Battery replacing device

Abstract

A battery replacement device (20) is provided with: a first lifting frame (30A) that can be lifted; a second lifting frame (30B) that can be lifted in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame (30A); a linear connection member (40), one end of which is connected to the first lifting frame (30A) and the other end of which is connected to the second lifting frame (30B); a drive unit (44) that moves the connection member (40); and a pulley 42 that supports the connecting member 40, in which the second lifting frame 30B is lowered when the connecting member 40 is moved so that the first lifting frame 30A is raised, and the second lifting frame 30B is raised when the connecting member 40 is moved so that the first lifting frame 30A is lowered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery replacement device. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-935 discloses an automatic vehicle battery replacement system. In this system, a gripping device that can move along a track grips and lifts the battery simultaneously, thereby completing the battery replacement operation above the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention In vehicles equipped with multiple replaceable batteries, multiple batteries need to be replaced. However, the gripping device of the aforementioned replacement system can only grip a single battery, resulting in excessively long replacement times for multiple batteries.

[0004] While it is possible to propose a method that uses a single gripping device to move multiple batteries up and down, this approach would require increasing the size of the drive unit used to operate the gripping device.

[0005] This disclosure focuses on this problem and aims to enable the proper up-and-down movement of multiple batteries using a small drive unit.

[0006] Problem-solving methods One aspect of this disclosure provides a battery swapping device, comprising: a first lifting frame carrying a first battery and capable of rising and falling; a second lifting frame carrying a second battery and capable of rising and falling in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame; a linear connecting member having a predetermined length, the member being: i) disposed above the first and second lifting frames, and ii) having one end connected to the first lifting frame and the other end connected to the second lifting frame; a drive unit for moving the connecting member; and a pulley for supporting the connecting member, wherein when the first lifting frame rises, the drive unit moves the connecting member to lower the second lifting frame, and when the first lifting frame falls, the drive unit moves the connecting member to raise the second lifting frame.

[0007] In addition, the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame can be positioned at multiple locations in the lifting direction, and the drive unit can move the connecting components so that the first lifting frame is positioned at the highest position in the lifting direction, and the second lifting frame is positioned at the lowest position in the lifting direction.

[0008] In addition, the first lifting frame may include a first arm configured to carry a first battery that can be mounted on and removed from the vehicle, and the second lifting frame may include a second arm configured to carry a second battery that can be mounted on and removed from the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the first arm can: i) install the first battery on the vehicle when the first lifting frame is in the position of changing the lifting direction; ii) house the first battery in the housing when it is in the housing position, wherein the first battery is housed in the housing to charge the first battery. The second arm can: i) install the second battery on the vehicle when the second lifting frame is in the position of changing the lifting direction; ii) house the second battery in the housing when it is in the housing position, wherein the second battery is housed in the housing to charge the first battery.

[0010] In addition, the first lifting frame may include a first rotating frame that rotates the first battery it carries, and the second lifting frame may include a second rotating frame that rotates the second battery it carries.

[0011] In addition, the first rotating frame can rotate the first battery during the rising and falling of the first lifting frame, and the second rotating frame can rotate the second battery during the rising and falling of the second lifting frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the timing at which the first rotating frame rotates the first battery may differ from the timing at which the second rotating frame rotates the second battery.

[0013] In addition, the battery replacement device may also include a guide for guiding the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame to rise and fall in opposite directions.

[0014] Furthermore, the pulleys may include a first pulley located above the first lifting frame and a second pulley located above the second lifting frame. Additionally, the connecting component may be a chain.

[0015] Effects of the present invention According to this disclosure, multiple batteries can be moved up and down appropriately using a small drive unit. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A battery replacement system 1 according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0017] Figure 2 The structure of the battery replacement device 20 is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows the first lifting frame 30A in the position of being changed.

[0019] Figure 4 The diagram schematically shows the first lifting frame 30A in the second receiving position.

[0020] Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows the state of the first lifting frame 30A in the first receiving position.

