A positioning and gripping device for heavy truck battery swapping stations

Abstract

This invention discloses a positioning and gripping device for heavy-duty truck battery swapping stations, relating to the field of positioning and gripping technology for battery swapping stations. A movable frame is mounted inside the housing via an electric sliding rail. A mounting rod is mounted at the bottom of the movable frame, and a drive seat is mounted at the bottom of the mounting rod. A mounting base is mounted at the bottom of the drive base via a steel cable lifter. An adjusting seat is mounted at the bottom of the mounting base, and protective rods are mounted at both ends of the mounting rod. This invention, through the arrangement of a first sliding table, a second sliding table, and a gripping rod, enables the device to position and clamp the battery pack by moving the gripping rod from the inside out during gripping. This avoids slight deviations between the gripping mechanism and the battery, which could affect gripping stability. The gripping rod enters a preset space inside the battery pack and then expands outwards for clamping. Utilizing the battery pack's own structure as a secondary positioning reference, it automatically corrects initial deviations, ensuring that the clamping point is accurately aligned with the target position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of positioning and grasping technology for battery swapping stations, specifically a positioning and grasping device for heavy-duty truck battery swapping stations. Background Technology

[0002] The positioning and gripping device for heavy-duty truck battery swapping stations is an automated device specifically designed for electric heavy-duty trucks. It is used to quickly and accurately grip, transport, and replace large battery packs on heavy-duty trucks within the swapping station. It is the core execution unit of the swapping station, directly determining the swapping efficiency, safety, and reliability.

[0003] When swapping batteries for heavy trucks, the gripping mechanism and the battery need to be aligned. If there is a slight deviation between the gripping mechanism and the battery during gripping, it may cause misalignment, jamming, or excessive force on the connector. Furthermore, due to the different brands of heavy trucks, the battery size and interface position vary significantly. Traditional fixed mechanical claws are not convenient to adapt to different battery pack specifications. On the other hand, because heavy truck battery packs are heavy, if the edge of the battery pack is accidentally bumped during gripping, it will further amplify the damage to the battery pack.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, innovative design based on existing methods is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a positioning and gripping device for heavy-duty truck battery swapping stations, in order to solve the problems in the background art where, if there is a slight deviation between the gripping mechanism and the battery during gripping, the mechanical claw is not convenient to adapt to battery packs of different specifications. Since the heavy-duty truck battery pack is heavy, if the edge of the battery pack is accidentally bumped during gripping, it will further amplify the damage to the battery pack. The technical solution of this invention addresses the problem that the existing technical solutions are too simplistic and provides a solution that is significantly different from the existing technology.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck swapping station, comprising a housing, a movable frame mounted inside the housing via an electric slide rail, an mounting rod mounted at the bottom of the movable frame, a drive seat mounted at the bottom of the mounting rod, an mounting base mounted at the bottom of the drive seat via a steel cable lifter, an adjusting seat mounted at the bottom of the mounting base, protective rods mounted at both ends of the mounting rod, protective buffer components mounted inside the protective rods, a first sliding platform and a second sliding platform with limited sliding within the adjusting seat, a first connecting rod with limited sliding within the second sliding platform, a second connecting rod with limited sliding within the first sliding platform, gripping rods fixedly mounted at the bottom ends of both the first and second connecting rods, and gripping and adjusting components mounted at the top of the adjusting seat and inside the gripping rods; The gripping adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment plate rotatably connected to the bottom of the mounting base. A toothed ring is sleeved on the surface of the adjustment plate. A first abutment block is installed on the top of the adjustment base, and a second abutment block is installed on the bottom. A pressure platform is provided inside the gripping rod. A holding rod is provided at the back end of the pressure platform. The holding rod slides within the gripping rod. A top plate slides vertically within the gripping rod.

[0007] Preferably, there are two sets of first and second slides, which slide in opposite directions inside the adjusting seat. There are also two sets of first connecting rods, each with a spring installed at one end near the side wall of the second slide, and the other end of the spring connected to the side wall of the second slide. Similarly, there are two sets of second connecting rods, each with a spring installed at one end near the side wall of the first slide, and the other end of the spring connected to the side wall of the first slide.

[0008] Preferably, the adjusting disk has four sets of arc-shaped inclined grooves inside, which are evenly distributed in a circumferential shape inside the adjusting disk. The second slide and the first slide slide are both limited and slid within the arc-shaped inclined grooves. The top of the adjusting disk is rotatably connected to a gear that meshes with a gear ring. A motor is installed on the top, and the extended end of the motor is connected to the gear.

[0009] Preferably, there are two sets of the first and second abutting blocks, and the first and second abutting blocks are designed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape.

