, and the first sensor is arranged at the end of the limiting body.

8. The channel door limiting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first sensor is a pressure sensor or an edge sensor.

9. A battery swap station, characterized in that: The battery swap station comprises the channel door limiting device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The battery swap station according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery swapping equipment of the battery swapping station includes a shuttle vehicle, which is used to complete the replacement of the battery pack, and the channel door limiting device is arranged at the exit of the shuttle vehicle; When the battery swap station needs to swap batteries, the channel door limit device is switched to flip to open the channel, the shuttle vehicle passes through the channel, and the battery pack is replaced.

Images