[0021] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures] 20: Battery replacement device 30A: First lifting frame 30B: Second lifting frame 33A: First rotating frame 33B: Second rotating frame 36A: First Arm 36B: Second Arm 40: Connecting components 42: Pulley 44: Drive Unit 46: Guidance Department 110A: First Battery 110B: Second battery Detailed Implementation

[0022] Overview of the Battery Replacement System Figure 1 A battery replacement system 1 according to an embodiment is schematically shown. It should be noted that, in Figure 1 In the middle, the battery replacement system 1 is only located on the right side of the vehicle 100 ( Figure 1 (as shown in the front-rear direction), but not limited to this. For example, the battery swapping system 1 can also be located on both sides of the vehicle 100.

[0023] Battery swapping system 1 is a system used to swap the battery 110 of vehicle 100. Vehicle 100 is a large vehicle, such as a truck or bus. When vehicle 100 is parked in a predetermined location (at... Figure 1 When the battery is in front of the battery replacement system 1, the battery replacement system 1 automatically replaces the battery 110.

[0024] The battery replacement system 1 includes a container 10, a housing 15, a battery replacement device 20, and a control unit 70.

[0025] Container 10 is formed into a large box shape with internal space. Figure 1 The front-back, left-right, and up-down directions shown are all directions when viewing the battery replacement system 1 from the front.

[0026] A receiving section 15 is disposed inside the container 10 and serves as a shelf for accommodating the battery 110. The receiving section 15 has an upper layer 16a and a lower layer 16b that are vertically separated from each other. The battery 110, charged by a charging facility, is placed on the upper layer 16a and the lower layer 16b. The receiving section 15 is disposed inside the container 10, located... Figure 1 The position behind in the front-back direction shown.

[0027] The battery replacement device 20 removes the battery 110, which is installed on the vehicle 100, from the vehicle 100 and houses it in the receiving section 15. Furthermore, the battery replacement device 20 removes the charged battery 110 housed in the receiving section 15 from the receiving section 15 and installs the battery onto the vehicle 100. Figure 1 As shown, the battery replacement device 20 is located inside the container 10 and is positioned at the front in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] The control unit 70 controls the operation of the battery replacement device 20 to automatically replace the battery 110 on the vehicle 100. In addition, the control unit 70 also performs control to charge the battery 110 housed in the housing 15 using the charging facility.

[0029] <Detailed Structure of the Battery Replacement Device> Figure 2 The structure of the battery replacement device 20 is shown. Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows the first lifting frame 30A in the position of being changed. Figure 4 The diagram schematically shows the first lifting frame 30A in the second receiving position. Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates the state of the first lifting frame 30A in the first receiving position. Note that... Figure 2 For simplicity, the connecting member 40, pulley 42, and drive unit 44 are omitted. Figures 3 to 5 In the design, the structures of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B have been simplified, and the running track 24 has been omitted.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the battery replacement device 20 includes a housing 22, a first lifting frame 30A, a second lifting frame 30B, a connecting member 40, a pulley 42, a drive unit 44, and a guide part 46.

[0031] The housing 22 is formed in a box shape, constituting the frame of the battery replacement device 20. The housing 22 can... Figure 2 It moves along the running track 24 shown. The running track 24 is set in the left-right direction (perpendicular to the front-back direction), and the housing 22 moves in the left-right direction by the driving force of an actuator such as an electric motor.

[0032] The first lifting frame 30A is located inside the housing 22, on the left side in the left-right direction. For example... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first lifting frame 30A can rise and fall vertically in a direction perpendicular to both the front-back and left-right directions. Specifically, the first lifting frame 30A rises and falls along the guide portion 46 provided inside the housing 22 by the driving force of the drive unit 44. The first lifting frame 30A carries the first battery 110A. The first lifting frame 30A rises and falls while carrying the first battery 110A.

[0033] The first lifting frame 30A can be positioned in multiple locations along the vertical direction (lifting direction). Specifically, the first lifting frame 30A can be positioned in multiple locations when changing locations (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (as shown in the image) First receiving position (e.g.) Figure 5 (as shown in the image) and the second receiving position (as shown in the image) Figure 4 The first lifting frame 30A can move up and down between the indicated positions. The replacement position is the lowest vertical position, the first receiving position is the highest vertical position, and the second receiving position is the position between the replacement position and the first receiving position in the vertical direction. The first lifting frame 30A can stop at the replacement position, the first receiving position, and the second receiving position.