[0010] Preferably, a first pressing rod is installed at the end of the second connecting rod away from the side wall of the first slide, and a second pressing rod is installed at the end of the top protrusion of the first connecting rod away from the side wall of the second slide. The end of the second pressing rod abuts against the inclined surface of the first abutting block, and the end of the first pressing rod abuts against the inclined surface of the second abutting block.

[0011] Preferably, the pressure rod is composed of a short rod and a long rod arranged vertically. A spring is sleeved on the surface of the short rod, one end of which is connected to the pressure table and the other end is connected to the gripping rod. The top plate is composed of a sliding rod and a short plate fixed to the top of the sliding rod, and a long plate fixed to the bottom of the sliding rod.

[0012] Preferably, a spring is fitted on the surface of the top plate slide rod, one end of the spring is connected to the bottom long plate of the top plate, and the other end is connected to the gripping rod. One side of the bottom of the top plate is inclined, and the bottom of the pressing rod has a rounded corner that abuts against the inclined surface of the top plate.

[0013] Preferably, the protective buffer assembly includes an adjusting plate that slides within the protective rod, a buffer platform is elastically connected to the surface of the adjusting plate, an abutment rod is installed on the back of the adjusting plate and slides within the protective rod, an electric push rod is installed on the side end of the protective rod, and a squeezing block is installed on the extended end of the electric push rod.

[0014] Preferably, a spring is fitted on the surface of the abutment rod, and the protrusion at the end of the abutment rod abuts against the inclined surface of the extrusion block.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention, through the arrangement of a first slide, a second slide, and a gripping rod, enables the device to position and clamp the battery pack by moving the gripping rod from the inside out during gripping. This avoids slight deviations between the gripping mechanism and the battery that could affect gripping stability. The gripping rod enters a preset space inside the battery pack and then expands outward to clamp, using the battery pack's own structure as a secondary positioning reference to automatically correct initial deviations. This ensures that the clamping point is accurately aligned with the target position and that multiple gripping rods simultaneously contact the battery pack surface, avoiding localized stress concentration caused by sequential contact.

[0016] This invention, through the establishment of a gripping adjustment component, enables the gripping rod to adapt to the gripping requirements of battery packs of different specifications. Furthermore, while adjusting the gripping rod, the force application point of the gripping position is also adjusted simultaneously to ensure that the force application point is in the optimal position. By dynamically adjusting the position of the gripping rod, the force application point is always aligned with the center of gravity projection point of the battery pack, ensuring a uniform distribution of clamping force and reducing the risk of slippage caused by uneven force.

