Battery exchange station

By introducing a sensing unit and connector connection part into the battery exchange station, the charging connector is automatically identified and adjusted, which solves the problem that conventional battery exchange stations cannot adapt to the charging of various battery packs, and realizes automatic identification and charging of different types of battery packs.

CN120937208APending Publication Date: 2025-11-11LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202480019650.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-07-31
Filing Date
2024-06-20
Publication Date
2025-11-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional battery swapping stations are equipped with only one type of charging connector, which cannot charge different types of battery packs at the same time.

Method used

A battery exchange station is designed, comprising a battery slot, a sensing unit, and a connector connection part. The sensing unit identifies the battery pack type, and the connector connection part removes and connects to a suitable charging connector. The battery slot can accommodate multiple battery packs, and the connector connection part includes a rotary motor and a linear motor to automatically adjust the position of the charging connector.

Benefits of technology

It enables automatic identification and charging of different types of battery packs, solves the problem that a single charging connector cannot adapt to multiple battery packs, and improves the versatility of battery exchange stations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery exchange station, and more particularly, to a battery exchange station which identifies the type of a battery pack supplied to a battery jar in advance, takes out a charging connector suitable for the type of the battery pack, and connects the charging connector to the battery pack. The battery exchange station according to the present invention comprises: a battery jar accommodating one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors respectively corresponding to the n battery packs; a sensing unit for identifying the type of the battery pack introduced into the battery compartment; and a connector connection unit for taking out a charging connector of a type suitable for the battery pack housed in the battery jar and connecting the charging connector to the battery pack housed in the battery jar. Accordingly, the type of the battery pack supplied to the battery jar can be recognized in advance, and a charging connector suitable for the type of the battery pack can be taken out and connected to the battery pack.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0099853, filed in the Republic of Korea on July 31, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure relates to a battery exchange station, and more specifically to a battery exchange station that pre-identifies the type of battery pack supplied to the battery compartment, removes a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connects the charging connector to the battery pack. Background Technology

[0005] A rechargeable battery is a type of battery that can be charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery that cannot be recharged. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and camcorders, while high-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for drive motors in hybrid vehicles.

[0006] Rechargeable batteries can be used in the form of battery cells, where a positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are sequentially stacked within an outer material, and the internal space of the outer material is filled with an electrolyte. Multiple battery cells can be aggregated and electrically connected to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, such rechargeable batteries can be charged by inserting them into battery slots within a battery exchange station as a battery pack.

[0007] Figure 1a and Figure 1b These are perspective views showing a conventional battery exchange station and conventional battery slots. Multiple battery slots 100 are formed in the battery exchange station 1, and a charging connector for charging an inserted battery pack 10 can be provided in the battery exchange station 1.

[0008] The battery pack 10 has different types of charging connectors depending on its type, but the conventional battery exchange station 1 is only equipped with one type of charging connector. Therefore, the conventional battery exchange station 1 is designed to charge only one type of battery pack 10, which leads to the problem that it is impossible to charge different types of battery packs 10 with a single device. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] This disclosure is designed to address problems in the related art, and therefore aims to provide a battery exchange station that pre-identifies the type of battery pack supplied to the battery compartment, removes a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connects the charging connector to the battery pack.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] The battery exchange station according to this disclosure includes: a battery compartment that accommodates any one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs; a sensing unit that identifies the type of battery pack being transported into the battery compartment; and a connector connection portion that removes a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery compartment and connects the charging connector to the battery pack accommodated in the battery compartment.

[0013] The battery compartment may include: a lower plate; a front plate and a rear plate, the front plate and the rear plate being mounted on the front and rear sides of the lower plate, respectively; a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate being mounted on the right and left sides of the lower plate, respectively; and an upper plate, the upper plate being mounted on the upper end portion of the front plate and the rear plate.

[0014] A hinged door can be formed on the front panel through which battery packs are transported into or out of the battery compartment.

[0015] The sensing unit may include a wireless communication module that is mounted on the hinged door and communicates wirelessly with a battery pack passing through the hinged door.

