Ship power conversion system and power conversion method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a ship battery replacing system and a battery replacing method thereof. The ship battery replacing system comprises a ship, a battery replacing module and a hoisting module. The ship is provided with an electricity loading point for installing a battery box, and the electricity loading point is a dynamic point when the ship is not fixed; the battery replacing module is provided with battery replacing point positions used for exchanging battery boxes, and the battery replacing point positions are arranged in a fixed-point mode; the hoisting module comprises a hoisting mechanism capable of moving between the power loading point and the power replacing point, and the lower end of the hoisting mechanism is provided with a hoisting connector used for being connected with a battery box; the hoisting head and the hoisting mechanism can be switched between flexible connection and rigid connection; when the hoisting mechanism is opposite to the power loading point, the hoisting head is flexibly connected with the hoisting mechanism; and when the hoisting mechanism is opposite to the battery replacement point, the hoisting head is rigidly connected with the hoisting mechanism. The connection between the lifting connector and the lifting mechanism can be switched into flexible connection or rigid connection, and when the lifting connector and the lifting mechanism are in rigid connection, direct positioning can be achieved, so that the battery replacement efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ship battery swapping technology, and in particular to a ship battery swapping system and a battery swapping method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of new energy ship technology, ship battery swapping technology is becoming increasingly mature. The core of ship battery swapping is the "ship-battery separation" model. When the ship's battery is low, the ship sails into a battery swapping station and replaces the depleted battery pack with a fully charged one. During the process of lifting the battery box using a hoisting mechanism, the hoisting joint and the battery box need to be positioned relative to each other. This positioning process relies on manual labor, which is time-consuming and affects the battery swapping efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Purpose of the invention: In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a ship battery swapping system and battery swapping method. The connection between the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism can be switched to a flexible connection or a rigid connection. When the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism are rigidly connected, they can be directly positioned without the need for manual positioning by the operator, thereby improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0004] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a ship battery swapping system, comprising a ship, a battery swapping module, and a lifting module; the ship has battery installation points for installing battery boxes, which are dynamic points when the ship is not fixed; the battery swapping module has battery swapping points for exchanging battery boxes, which are fixedly located; the lifting module includes a lifting mechanism that can move between the battery installation points and the battery swapping points, and the lower end of the lifting mechanism has a lifting joint for connecting the battery box; the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism can switch between a flexible connection and a rigid connection; when the lifting mechanism is opposite to the battery installation point, the lifting joint is flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism; when the lifting mechanism is opposite to the battery swapping point, the lifting joint is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism.

[0005] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism is connected to the lifting head via a lifting rope, and there is a limiting component below the lifting mechanism to limit the movement of the lifting head; when the lifting head moves down with the lifting rope and separates from the limiting component, the lifting head is flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism; when the lifting head moves up with the lifting rope and is limited by the limiting component, the lifting rope is taut, and the lifting head is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism.

[0006] Furthermore, the battery swapping point is located on the lifting platform; with the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism maintaining a rigid connection, the lifting platform can rise to receive the battery box below the lifting joint.

[0007] Furthermore, the lifting platform is equipped with at least two storage units, which are used to store battery boxes, and each storage unit can be moved to the battery swapping point.

[0008] Furthermore, the lifting platform is equipped with a switching turntable, on which at least two storage units are distributed in a circumferential direction, and each storage unit can rotate with the switching turntable to the power swapping point.

[0009] Furthermore, each of the storage units is equipped with a transport vehicle. When the lifting platform is lowered to the ground level, the transport vehicle can transport the battery box into or out of the storage unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting component is provided with a limiting hole, and the lifting joint is provided with a limiting post; after the lifting joint moves upward with the lifting rope, the limiting post is inserted into the limiting hole accordingly, so that the limiting component limits the lifting joint.

