Gripper for gripping vehicle battery module and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamp holder for clamping a vehicle battery module. The clamp holder comprises a base provided with a central shaft; the telescopic part comprises a plurality of movable blocks arranged around the central shaft, and each movable block can radially stretch towards or away from the central shaft through a telescopic device; and a plurality of grabs independent of each other, each of the plurality of grabs including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks in a non-working state and locked with one of the plurality of movable blocks in a working state, so that the grabs can rotate around the first end portion in a vertical plane, and the second end portion being unlocked from the first end portion in a non-working state and locked with one of the plurality of movable blocks in a working state. The second end is locked with the base in a non-working state so that the gripper can rotate around the second end in a horizontal plane, and is unlocked with the base in a working state. According to the clamp holder, the rotation angle of each grabbing clamp and the telescopic length of the movable block can be independently adjusted according to the shape and size of the battery module, the clamp holder is flexibly adaptive to different battery modules, the number of tools is reduced, and the assembly line cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of clamping tools, and more particularly, to a clamp for clamping a vehicle battery module, and a method for moving the battery module by the clamp. Background Art

[0002] Traditional grippers usually have fixed sizes and can only grip products of a fixed shape, resulting in low flexibility in assembly lines.

[0003] With the development of battery technology, many battery modules of different shapes and sizes have emerged, such as cylindrical battery modules, blade battery modules, etc. If the factory assembly workshop needs to introduce these new battery modules, the existing fixtures must be modified or a variety of different fixtures must be added to adapt to these new battery modules, but this will increase the cost and complexity of the assembly line. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a clamp for clamping a vehicle battery module to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art. More specifically, the clamp according to the present invention can be applied to the movement and installation of battery modules of different shapes and sizes, and has a simple structure, low cost, and good safety for both the operator and the clamp itself.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a clamp for clamping a vehicle battery module, the clamp comprising: a base, the base being provided with a central axis; a telescopic portion, the telescopic portion comprising a plurality of movable blocks, the plurality of movable blocks being arranged around the central axis, and each of the plurality of movable blocks being configured to be suitable for radially telescoping toward or away from the central axis through a telescopic device connected to the base; and a plurality of independent grippers, each of the plurality of grippers comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks in a non-working state, and to be locked with one of the plurality of movable blocks in a working state, so that each of the plurality of grippers is suitable for rotating around the first end in a vertical plane, and the second end is configured to be locked with the base in the non-working state, so that each of the plurality of grippers is suitable for rotating around the second end in a horizontal plane, and to be unlocked from the base in the working state.

[0006] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second end portion is configured to be locked with the central shaft in the non-working state, and to be unlocked with the central shaft in the working state.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic device is a telescopic rod, one end of the telescopic rod is connected to the corresponding movable block, and the other end of the telescopic rod is connected to the base.

[0008] According to an optional implementation manner of the present invention, one end of the telescopic rod is connected to the corresponding movable block, and the other end of the telescopic rod is connected to the central axis.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of grippers is configured to be adapted to rotate within an angular range of 180 degrees in a vertical plane and to rotate within an angular range of 360 degrees in a horizontal plane.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the number of the gripping clamps is at least three, and the number of the movable blocks is greater than the number of the gripping clamps.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion includes a plurality of movable blocks evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0012] The second aspect of the present invention provides a method for moving a vehicle battery module using the clamp according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising: positioning the clamp to an initial position of the battery module, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of gripping clips is unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks, and the second end of each of the plurality of gripping clips is locked to the base; rotating a first gripping clip among the plurality of gripping clips around the second end of the first gripping clip in a horizontal plane according to the shape and size of the battery module, and locking the first end of the first gripping clip to a first movable block among the plurality of movable blocks; unlocking the second end of the first gripping clip from the base, and moving the first gripping clip away from the central axis diameter along with the first movable block through the telescopic device. Move the first gripper outward, and rotate the first gripper around the first end of the first gripper in a vertical plane to a clamping position; according to the shape and size of the battery module, rotate a second gripper among the multiple grippers around the second end of the second gripper in a horizontal plane, and lock the first end of the second gripper with a second movable block among the multiple movable blocks; unlock the second end of the second gripper from the base, move the second gripper radially outward away from the central axis along with the second movable block through the telescopic device, and rotate the second gripper around the first end of the second gripper in a vertical plane to a clamping position; clamp the battery module through the first gripper and the second gripper and move the battery module to a desired position.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the number of the grippers is at least three, the number of the movable blocks is greater than the number of the grippers, and the method further includes: according to the shape and size of the battery module, rotating a third gripper among the multiple grippers around the second end of the third gripper in a horizontal plane, and locking the first end of the third gripper with the third movable block among the multiple movable blocks; unlocking the second end of the third gripper from the base, moving the third gripper radially outward away from the central axis along with the third movable block through the telescopic device, and rotating the third gripper around the first end of the third gripper in a vertical plane to a clamping position; clamping the battery module through the first gripper, the second gripper and the third gripper and moving the battery module to a desired position.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the clamp according to the present invention has several advantages, in particular: the clamp according to the present invention can adjust the rotation angle of each gripper and the telescopic length of the movable block according to the shape and size of the battery module, so as to flexibly adapt to different battery modules, thereby saving the number of tools and reducing the cost of the assembly line. In addition, the clamp has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture and use, and can retract the gripper in a non-working state, which has good safety for both the operator and the clamp itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following preferred embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components.