[0016] A connector insertion hole can be formed on the rear plate, into which any one of the n charging connectors can be inserted.

[0017] The connector connection portion may include: a rotary motor that rotates in one direction; n linear motors, each of which is connected to n charging connectors; and a connecting member that connects the rotary motor and the n linear motors.

[0018] The connecting member may include: a frame portion fitted into the rotating shaft of the rotary motor; and n protrusions formed on the frame portion and arranged along the rotation direction of the rotary motor.

[0019] Each of the n protrusions can be connected to the stator of one of the n linear motors, and each of the n charging connectors can be connected to the mover of one of the n linear motors.

[0020] The battery exchange station according to this disclosure may also include a slot size adjustment section, which adjusts the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot.

[0021] The groove size adjustment part may include a first slider, which is connected to a first side plate to move the first side plate in the left-right direction.

[0022] The groove size adjustment section may include a second slider connected to a second side plate to move the second side plate in the left-right direction.

[0023] The groove size adjustment section may include a third slider connected to the upper plate to move the upper plate in the vertical direction.

[0024] The battery exchange station according to this disclosure may include a mounting plate installed inside the battery compartment, and the battery packs transported into the battery compartment are mounted on the mounting plate.

[0025] Furthermore, the battery exchange station according to this disclosure may also include a guide rail mounted below the seating plate to guide the movement of the seating plate in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] Beneficial effects

[0027] The battery exchange station according to this disclosure includes: a battery compartment that accommodates any one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs; a sensing unit that identifies the type of battery pack being transported into the battery compartment; and a connector connection portion that removes a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery compartment and connects the charging connector to the battery pack accommodated in the battery compartment, thereby having the following advantages: the type of battery pack supplied to the battery compartment can be identified in advance, a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack can be removed, and the charging connector can be connected to the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1a This is a 3D view showing a conventional battery swapping station.

[0029] Figure 1b This is a 3D view showing a standard battery compartment.

[0030] Figure 2a This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the battery compartment of the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 2b This is a perspective view showing the interior of the battery compartment of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2b Rear view of the rear portion of the front panel.

[0033] Figure 4a It is shown schematically. Figure 2b A front view of the front portion of the rear panel.

[0034] Figure 4b This shows the insertion of the first connector. Figure 4a A front view of the state in the back panel.

[0035] Figure 4c This shows the insertion of the second connector. Figure 4a A front view of the state in the back panel.

[0036] Figure 5a This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the first battery pack housed in the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 5b It shows that it is formed in Figure 5a A view of the connector connection portion and the NFC tag in the first battery pack.

[0038] Figure 5c This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the second battery pack loaded into the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5d It shows that it is formed in Figure 5c A view of the connector connection part and NFC tag in the second battery pack.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery compartment and connector connection portion of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 It is shown in detail Figure 6 A 3D view of the connector connection part.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic view showing the state in which the size of the battery compartment is adjusted in a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in full detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily implement the disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to or construed as described below.

[0044] In order to clearly describe this disclosure, irrelevant descriptions that may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure or detailed descriptions of related known techniques have been omitted, and throughout the specification, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar elements when reference numerals are attached to elements in each figure.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms or words used in this specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to their general or dictionary meanings, but rather interpreted based on their meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of this disclosure, on the basis of the principle that the inventors are allowed to define terms appropriately for the purpose of best illustration.

[0046] In the following description, a battery exchange station according to this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Implementation Method 1

[0048] Figure 2a This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the battery compartment of the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, and Figure 2b This is a perspective view showing the interior of the battery compartment of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2b Rear view of the rear portion of the front panel.

[0049] Figure 4a It is shown schematically. Figure 2b A front view of the front portion of the rear panel. Figure 4b This shows the insertion of the first connector. Figure 4a A front view of the state in the back panel, and Figure 4c This shows the insertion of the second connector. Figure 4a A front view of the state in the back panel.

