Locking and unlocking device and battery replacement vehicle battery replacement method

Abstract

This invention provides a locking / unlocking device and a battery swapping method for a battery swapping vehicle. The locking / unlocking device includes a vehicle underframe, a battery compartment, and a transfer trolley. The vehicle underframe is fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle. Multiple first engaging portions are formed on two opposite first sidewalls of the vehicle underframe. The battery compartment is detachably connected to the vehicle underframe. Multiple second engaging portions are formed on the battery compartment, and the second engaging portions engage with the first engaging portions to lock the battery compartment within its accommodating space. The battery compartment is equipped with an unlocking mechanism, which, when activated, disengages the second engaging portions from the first engaging portions to unlock the battery compartment. The transfer trolley includes an unlocking drive mechanism to drive the unlocking mechanism. This invention, with only the vehicle underframe fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle, the unlocking mechanism located on the battery compartment, and the unlocking drive mechanism located on the transfer trolley, significantly simplifies the structure of the battery swapping vehicle and reduces manufacturing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electric vehicle battery swapping technology, specifically a locking and unlocking device and a battery swapping method for electric vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, battery swapping vehicles typically have a fixed chassis frame at the bottom of the vehicle, a battery compartment fixed in the chassis frame, and batteries installed inside the battery compartment. The battery compartment is equipped with locking and unlocking devices to lock and unlock the batteries.

[0003] Specifically, when a vehicle enters the battery swapping station's swapping bay for battery swapping, a transfer trolley drives under the vehicle, and the locking and unlocking devices in the battery compartment at the bottom of the vehicle activate to release the depleted battery. The transfer trolley picks up the released depleted battery and transfers it to the battery swapping station for charging. At the same time, the transfer trolley loads a fully charged battery and transports it to the bottom of the vehicle. The fully charged battery is then transported into the battery compartment and locked inside by the locking and unlocking devices.

[0004] Since the battery compartment is fixed to the bottom of the vehicle along with the underframe and is an integral part of the vehicle, the locking and unlocking devices for releasing and locking the battery are located in the battery compartment. Therefore, each battery swapping vehicle needs to have its own locking and unlocking device and be connected to the battery compartment, which makes the vehicle structure complex and increases manufacturing costs. In addition, the space under the vehicle is limited, making the maintenance of the battery compartment and locking and unlocking devices difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a locking and unlocking device and a battery swapping method for battery-swapping vehicles, which can solve the problem in related technologies where locking and unlocking devices are installed on the battery compartment fixedly installed at the bottom of the vehicle, resulting in increased complexity of the vehicle structure and locking and unlocking actions, and high manufacturing costs.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical effects, the technical solution of the locking and unlocking device proposed in this invention is a locking and unlocking device comprising:

[0007] The vehicle underframe is used to be fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle; the vehicle underframe encloses a battery compartment housing space, the bottom wall of the vehicle underframe forms a battery compartment inlet and outlet, and multiple first snap-fit ​​parts are formed on the two opposite first sidewalls of the vehicle underframe.

[0008] A battery compartment is disposed within the battery compartment receiving space and detachably connected to the vehicle underframe. The battery compartment forms a battery receiving space for accommodating a battery, and a battery inlet / outlet is formed on one side wall of the battery compartment. Multiple second latching portions are formed on the second sidewall of the battery compartment, corresponding to the two opposite first sidewalls of the vehicle underframe. The second latching portions engage with the first latching portions to lock the battery compartment within the battery compartment receiving space. An unlocking mechanism is provided on the battery compartment; when activated, it disengages the second latching portions from the first latching portions to unlock the battery compartment.

[0009] The transfer trolley includes a carrying platform, a lifting mechanism, and an unlocking drive mechanism; the carrying platform is used to carry the battery compartment and the batteries inside the compartment; the lifting mechanism is used to lift the carrying platform so that the battery compartment and the batteries inside the compartment can enter and exit the battery compartment accommodating space through the battery compartment inlet and outlet; the unlocking drive mechanism is used to drive the unlocking mechanism to operate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first snap-fit ​​part is a slot, the second snap-fit ​​part is a claw, one end of the second snap-fit ​​part is rotatably connected to the second side wall through its first rotating shaft, a first torsion spring is sleeved on the first rotating shaft, and the restoring force of the first torsion spring drives the second snap-fit ​​part to fit tightly with the first snap-fit ​​part.

[0011] The unlocking mechanism includes a slider, which is disposed on the battery compartment and can slide in the horizontal direction H. The slider is connected to the second latching part. When the slider slides, it drives the second latching part to rotate and disengage from the first latching part. During the process of the second latching part rotating and disengaging from the first latching part, it drives the first torsion spring to deform and store energy.

[0012] In some embodiments, the unlocking mechanism further includes a conversion component that connects the slider and the second locking part, for converting the sliding of the slider into the rotation of the second locking part.

[0013] In some embodiments, the unlocking drive mechanism includes a drive component and a toggle component;

[0014] The sliding member is disposed on the bottom plate of the battery compartment, and a sliding engagement part is formed on the bottom surface of the sliding member;

[0015] When the battery compartment is unlocked, the toggle component engages with the toggle mating part, the drive component drives the toggle component to slide along the horizontal direction H, thereby causing the slider to slide along the horizontal direction H, so that the second locking part rotates and disengages from the first locking part, and the carrying platform picks up the battery compartment and the battery inside the compartment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the unlocking drive mechanism further includes:

[0017] A linear guide rail slider assembly, wherein the linear guide rail is fixedly installed and extends along the horizontal direction H;

[0018] A sliding frame is fixedly connected to the first slider of the linear guide slider assembly and connected to the output end of the driving component. An inclined slide is formed on the sliding frame, and a guide shaft that slides with the inclined slide is formed on the actuating component.

[0019] A guide component is fixedly connected to the second slider of the linear guide slider assembly. The second slider and the first slider are spaced apart in the horizontal direction H. The actuating component is disposed inside the guide component and can move vertically up and down relative to the guide component so that the actuating component extends or retracts relative to the guide component.

[0020] The elastic component has a restoring force that drives the actuating component to move vertically to its reset position.

[0021] In some embodiments, a vertically extending guide groove is formed in the middle of the guide member, the top end of the guide groove is through, and the actuating member is inserted in the guide groove; a limiting hole is formed on the side of the guide member, which communicates with the guide groove and extends vertically, and the guide shaft of the actuating member passes through the limiting hole and slides and guides in the vertical direction with the limiting hole.

[0022] In some embodiments, both the lower and upper top walls of the inclined slide are horizontal. In some embodiments, the unlocking drive mechanism further includes:

[0023] A limiting component, wherein the limiting component has a guide channel extending along the horizontal direction H, a side through portion communicating with the guide channel, and a top through portion;

[0024] A connecting component, which is located within the guide channel along with the actuating component;

[0025] The output end of the drive component passes through the side through-part and is fixed to the connecting component. The actuating component is rotatably connected to the connecting component. A second torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft of the actuating component. The restoring force of the second torsion spring drives the actuating component to rotate upward and extend above the top through-part.