[0017] This invention, through the provision of a protective buffer component, can clamp and resist the adjustment seat after the device grasps the battery pack, preventing the battery pack from being bumped or shaken during the grasping process. Furthermore, when the grasping rod grasps a larger battery pack, it can simultaneously increase the resistance force on the adjustment seat, thereby adapting to the protection requirements of battery packs of different sizes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the mobile frame of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the protective buffer assembly of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the drive seat and mounting seat of the present invention; Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point A; Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the gripping and adjusting component of the present invention; Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 Enlarged structural diagram at point B; Figure 8This is an exploded view of the gripping and adjusting component of the present invention; Figure 9 This is an exploded structural diagram of the first slide and the second connecting rod of the present invention; Figure 10 This is an exploded structural diagram of the gripping rod of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Box body; 2. Moving frame; 3. Mounting rod; 4. Drive seat; 5. Mounting seat; 6. Adjusting seat; 7. Protective rod; 801. Adjusting plate; 802. Buffer platform; 803. Abutment rod; 804. Electric push rod; 805. Extrusion block; 9. First slide table; 10. Second slide table; 11. First connecting rod; 12. Second connecting rod; 13. Grabbing rod; 141. Adjusting disc; 142. Gear ring; 143. Gear; 144. First abutment block; 145. Second abutment block; 146. First extrusion rod; 147. Pressing platform; 148. Holding rod; 149. Top plate; 1410. Second extrusion rod. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Please see Figures 1-9 This invention provides a technical solution: a positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck swapping station, comprising a housing 1, a movable frame 2 installed inside the housing 1 via an electric slide rail, an installation rod 3 installed at the bottom of the movable frame 2, a drive seat 4 installed at the bottom of the installation rod 3, an installation seat 5 installed at the bottom of the drive seat 4 via a steel cable lifter, an adjusting seat 6 installed at the bottom of the installation seat 5, protective rods 7 installed at both ends of the installation rod 3, protective buffer components installed inside the protective rods 7, a first slide 9 and a second slide 10 slidingly within the adjusting seat 6, a first connecting rod 11 slidingly within the second slide 10, a second connecting rod 12 slidingly within the first slide 9, gripping rods 13 fixedly installed at the bottom ends of both the first connecting rod 11 and the second connecting rod 12, and gripping and adjusting components installed at the top of the adjusting seat 6 and inside the gripping rods 13; There are two sets of first slides 9 and second slides 10. The two sets of first slides 9 and second slides 10 slide in opposite directions inside the adjusting seat 6. There are two sets of first connecting rods 11. A spring is installed at one end of the two sets of first connecting rods 11 near the side wall of the second slide 10. The other end of the spring is connected to the side wall of the second slide 10. There are two sets of second connecting rods 12. A spring is installed at one end of the two sets of second connecting rods 12 near the side wall of the first slide 9. The other end of the spring is connected to the side wall of the first slide 9. When the equipment grips the battery pack, the gripping rod 13 moves from the inside to the outside to complete the positioning and clamping of the battery pack, avoiding slight deviations between the gripping mechanism and the battery that would affect the gripping stability. The gripping rod 13 enters the preset space inside the battery pack and then expands outward to clamp, using the battery pack's own structure as a secondary positioning reference to automatically correct the initial deviation and ensure that the clamping point is accurately aligned with the target position. During gripping, the controller first drives the electric slide rail to move the moving frame 2 inside the housing 1 until it moves above the battery pack. Then, the controller drives the steel cable lift to move the adjusting seat 6 down, so that the gripping rod 13 hooks the battery pack.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gripping adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment disc 141 rotatably connected to the bottom of the mounting base 5. A toothed ring 142 is fitted on the surface of the adjustment disc 141. A first abutment block 144 is mounted on the top of the adjustment base 6, and a second abutment block 145 is mounted on the bottom. There are two sets of first abutment blocks 144 and second abutment blocks 145. The first abutment blocks 144 and second abutment blocks 145 are designed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape. A pressure table 147 is provided inside the gripping rod 13. The back end of the pressure table 147 has a pressure... The holding rod 148 is limited to sliding within the gripping rod 13. The gripping rod 13 has a top plate 149 that limits its vertical sliding. The adjusting plate 141 has four sets of arc-shaped inclined grooves inside, which are evenly distributed in a circular shape. The second slide 10 and the first slide 9 are both limited to sliding within the arc-shaped inclined grooves. The top of the adjusting plate 141 is rotatably connected to a gear 143 that meshes with a gear ring 142. A motor is installed on the top, and the extended end of the motor is connected to the gear 143. The second connecting rod 12 has a first pressing rod 146 installed at the end away from the side wall of the first slide table 9. The top protrusion of the first connecting rod 11 has a second pressing rod 1410 installed at the end away from the side wall of the second slide table 10. The end of the second pressing rod 1410 abuts against the inclined surface of the first abutting block 144. The end of the first pressing rod 146 abuts against the inclined surface of the second abutting block 145. The holding rod 148 is composed of a short rod and a long rod arranged vertically. A spring is sleeved on the surface of the short rod. One end of the spring is connected to the pressure table 147 and the other end is connected to the gripping rod 13. The top plate 149 is fixed to the top of the sliding rod by a sliding rod. The top plate 149 is composed of a short plate and a long plate fixed to the bottom of the slide rod. A spring is fitted on the surface of the slide rod. One end of the spring is connected to the long plate at the bottom of the top plate 149, and the other end is connected to the gripping rod 13. One side of the bottom of the top plate 149 is inclined. The bottom of the holding rod 148 has a rounded corner and abuts against the inclined surface of the top plate 149. The gripping adjustment component enables the gripping rod 13 to adapt to the gripping requirements of different battery packs. While the gripping rod 13 is adjusted, the force point of the gripping position is also adjusted simultaneously to ensure that the gripping force point is in the optimal position. When gripping battery packs of different specifications, the controller drives the motor to rotate gear 143. Simultaneously, gear 143 rotates, driving the adjusting disk 141 to rotate via gear ring 142. The rotating adjusting disk 141 causes the first slide 9 and the second slide 10 to slide within their internal arc-shaped inclined grooves, thus expanding the gripping position of the gripping rod 13. When the battery pack contacts the gripping rod 13, gear 143 continues to drive the adjusting disk 141 to rotate via gear ring 142, causing the battery pack to press against the pressure table 147, which in turn moves the holding rod 148 in the opposite direction. At this point, the contact position between the bottom of the holding rod 148 and the bottom long plate of the top plate 149 changes. This reduces the resistance force. At this time, the top plate 149 is pushed upward by the rebound of the internal spring, clamping and locking the position of the battery pack. While the first slide 9 and the second slide 10 slide outward, the first pressing rod 146 at the side end of the second connecting rod 12 inside the first slide 9 abuts against the inclined surface of the second abutment block 145. While the first slide 9 moves outward, the second connecting rod 12 moves to both sides of the first slide 9. The second pressing rod 1410 at the side end of the top protrusion of the first connecting rod 11 inside the second slide 10 abuts against the inclined surface of the first abutment block 144. While the second slide 10 moves outward, the first connecting rod 11 moves to both sides of the second slide 10. When gripping a larger battery pack, the position of the force point is adjusted synchronously. As one embodiment of the present invention, the protective buffer assembly includes an adjusting plate 801 that slides within the protective rod 7, a buffer platform 802 that is elastically connected to the surface of the adjusting plate 801, an abutment rod 803 that is mounted on the back of the adjusting plate 801 and slides within the protective rod 7, an electric push rod 804 that is mounted on the side of the protective rod 7, a pressing block 805 that is mounted on the extended end of the electric push rod 804, a spring that is sleeved on the surface of the abutment rod 803, and a protrusion at the end of the abutment rod 803 that abuts against the inclined surface of the pressing block 805. The protective buffer assembly can clamp and abut against the adjusting seat 6 after the equipment grabs the battery pack, preventing the battery pack from bumping or shaking during the grabbing process. Furthermore, when the grabbing rod 13 grabs a larger battery pack, it can simultaneously increase the abutment force against the adjusting seat 6, thereby adapting to the protection requirements of battery packs of different sizes. After the battery pack is grabbed, the controller drives the steel cable lift to raise the adjusting seat 6. At this time, the controller drives the electric push rod 804 to extend and push the squeezing block 805 to descend. The inclined surface of the squeezing block 805 squeezes the abutment rod 803 and pushes the adjusting plate 801 to move towards the adjusting seat 6 until the buffer platform 802 abuts against the adjusting seat 6. When the battery specifications change, the controller drives the electric push rod 804 to extend a greater distance, and the squeezing block 805 increases the squeezing force on the abutment rod 803, which makes the adjusting plate 801 move a greater distance towards the adjusting seat 6, and intensifies the abutment force of the buffer platform 802 against the adjusting seat 6.