[0011] Furthermore, a spring force gauge is provided inside the limiting hole. As the limiting post is inserted upward into the limiting hole, it causes the elastic measuring element of the spring force gauge to deform. The measurement value of the spring force gauge reflects the degree of closeness between the lifting joint and the limiting assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, a battery swapping method for a ship's battery swapping system includes the following steps: S1: After the ship docks, the lifting mechanism is moved to be opposite the power installation point on the ship, and then the lifting joint is lowered; with the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism flexibly connected, the lifting joint connects to the battery box that is in a depleted state; S2: The lifting joint is moved upward until the lifting joint is engaged with the limiting component, at which point the lifting rope is taut, and the lifting joint is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism; S3: Maintaining the rigid connection between the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism, and moving the lifting mechanism to... S4: The lifting platform moves down a certain distance, the switching turntable rotates, and the storage unit containing the fully charged battery box is rotated to be opposite the lifting connector; then the lifting platform moves up again, allowing the fully charged battery box to be connected to the lifting connector; S5: The lifting mechanism moves again to be opposite the power installation point on the ship, and then the lifting connector moves down, placing the fully charged battery box on the power installation point on the ship.

[0013] Further, in step S3, after the lifting mechanism is displaced to be opposite the battery swapping point, the measured value of the spring force sensor is recorded and called the rising warning value; then the lifting rope is released, and the lifting joint is lowered a short distance, and the distance of descent will not cause the limit post to separate from the limit hole; then the lifting platform is raised again. When the lifting action of the lifting platform causes the measured value of the spring force sensor to return to the rising warning value, it indicates that the lifting platform has received the battery box in a depleted state.

[0014] Beneficial Effects: The ship battery swapping system and method of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1) The connection between the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism can be switched to a flexible connection or a rigid connection. After the lifting joint and the lifting mechanism are rigidly connected, when the position of the lifting mechanism is fixed, the position of the lifting joint is also fixed. In addition, the battery swapping point is set at a fixed point, so the battery box in a depleted state suspended below the lifting joint can be placed directly on the battery swapping point. Then the lifting joint can also directly lift the battery box in a fully charged state located on the battery swapping point without secondary positioning. Therefore, positioning time can be saved and battery swapping efficiency can be improved.

[0016] 2) The battery swapping point is set on the lifting platform, which can rise to the battery box below the receiving hoist joint; therefore, in this invention, the lifting platform and the hoisting mechanism work together to complete the transportation of the old and new battery boxes. During the process of the lifting platform moving up and down and transporting the battery box, the hoisting mechanism can transport other battery boxes, further improving the battery swapping efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Appendix Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the ship battery swapping system of the present invention;

[0018] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the lifting mechanism and the lifting joint. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] As attached Figures 1 to 2 The aforementioned ship battery swapping system includes a ship 1, a battery swapping module, and a hoisting module. Ship 1 is a new energy ship 1, powered by battery boxes 2. After the ship 1 has been sailing for a period of time, the depleted battery boxes 2 need to be replaced with fully charged ones. Ship 1 has mounting points for the battery boxes 2. When the ship 1 is not fixed, such as when it is moored near a battery swapping station, the mounting points are dynamic due to the ship's movement in the water. The battery swapping module has fixed mounting points for exchanging battery boxes 2. The hoisting module places the depleted battery boxes 2 at the mounting points and then lifts the fully charged battery boxes 2 from those points. In practical applications, the hoisting module can record the location of the mounting points and automatically reset itself to the designated locations, eliminating the need for manual operation.

[0021] The hoisting module includes a lifting mechanism 3 that can move between the power installation point and the power swapping point. The lower end of the lifting mechanism 3 has a lifting connector 4 for connecting to the battery box 2. The lifting connector 4 can connect to the battery box 2 using methods such as adsorption, gripping, or hanging; this invention does not impose many restrictions on the connection method of the lifting connector 4. The lifting connector 4 and the lifting mechanism 3 can switch between flexible and rigid connections. The hoisting module also includes a scaffold, on which the lifting mechanism 3 can move, thereby changing the position of the lifting mechanism 3.

[0022] When the lifting mechanism 3 is aligned with the electrical installation point, the lifting joint 4 is flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism 3. Therefore, when the battery box 2, suspended below the lifting joint 4, is placed on the vessel 1, even if the vessel 1 sways, the flexible connection structure can absorb the swaying, preventing the force of the swaying from being transmitted to the lifting mechanism 3 and causing damage.

[0023] When the lifting mechanism 3 is opposite to the battery swapping point, the lifting joint 4 is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism 3. Therefore, when the position of the lifting mechanism 3 is fixed, the position of the lifting joint 4 is also fixed. In addition, the battery swapping point is fixedly set, so the battery box 2 in a depleted state suspended below the lifting joint 4 can be directly placed on the battery swapping point. Then the lifting joint 4 can also directly lift the battery box 2 in a fully charged state located on the battery swapping point without secondary positioning. Therefore, positioning time can be saved and battery swapping efficiency can be improved.