[0026] As the actuating component slides along the horizontal direction H until it abuts against the inner wall of the top through-hole of the limiting component and continues to slide, the limiting component drives the actuating component to rotate and flip down to hide inside the limiting component, and drives the second torsion spring to deform and store energy.

[0027] In some embodiments, the bottom of the support platform is provided with an installation frame, the lifting mechanism is mounted on the installation frame, and the support platform is mounted on the top of the mechanism.

[0028] In some embodiments, a battery swapping method for a battery-swapping vehicle based on the above-mentioned locking and unlocking device is also proposed. The unlocking mechanism includes a sliding member connected to the second locking portion, and the unlocking drive mechanism includes a toggle component. The battery swapping method for the battery-swapping vehicle includes the following steps:

[0029] When a vehicle enters the battery swapping station's battery swapping bay for swapping, the transfer trolley drives into the designated position at the bottom of the vehicle, and the lifting mechanism raises the carrying platform to the battery compartment's pick-up and drop-off position, so that the actuating component and the sliding component work together to achieve linkage. The actuating component moves to drive the sliding component to slide, and the sliding component drives the second locking part to disengage from the first locking part, unlocking the battery compartment. The transfer trolley then picks up the battery compartment and the battery inside.

[0030] The lifting mechanism drives the carrying platform to descend and reset, and carries the battery compartment and the depleted batteries in the compartment to the battery swapping station for battery swapping. The depleted batteries leave the battery compartment and enter the battery swapping station, while the fully charged batteries enter the battery compartment on the transfer trolley from the battery swapping station.

[0031] The transfer trolley drives the battery compartment and the fully charged battery inside into the designated position at the bottom of the vehicle. The lifting mechanism raises the support platform to the battery compartment loading and unloading position. The second locking part of the battery compartment engages with the first locking part of the vehicle's underframe, locking the battery compartment within its storage space.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and positive effects:

[0033] 1. The locking and unlocking device of the present invention includes a vehicle underframe, a battery compartment, and a transfer trolley. Only the vehicle underframe is fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle, the battery is installed in the battery compartment, and the battery compartment is detachably installed in the vehicle underframe. The unlocking mechanism is located on the battery compartment, and the unlocking drive mechanism is located on the transfer trolley. Only a first latching part needs to be provided on the vehicle underframe to cooperate with locking and unlocking. Compared with the existing related technologies in which the battery compartment and its frame are fixed to the bottom of the vehicle, and the locking and unlocking devices are all located on the battery compartment, the present invention can greatly simplify the structure of the battery swapping vehicle and reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery swapping vehicle.

[0034] 2. Since the transfer trolley is located inside the battery swapping station, one battery swapping station can correspond to multiple battery swapping vehicles, and one transfer trolley can correspond to multiple battery swapping vehicles. The unlocking drive mechanism is located on the transfer trolley, which on the one hand helps to reduce the structural complexity and manufacturing cost of the battery swapping vehicle, and on the other hand can reduce the failure rate of the vehicle itself, transferring part of the maintenance cost to the transfer trolley, making it convenient for maintenance at any time, without affecting the normal operation of the vehicle, and improving the user experience.

[0035] 3. The unlocking drive mechanism of the transfer trolley and the unlocking mechanism of the battery compartment work together to unlock the battery compartment on the one hand, and ensure the stability of the battery compartment when the transfer trolley is running on the other hand. There is no need to set up related structures and actions for positioning the battery compartment on the transfer trolley, which helps to simplify the entire battery swapping operation process and improve battery swapping efficiency and user experience.

[0036] 4. The battery swapping method for battery swapping vehicles based on the locking and unlocking device of the present invention allows the battery compartment and the battery inside the compartment to enter and exit the vehicle underframe as a whole, which helps to save battery swapping operation time and thus improve battery swapping efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the locking and unlocking device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the vehicle underframe in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the vehicle underframe from another angle in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a partial exploded view of the vehicle underframe structure in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a partially exploded structural diagram of the first sidewall of the vehicle underframe in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment from one viewpoint in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment from another angle in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment from another angle in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the battery compartment structure after omitting the outer cover in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 10This is a perspective view of the unlocking mechanism of the battery compartment in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment unlocking mechanism in some embodiments of the present invention from another angle.

[0049] Figure 12 This is a bottom perspective view of the sliding component of the battery compartment unlocking mechanism in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the battery compartment and the vehicle underframe in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 14 for Figure 13 Side view;

[0052] Figure 15 for Figure 14 AA section view;

[0053] Figure 16 for Figure 15 Enlarged view of part B;

[0054] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of a transport trolley with the substrate omitted from some embodiments of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 18 for Figure 17 Enlarged view of part C;

[0056] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the unlocking drive mechanism in some embodiments of the present invention when the toggle component is in the retracted state;

[0057] Figure 20 for Figure 19 The diagram shown is a 3D view of the unlocking drive mechanism with one side of the sliding frame omitted.

[0058] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of the unlocking drive mechanism when the toggle component is in the extended state, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of the unlocking drive mechanism in some other embodiments of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 23 for Figure 22 The diagram shows a partial exploded view of the unlocking drive mechanism.

[0061] Figure label:

[0062] 100. Vehicle underframe; 110. Battery compartment storage space; 120. Battery compartment entrance / exit; 130. First side wall; 131. Outer side panel; 132. Inner side panel; 133. Inner through section; 134. Locking block; 135. First protrusion; 136. Guide ramp; 137. Vertical beam; 138. Second protrusion; 139. Through hole; 1310. Crossbeam; 1311. Bottom reinforcing beam; 1312. Wedge-shaped guide block; 1313. End reinforcing beam; 1314. Positioning hole; 140. First locking part; 150. Third side wall; 160. Horizontal baffle;

[0063] 200. Battery compartment; 210. Battery housing space; 220. Battery inlet / outlet; 230. Second snap-fit ​​part; 231. First pivot; 232. Second pivot; 240. Second side wall; 250. First torsion spring; 260. Sliding member; 261. Actuating part; 262. Extension part; 270. Bottom through part; 280. Sliding guide part; 290. First connecting rod; 2100. Second connecting rod; 2110. Third pivot; 2120. Guide limit strip; 2130. Pad; 2140. Outer cover; 2150. Frame structure;

[0064] 300. Transfer trolley; 310. Loading platform; 311. Through hole; 312. Cover plate; 313. Clearance hole; 320. Lifting mechanism; 330. Unlocking drive mechanism; 331. Drive component; 332. Actuating component; 3321. Guide shaft; 333. Connecting component; 3331. First guide hole; 334. Limiting component; 3341. Guide channel; 3342. Side through part; 3343. Top through part; 3344. Second guide hole; 3345. Third... 335. Guide hole; 3351. Blocking component; 3352. First shaft; 3353. Second shaft; 336. Linear guide rail slider assembly; 3361. First slider; 3362. Second slider; 3363. Linear guide rail; 337. Sliding frame; 3371. Inclined slide; 338. Guide component; 3381. Guide groove; 3382. Limiting hole; 3383. Main body; 3384. Connecting part; 339. Damping component; 340. Mounting frame; 350. Base;

[0065] 400. Cart track. Detailed Implementation

[0066] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0067] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0068] Reference Figures 1 to 23 The locking and unlocking device in this embodiment includes a vehicle underframe 100, a battery compartment 200, and a transfer trolley 300.