[0050] Figure 5a This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the first battery pack housed in the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, and Figure 5b It shows that it is formed in Figure 5a A view of the connector connection portion and the NFC tag in the first battery pack. Figure 5c This is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the second battery pack installed in the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, and Figure 5d It shows that it is formed in Figure 5c A view of the connector connection part and NFC tag in the second battery pack.

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery compartment and connector connection portion of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, and Figure 7 It is shown in detail Figure 6 A 3D view of the connector connection part.

[0052] Reference Figure 2a and Figure 2b According to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, the battery exchange station 1 includes: a battery compartment 100 that accommodates any one of n different battery packs 10 (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors 200 corresponding to each of the n battery packs 10; a sensing unit 300 that identifies the type of battery pack 10 transported into the battery compartment 100; and a connector connection portion 400 that removes a charging connector 200 suitable for the type of battery pack 10 accommodated in the battery compartment 100 and connects the charging connector 200 to the battery pack 10 accommodated in the battery compartment 10. The sensing unit 300 can pre-identify the type of battery pack 10 supplied to the battery compartment 100, and the connector connection portion 400 can remove a charging connector 200 suitable for the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300 and connect the charging connector 200 to the battery pack 10, so that the battery exchange station 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure has the advantageous effect of simultaneously charging different types of battery packs 10.

[0053] Here, the battery pack 10 is a group of electrically connected battery cells, which are stacked in an external material in the form of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode in an order of electrolyte immersion. The battery pack 10 can have various structures and shapes depending on the type. For example, the battery pack 10 can have a shape in which multiple battery cells are housed within a hexagonal box.

[0054] Multiple battery slots 100 can be provided in the battery exchange station 1, and a space for accommodating and charging the battery pack 10 can be formed therein. Specifically, the battery slot 100 may include a lower plate 110, a front plate 120 and a rear plate 130 respectively mounted on the front and rear sides of the lower plate 110, a first side plate 140 and a second side plate 150 respectively mounted on the right and left sides of the lower plate 110, and an upper plate 160 mounted at the upper end portions of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130.

[0055] The lower plate 110 is a metal plate fixedly installed at a designated location inside the battery exchange station 1, and may have a flat shape in the horizontal direction. The front plate 120 and the rear plate 130 are metal plates respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the lower plate 110, and may have various shapes. The front plate 120 and the rear plate 130 may be connected to the front plate 110 in various ways. For example, each of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130 may be screwed or welded to the upper surface of the lower plate 110.

[0056] The upper plate 160 is a metal plate mounted on the upper end portion of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130, and may have a flat shape in the horizontal direction. The upper plate 160 may be screwed or welded to each of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130 at a position below the upper end portion of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150.

[0057] The battery slots 100, with six plates connected as described above, can form a receiving space for accommodating the battery pack 10. A seating member 600, on which the battery pack 10 sits, can be formed at the lower end of the receiving space, and a support spring for supporting the seating member 600 in the vertical direction can be installed at the lower part of the seating member 600. Furthermore, a guide portion 610 for guiding the movement of the seating member 600 can be formed at the lower part of the seating member 600.

[0058] A hinged door 121 may be formed on the front panel 120, through which the battery pack 10 being transported into or out of the battery compartment 100 passes. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the hinged door 121 can be hinged to the hinged connection portion 122 mounted on the upper end portion of the front panel 120. In this case, the hinged door 121 can be used as a passage for the battery pack 10 to be transported into or out of the battery compartment 100.

[0059] Meanwhile, a sensing unit 300 for identifying the type of battery pack 10 when it passes through the hinged door 121 can be mounted on the hinged door 121, and the sensing unit 300 may include a wireless communication module 310 that wirelessly communicates with the battery pack 10 passing through the hinged door 121. Therefore, before the battery pack 10 is housed inside the battery compartment 100, the wireless communication module 310 can pre-identify the type of battery pack 10, allowing the connector connection portion 400 of the battery exchange station 1 to pre-remove the charging connector 200 suitable for the type of battery pack 10 before the battery pack 10 is fully housed inside the battery compartment 100.