[0024] The lifting mechanism 3 is connected to the lifting head 4 via a lifting rope 5. The lifting mechanism 3 can retract or release the lifting rope 5, thereby driving the lifting head 4 to rise and fall. Below the lifting mechanism 3 is a limiting component 8 that limits the movement of the lifting head 4. When the lifting head 4 moves downward with the lifting rope 5 and separates from the limiting component 8, the lifting head 4 and the lifting mechanism 3 are in a flexible connection state. However, when the lifting head 4 moves upward with the lifting rope 5 and engages with the limiting component 8, the limiting component 8 restricts the horizontal degree of freedom of the lifting head 4. Furthermore, the lifting rope 5 is taut, restricting the vertical degree of freedom of the lifting head 4. Therefore, the movement freedom of the lifting head 4 is completely restricted, and at this time, the lifting head 4 and the lifting mechanism 3 are in a rigid connection state.

[0025] The battery swapping point is located on the lifting platform 6. Therefore, after the lifting connector 4 rises to a point where it is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism 3, the lifting connector 4 and the lifting mechanism 3 can remain rigidly connected. Instead of lowering the lifting connector 4 to near the ground, the lifting platform 6 rises to a position close to the lifting connector 4, allowing the lifting connector 4 to place the depleted battery box 2 onto the lifting platform 6. Thus, when the lifting mechanism 3 is above the battery swapping point, the lifting connector 4 and the lifting mechanism 3 can maintain a rigid connection, and the lifting platform 6 can then rise to receive the battery box 2 below the lifting connector 4.

[0026] After the lifting joint 4 places the depleted battery box 2 onto the lifting platform 6, the lifting platform 6 can transport the depleted battery box 2 to the ground. Furthermore, the lifting platform 6 can also lift a fully charged battery box 2, transporting it from the ground to the lifting joint 4. Therefore, in this invention, the lifting platform 6 and the lifting mechanism 3 jointly complete the transportation of the old and new battery boxes 2. While the lifting platform 6 moves up and down and transports the battery boxes 2, the lifting mechanism 3 can transport other battery boxes 2, thereby improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0027] The lifting platform 6 is equipped with at least two storage units, which are used to store the battery box 2. Each storage unit can move to the battery swapping point. Specifically, a switching turntable 7 is provided on the lifting platform 6, and at least two storage units are distributed circumferentially on the switching turntable 7. Each storage unit can rotate with the switching turntable 7 to the battery swapping point. The storage unit includes a storage slot provided on the switching turntable 7.

[0028] During the battery swapping process, at least one storage slot contains a fully charged battery box 2, and at least one storage slot is empty. After the lifting connector 4 places a depleted battery box 2 into the storage slot, the switching turntable 7 rotates, aligning the storage slot containing the fully charged battery box 2 with the lifting connector 4. The lifting connector 4 then connects to the fully charged battery box 2, thus completing the replacement of the old and new battery boxes 2. During the process of removing and reinstalling the battery box 2 with the lifting connector 4, the lifting platform 6 does not need to rise or fall, thereby improving battery swapping efficiency. After the lifting connector 4 reinstalls the battery box 2, the lifting platform 6 descends to near the ground, transports the depleted battery box 2 to the ground, and then loads the fully charged battery box 2 from the ground into the storage slot. The lifting platform 6 then rises again.

[0029] Each storage unit is equipped with a transport vehicle. When the lifting platform 6 descends to be level with the ground, the transport vehicle can transport the battery box 2 into or out of the storage unit. In one embodiment, the storage slot has a groove formed at the edge of the transposition turntable 7. There is also a radially extending guide rail in the storage slot, on which the transport vehicle is mounted. The transport vehicle is used to carry the battery box 2. The bottom of the transport vehicle has movable wheels that can roll along the guide rail. The transport vehicle has a drive mechanism that drives the movable wheels, so that the transport vehicle can actively move the battery box 2 into and out of the storage slot.