[0034] When the first lifting frame 30A is positioned in the replacement position, the first battery 110A is installed onto or removed from the vehicle 100. When the first lifting frame 30A is positioned in the first receiving position, the first battery 110A carried by the first lifting frame 30A can be received in the upper layer 16a of the receiving part 15. Figure 1 In the first lifting frame 30A, when the first lifting frame 30A is positioned in the second receiving position, the first battery 110A carried by the first lifting frame 30A can be received in the lower layer 16b of the receiving part 15. Figure 1 )middle.

[0035] The first lifting frame 30A includes a first rotating frame 33A and a first arm 36A.

[0036] The first rotating frame 33A is used to rotate the first battery 110A it carries. The first rotating frame 33A is rotatably supported relative to the first lifting frame 30A. Specifically, the first rotating frame 33A is disposed within the first lifting frame 30A and rotates within the first lifting frame 30A. The rotation of the first rotating frame 33A causes the first battery 110A to rotate.

[0037] The first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A 180 degrees between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first battery 110A is oriented forward in the longitudinal direction, and in the second position, the first battery is oriented backward in the longitudinal direction. The first position is the position where the first battery 110A faces the vehicle 100, and the second position is the position where the first battery 110A faces the receiving part 15.

[0038] The first rotating frame 33A causes the first battery 110A to rotate during the lifting and lowering process of the first lifting frame 30A. For example, when the first lifting frame 30A to be lifted and lowered begins to descend, the first rotating frame 33A is activated to cause the first battery 110A to rotate.

[0039] The first arm 36A is used to carry a first battery 110A that can be installed on and removed from the vehicle 100. The first arm 36A is slidably supported relative to the first rotating frame 33A. While carrying the first battery 110A, the first arm 36A slides in the vertical and horizontal directions and the front-back direction. The first rotating frame 33A is provided with a track to allow the first arm 36A to slide. This allows the first arm 36A to easily accommodate the first battery 110A in the receiving part 15. In addition, the first arm 36A is slidable, so that even if the vehicle 100 is parked at a position deviating from the parking position relative to the battery replacement device 20, the first battery 110A can still be easily installed into the predetermined position of the vehicle 100 and can be conveniently removed from the vehicle 100.

[0040] The second lifting frame 30B is located inside the housing 22, on the right side in the left-right direction. For example... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the second lifting frame 30B can move vertically. Specifically, the second lifting frame 30B rises and falls along the guide portion 46 provided inside the housing 22 by the driving force of the driving unit 44. In this embodiment, the second lifting frame 30B does not rise and fall in the same direction as the first lifting frame 30A, but rather in the opposite direction. That is, when the first lifting frame 30A rises, the second lifting frame 30B falls, and when the first lifting frame 30A falls, the second lifting frame 30B rises.

[0041] The second lifting frame 30B can be positioned in multiple locations in the vertical direction (lifting direction). Specifically, similar to the first lifting frame 30A, the second lifting frame 30B can be positioned in multiple locations when changing positions ( Figure 5 (as shown in the image) First accommodating position ( Figure 3 The position shown) and the second accommodating position ( Figure 4 The second lifting frame 30B can move between the positions shown; at the changing position, the second battery 110B is installed on the vehicle 100; at the first receiving position, the second battery 110B is received in the upper layer 16a of the receiving part 15; at the second receiving position, the second battery 110B is received in the lower layer 16b of the receiving part 15. The second lifting frame 30B can stop at the changing position, the first receiving position, and the second receiving position.

[0042] The second lifting frame 30B includes a second rotating frame 33B and a second arm 36B.

[0043] The second rotating frame 33B is used to rotate the second battery 110B it carries. The second rotating frame 33B is rotatably supported relative to the second lifting frame 30B and rotates to rotate the second battery 110B.