[0016] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a clamp in a non-working state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of the clamp in a non-working state;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the clamp in a non-working state with the base hidden;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the clamp in the working state;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Bottom view of the clamp in the working state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to implement and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0022] In this specification, when describing the structural position of each component, directional expressions such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and the like are not absolute, but relative. When the components are arranged as shown in the figure, these directional expressions are appropriate, but when the position of the components in the figure changes, these directional expressions should also change accordingly. In this specification, the "vertical direction" is the axial direction extending along the central axis 11 of the clamp 100, and the "horizontal direction" is the direction perpendicular to the central axis 11.

[0023] In this specification, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "fixed", "connected" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this specification can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the clamp 100 for clamping a vehicle battery module of the present invention comprises a base 1, a telescopic portion 2 and a plurality of grippers 3 independent of each other.

[0025] The base 1 is circular and has a central axis 11. The telescopic portion 2 includes a plurality of movable blocks 21 uniformly distributed along the circumference around the central axis 11, and the plurality of movable blocks 21 define a receiving cavity 211 for receiving the gripper 3. Figure 3 As shown, each of the plurality of movable blocks 21 is configured to be adapted to be radially extended toward or away from the central axis 11 through a telescopic device 22 connected to the base 1 ( Figures 3 to 5 Only the telescopic device 22 of the movable block 21a is shown.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the telescopic device 22 is a telescopic rod, one end of which is connected to the corresponding movable block 21, and the other end of which is connected to the base 1. Preferably, one end of the telescopic rod is connected to the corresponding movable block 21, and the other end of the telescopic rod is connected to the central axis 11. For example, the telescopic rod can be set in the form of a sleeve rod and driven by a device such as a cylinder. According to a variant implementation, a plurality of radially extending slide grooves can also be set in the base, and a guide rod for driving the movable block 21 to radially extend and retract and a spring sleeved on the guide rod can be installed therein, and the spring tension is used to make the movable block 21 drive the gripper 3 to clamp the battery module.

[0027] Each of the plurality of grippers 3 includes a first end 31 and a second end 32, wherein the first end 31 is configured to be unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks 21 in a non-working state, and locked with one of the plurality of movable blocks 21 in a working state, so that the gripper 3 is suitable for rotating in a vertical plane around the first end 31. The second end 32 is configured to be locked with the base 1 in a non-working state, so that the gripper 3 is suitable for rotating in a horizontal plane around the second end 32, and is unlocked from the base 1 in a working state. Preferably, the second end 32 is configured to be locked with the central shaft 11 in a non-working state, and is unlocked from the central shaft 11 in a working state.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the second end 32 can be designed to include a claw clamp assembly structure including a plurality of connecting rods or clamps to support and clamp the battery module in the working state. According to one embodiment, a suction device such as a suction cup can also be provided at the second end 32 to prevent the battery module from falling during the clamping process. According to another embodiment, an anti-slip pad can also be provided on the inner side of the second end 32 to increase the friction between the claw clamp and the battery module. According to another embodiment, a groove can also be provided at the second end 32 to facilitate positioning of the battery module during the clamping process.

[0029] Preferably, the number of the grippers 3 is at least three, and the number of the movable blocks 21 is greater than the number of the grippers 3. According to the illustrated embodiment, three grippers 3 and twelve movable blocks 21 evenly distributed along the circumference are provided, and each gripper 3 can be independently controlled relative to other grippers 3.

