Automatic locking assembly and energy storage container

Abstract

This application discloses an automatic locking assembly and an energy storage container, belonging to the field of battery pack technology. The automatic locking assembly includes: a movable part and a latching part; the movable part is used to fix itself to the container body, and includes a push-moving part and a positioning part connected to each other, the positioning part being above the push-moving part and having a positioning groove; the latching part includes a base, a tension spring, and a swing arm, the base being used to fix itself to a support guide rail assembly; one end of the tension spring is connected to the base, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the swing arm; the swing arm is rotatably mounted on the base; wherein, the push-moving part is adapted to abut against the bottom of the swing arm, causing the swing arm to rotate from a first position to a second position, and the tension spring is stretched, the top of the swing arm engaging with the positioning groove. This application can achieve automatic unlocking when the container body is pulled out, avoiding jamming, thus achieving both high safety and good maintainability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of battery pack technology, and in particular relates to an automatic locking assembly and an energy storage container. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of energy storage systems and large power batteries, battery packs are typically installed using a pull-out mounting method via support rails on a rack. This installation method allows for frontal operation, eliminates the need for rear maintenance space, and is characterized by its simple and efficient structure and high space utilization, thus gaining widespread application.

[0003] The existing technology uses a locking mechanism to fix the battery pack housing to the support rail assembly. However, this method makes unlocking difficult after locking, resulting in situations where the battery pack housing gets stuck and cannot be easily removed during maintenance. These problems seriously affect the safety and maintainability of the battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to at least solve the technical problem in the prior art where the battery pack housing is stuck on the support rail assembly and cannot be removed.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides an automatic locking assembly, comprising: a movable part and a snap-fit ​​part; The movable part is used to fix it to the box body. The movable part includes a pushing part and a positioning part connected to each other. The positioning part is located above the pushing part and has a positioning groove. The fastener includes a base, a tension spring, and a swing arm. The base is used to fix the fastener to the support rail assembly. One end of the tension spring is connected to the base, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the swing arm. The swing arm is rotatably mounted on the base. The actuating part is adapted to abut against the bottom of the swing arm so that the swing arm rotates from the first position to the second position, and the tension spring is stretched, and the top of the swing arm engages with the positioning groove.

[0006] According to one embodiment of this application, a limiting part is fixed on the base, and the limiting part is located on the side of the swing arm away from the tension spring; When the swing arm is in the first position, the tension spring is stretched, and the bottom of the swing arm abuts against the limiting part.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this application, the swing arm includes a first protrusion; The first protrusion protrudes toward the direction of the actuating portion, and the actuating portion is adapted to abut against the first protrusion.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this application, the swing arm includes a second protrusion and a recess that are connected to each other; The second protrusion is located at the top of the swing arm and protrudes downward; the recess is recessed towards the tension spring. When the swing arm is in the second position, the second protrusion engages with the positioning groove; the concave portion engages with the positioning part.

[0009] According to one embodiment of this application, the base includes a back plate and side plates connected to both sides of the back plate, one end of the tension spring is connected to the back plate, and the swing arm is disposed between the two side plates.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, both side panels include a positioning segment and a guide segment; each positioning segment is connected to the back panel, and each guide segment is connected to the positioning segment; The distance between the two guide segments gradually increases from the closer to the positioning segment to the farther away from the positioning segment.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the jacking part and the positioning part are oriented in the same direction, and the length of the jacking part is longer than the length of the positioning part; and / or, the movable member further includes a connecting part, the connecting part is disposed between the jacking part and the positioning part, and the connecting part is provided with a mounting hole.

[0012] Secondly, this application provides an energy storage container, including a frame, a container body, and an automatic locking assembly; The frame is fixed with a support guide rail assembly; The base of the automatic locking component is fixed on the support guide rail assembly; The movable part of the automatic locking assembly is fixed on the housing.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, the number of support rail groups is multiple, and the support rail groups are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the frame, with a space provided between each two adjacent support rail groups for the box to accommodate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the support rail assembly includes two parallel support rails; the base of the automatic locking assembly is fixed on each of the two support rails; and two movable parts of the automatic locking assembly are fixed on the housing. And / or, two clearance openings are provided at the end of the housing, the two clearance openings are spaced apart along the width direction of the housing, and the movable part of the automatic locking assembly is fixed to the clearance openings accordingly.