[0069] The underbody frame 100 is used to fix the battery swapping vehicle to the bottom of the vehicle. For example... Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the vehicle underframe 100 encloses a battery compartment accommodating space 110. The bottom wall of the vehicle underframe 100 is open to form a battery compartment inlet / outlet 120. The battery compartment inlet / outlet 120 is connected to the battery compartment accommodating space 110, that is, the battery compartment 200 enters and exits the vehicle underframe 100 from the bottom of the vehicle underframe 100. The vehicle underframe 100 includes an annular circumferential sidewall, which includes two opposing first sidewalls 130. A plurality of first snap-fit ​​portions 140 are formed on the first sidewalls 130.

[0070] The battery compartment 200 is located within the battery compartment receiving space 110 and is detachably connected to the vehicle underframe 100. The battery compartment 200 forms a battery receiving space 210 for accommodating the battery. A battery inlet / outlet 220 is formed on one side wall of the battery compartment 200, that is, the battery enters and exits the battery compartment 200 from the side. Multiple second latching portions 230 are formed on the second side wall 240 of the battery compartment 200, which corresponds to the two opposite first side walls 130 of the vehicle underframe 100. The second latching portions 230 engage with the first latching portions 140 to lock the battery compartment 200 within the battery compartment receiving space 110. The battery compartment 200 is provided with an unlocking mechanism, which, when activated, causes the second latching portions 230 to disengage from the first latching portions 140 to unlock the battery compartment 200.

[0071] The transfer trolley 300 includes a carrying platform 310, a lifting mechanism 320, and an unlocking drive mechanism 330; the carrying platform 310 is used to carry the battery compartment 200 and the batteries inside the compartment; the lifting mechanism 320 is used to lift the carrying platform 310 so that the battery compartment 200 and the batteries inside the compartment can enter and exit the battery compartment holding space 110 through the battery compartment inlet and outlet 120, that is, enter and exit the vehicle underframe 100; the unlocking drive mechanism 330 is used to drive the unlocking mechanism to operate.

[0072] The battery swapping station is equipped with a trolley track 400 to define the movement path of the trolley 300.

[0073] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present invention, the locking and unlocking device has only the underframe 100 fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle, the battery is installed in the battery compartment 200 and is detachably installed in the underframe 100 together with the battery compartment 200; the unlocking mechanism is provided on the battery compartment 200, and the unlocking drive mechanism 330 is provided on the transfer trolley 300. The underframe 100 only needs to be provided with the first latching part 140 to cooperate with the locking and unlocking of the battery compartment 200, which can greatly simplify the structure of the battery swapping vehicle and reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery swapping vehicle.

[0074] Since the transfer trolley 300 is located inside the battery swapping station, one transfer trolley 300 can correspond to multiple battery swapping vehicles. The unlocking drive mechanism 330 is located on the transfer trolley 300. On the one hand, this helps to reduce the structural complexity and manufacturing cost of the battery swapping vehicles. On the other hand, it can also reduce the failure rate of the vehicles themselves, transferring part of the maintenance cost to the transfer trolley 300. This facilitates maintenance at any time, does not affect the normal operation of the vehicles, and improves the user experience.

[0075] In some embodiments of this application, the battery outline is approximately rectangular, and the outlines of the battery compartment 200 and the vehicle underframe 100 are also approximately rectangular. For the vehicle underframe 100, in addition to the two opposing first sidewalls 130, its circumferential sidewalls also include two opposing third sidewalls 150 that are perpendicularly connected to the two first sidewalls 130, so as to form the circumferential sidewalls of the rectangular vehicle underframe 100.

[0076] In some embodiments of this application, the first sidewall 130 is a sidewall along the length of the rectangular vehicle underframe 100, and multiple first latching portions 140 can be provided along the length of the first sidewall 130. Correspondingly, the second sidewall 240 of the battery compartment 200 is a sidewall along the length of the rectangular battery compartment 200, and the second latching portions 230 are provided along the length of the second sidewall 240 and correspond one-to-one with the first latching portions 140, so as to improve the locking reliability of the battery compartment 200 within the vehicle underframe 100.

[0077] A horizontal baffle 160 is fixed at the top four corners of the circumferential sidewall of the rectangular vehicle underframe 100 to limit and stop the battery compartment 200 from moving upwards into the battery compartment receiving space 110. At the same time, the vehicle underframe 100 can also be fixed to the underframe of the battery swapping vehicle via the horizontal baffle 160.

[0078] In some embodiments of this application, sensing components (not shown) are respectively provided at a set of diagonal points on the top of the vehicle underframe 100, such as on the bottom surface of the two diagonally opposite horizontal baffles 160, for sensing whether the battery compartment 200 is in position. The sensing components can be proximity sensors or pressure sensors, etc., and are not specifically limited here.

[0079] To maximize the structural strength of the underframe 100 while minimizing its weight, in some embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the first sidewall 130 of the underbody frame 100 includes an outer shell and a reinforcing frame inside the shell that are fixed together.

[0080] Specifically, the outer shell includes an outer side plate 131 and an inner side plate 132. An inner through portion 133 is formed on the inner side plate 132. A locking block 134 is provided on the reinforcing frame at a position corresponding to the inner through portion 133. The outer side of the locking block 134 is fixed to the outer side plate 131. A first protrusion 135 is formed on the inner side of the locking block 134. The first protrusion 135 is embedded in the inner through portion 133 and abuts against the bottom wall of the inner through portion 133. The first protrusion 135 has a guide slope 136. The guide slope 136 is a certain distance away from the top wall of the inner through portion 133, so that the guide slope 136 and the inner through portion 133 form a groove-shaped first locking portion 140, that is, the first locking portion 140 is a locking groove.

[0081] By setting a latching block 134 between the outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132 to form a first latching part 140 with the through part of the inner side plate 132, the latching block 134 is fixedly connected to the outer side plate 131 as a whole, and is embedded in the inner through part 133 and abuts against the bottom wall of the inner through part 133. It can also be further fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the inner through part 133. Thus, the first latching part 140 in the form of a latching slot has sufficient depth and structural strength to cooperate with the second latching part 230 on the battery compartment 200 to support the battery compartment 200 and the battery inside the compartment. However, if the first latching part 140 is formed on a whole side plate, if the depth and structural strength of the first latching part 140 are to be guaranteed, the side plate will inevitably be thicker, which will increase the weight and manufacturing cost of the entire first side wall 130 and even the vehicle underframe 100, and correspondingly increase the manufacturing cost of the battery swapping vehicle.