[0030] Each of the plurality of grippers 3 is configured to be suitable for rotating around the second end 32 in a horizontal plane within an angle range of 360 degrees by a rotation drive device. For example, one or two of the first gripper 3a, the second gripper 3b and the third gripper 3c can be rotated to the corresponding movable block, while the other grippers remain in place. The first gripper 3, the second gripper 3b and the third gripper 3c can also be rotated to the corresponding first movable block 21a, the second movable block 21b and the third movable block 21c.

[0031] Each of the plurality of grippers 3 is configured, for example, to be suitable for rotating around the first end 31 in a vertical plane within an angle range of 180 degrees by a rotary drive device. For example, the first gripper 3a and the second gripper 3b can be rotated downward by 45 degrees and 60 degrees, respectively. For another example, the first gripper 3a and the second gripper 3b can be rotated downward by 45 degrees, and the third gripper 3c can be rotated downward by 90 degrees. For another example, the first gripper 3, the second gripper 3b and the third gripper 3c can be rotated downward by 120 degrees. By controlling the opening and closing degree of each gripper separately, the accuracy and flexibility of taking and placing the battery module can be improved, and touching other components can be avoided.

[0032] Reference below Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of moving a vehicle battery module using the above-mentioned gripper 100 is briefly described.

[0033] First, the clamp 100 is positioned to the initial position of the battery module, wherein the first end 31 of each of the plurality of grippers 3 is unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks 21, and the second end 32 of each of the plurality of grippers 3 is locked with the central axis 11. Then, according to the shape and size of the battery module, the first gripper 3a of the plurality of grippers 3 is rotated in a horizontal plane around the second end 32 of the first gripper 3a, and the first end 31 of the first gripper 3a is locked with the first movable block 21a of the plurality of movable blocks 21. Then, the second end 32 of the first gripper 3a is unlocked from the base 1, the first gripper 3a is moved radially outward with the first movable block 21a away from the central axis 11 through the telescopic device 22, and the first gripper 3a is rotated downward in a vertical plane around the first end 31 of the first gripper 3a to a clamping position. Then, according to the shape and size of the battery module, the second gripper 3b among the plurality of grippers 3 is rotated around the second end 32 of the second gripper 3b in a horizontal plane, and the first end 31 of the second gripper 3b is locked with the second movable block 21b among the plurality of movable blocks 21. Then, the second end 32 of the second gripper 3b is unlocked from the base 1, and the second gripper 3b is moved radially outward away from the central axis 11 along with the second movable block 21b through the telescopic device 22, and the second gripper 3b is rotated downward in a vertical plane around the first end 31 of the second gripper 3b to a clamping position. Finally, the battery module is clamped by the first gripper 3a and the second gripper 3b and moved to a desired position.

[0034] In the case where the third gripper 3c is needed, after the second gripper 2b is positioned to the clamping position, the third gripper 3c among the plurality of grippers 3 is rotated in a horizontal plane around the second end 32 of the third gripper 3c according to the shape and size of the battery module, and the first end 31 of the third gripper 3c is locked with the third movable block 21c among the plurality of movable blocks 21. Then, the second end 32 of the third gripper 3c is unlocked from the base 1, and the third gripper 3c is moved radially outward away from the central axis 11 along with the third movable block 21c through the telescopic device 22, and the third gripper 3c is rotated downward in a vertical plane around the first end 31 of the third gripper 3c to the clamping position. Finally, the battery module is clamped together by the first gripper 3a, the second gripper 3b and the third gripper 3c and moved to the desired position.

[0035] More specifically, the gripper 3 is first moved radially outward with the corresponding movable block 21 away from the central axis 11 to the farthest position, and then moved radially inward close to the central axis 11 until it fits with the battery module, thereby grabbing the battery module. According to a variant implementation, the battery module can be first moved a first distance by the first gripper 3a and the second gripper 3b, and then the third gripper 3c is added to grab and reinforce the battery module and move it a second distance. It can be understood that the radial movement distance of each movable block 21 can be the same or different, and the present invention does not limit this. The operations between different movable blocks and claws are independent of each other, and the operation sequence can be freely combined, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0036] When the clamp 100 completes grasping the battery module, the claw clamp 3 moves radially inward along the corresponding movable block 21 close to the central axis 11 through the telescopic device 22, and rotates upward in the vertical plane to the accommodating cavity 211, thereby providing good safety for both the operator and the clamp itself in the non-working state.