[0023] Working principle: When grabbing, the controller first drives the electric slide rail to move, which moves the moving frame 2 inside the box 1 until it moves above the battery pack. Then, the controller drives the steel cable lift to move, which lowers the adjusting seat 6, so that the grabbing rod 13 hooks the battery pack. When gripping battery packs of different specifications, the controller drives the motor to rotate gear 143. Simultaneously, gear 143 rotates, driving the adjusting disk 141 to rotate via gear ring 142. The rotating adjusting disk 141 causes the first slide 9 and the second slide 10 to slide within their internal arc-shaped inclined grooves, thus expanding the gripping position of the gripping rod 13. When the battery pack contacts the gripping rod 13, gear 143 continues to drive the adjusting disk 141 to rotate via gear ring 142, causing the battery pack to press against the pressure table 147, which in turn moves the holding rod 148 in the opposite direction. At this point, the contact position between the bottom of the holding rod 148 and the bottom long plate of the top plate 149 changes. This reduces the resistance force. At this time, the top plate 149 is pushed upward by the rebound of the internal spring, clamping and locking the position of the battery pack. While the first slide 9 and the second slide 10 slide outward, the first pressing rod 146 at the side end of the second connecting rod 12 inside the first slide 9 abuts against the inclined surface of the second abutment block 145. While the first slide 9 moves outward, the second connecting rod 12 moves to both sides of the first slide 9. The second pressing rod 1410 at the side end of the top protrusion of the first connecting rod 11 inside the second slide 10 abuts against the inclined surface of the first abutment block 144. While the second slide 10 moves outward, the first connecting rod 11 moves to both sides of the second slide 10. When gripping a larger battery pack, the position of the force point is adjusted synchronously. After the battery pack is grabbed, the controller drives the steel cable lift to raise the adjusting seat 6. At this time, the controller drives the electric push rod 804 to extend and push the squeezing block 805 to descend. The inclined surface of the squeezing block 805 squeezes the abutment rod 803 and pushes the adjusting plate 801 to move towards the adjusting seat 6 until the buffer platform 802 abuts against the adjusting seat 6. When the battery specifications change, the controller drives the electric push rod 804 to extend a greater distance, and the squeezing block 805 increases the squeezing force on the abutment rod 803, which makes the adjusting plate 801 move a greater distance towards the adjusting seat 6, and intensifies the abutment force of the buffer platform 802 against the adjusting seat 6.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: The housing (1) is equipped with a movable frame (2) via an electric slide rail. The movable frame (2) is equipped with a mounting rod (3) at the bottom. The mounting rod (3) is equipped with a drive seat (4) at the bottom. The drive seat (4) is equipped with a mounting seat (5) via a steel cable lifter at the bottom. The mounting seat (5) is equipped with an adjustment seat (6) at the bottom. The mounting rod (3) is equipped with protective rods (7) at both ends. The protective rods (7) are equipped with protective buffer components. The adjustment seat (6) is equipped with a first slide (9) and a second slide (10) that are limited to sliding inside. The second slide (10) is equipped with a first connecting rod (11) that is limited to sliding inside. The first slide (9) is equipped with a second connecting rod (12) that is limited to sliding inside. The bottom ends of the first connecting rod (11) and the second connecting rod (12) are both fixedly equipped with gripping rods (13). The top of the adjustment seat (6) and the gripping rods (13) are equipped with gripping adjustment components. The gripping adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment plate (141) rotatably connected to the bottom of the mounting base (5). A toothed ring (142) is sleeved on the surface of the adjustment plate (141). A first abutting block (144) is installed on the top of the adjustment base (6), and a second abutting block (145) is installed on the bottom. A pressure table (147) is provided inside the gripping rod (13). A pressure holding rod (148) is provided at the back end of the pressure table (147). The pressure holding rod (148) slides within the gripping rod (13). A top plate (149) slides vertically within the gripping rod (13). The adjustment plate (141) has four sets of arc-shaped inclined grooves inside. The four sets of arc-shaped inclined grooves are evenly distributed in a circular shape inside the adjustment plate (141). The second slide (10) and the first slide (9) are both limited to sliding within the arc-shaped inclined grooves. The top of the adjustment plate (141) is rotatably connected to a gear (143) that meshes with the gear ring (142). The top of the mounting base (5) is equipped with a motor, and the extended end of the motor is connected to the gear (143). The second connecting rod (12) is equipped with a first pressing rod (146) at the end away from the side wall of the first slide (9), and the top protrusion of the first connecting rod (11) is equipped with a second pressing rod (1410) at the end away from the side wall of the second slide (10). The end of the second pressing rod (1410) abuts against the inclined surface of the first abutting block (144), and the end of the first pressing rod (146) abuts against the inclined surface of the second abutting block (145). The pressure rod (148) is composed of a short rod and a long rod arranged vertically. A spring is sleeved on the surface of the short rod. One end of the spring is connected to the pressure table (147) and the other end is connected to the gripping rod (13). The top plate (149) is composed of a sliding rod and a short plate fixed to the top of the sliding rod, and a long plate fixed to the bottom of the sliding rod.