[0015] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: The automatic locking assembly proposed in this application converts the pushing force of the container into the rotational force of the swing arm through the interaction between the pushing part of the moving component and the bottom of the swing arm of the latching component, ultimately achieving the engagement of the top of the swing arm with the positioning groove. On the one hand, in vibration environments such as energy storage containers, this assembly can provide stable mechanical locking, significantly reducing the risk of connection loosening due to long-term vibration; on the other hand, by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored in the tension spring, automatic unlocking can be achieved when the container is pulled out, avoiding jamming, thus balancing high safety and good maintainability.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the active component provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the snap fastener provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the automatic locking assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the fastener provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the energy storage container provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of part A in the middle; Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of part B in the middle section; Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of the housing and moving parts provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 9 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the energy storage container provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Figure label: 100. Moving part; 110. Pushing part; 120. Positioning part; 121. Positioning groove; 130. Connecting part; 131. Mounting hole; 200. Fastener; 210. Base; 211. Back plate; 212. Side plate; 2121. Positioning section; 2122. Guide section; 213. Limiting part; 220. Tension spring; 230. Swing arm; 231. First protrusion; 232. Second protrusion; 233. Recess; 300. Frame; 310. Support rail; 400. Box; 410. Clearance opening. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0020] In the fields of energy storage systems and large power batteries, battery pack enclosures are typically installed using a pull-out design via a rail rack. This installation method allows for front-facing operation, eliminates the need for rear maintenance space, and is characterized by its simple and efficient structure and high space utilization, thus gaining widespread application.

[0021] However, in actual operation, the battery pack faces a vibration environment. Especially under dynamic conditions such as energy storage containers, the battery pack container will be subjected to continuous vibration. If the direction of pushing the battery pack is defined as the X-axis, then there will be vibration perpendicular to the pushing direction (Z-axis). The relevant technology fixes the battery pack housing to the support guide rail assembly through a locking structure. On the one hand, under the action of Z-axis vibration load, the locking mechanism is prone to a decrease in preload due to fretting wear and stress relaxation, which in turn leads to loosening of the connection, vibration of the battery pack housing, and battery pack failure.

[0022] On the other hand, the locking mechanism deforms under stress after locking, making unlocking difficult and resulting in situations where the battery pack casing gets stuck and cannot be easily pulled out during maintenance. These problems seriously affect safety and maintainability.

[0023] The following is for reference. Figures 1-9 This application describes an automatic locking assembly and an energy storage container according to embodiments thereof.

[0024] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the automatic locking assembly includes: a movable part 100 and a snap-fit ​​part 200; The movable part 100 is used to fix it to the housing 400. The movable part 100 includes a pushing part 110 and a positioning part 120 connected to each other. The positioning part 120 is located above the pushing part 110, and a positioning groove 121 is provided on the positioning part 120. The fastener 200 includes a base 210, a tension spring 220, and a swing arm 230. The base 210 is used to fix the support guide rail 310 group. One end of the tension spring 220 is connected to the base 210, and the other end of the tension spring 220 is connected to the swing arm 230. The swing arm 230 is rotatably mounted on the base 210. The actuating part 110 is adapted to abut against the bottom of the swing arm 230 so that the swing arm 230 rotates from the first position to the second position, and the tension spring 220 is stretched, and the top of the swing arm 230 engages with the positioning groove 121.

[0025] In the above embodiments of this application, during the automatic locking process, the pushing part 110 of the movable member 100 is adapted to abut against the bottom of the swing arm 230 of the buckle member 200.

[0026] like Figures 5-7 As shown, when the housing 400 is pushed in, the actuating part 110 gradually contacts and pushes the bottom of the swing arm 230, causing the swing arm 230 to rotate around its axis of rotation from a first position to a second position. During this rotation, the tension spring 220 connected between the base 210 and the swing arm 230 is stretched, thereby accumulating elastic potential energy. When the swing arm 230 rotates to the second position, the top of the swing arm 230 engages with the positioning groove 121 opened on the positioning part 120 of the movable part 100. This engagement action firmly fixes the housing 400 to the support guide rail 310 assembly, preventing it from shifting under vibration or impact.

[0027] When the housing 400 needs to be removed for maintenance or replacement, the operator pulls it outward. At this time, the jacking part 110 disengages from the bottom of the swing arm 230, and the elastic potential energy stored in the tension spring 220 is released, driving the swing arm 230 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing its top to disengage from the positioning groove 121, automatically completing the unlocking process. Thus, the housing 400 can be smoothly pulled out, avoiding the jamming problem caused by deformation in traditional locking structures.

[0028] In summary, the automatic locking assembly proposed in this application, through the interaction between the pushing part 110 of the movable part 100 and the bottom of the swing arm 230 of the latching part 200, converts the pushing force of the container 400 into the rotational force of the swing arm 230, ultimately achieving the engagement of the top of the swing arm 230 with the positioning groove 121. On the one hand, in vibration environments such as energy storage containers, this assembly can provide stable mechanical locking, significantly reducing the risk of connection loosening due to long-term vibration; on the other hand, by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored in the tension spring 220, automatic unlocking can be achieved when the container 400 is pulled out, avoiding jamming, thus balancing high safety and good maintainability.

[0029] like Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, the base 210 includes a back plate 211 and side plates 212 connected to both sides of the back plate 211, one end of the tension spring 220 is connected to the back plate 211, and the swing arm 230 is disposed between the two side plates 212.