[0044] The second rotating frame 33B causes the second battery 110B to rotate during the lifting and lowering process of the second lifting frame 30B. For example, when the second lifting frame 30B begins to rise and begins to fall, the second rotating frame 33B begins to rotate the second battery 110B. At this time, the timing of the second rotating frame 33B rotating the second battery 110B is the same as the timing of the first rotating frame 33A rotating the first battery 110A.

[0045] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The timing at which the second rotating frame 33B rotates the second battery 110B may differ from the timing at which the first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A. For example, the second rotating frame 33B may rotate the second battery 110B when the first rotating frame 33A finishes rotating the first battery 110A. Thus, for example, mutual interference between the first rotating frame 33A and the second rotating frame 33B during rotation can be avoided.

[0046] The second arm 36B is used to carry the second battery 110B, which can be mounted on and removed from the vehicle 100. The second arm 36B is slidably supported relative to the second rotating frame 33B. While carrying the second battery 110B, the second arm 36B slides in the vertical and horizontal directions and the front-back direction. This allows the second arm 36B to easily accommodate the second battery 110B in the receiving part 15. In addition, the sliding nature of the second arm 36B allows the second battery 110B to be easily installed into the predetermined position of the vehicle 100 and easily removed from the vehicle 100 even if the parking position of the vehicle 100 deviates from the parking position relative to the battery replacement device 20.

[0047] The connecting member 40 is used to connect the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. Specifically, one end of the connecting member 40 is connected to the first lifting frame 30A, and the other end of the connecting member 40 is connected to the second lifting frame 30B. The connecting member 40 is disposed above the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. Specifically, the connecting member 40 is disposed in a manner that supports the center position of the upper part of the housing 22.

[0048] The connecting member 40 is a linear member with a predetermined length, such as a chain. However, it is not limited to this; the connecting member 40 can be a steel wire or a belt. By using such a connecting member 40, the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B can move up and down synchronously in opposite directions in the vertical direction.

[0049] The pulley 42 movably supports the connecting member 40. Here, the pulley 42 is a fixed pulley, fixed to the upper part of the housing 22. Two pulleys 42 are provided, one of which is located on the left side of the drive unit 44, and the other pulley 42 is located on the right side of the drive unit 44. Specifically, one pulley 42 is the first pulley located above the first lifting frame 30A, and the other pulley 42 is the second pulley located above the second lifting frame 30B. The connecting member 40 movably contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the two pulleys 42. Since two pulleys 42 are provided above the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B as described above, the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B can be raised and lowered smoothly.

[0050] Here, the drive unit 44 is an electric motor used to move the connecting member 40. The drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 in a left-right direction to raise and lower the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. For example, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 to the right to raise the first lifting frame 30A and lower the second lifting frame 30B. In this case, the first lifting frame 30A acts as a counterweight, and the second lifting frame 30B can still descend smoothly even without a dedicated counterweight.

[0051] On the other hand, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 to the left, causing the second lifting frame 30B to rise and the first lifting frame 30A to fall. In this case, the second lifting frame 30B acts as a counterweight, and the first lifting frame 30A can still fall smoothly even without a dedicated counterweight.

[0052] The drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40, causing the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B to be positioned at a predetermined position. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40, positioning the first lifting frame 30A in a first receiving position in the lifting direction and the second lifting frame 30B in a replacement position. In this case, the first battery 110A can be received within the receiving portion 15, while the second battery 110B is mounted on the vehicle 100. Similarly, as Figure 4 As shown, the drive unit 44 positions the first lifting frame 30A in the second receiving position and the second lifting frame 30B in the second receiving position. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the drive unit 44 positions the first lifting frame 30A in the replacement position and the second lifting frame 30B in the first receiving position.

[0053] A method could be considered that uses a single lifting frame to support the first rotating frame 33A and the second rotating frame 33B, and to raise and lower this single frame. In this method, because the single lifting frame rises and falls, the first rotating frame 33A and the second rotating frame 33B rise and fall simultaneously. In this case, since the weight of the frame being raised and lowered by the drive unit increases, a drive unit capable of generating a larger driving force is required. Furthermore, in the above method, a dedicated counterweight needs to be installed inside the housing 22 to ensure smooth raising and lowering of the lifting frame.