[0060] Here, the wireless communication module 310 identifies the type of battery pack 10 by wirelessly communicating with the NFC tag of the battery pack 10 when the tag approaches, and can be installed in various areas within the hinged door 121. For example, the wireless communication module 310 can be installed on one surface or another surface of the hinged door 121. Furthermore, a module fixing member 320 for fixing the wireless communication module 310 can be installed on the hinged door 121.

[0061] A connector insertion hole 131 may be formed in the rear plate 130, into which any one of the n charging connectors 200 is inserted. Figure 4aAs shown, the connector insertion hole 131 may be an opening formed in the central region of the rear plate 130 for the charging connector 200 to pass through. In this case, the connector insertion hole 131 may be formed large enough to allow various types of charging connectors 200 to pass through.

[0062] For example, such as Figure 4b and Figure 4c As shown, the connector insertion hole 131 can be formed large enough to allow not only the charging connector 200a with a shape corresponding to the first battery pack 10a to pass through easily, but also the charging connector 200b with a shape corresponding to the second battery pack 10b to pass through easily.

[0063] The charging connector 200 is connected to the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10 to charge the battery pack 10. The battery pack 10 has a different shape of connector connection portion 11 depending on its type, and the charging connector 200 can also vary depending on the type of battery pack 10.

[0064] For example, in Figure 5a and Figure 5b In the case of the first battery pack 10a shown, the connector connection portion 11a can be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. The first battery pack 10a can be connected to a charging connector 200a whose shape corresponds to the connector connection portion 11a. Even Figure 5c and Figure 5d In the case of the second battery pack 10b shown, the connector connection portion 11b can be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. Similarly, the second battery pack 10b can be connected to the charging connector 200b, which corresponds to the shape of the connector connection portion 11b.

[0065] Therefore, the shape of the charging connector 200 connected to each battery pack 10 can be varied, and the connector insertion hole 131 can be formed large enough to allow various types of charging connectors 200a, 200b to pass through.

[0066] Simultaneously, an NFC tag 12 capable of communicating with a wireless communication module 310 formed at the hinge door 121 can be formed within the battery pack 10. The NFC tag 12 can be formed in various locations depending on the type of battery pack 10. For example, such as... Figure 5b and Figure 5d As shown, NFC tags 12a and 12b can be formed on the lower surface portion of battery packs 10a and 10b.

[0067] On the other hand, the connector connection portion 400 that removes the charging connector 200 suitable for the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300 and connects the charging connector 200 to the battery pack 10 may include a rotary motor 410 that rotates in one direction, n linear motors 420 each connected to n charging connectors 200 (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and a connecting member 430 connecting the rotary motor 410 and the n linear motors 420. In this case, there is the following beneficial effect: the suitable charging connector 200 among the n charging connectors 200 can be automatically removed and connected to the battery pack 10.

[0068] Here, the rotary motor 410, which causes the linear motor 420 to rotate and move clockwise or counterclockwise, can move the charging connector 200 connected to the linear motor 420 to a height corresponding to the connector insertion hole 131. The linear motor 420, which moves the connected charging connector 200 in the front-back direction, can move the charging connector 200, which is located outside the connector insertion hole 131, into the connector insertion hole 131. In this case, the charging connector 200 moved into the connector insertion hole 131 can be connected to the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10 housed in the battery compartment 100.

[0069] Furthermore, the linear motor 420 can remove the charging connector 200, which is located inside the connector insertion hole 131, to the outside of the connector insertion hole 131. For example, when the battery pack 10 is fully charged, the linear motor 420 can retract the charging connector 200 and separate it from the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10.

[0070] Meanwhile, the connecting member 430 may include a frame portion 431 fitted into the rotating shaft 411 of the rotary motor 410 and n protrusions 432 (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) formed on the frame portion 431 and arranged along the rotation direction of the rotary motor 410. Here, each of the n protrusions 432 may be connected to the stator 421 of the n linear motors 420, and each of the n charging connectors 200 may be connected to the mover 422 of the n linear motors 420.