[0082] In some embodiments of this application, the inner side plate 132, the outer side plate 131, the reinforcing frame, and the locking block 134 can be fixed together by welding.

[0083] In some embodiments of this application, a positioning hole 1314 is provided on the outer side plate 131 at a position corresponding to the card block 134, and a positioning protrusion (not shown due to viewing angle) is provided on the outer side surface of the card block 134. The positioning protrusion is embedded in the positioning hole 1314, which can position the card block 134 on the one hand, and increase the contact area between the card block 134 and the outer side plate 131 on the other hand, thereby improving the connection reliability.

[0084] Furthermore, the reinforcing frame includes multiple vertical beams 137 spaced apart along the length of the first sidewall 130. The inner and outer sides of each vertical beam 137 have second protrusions 138. The outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132 have corresponding through holes 139. The second protrusions 138 are embedded in the through holes 139. The multiple second protrusions 138 of the multiple vertical beams 137 are connected to the inner side plate 132 and the outer side plate 131 respectively, which can increase the contact area between the reinforcing frame and the outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132, thereby further increasing the connection strength of the reinforcing frame and enhancing the structural strength of the entire first sidewall 130 and even the vehicle underframe 100.

[0085] In some embodiments of this application, the outer shell further includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a front end plate, and a rear end plate, which, together with the inner side plate 132 and the outer side plate 131, form a closed hollow shell structure. The top plate and bottom plate may be integrally bent with the outer side plate 131 or the inner side plate 132 to achieve this. Figure 5 As shown in the example, the top plate and bottom plate are integrally bent with the outer side plate 131 and are welded to the top edge and bottom edge of the inner side plate 132. Multiple protrusions are also arranged on the top plate and bottom plate along the length direction. The corresponding parts of the top edge and bottom edge of the inner side plate 132 form recessed structures. The protrusions and recesses match one by one, which improves the reliability of the welding connection.

[0086] Similarly, the connection points between the front end plate and the outer side plate 131, the connection points between the front end plate and the inner side plate 132, the connection points between the rear end plate and the outer side plate 131, and the connection points between the rear end plate and the inner side plate 132 also form mutually cooperating concave and convex structures, further improving the reliability of the welding connection, and thus further improving the structural strength of the entire first sidewall 130.

[0087] like Figure 5 As shown, the locking block 134 is located between two adjacent vertical beams 137, which are connected by a horizontal beam 1310. The locking block 134 is fixed to the horizontal beam 1310. The locking block 134, the vertical beams 137, and the horizontal beam 1310 can be welded together, thus making the locking block 134, the horizontal beam 1310, and the vertical beam 137 an integral structure, further improving the structural strength.

[0088] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the first sidewall 130 also includes a bottom reinforcing beam 1311 fixed to the bottom of the outer shell. The bottom reinforcing beam 1311 extends from one end of the outer shell to the other end. A guide slope is formed on the inner side of the bottom reinforcing beam 1311 to facilitate the entry of the battery compartment 200 into the battery compartment accommodating space 110.

[0089] Specifically, the bottom reinforcing beam 1311 and the outer shell can be fixed together by welding or screws, and no specific limitation is made here. A wedge-shaped guide block 1312 can be fixed to the inner side of the bottom reinforcing beam 1311, and the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped guide block 1312 forms the aforementioned guide slope. On the one hand, by setting the bottom reinforcing beam 1311, the structural strength of the entire vehicle underframe 100 can be further improved; on the other hand, it is convenient to set the guide slope for guiding the battery compartment 200 without increasing the complexity of the outer shell structure as much as possible.

[0090] In some embodiments of this application, end reinforcing beams 1313 are provided on the inner surfaces of the two opposing third sidewalls 150 of the vehicle underframe 100 to enhance the structural strength of the third sidewalls 150. A guide slope is also formed on the bottom of the inner surface of the end reinforcing beams 1313 to facilitate the entry of the battery compartment 200 into the battery compartment accommodating space 110.

[0091] For the second latch 230 of the battery compartment 200, such as Figures 6 to 12 As shown, the second latching part 230 is a latch, one end of which has a first rotating shaft 231. The first rotating shaft 231 is fixedly connected to the second side wall 240. The top end of the second latching part 230 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 231, and then rotatably connected to the second side wall 240 of the battery compartment 200. The bottom surface of the second latching part 230 serves as a latching surface that abuts against the first latching part 140. A first torsion spring 250 is sleeved on the first rotating shaft 231. The restoring force of the first torsion spring 250 drives the second latching part 230 to fit tightly with the first latching part 140, that is, the second latching part 230 is locked in the first latching part 140 under the action of the elastic restoring force of the first torsion spring 250.

[0092] During the process of the battery compartment 200, along with the battery inside, moving upwards through the battery compartment inlet / outlet 120 at the bottom of the vehicle underframe 100 into the battery compartment receiving space 110, the second locking part 230 of the battery compartment 200, under the pressure of the first side wall 130 of the vehicle underframe 100, continuously compresses the first torsion spring 250, causing the first torsion spring 250 to deform and store energy. The second locking part 230 is essentially in a compressed state. When the movement reaches the position of the first locking part 140, under the restoring force of the first torsion spring 250, the second locking part 230 engages within the first locking part 140, thereby locking and positioning the battery compartment 200 within the vehicle underframe 100. Figures 13 to 16 As shown.

[0093] For the unlocking mechanism of battery compartment 200, such as Figures 9 to 12As shown, it includes a slider 260, which is disposed on the battery compartment 200 and can slide in the horizontal direction H. The slider 260 is connected to the second latching part 230. When the slider 260 slides, it drives the second latching part 230 to rotate and disengage from the first latching part 140. During the process of the second latching part 230 rotating and disengaging from the first latching part 140, the second latching part 230 drives the first torsion spring 250 to deform and store energy. For example, the second latching part 230 may press the first torsion spring 250 to further compress and deform it, or pull the first torsion spring 250 to stretch and deform it.

[0094] Furthermore, the unlocking mechanism of the battery compartment 200 also includes a conversion component, which is disposed between the slider 260 and the second latching portion 230 to connect the slider 260 and the second latching portion 230. The conversion component is configured to convert the linear sliding of the slider 260 into the rotation of the second latching portion 230, so that the second latching portion 230 can rotate and disengage from the first latching portion 140.

[0095] When the battery compartment 200 needs to be unlocked, the slider 260 slides along the horizontal direction H, and then the conversion component drives the second latching part 230 to rotate and disengage from the first latching part 140. During the process of the second latching part 230 rotating and disengaging from the first latching part 140, the second latching part 230 compresses the first torsion spring 250 to deform and store energy.