[0054] In contrast, in this embodiment, when one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B rises, the other frame descends, thereby reducing the driving force of the drive unit 44. Furthermore, since one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B serves as a counterweight, there is no need to set up a dedicated counterweight, thus achieving miniaturization of the battery replacement device 20.

[0055] The description of the construction of this embodiment continues as follows.

[0056] The guide part 46 is used to guide the vertical movement of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. The guide part 46 is a guide member provided vertically on the frame of the housing 22. By providing the guide part 46, the posture of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B connected to the connecting member 40 can be stabilized when they are raised or lowered.

[0057] <Effects of the Example> The battery replacement device 20 of the above embodiment includes: a linear connecting member 40 connecting a first lifting frame 30A and a second lifting frame 30B that can be raised and lowered relative to each other in opposite directions; a pulley 42 movably supporting the connecting member 40; and a drive unit 44 that rotates the pulley 42. When the pulley 42 rotates in the forward direction, the second lifting frame 30B descends as the first lifting frame 30A rises; when it rotates in the reverse direction, the second lifting frame 30B rises as the first lifting frame 30A descends.

[0058] Therefore, when the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B are raised or lowered, one of them is used as a counterweight, eliminating the need for a dedicated counterweight. Furthermore, since only one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B is pulled, the driving force of the drive unit 44 can be reduced compared to pulling both the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B, thereby achieving miniaturization of the drive unit 44.

[0059] This disclosure has been described based on exemplary embodiments. The technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, all or part of the apparatus may be configured with any functionally or physically distributed or integrated units. Furthermore, new exemplary embodiments resulting from any combination are included within the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Moreover, the effects of new exemplary embodiments formed by combinations also have the effects of the original exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A battery replacement device, comprising: The first lifting frame carries the first battery and is capable of rising and falling. The second lifting frame carries the second battery and can rise and fall in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame; A linear connecting member having a predetermined length, the linear connecting member i) being disposed above the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame, and ii) having one end connected to the first lifting frame and the other end connected to the second lifting frame; The drive unit moves the connecting component; as well as A pulley supports the connecting member, wherein, The drive unit moves the connecting member so that when the first lifting frame rises, the second lifting frame falls, and moves the connecting member so that when the first lifting frame falls, the second lifting frame rises.

2. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein, The first lifting frame and the second lifting frame can be positioned at multiple locations in the lifting direction, and The drive unit moves the connecting member so that the first lifting frame is positioned at the highest point in the lifting direction, and the second lifting frame is positioned at the lowest point in the lifting direction.

3. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein, The first lifting frame includes a first arm configured to carry a first battery that can be mounted on and removed from a vehicle, and The second lifting frame includes a second arm configured to carry a second battery that can be installed on and removed from the vehicle.

4. The battery replacement device according to claim 3, wherein, The first arm: i) installs the first battery onto the vehicle when the first lifting frame is in a changing position in the lifting direction; and ii) when in a receiving position, receives the first battery in a receiving portion, whereby the first battery is received in the receiving portion for charging the first battery; and The second arm: i) when the second lifting frame is in a changing position in the lifting direction, installs the second battery on the vehicle; and ii) when in the receiving position, receives the second battery in the receiving portion, whereby the second battery is received in the receiving portion to charge the second battery.

5. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein, The first lifting frame includes a first rotating frame that rotates to support the first battery, and The second lifting frame includes a second rotating frame that rotates to support the second battery.

6. The battery replacement device according to claim 5, wherein, The first rotating frame rotates the first battery during the lifting and lowering process of the first lifting frame, and The second rotating frame rotates the second battery during the lifting and lowering process of the second lifting frame.

7. The battery replacement device according to claim 6, wherein, The timing at which the first rotating frame rotates the first battery is different from the timing at which the second rotating frame rotates the second battery.

8. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, further comprising: The guide unit guides the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame to rise and fall in opposite directions.

9. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein, The pulleys include a first pulley located above the first lifting frame and a second pulley located above the second lifting frame.

10. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting component is a chain.

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