[0071] in this regard, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The following structure is shown: a connecting member 430 is coupled to the rotation shaft 411 of a rotary motor 410; two protrusions 431 are formed on the frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430; and a linear motor 420 is coupled to each of the two protrusions 431. An opening may be formed in the connecting member 430 into which the rotation shaft 411 can be fitted.

[0072] The connecting member 430, which connects the rotary motor 410 and the linear motor 420, can have various structures. For example, the frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430 can be a cylindrical member with an opening at its center. A protrusion 432 extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the rotation axis 411 can be formed on the frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430. Specifically, the protrusions 432 can be mounted in multiple portions on the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion 431 along the rotation direction of the rotation axis 411.

[0073] The linear motor 420 may include a stator 421 that generates a magnetic field and a mover 422. Current flows through the mover 422, and the mover 422 moves in a linear direction due to the magnetic field generated by the stator 421. Here, the stator 421 is a box-shaped member surrounding the rod-shaped mover 422 and may be connected to the aforementioned protrusion 432. Various methods can be used to connect the stator 421 and the protrusion 432. For example, the stator 421 and the protrusion 432 may be screwed together.

[0074] The mover 422 is a rod-shaped member that reciprocates linearly and can be connected to the charging terminal of the charging connector 200. Various methods can be used to connect the mover 422 and the charging terminal. For example, the mover 422 and the charging terminal can be joined by welding or by bonding with an adhesive material.

[0075] The connector connection portion 400 can be prepared to provide a charging connector 200 suitable for the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300. For example, when the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300 is the first battery pack 10a described above, the connector connection portion 400 can be prepared to provide a charging connector 200a corresponding to the connector connection portion 11a of the first battery pack 10a.

[0076] Here, the step of moving the charging connector 200a to a position corresponding to the position forming the connector insertion hole 131 is performed first. This step can be performed by rotating the rotary motor 410. Specifically, as the rotary motor 410 rotates, the linear motor 420 connected to the rotation shaft 411 of the rotary motor 410 can move in a rotational manner in one direction. The rotation of the rotary motor 410 can continue until the charging connector 200a connected to the linear motor 420 moves to the position corresponding to the position forming the connector insertion hole 131.

[0077] Subsequently, the linear motor 420 connected to the charging connector 200a can move the mover 421 in a linear direction to move the charging connector 200a into the connector insertion hole 131. In this case, the first battery pack 10a is seated inside the battery compartment 100, and the charging connector 200a can be connected to the connector connection portion 11a of the first battery pack 10a.

[0078] On the other hand, when the second battery pack 10b is placed inside the battery compartment 100, the connector connection portion 400 can drive the rotary motor 410 and the linear motor 420 as described above to connect the charging connector 200b corresponding to the connector connection portion 11b of the second battery pack 10b to the connector connection portion 11b.

[0079] Meanwhile, the connector connection portion 400 may also include a body frame 440 that houses the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430. The body frame 440 may be a box-shaped member with an internal space housing the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430. In this case, the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430 are housed inside the body frame 440, which has the beneficial effect of protecting the main drive unit of this disclosure from external impacts, etc.

[0080] On the other hand, the body frame 440 can be connected to the rear plate 130 and installed in a fixed position. For example, the body frame 440 can be connected to the rear plate 130 via a connecting rod portion 450 extending from one surface of the rear plate 130.

[0081] Implementation Method 2

[0082] Figure 8 This is a view showing the state in which the size of the battery compartment in the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure is adjusted.

[0083] The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that a slot size adjustment part 500 or a seating plate 600 for adjusting the size of the battery slot 100 is provided inside the battery exchange station 1. Content identical to Embodiment 1 will be omitted as much as possible, and the description of Embodiment 2 will focus on the differences. That is, it is obvious that, if necessary, anything not described in Embodiment 2 can be considered as part of Embodiment 1.

[0084] Reference Figure 8 According to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, the battery exchange station 1 may further include a slot size adjustment section 500, which adjusts the size of the battery slot 100 according to the type of battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100. In this case, the size of the battery slot 100 can be adjusted to accommodate the type of battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100, so that the battery exchange station 1 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure has the beneficial effect of being able to accommodate various types of battery packs 10 inside the device.