[0037] The technical content and technical features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative ideas of the present invention, technicians in this field can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concepts, but all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0038] The description of the above embodiments is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A clamp (100) for clamping a vehicle battery module, characterized in that: The holder (100) comprises: A base (1), wherein the base (1) is provided with a central axis (11); a telescopic portion (2), the telescopic portion (2) comprising a plurality of movable blocks (21), the plurality of movable blocks (21) being arranged around the central axis (11), and each of the plurality of movable blocks (21) being configured to be adapted to radially telescope toward or away from the central axis (11) through a telescopic device (22) connected to the base (1); and A plurality of grippers (3) are independent of each other, each of the plurality of grippers (3) comprises a first end (31) and a second end (32), wherein the first end portion (31) is configured to be unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks (21) in a non-working state, and to be locked with one of the plurality of movable blocks (21) in a working state, so that each of the plurality of grippers (3) is adapted to rotate around the first end portion (31) in a vertical plane, The second end portion (32) is configured to be locked with the base (1) in the non-working state, so that each of the plurality of grippers (3) is adapted to rotate around the second end portion (32) in a horizontal plane and to be unlocked with the base (1) in the working state.

2. The holder (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second end portion (32) is configured to be locked with the central shaft (11) in the non-working state, and to be unlocked with the central shaft (11) in the working state.

3. The holder (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic device (22) is a telescopic rod, one end of which is connected to the corresponding movable block (21), and the other end of which is connected to the base (1).

4. The holder (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the telescopic rod is connected to the corresponding movable block (21), and the other end of the telescopic rod is connected to the central axis (11).

5. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of grippers (3) is configured to be adapted to rotate within an angular range of 180 degrees in a vertical plane and to rotate within an angular range of 360 degrees in a horizontal plane.

6. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The number of the grasping clamps (3) is at least three, and the number of the movable blocks (21) is greater than the number of the grasping clamps (3).

7. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The telescopic portion (2) comprises a plurality of movable blocks (21) evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

8. A method for moving a vehicle battery module by means of a gripper (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: Positioning the clamp (100) to an initial position of the battery module, wherein the first end (31) of each of the plurality of gripping clips (3) is unlocked from the plurality of movable blocks (21), and the second end (32) of each of the plurality of gripping clips (3) is locked to the base (1); According to the shape and size of the battery module, a first gripping clamp (3a) among the plurality of gripping clamps (3) is rotated around a second end (32) of the first gripping clamp (3a) in a horizontal plane, and a first end (31) of the first gripping clamp (3a) is locked with a first movable block (21a) among the plurality of movable blocks (21); The second end portion (32) of the first gripping clamp (3a) is unlocked from the base (1), and the first gripping clamp (3a) is moved radially outward away from the central axis (11) along with the first movable block (21a) by means of the telescopic device (22), and the first gripping clamp (3a) is rotated in a vertical plane around the first end portion (31) of the first gripping clamp (3a) to a gripping position; According to the shape and size of the battery module, a second gripping clamp (3b) among the plurality of gripping clamps (3) is rotated around a second end portion (32) of the second gripping clamp (3b) in a horizontal plane, and a first end portion (31) of the second gripping clamp (3b) is locked with a second movable block (21b) among the plurality of movable blocks (21); The second end portion (32) of the second gripping clamp (3b) is unlocked from the base (1), and the second gripping clamp (3b) is moved radially outward away from the central axis (11) along with the second movable block (21b) by means of the telescopic device (22), and the second gripping clamp (3b) is rotated in a vertical plane around the first end portion (31) of the second gripping clamp (3b) to a gripping position; The battery module is clamped by the first clamp (3a) and the second clamp (3b) and moved to a desired position.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The number of the gripping clamps (3) is at least three, the number of the movable blocks (21) is greater than the number of the gripping clamps (3), and the method further comprises: According to the shape and size of the battery module, a third gripping clamp (3c) among the plurality of gripping clamps (3) is rotated around a second end (32) of the third gripping clamp (3c) in a horizontal plane, and a first end (31) of the third gripping clamp (3c) is locked with a third movable block (21c) among the plurality of movable blocks (21); The second end portion (32) of the third gripping clamp (3c) is unlocked from the base (1), and the third gripping clamp (3c) is moved radially outward away from the central axis (11) along with the third movable block (21c) through the telescopic device (22), and the third gripping clamp (3c) is rotated around the first end portion (31) of the third gripping clamp (3c) in a vertical plane to a gripping position; The battery module is clamped by the first gripping clamp (3a), the second gripping clamp (3b) and the third gripping clamp (3c) and is moved to a desired position.

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