[0096] In some embodiments of this application, the unlocking drive mechanism 330 includes a drive component 331 and a toggle component 332; the slider 260 is disposed on the bottom plate of the battery compartment 200, and a toggle engagement portion 261 is formed on the bottom surface of the slider 260.

[0097] When unlocking the battery compartment, the toggle component 332 engages with the toggle mating part 261, and the drive component 331 drives the toggle component 332 to slide in the horizontal direction H, thereby causing the slider 260 to slide in the horizontal direction H. The conversion component can drive the second latching part 230 to rotate and disengage from the first latching part 140, and the carrying platform can pick up the battery compartment 200 and the battery inside the compartment.

[0098] The sliding member 260 can be provided on the top or bottom surface of the base plate of the battery compartment 200. In order to make it run smoothly and reliably, it is provided on the top surface of the base plate of the battery compartment 200, which can be reliably supported by the base plate. A bottom through part 270 is formed on the base plate of the battery compartment 200 corresponding to the actuating engagement part 261, so as to facilitate the actuating component 332 to operate the actuating engagement part 261 from below the battery compartment 200 to make the sliding member 260 slide.

[0099] Since the second latching part 230 is provided on the second side wall 240 of the battery compartment 200, that is, on the side wall of the battery compartment 200 along the length direction, the horizontal direction H is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the second side wall 240, that is, the width direction of the battery compartment 200.

[0100] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 and Figure 12 As shown, the actuating part 261 consists of multiple strip-shaped recesses arranged sequentially along the horizontal direction H to facilitate actuation.

[0101] like Figures 9 to 11 As shown, a sliding guide portion 280 is formed on the bottom surface of the battery compartment 200. The sliding guide portion 280 slides and guides the sliding member 260 to guide the sliding of the sliding member 260, ensuring its smooth operation, and thus ensuring that the second locking portion 230 rotates smoothly and reliably.

[0102] Specifically, the sliding guide 280 can be a slide rail or a groove, without any specific restrictions. To reduce the space occupied in the height direction, the sliding member 260 is a horizontal plate with a large area to ensure structural strength.

[0103] In some embodiments of this application, the conversion component is a linkage assembly, such as... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, it includes a first link 290 and a second link 2100. One end of the first link 290 is hinged to a sliding member 260, and the other end is hinged to one end of the second link 2100. The other end of the second link 2100 is hinged to the second pivot 232 of the second latching part 230 (the second pivot 232 is located in the lower part of the second latching part 230 and is fixedly connected to the second latching part 230). The second link 2100 is hinged to the second side wall 240 of the battery compartment 200 through a third pivot 2110 (the third pivot 2110 is fixed on the second side wall 240 of the battery compartment 200). The first pivot 231, the second pivot 232, and the third pivot 2110 are arranged in parallel and perpendicular to the horizontal direction H.

[0104] When the slider 260 slides along the horizontal direction H, the second locking part 230 is driven to rotate and disengage from the first locking part 140 through the transmission of the first connecting rod 290 and the second connecting rod 2100.

[0105] It adopts a linkage assembly, which has a simple structure and is mechanically driven, requiring no electricity, resulting in low manufacturing cost and low failure rate.

[0106] In some embodiments of this application, the same slider 260 connects two sets of conversion components, and the two sets of conversion components are respectively connected to two second latching portions 230 on two opposite second sidewalls 240. That is, the two second latching portions 230 on the two opposite second sidewalls 240 are respectively connected to the same slider 260 through a set of conversion components. The same slider 260 synchronously drives the two second latching portions 230 to rotate, so as to simplify the structure as much as possible and make the unlocking action of multiple second latching portions 230 synchronized, so that the battery compartment 200 can be unlocked smoothly.

[0107] When multiple first latching portions 140 are provided on each first sidewall 130, and the same number of second latching portions 230 are provided on each second sidewall 240, multiple sets of unlocking mechanisms are also provided accordingly. For example, when two first latching portions 140 are provided on each first sidewall 130, and two second latching portions 230 are provided on each second sidewall 240, then two sets of unlocking mechanisms are provided.

[0108] Specifically, such as Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the slider 260 extends outward from its opposite sides to form extensions 262, which are connected to the corresponding conversion components. The two sets of conversion components have the same structure, except that the shape of the first connecting rod 290 is slightly different, so that when the slider 260 slides in the horizontal direction H, the two sets of conversion components can simultaneously drive the second locking parts 230 on both sides to disengage from the corresponding first locking parts 140.

[0109] Regarding the cooperation between the battery and the battery compartment 200, in some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, guide limiting strips 2120 are provided on the inner walls of the two inner side walls adjacent to the battery compartment 200 and the battery inlet / outlet 220, namely the second side wall 240; the guide limiting strips 2120 are adapted to the sliding grooves on the battery side wall.

[0110] Specifically, the battery inlet / outlet 220 is located on the side wall of the battery compartment 200. Instead of entering and exiting from the bottom of the battery compartment 200, the battery enters and exits from the side of the battery compartment 200. The sliding groove on the side of the battery, together with the guide limit strip 2120, can guide the movement of the battery and fix the battery. Thus, when the battery enters or leaves the battery compartment 200, it can ensure the smooth movement of the battery and prevent tilting.

[0111] Furthermore, the end of the guide limit strip 2120 near the battery inlet / outlet 220 has an oblique conical structure, which makes it easier for the guide limit strip 2120 to be inserted into the groove on the side of the battery.

[0112] Multiple pads 2130 are provided on the bottom surface of the battery compartment 200 to raise the battery and prevent the battery from interfering with the sliding of the sliding member 260. The guide limit strip 2120 is also staggered from the conversion component and the second snap-fit ​​part 230 to prevent interference.

[0113] Although the battery inlet / outlet 220 of the battery compartment 200 exposes one side of the battery when it is inside the battery compartment 200, once the battery compartment 200 and the battery enter the vehicle underframe 100, the circumferential sidewall of the vehicle underframe 100 can completely enclose the side of the battery compartment 200 and the battery. Figure 13 As shown, this ensures safe battery use.

[0114] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the battery compartment 200 includes a metal outer cover 2140 and an internal frame structure 2150 to ensure the structural strength and sealing of the battery compartment 200 as much as possible. The second snap-fit ​​part 230 is specifically rotatably connected to the side wall of the frame structure 2150, and the sliding part 260 is slidably disposed on the bottom wall of the frame structure 2150.

[0115] For the 300 transport cart, such as Figures 17 to 23 As shown, the base 350 can be an AGV trolley or an electric lifting platform. The unlocking drive mechanism 330 is configured one-to-one with the unlocking mechanism on the battery compartment 200, including a drive component 331 and a toggle component 332. The toggle component 332 is connected to the drive component 331 and is used to engage with the toggle mating part 261 on the slider 260 of the battery compartment 200. The drive component 331 drives the toggle component 332 to slide horizontally in the direction H, thereby causing the slider 260 of the battery compartment 200 to slide horizontally in the direction H through the toggle mating part 261, thus unlocking the battery compartment 200.