[0030] A battery swapping method for a shipboard battery swapping system includes the following steps:

[0031] S1: After the ship 1 that needs to swap batteries docks near the battery swapping station, the lifting mechanism 3 is moved to be opposite the battery installation point on the ship 1 under the drive of the displacement mechanism, and then the lifting joint 4 moves down; with the lifting joint 4 flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism 3, the lifting joint 4 connects to the battery box 2 on the ship 1 that is in a depleted state.

[0032] S2: The lifting joint 4 moves upward until it is engaged with the limiting component 8. At this time, the lifting rope 5 is taut and the lifting joint 4 is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism 3.

[0033] S3: Maintain a rigid connection between the lifting joint 4 and the lifting mechanism 3. The displacement mechanism drives the lifting mechanism 3 to move relative to the battery swapping point. Then, the lifting platform 6 rises to be close to the battery box 2, the lifting joint 4 releases the battery box 2, and the battery box 2, which is in a depleted state, is received into the empty storage slot in the swapping turntable 7.

[0034] S4: The lifting platform 6 moves down a certain distance to completely separate the depleted battery box 2 from the lifting connector 4. Then the switching turntable 7 rotates to rotate the storage tank containing the fully charged battery box 2 to the battery swapping point and align it with the lifting connector 4. Then the lifting platform 6 rises again to connect the fully charged battery box 2 to the lifting connector 4.

[0035] S5: The lifting mechanism 3 moves again to be opposite the power installation point on the ship 1, and then the lifting joint 4 moves down to place the fully charged battery box 2 on the power installation point of the ship 1.

[0036] When the lifting joint 4 is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism 3 and is directly above the lifting platform 6, the lifting platform 6 needs to be raised until it just supports the bottom of the battery box 2 before the lifting joint 4 releases the battery box 2. If the lifting joint 4 releases the battery box 2 when there is still a gap between the battery box 2 and the lifting platform 6, the battery box 2 will be impacted as it falls onto the lifting platform 6, which may easily damage it. Conversely, if the lifting platform 6 has already supported the battery box 2 during its ascent, but has not stopped rising, the upward force of the lifting platform 6 will be transmitted to the lifting joint 4 and the limiting component 8, which may easily damage the limiting component 8. Therefore, during the ascent of the lifting platform 6, it is necessary to determine whether the lifting platform 6 has just supported the battery box 2.

[0037] To solve the above problems, a limiting hole 9 is provided on the limiting component 8, and a limiting post 10 is provided on the lifting joint 4. After the lifting joint 4 moves upward with the lifting rope 5, the limiting post 10 is inserted into the limiting hole 9, so that the limiting component 8 limits the lifting joint 4. The diameter of the limiting hole 9 is the same as the outer diameter of the limiting post 10. There is a guide hole at the lower end of the limiting hole 9, which gradually narrows from bottom to top, making it easier for the limiting post 10 to be inserted into the limiting hole 9 through the guide hole. A spring force gauge 11 is provided in the limiting hole 9. As the limiting post 10 is inserted upward into the limiting hole 9, the limiting post 10 will cause the elastic measuring element of the spring force gauge 11 to deform. Thus, the measurement value of the spring force gauge 11 can reflect the degree of proximity between the lifting joint 4 and the limiting component 8. In this way, it can be determined whether the lifting platform 6 is just supporting the battery box 2 during the upward movement of the lifting platform 6.

[0038] Specifically, in step S3, after the lifting mechanism 3 moves to a position opposite to the battery swapping point, the measured value of the spring force gauge 11 is recorded and referred to as the rising warning value. Then, the lifting rope 5 is released, allowing the lifting joint 4 to descend a short distance, ensuring that the descent does not cause the limiting post 10 to separate from the limiting hole 9. Then, the lifting platform 6 rises again. When the rising action of the lifting platform 6 causes the measured value of the spring force gauge 11 to return to the rising warning value, it indicates that the lifting platform 6 has just successfully connected to the depleted battery box 2. In step S4, the lifting platform 6 drives the fully charged battery box 2 to rise, and after the fully charged battery box 2 is connected to the lifting joint 4, the lifting joint 4 rises a short distance again, causing the lifting rope 5 to tighten again.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shipboard battery swapping system, characterized in that: It includes a ship (1), a battery swapping module and a hoisting module; the ship (1) has a battery installation point for installing the battery box (2), and the battery installation point is a dynamic point when the ship (1) is not fixed; the battery swapping module has a battery swapping point for exchanging the battery box (2), and the battery swapping point is fixed. The hoisting module includes a hoisting mechanism (3) that can move between the power installation point and the power swapping point. The lower end of the hoisting mechanism (3) has a hoisting joint (4) for connecting the battery box (2). The hoisting joint (4) and the hoisting mechanism (3) can switch between flexible connection and rigid connection. When the hoisting mechanism (3) is opposite to the power installation point, the hoisting joint (4) is flexibly connected to the hoisting mechanism (3). When the hoisting mechanism (3) is opposite to the power swapping point, the hoisting joint (4) is rigidly connected to the hoisting mechanism (3).