[0085] Furthermore, similar to Embodiment 1, the battery exchange station 1 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure has a connector connection portion 400, which takes out a charging connector 200 of the type suitable for the battery pack 10 housed inside the device and connects the charging connector 200 to the battery pack 10. This has the beneficial effect of being able to charge each of the various types of battery packs 10 housed inside the device.

[0086] Meanwhile, the slot size adjustment part 500 may include a first slider 510, which is connected to the first side plate 140 to allow the first side plate 140 to move in the left-right direction. The first slider 510 may include a first fixing unit 511 mounted at a fixed position on the right side of the lower plate 110 and a first moving unit 512 mounted above the first fixing unit. In this case, the first side plate 140 may be connected to the first moving unit 512 on its upper side, and in this case, the first side plate 140 may move left and right according to the left-right movement of the first moving unit 512.

[0087] Here, the first fixed unit 511 and the first moving unit 512 can have various structures and shapes. For example, the first moving unit 512 can be a moving unit that is connected to a long rod-shaped portion formed on the first fixed unit 511 that extends in the left-right direction and moves along the rod-shaped portion in the left-right direction.

[0088] Furthermore, the slot size adjustment section 500 may include a second slider 520, which is connected to the second side plate 150 to allow the second side plate 150 to move in the left-right direction. The second slider 520 may include a second fixing unit 521 mounted at a fixed position on the left side of the lower plate 110 and a second moving unit 522 mounted above the second fixing unit. In this case, the second side plate 150 may be connected to the second moving unit 522 on its upper side, and in this case, the second side plate 150 may move left and right according to the movement of the second moving unit 522 in the left-right direction.

[0089] Here, the second fixed unit 521 and the second moving unit 522 can have various structures and shapes. For example, the second moving unit 522 can be a moving unit that is connected to a long rod-shaped portion formed on the second fixed unit 521 that extends in the left-right direction and moves along the rod-shaped portion in the left-right direction.

[0090] Furthermore, the slot size adjustment section 500 may include a third slider 530, which is connected to the upper plate 160 to move the upper plate 160 in the vertical direction. The third slider is a linear motor that moves the upper plate 160 in the vertical direction, and may include a stator 531 fixedly mounted in the upper region of the rear plate 130 and a mover 532 connected to the upper plate 160.

[0091] Here, the stator 531 is a component mounted at a fixed position on the rear plate 130 to generate a magnetic field, and the mover 532 can be a component that generates current and reciprocates linearly in the vertical direction through the magnetic field generated from the stator 531. The stator 531 can be connected to the rear plate 130 in various ways. For example, an adhesive layer can be formed between the stator 531 and the rear plate 130. Furthermore, the mover 532 can be connected to the upper plate 160 in various ways. For example, the mover 532 and the upper plate 160 can be joined by welding.

[0092] Since the battery exchange station 1 according to embodiment 2 of this disclosure includes a slot size adjustment portion 500 that moves the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 in the left-right direction and moves the upper plate 160 in the up-down direction, the width and height of the battery slot 100 can be adjusted, and thus the size of the internal space can be adjusted to correspond to the size of the battery pack 10 loaded into the battery slot 100.

[0093] Meanwhile, a mounting plate 600 can be installed inside the battery compartment 100, and the battery pack 10 transported into the battery compartment 100 is mounted on the mounting plate 600. The mounting plate 600 is a flat plate on which the battery pack 10 is mounted, and can be formed wide enough to allow various types of battery packs 10 to be mounted.

[0094] Here, a guide rail 610 can be installed below the seat plate 600 to guide the movement of the seat plate 600 in the front-back direction, and a track moving portion 611 can be formed below the seat plate 600 to connect with the groove formed in the guide rail 610 and move along the guide rail 610. In this case, the seat plate 600 on which the battery pack 10 is seated can move in the front-back direction through the guide rail 610 inside the battery compartment 100, which has the following advantages: it makes it easy to move the loaded battery pack 10 from the front plate 120 side to the rear plate 130 side where the connector insertion hole 131 is formed.