[0116] The drive component 331 can be an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, etc., and no specific limitation is made here. The actuating component 332 has a block structure with a thin and pointed top so that it can be embedded in the actuating mating part 261.

[0117] In this application, the electrical components related to unlocking the battery compartment 200 are located on the transfer trolley 300, while only some mechanical structures are retained on the vehicle frame 100 and the battery compartment 200. This transfers most of the maintenance costs to the transfer trolley 300, without affecting vehicle operation and making it convenient for maintenance personnel to perform maintenance at any time.

[0118] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figures 17 to 21 As shown, the unlocking drive mechanism 330 includes a drive component 331, a toggle component 332, a linear guide slider assembly 336, a sliding frame 337, a guide component 338, and an elastic component.

[0119] The linear guide slider assembly specifically includes two sets of guide slider mechanisms arranged opposite to each other. Each set of guide slider mechanisms includes a first slider 3361 and a second slider 3362. The first slider 3361 and the second slider 3362 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the linear guide 3363, that is, each linear guide 3363 is equipped with multiple sliders. The linear guide 3363 is fixedly installed (can be fixedly connected to the bearing platform 310) and extends in the horizontal direction H. The first slider 3361 and the second slider 3362 can slide along the linear guide.

[0120] The sliding frame 337 is correspondingly arranged with two sets of guide rail slider mechanisms. The two sliding frames 337 are located between the two sets of guide rail slider mechanisms and are fixedly connected to the first slider 3361 respectively. A set of driving components 331 is provided, which connects the two sliding frames 337 simultaneously through an intermediate connector to ensure that the two sliding frames 337 operate synchronously. An inclined slide rail 3371 is formed on the sliding frame 337, and guide shafts 3321 that slide in cooperation with the inclined slide rail are formed on the opposite sides of the actuating component 332. The guide shafts 3321 are horizontal axes.

[0121] The guide component 338 is fixedly connected to the second slider 3362 of the linear guide slider assembly 336. The actuating component 332 is disposed inside the guide component 338 and can move vertically up and down relative to the guide component 338 so that the actuating component 332 extends or retracts relative to the guide component 338. That is, the actuating component 332 has two position states relative to the guide component 338, namely, the extended state and the retracted state. When extended, the actuating component 332 is engaged with the actuating engagement part 261 mentioned above. When retracted, the actuating component 332 disengages from the actuating engagement part 261.

[0122] The restoring force of the elastic component is used to drive the toggle component 332 to move vertically to reset, for example, from the retracted state to the extended state.

[0123] Specifically, such as Figures 19 to 21 As shown, a vertically extending guide groove 3381 is formed in the middle of the guide member 338, with the top of the guide groove 3381 penetrating through it. The actuating member 332 is inserted into the guide groove 3381. A limiting hole 3382, which communicates with the guide groove 3381 and extends vertically, is also formed on the side of the guide member 338. The guide shaft 3321 of the actuating member 332 extends through the limiting hole 3382 and slides and guides the limiting hole 3382 vertically. The elastic member (covered by the actuating member 332 and not shown) is specifically disposed in the guide groove 3381 and is located between the bottom end of the actuating member 332 and the bottom of the guide groove 3381. The elastic member is compressed when the actuating member 332 retracts into the guide groove 3381.

[0124] by Figure 19Taking the retracted state of the actuating component 332 as an example, at this time, the guide shaft 3321 is located at the lower end d1 of the inclined slide 3371, the elastic component is in a compressed state, the driving component 331 is activated, and the driving sliding frame 337 slides in the horizontal direction H1 under the cooperation of the first slider 3361 and the linear guide rail 3363. The guide component 338 is stationary at this time. As the sliding frame 337 continues to slide in the H1 direction, under the combined action of the guide groove 3381, the limiting hole 3382, and the inclined slide 3371, and simultaneously under the restoring force of the elastic component, the guide shaft 3321 of the actuating component 332 gradually reaches the upper end d2 of the inclined slide 3371, and the actuating component 332 gradually extends until the guide shaft 3321 abuts against the upper end d2 side of the inclined slide 3371, and the actuating component 332 reaches its extension limit position. Figure 21 As shown; the extended toggle component 332 engages with the aforementioned toggle mating part 261, and the sliding frame 337 continues to slide in the H1 direction. The guide shaft 3321 pushes the guide component 338 and its toggle component 332 together to slide in the H1 direction. In turn, the toggle component 332 drives the sliding member 260 on the battery compartment 200 to slide in the H1 direction, thereby causing the second locking part 230 to rotate and disengage from the first locking part 140 to unlock the battery compartment 200.

[0125] When the actuating component 332 needs to retract, the driving component 331 is activated, driving the sliding frame 337 to slide in the horizontal direction H2 (i.e., the opposite direction of H1) under the cooperation of the first slider 3361 and the linear guide rail 3363. The guide shaft 3321 of the actuating component 332 gradually reaches the lower end d1 of the inclined slide 3371, and the actuating component 332 gradually retracts. The compression of the elastic component gradually increases to store energy until the guide shaft 3321 abuts against the lower end d1 side of the inclined slide 3371, and the actuating component 332 disengages from the actuating engagement part 261.

[0126] In these embodiments of this application, further, as Figure 19 and Figure 20 As shown, the top walls of the lower end d1 and the upper end d2 of the inclined slide 3371 are both horizontal, so that when the drive component stops working, the guide shaft 3321 of the actuating component 332 can stably abut against the lower end d1 or the upper end d2 of the inclined slide 3371 under the restoring force of the elastic component, thereby stabilizing the actuating component 332 in the retracted state or the extended state.

[0127] The drive component 331 can be an electric actuator or a motor working in conjunction with a transmission mechanism to achieve the horizontal sliding of the sliding frame 337.

[0128] The guide component 338 includes a main body 3383 and a connecting part 3384 connected as one piece. The guide groove 3381 and the limiting hole 3382 are provided on the main body 3383. The connecting part 3384 is located at the lower part of the main body 3383 and extends to the opposite sides of the main body 3383, so that the guide component 338 is inverted T-shaped as a whole. The main body 3383 is located between the two sliding frames 337. The two connecting parts 3384 are respectively fixedly connected to the second sliders 3362 on both sides.

[0129] The unlocking drive mechanism 330 can be located on the bottom surface of the support platform 310. The drive component 331 and the linear guide rail 3363 are fixedly connected to the support platform 330. The support platform 330 is provided with a through hole 311 to expose at least the guide component 338. Since the guide component 338 needs to slide along the horizontal direction H, the through hole 311 should have a certain length in the horizontal direction H to accommodate the sliding of the guide component 338.