2. The shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (3) is connected to the lifting head (4) via a lifting rope (5). Below the lifting mechanism (3) is a limiting component (8) that limits the lifting head (4). When the lifting head (4) moves down with the lifting rope (5) and separates from the limiting component (8), the lifting head (4) is flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism (3). When the lifting head (4) moves up with the lifting rope (5) and is limited by the limiting component (8), the lifting rope (5) is taut and the lifting head (4) is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism (3).

3. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery swapping point is set on the lifting platform (6); with the lifting joint (4) and the lifting mechanism (3) in a rigid connection, the lifting platform (6) can rise to the battery box (2) below the lifting joint (4).

4. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting platform (6) is equipped with at least two storage units, which are used to store the battery box (2). Each storage unit can move to the battery swapping point.

5. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lifting platform (6) is equipped with a switching turntable (7), and at least two storage units are distributed circumferentially on the switching turntable (7). Each storage unit can rotate with the switching turntable (7) to the power exchange point.

6. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the storage units is equipped with a transport vehicle. When the lifting platform (6) is lowered to the ground level, the transport vehicle can transport the battery box (2) into or out of the storage unit.

7. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting component (8) is provided with a limiting hole (9), and the lifting joint (4) is provided with a limiting post (10); after the lifting joint (4) moves upward with the lifting rope (5), the limiting post (10) is inserted into the limiting hole (9) to limit the lifting joint (4) by the limiting component (8).

8. A shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 7, characterized in that: A spring force gauge (11) is provided in the limiting hole (9). When the limiting post (10) is inserted upward into the limiting hole (9), the elastic measuring element of the spring force gauge (11) is deformed. The measurement value of the spring force gauge (11) reflects the degree of closeness between the lifting joint (4) and the limiting assembly (8).

9. A battery swapping method for a shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 8, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1: After the ship (1) docks, the lifting mechanism (3) moves to be opposite to the power supply point on the ship (1), and then the lifting joint (4) moves down; with the lifting joint (4) flexibly connected to the lifting mechanism (3), the lifting joint (4) connects to the battery box (2) which is in a depleted state. S2: The lifting joint (4) moves upward until the lifting joint (4) is in a limiting engagement with the limiting component (8). At this time, the lifting rope (5) is taut, and the lifting joint (4) is rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism (3). S3: Keep the lifting joint (4) rigidly connected to the lifting mechanism (3) and move the lifting mechanism (3) to be opposite to the battery swapping point; then the lifting platform (6) rises and receives the battery box (2) in a depleted state into the empty storage unit in the swapping turntable (7); S4: The lifting platform (6) moves down a certain distance, the shift turntable (7) rotates, and the storage unit containing the fully charged battery box (2) is rotated to be opposite to the lifting connector (4); then the lifting platform (6) rises again, so that the fully charged battery box (2) is connected to the lifting connector (4); S5: The lifting mechanism (3) moves again to be opposite to the power supply point on the ship (1), and then the lifting joint (4) moves down to place the fully charged battery box (2) on the power supply point of the ship (1).

10. A battery swapping method for a shipboard battery swapping system according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step S3, after the lifting mechanism (3) moves to a position opposite to the battery swapping point, the measured value of the spring force gauge (11) is recorded and called the rising warning value. Then the lifting rope (5) is released, and the lifting joint (4) is lowered a short distance, and the distance of descent does not cause the limit post (10) to separate from the limit hole (9). Then the lifting platform (6) rises again. When the rising action of the lifting platform (6) causes the measured value of the spring force gauge (11) to return to the rising warning value, it indicates that the lifting platform (6) has received the battery box (2) in a depleted state.

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