[0095] The present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may implement the present disclosure in different forms within the scope of the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0096] [List of reference numerals]

[0097] 1: Battery Exchange Station; 10: Battery Pack

[0098] 11: Connector connection part 12: NFC tag

[0099] 100: Battery slot; 110: Lower panel

[0100] 120: Front panel; 121: Hinged door

[0101] 122: Hinged connection part; 130: Rear plate

[0102] 131: Connector insertion hole; 140: First side plate

[0103] 150: Second side panel; 160: Top panel

[0104] 200: Charging connector; 300: Sensing unit

[0105] 310: Wireless communication module; 320: Module fixing component

[0106] 400: Connector connection part; 410: Rotary motor

[0107] 411: Rotary shaft; 420: Linear motor

[0108] 421: Stator; 422: Motor

[0109] 430: Connecting component; 431: Frame part

[0110] 432: Protrusion; 440: Body frame

[0111] 450: Connecting rod section; 500: Slot size adjustment section

[0112] 510: First sliding member; 511: First fixing unit

[0113] 512: First moving unit; 520: Second sliding member

[0114] 521: Second fixed unit; 522: Second moving unit

[0115] 530: Third sliding component; 531: Stator

[0116] 532: Motor 600: Seating plate

[0117] 610: Guide rail; 611: Rail moving part

Claims

1. A battery swapping station, comprising: A battery compartment that accommodates any one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); There are n different charging connectors, each of which corresponds to one of the n battery packs; A sensing unit that identifies the type of battery pack being transported into the battery compartment; as well as The connector connection portion removes a charging connector of a type suitable for the battery pack housed in the battery compartment and connects the charging connector to the battery pack housed in the battery compartment.

2. The battery swapping station according to claim 1, in, The battery compartment includes: Lower board; A front plate and a rear plate, the front plate and the rear plate being respectively mounted on the front and rear sides of the lower plate; A first side plate and a second side plate are respectively mounted on the right and left sides of the lower plate; and The upper plate is installed at the upper end portion of the front plate and the rear plate.

3. The battery swapping station according to claim 2, in, A hinged door is formed on the front panel, through which the battery pack being transported into or out of the battery compartment passes.

4. The battery exchange station according to claim 3, in, The sensing unit includes a wireless communication module, which is mounted on the hinged door and communicates wirelessly with the battery pack passing through the hinged door.

5. The battery exchange station according to claim 3, in, A connector insertion hole is formed on the rear plate, and any one of the n charging connectors is inserted into the connector insertion hole.

6. The battery exchange station according to claim 5, in, The connector connection portion includes: A rotary motor that rotates in one direction; n linear motors, each of which is connected to one of the n charging connectors; and A connecting member that connects the rotary motor and the n linear motors.

7. The battery exchange station according to claim 6, in, The connecting component includes: The frame portion is fitted into the rotating shaft of the rotary motor; and n protrusions are formed on the frame portion and arranged along the rotation direction of the rotary motor.

8. The battery exchange station according to claim 7, in, Each of the n protrusions is connected to the stator of one of the n linear motors, and Each of the n charging connectors is connected to the mover of the n linear motors.

9. The battery swapping station according to claim 2, further comprising: The slot size adjustment section adjusts the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot.

10. The battery exchange station according to claim 9, in, The groove size adjustment part includes a first sliding member, which is connected to the first side plate to move the first side plate in the left-right direction.

11. The battery exchange station according to claim 9, in, The groove size adjustment part includes a second sliding member, which is connected to the second side plate to move the second side plate in the left and right direction.

12. The battery exchange station according to claim 9, in, The groove size adjustment part includes a third sliding member, which is connected to the upper plate to move the upper plate in the vertical direction.

13. The battery swapping station according to claim 1, comprising: A mounting plate, which is installed inside the battery compartment and on which the battery pack being transported into the battery compartment is mounted.

14. The battery swapping station according to claim 13, further comprising: A guide rail is installed below the seating plate to guide the movement of the seating plate in the front-back direction.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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