[0130] Furthermore, a cover plate 312 is disposed within the through hole 311 to cover a portion of the area of ​​the through hole 311, thereby protecting the unlocking drive mechanism 330 below. The cover plate 312 has a clearance hole 313 that matches the outer contour of the guide member 338's cross-section. The top end of the guide member 338 extends upward through the clearance hole 313 on the cover plate. Since the guide member 338 slides along the horizontal direction H, it will cause the cover plate 312 to slide. If the cover plate 312 is located within the through hole, there must be a certain gap between the cover plate 312 and the inner wall of the through hole 311 in the horizontal direction H. That is, in the horizontal direction H, the length of the cover plate 312 is less than the length of the through hole 311, so as not to hinder the cover plate 312 from sliding with the guide member 338.

[0131] Furthermore, since the guide shaft 3321 of the actuating component 332 does not reach both ends of the inclined slide 3371, the guide component 338 does not slide with the sliding frame 337. Only when the guide shaft 3321 reaches both ends of the inclined slide 3371 and the sliding frame 337 continues to slide in the original direction will the guide component 338 be pushed to slide. To improve the positional stability of the guide component 338 when it is not sliding, a damping component 339 (which can be a rubber block or a plastic block) is provided on the connecting portion 3384 on one side. The damping component 339 contacts the bottom surface of the bearing platform 310 to provide frictional damping and prevent the guide component 338 from sliding accidentally.

[0132] In other embodiments of this application, such as Figure 22 and Figure 23 As shown, the unlocking drive mechanism 330 includes a drive component 331, a toggle component 332, a limit component 334, and a connecting component 333.

[0133] The limiting component 334 is fixedly installed and has a guide channel 3341 extending in the horizontal direction H, a side through part 3342 communicating with the guide channel 3341, and a top through part 3343. The connecting component 333 and the actuating component 332 are located in the guide channel 3341. The output end of the driving component 331 passes through the side through part 3342 and is connected to the connecting component 333. The actuating component 332 is rotatably connected to the connecting component 333. A second torsion spring (not shown) is sleeved on the rotating shaft b of the actuating component 332. The restoring force of the second torsion spring drives the actuating component 332 to rotate and tilt upward to extend above the top through part 3343 so as to cooperate with the actuating engagement part 261 of the sliding member 260 on the bottom plate of the battery compartment 200.

[0134] When the actuating component 332 slides in the horizontal direction H2 under the drive of the driving component 331, until it abuts against the inner wall a of the top through-hole 3343 and continues to slide in this direction, Figure 22 Taking the shown perspective as an example, when the actuating component 332 slides to abut against the inner wall a of the top through-part 3343, since the limiting component 334 is fixed, if the actuating component 332 continues to slide towards H2, the resistance of the limiting component 334 will cause the actuating component 332 to rotate clockwise and flip down, so that its top position gradually falls below the position of the top through-part 3343, gradually driving the actuating component 332 to hide inside the limiting component 334, so that the actuating component 332 disengages from the actuating engagement part 261, thereby facilitating the separation of the transfer trolley 300 and the battery compartment 200; at the same time, during the rotation and flipping process of the actuating component 332, the second torsion spring is driven to deform and store energy, so as to provide a restoring force for the reset of the actuating component 332.

[0135] To make the structure compact, such as Figure 23 As shown, the connecting component 333 is a groove with an open top, and the actuating component 332 is located in the groove. Under the restoring force of the second torsion spring, the actuating component 332 is reset through the open top of the connecting component 333 and the through portion 3343 at the top of the limiting component 334.

[0136] Furthermore, similarly Figure 22 and Figure 23 As shown, the unlocking drive mechanism 330 also includes a blocking component 335, which is used to block the top through portion 3343 of the limiting component 334 when the toggle component 332 is in the retracted state, so as to prevent dust, impurities and other contaminants from entering the interior of the limiting component 334 and affecting the operational reliability of the toggle component 332.

[0137] Specifically, the blocking component 335 is a blocking plate or blocking block, located on the rear side of the actuating component 332 along the horizontal direction H. One end of the blocking component 335 has a first shaft 3351, and the other end has a second shaft 3352. The first shaft 3351 and the second shaft 3352 are perpendicular to the horizontal direction H and spaced apart along the horizontal direction H. The connecting component 333 has a vertical first guide hole 3331, and the limiting component 334 has a second guide hole 3344 and a third guide hole 3345 corresponding to the first shaft 3351 and the second shaft 3352. The second guide hole 3344 and the third guide hole 3345 have the same structure, both being curved with an upward curve at the front and a nearly horizontal curve at the rear. The first shaft 3351 is inserted into both the first guide hole 3331 and the second guide hole 3344, and the second shaft 3352 is inserted into the third guide hole 3345.

[0138] When the toggle component 332 is in the raised position, the blocking component 335 is in the position as follows: Figure 22 , Figure 23 As shown, the second shaft 3352 is located at the rear end of the third guide hole 3345, and the first shaft 3351 is located at the bottom end of the first guide hole 3331 and at the rear end of the second guide hole 3344. When the driving component 331 drives the connecting component 333 to slide in the H2 direction, it pulls the actuating component 332 and the blocking component 335 to slide in the H2 direction. Under the combined action of the first guide hole 3331, the second guide hole 3344, and the third guide hole 3345, the first shaft 3351 and the second shaft 3352 gradually reach the front top end of the second guide hole 3344 and the front top end of the third guide hole 3345, respectively, so that the blocking component 335 reaches the top through part 3343 of the limiting component 334 to block the top through part 3343.

[0139] In some embodiments of this application, the bottom of the support platform 310 is provided with an installation frame 340, and the lifting mechanism 320 is specifically a scissor-type lifting mechanism provided on the installation frame 340. The support platform 310 is located at the top of the lifting mechanism 320 and is connected to the lifting output end of the lifting mechanism 320.

[0140] Of course, the lifting mechanism 320 can also adopt other structures, such as electric screw mechanism, cylinder drive, etc., and no specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0141] In some embodiments of this application, the battery swapping method for battery swapping vehicles using the above-described locking and unlocking device includes the following steps:

[0142] When a vehicle enters the battery swapping station's swapping bay for battery swapping, the transfer trolley 300 drives into the bottom of the vehicle's underframe 100, and the lifting mechanism 320 lifts the carrying platform 310 to the battery compartment's pick-up and drop-off position. The actuating component 332 and the sliding component 260 work together to achieve linkage. The actuating component 332 moves the sliding component 260 to slide, and the sliding component 260 moves the second locking part 230 to disengage from the first locking part 140, unlocking the battery compartment 200. The transfer trolley 300 then picks up the battery compartment 200 and the battery inside.

[0143] The lifting mechanism 320 drives the carrying platform 310 to descend and reset, and drives the battery compartment 200 and the depleted batteries in the compartment to the battery swapping station for battery swapping. The depleted batteries leave the battery compartment 200 and enter the battery swapping station, while the fully charged batteries enter the battery compartment 200 on the transfer trolley 300 from the battery swapping station.