2. The positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two sets of the first slide (9) and the second slide (10). The two sets of the first slide (9) and the second slide (10) slide opposite each other inside the adjusting seat (6). There are two sets of the first connecting rod (11). A spring is installed at one end of the two sets of the first connecting rod (11) near the side wall of the second slide (10). The other end of the spring is connected to the side wall of the second slide (10). There are two sets of the second connecting rod (12). A spring is installed at one end of the two sets of the second connecting rod (12) near the side wall of the first slide (9). The other end of the spring is connected to the side wall of the first slide (9).

3. The positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are two sets of the first contact block (144) and the second contact block (145), and the first contact block (144) and the second contact block (145) are designed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape.

4. The positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station according to claim 3, characterized in that: A spring is fitted on the surface of the sliding rod of the top plate (149). One end of the spring is connected to the bottom long plate of the top plate (149), and the other end is connected to the gripping rod (13). One side of the bottom of the top plate (149) is inclined. The bottom of the pressing rod (148) is rounded and abuts against the inclined surface of the top plate (149).

5. The positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station according to claim 4, characterized in that: The protective buffer assembly includes an adjusting plate (801) that slides within the protective rod (7), a buffer platform (802) that is elastically connected to the surface of the adjusting plate (801), an abutment rod (803) that is mounted on the back of the adjusting plate (801), and the abutment rod (803) that slides within the protective rod (7). An electric push rod (804) is mounted on the side end of the protective rod (7), and a squeezing block (805) is mounted on the extended end of the electric push rod (804).

6. The positioning and gripping device for a heavy-duty truck battery swapping station according to claim 5, characterized in that: A spring is fitted on the surface of the abutment rod (803), and the protrusion at the end of the abutment rod (803) abuts against the inclined surface of the compression block (805).

Images