[0144] The transfer trolley 300 carries the battery compartment 200 and the fully charged battery inside to the bottom of the vehicle. The lifting mechanism 320 lifts the carrying platform 310 to the battery compartment loading and unloading position. When the battery compartment 200 and its battery are lifted into the battery compartment holding space 110, the second locking part 230 of the battery compartment 200 engages with the first locking part 140 of the vehicle bottom frame 100 to lock the battery compartment 200 in the battery compartment holding space 110.

[0145] In some embodiments of this application, the battery compartment access position is the plane position of the battery compartment inlet / outlet 120 of the vehicle underframe 100.

[0146] The battery compartment 200 and the battery inside the compartment enter and exit the vehicle's underframe 100 as a whole, which helps to save battery swapping time and thus improve battery swapping efficiency.

[0147] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking and unlocking device, characterized in that, include: The vehicle underframe is used to be fixed to the bottom of the battery swapping vehicle; the vehicle underframe encloses a battery compartment housing space, the bottom wall of the vehicle underframe forms a battery compartment inlet and outlet, and multiple first snap-fit ​​parts are formed on the two opposite first sidewalls of the vehicle underframe. A battery compartment is disposed within the battery compartment receiving space and detachably connected to the vehicle underframe. The battery compartment forms a battery receiving space for accommodating a battery, and a battery inlet / outlet is formed on one side wall of the battery compartment. Multiple second latching portions are formed on the second sidewall of the battery compartment, corresponding to the two opposite first sidewalls of the vehicle underframe. The second latching portions engage with the first latching portions to lock the battery compartment within the battery compartment receiving space. An unlocking mechanism is provided on the battery compartment; when activated, it disengages the second latching portions from the first latching portions to unlock the battery compartment. The transfer trolley includes a carrying platform, a lifting mechanism, and an unlocking drive mechanism; the carrying platform is used to carry the battery compartment and the batteries inside the compartment. The lifting mechanism is used to lift the carrying platform so that the battery compartment and the batteries inside the compartment can enter and exit the battery compartment accommodating space through the battery compartment inlet and outlet. The unlocking drive mechanism is used to drive the unlocking mechanism to operate; The first snap-fit ​​part is a slot, the second snap-fit ​​part is a claw, one end of the second snap-fit ​​part is rotatably connected to the second side wall through its first rotating shaft, a first torsion spring is sleeved on the first rotating shaft, and the restoring force of the first torsion spring drives the second snap-fit ​​part to fit tightly with the first snap-fit ​​part. The unlocking mechanism includes a slider, which is disposed on the battery compartment and can slide in the horizontal direction H. The slider is connected to the second latching part. When the slider slides, it drives the second latching part to rotate and disengage from the first latching part. During the process of the second latching part rotating and disengaging from the first latching part, it drives the first torsion spring to deform and store energy. The unlocking drive mechanism includes a drive component and a toggle component; The sliding member is disposed on the bottom plate of the battery compartment, and a sliding engagement part is formed on the bottom surface of the sliding member; When the battery compartment is unlocked, the toggle component engages with the toggle mating part, and the drive component drives the toggle component to slide along the horizontal direction H, thereby causing the sliding member to slide along the horizontal direction H, so that the second locking part rotates and disengages from the first locking part, and the carrying platform picks up the battery compartment and the battery inside the compartment; The unlocking drive mechanism also includes: A limiting component, wherein the limiting component has a guide channel extending along the horizontal direction H, a side through portion communicating with the guide channel, and a top through portion; A connecting component, which is located within the guide channel along with the actuating component; The output end of the drive component passes through the side through-part and is fixed to the connecting component. The actuating component is rotatably connected to the connecting component. A second torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft of the actuating component. The restoring force of the second torsion spring drives the actuating component to rotate upward and extend above the top through-part. As the actuating component slides along the horizontal direction H until it abuts against the inner wall of the top through-hole of the limiting component and continues to slide, the limiting component drives the actuating component to rotate and flip down to hide inside the limiting component, and drives the second torsion spring to deform and store energy.

2. The locking and unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unlocking mechanism further includes a conversion component that connects the slider and the second locking part, for converting the sliding of the slider into the rotation of the second locking part.

3. The locking and unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unlocking drive mechanism also includes: A linear guide rail slider assembly, wherein the linear guide rail is fixedly installed and extends along the horizontal direction H; A sliding frame is fixedly connected to the first slider of the linear guide slider assembly and connected to the output end of the driving component. An inclined slide is formed on the sliding frame, and a guide shaft that slides with the inclined slide is formed on the actuating component. A guide component is fixedly connected to the second slider of the linear guide slider assembly. The second slider and the first slider are spaced apart in the horizontal direction H. The actuating component is disposed inside the guide component and can move vertically up and down relative to the guide component so that the actuating component extends or retracts relative to the guide component. The elastic component has a restoring force that drives the actuating component to move vertically to its reset position.

4. The locking and unlocking device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide component has a vertically extending guide groove in its middle part, and the top end of the guide groove is through it. The actuating component is inserted into the guide groove. The guide component has a limiting hole that communicates with the guide groove and extends vertically on its side. The guide shaft of the actuating component passes through the limiting hole and slides and is guided in the vertical direction with the limiting hole.

5. The locking and unlocking device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the lower and upper top walls of the inclined slide are horizontal.

6. The locking and unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the support platform is provided with an installation frame, the lifting mechanism is mounted on the installation frame, and the support platform is mounted on the top of the lifting mechanism.

7. A battery swapping method for a battery-swapping vehicle based on the locking and unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unlocking mechanism includes a sliding member connected to a second locking portion, and the unlocking drive mechanism includes a toggle component; characterized in that, The battery swapping method for battery-swapping vehicles includes the following steps: When a vehicle enters the battery swapping station's battery swapping bay for battery swapping, the transfer trolley drives into the set position at the bottom of the vehicle's underframe. The lifting mechanism lifts the carrying platform to the battery compartment's pick-up and drop-off position, causing the actuating component and the sliding component to work together to achieve linkage. The actuating component moves to drive the sliding component to slide, and the sliding component drives the second locking part to disengage from the first locking part, unlocking the battery compartment. The transfer trolley then picks up the battery compartment and the battery inside. The lifting mechanism drives the carrying platform to descend and reset, and carries the battery compartment and the depleted batteries in the compartment to the battery swapping station for battery swapping. The depleted batteries leave the battery compartment and enter the battery swapping station, while the fully charged batteries enter the battery compartment on the transfer trolley from the battery swapping station. The transfer trolley drives the battery compartment and the fully charged battery inside into the designated position at the bottom of the vehicle frame. The lifting mechanism raises the support platform to the battery compartment loading and unloading position. The second locking part of the battery compartment engages with the first locking part of the vehicle frame, locking the battery compartment within the battery compartment's storage space.

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