[0030] Specifically, both side panels 212 include a positioning section 2121 and a guide section 2122; each positioning section 2121 is connected to the back panel 211, and each guide section 2122 is connected to the positioning section 2121. The distance between the two guide segments 2122 gradually increases from the closer to the positioning segment 2121 to the farther away from the positioning segment 2121.

[0031] Through the above technical solution, since both side plates 212 include a positioning section 2121 and a guide section 2122, and the distance between the two guide sections 2122 gradually increases from the closer to the positioning section 2121 to the farther away from the positioning section 2121, a funnel-shaped guide channel is formed. This guide channel can guide and correct the moving part 100 during the pushing of the housing 400, allowing it to enter smoothly, thereby improving the smoothness of operation.

[0032] In some embodiments, the jacking part 110 and the positioning part 120 are oriented in the same direction, and the length of the jacking part 110 is longer than the length of the positioning part 120; and / or, the movable member 100 further includes a connecting part 130, which is disposed between the jacking part 110 and the positioning part 120, and the connecting part 130 is provided with a mounting hole 131.

[0033] In some embodiments, a limiting part 213 is fixed on the base 210, and the limiting part 213 is disposed on the side of the swing arm 230 away from the tension spring 220; When the swing arm 230 is in the first position, the tension spring 220 is stretched, and the bottom of the swing arm 230 abuts against the limiting part 213.

[0034] The above structure ensures that the swing arm 230 is reliably in the first position. Specifically, the limiting part 213 provides a stable physical stop for the swing arm 230 in the first position; at the same time, under the tension of the tension spring 220, the bottom of the swing arm 230 always remains in close contact with the limiting part 213. This provides precise initial positioning so that the subsequent pushing part 110 can stably abut against the bottom of the swing arm 230, and so that the top of the swing arm 230 can precisely engage with the positioning groove 121 when it rotates to the second position.

[0035] In actual implementation, the swing arm 230 includes a first protrusion 231; The first protrusion 231 protrudes toward the direction of the actuating part 110, thereby making it easier for the actuating part 110 to abut against the first protrusion 231.

[0036] In actual implementation, the swing arm 230 includes a second protrusion 232 and a recess 233 that are connected to each other; The second protrusion 232 is located at the top of the swing arm 230 and protrudes downward; the recess 233 is recessed towards the tension spring 220. When the swing arm 230 is in the second position, the second protrusion 232 engages with the positioning groove 121; the recess 233 engages with the positioning part 120.

[0037] By introducing the second protrusion 232 and the recess 233 on the swing arm 230, and when the swing arm 230 is in the second position, the second protrusion 232 engages with the positioning groove 121, and the recess 233 engages with the positioning part 120. This application achieves a more stable locking between the moving part 100 and the fastener 200.

[0038] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, this application also provides an energy storage container, including a frame 300, a container 400, and an automatic locking assembly as described in any of the above embodiments; A set of support rails 310 are fixed on the frame 300; The base 210 of the automatic locking component is fixed on the support rail 310 group; The movable part 100 of the automatic locking assembly is fixed on the housing 400.

[0039] By integrating the aforementioned automatic locking components into the energy storage container, specifically by fixing the movable part 100 of the automatic locking components to the container body 400, and fixing the base 210 of the buckle 200 to the support guide rail 310 group on the frame 300.

[0040] When the housing 400 is pushed into the frame 300 along the support guide rails 310, the movable part 100 on the housing 400 precisely abuts against and drives the latching part 200 on the support guide rails 310, automatically locking it in place. Specifically, the pushing part 110 gradually contacts and pushes the bottom of the swing arm 230, causing the swing arm 230 to rotate from a first position to a second position around its rotation axis. During this process, the tension spring 220 connected between the base 210 and the swing arm 230 is stretched, accumulating elastic potential energy. When the swing arm 230 rotates to the second position, its top engages in the positioning groove 121 on the positioning part 120 of the movable part 100, thereby firmly fixing the housing 400 to the support guide rails 310, effectively preventing vibration or impact.

[0041] When the housing 400 needs to be removed for maintenance or replacement, the operator pulls it outward. At this time, the jacking part 110 disengages from the bottom of the swing arm 230, and the elastic potential energy stored in the tension spring 220 is released, driving the swing arm 230 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing its top to disengage from the positioning groove 121, automatically completing the unlocking process. The housing 400 can be smoothly pulled out, avoiding the jamming problem caused by deformation in traditional locking structures.

[0042] In summary, this integrated solution significantly simplifies the installation and disassembly process of the container 400 in the energy storage container, enabling locking and unlocking without manual intervention, which greatly improves operational efficiency, convenience, system security, and maintainability.

[0043] In some embodiments, the number of the support rail 310 groups is multiple. The support rail 310 groups are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the frame 300, and a space for the box 400 to accommodate each two adjacent support rail 310 groups is provided.

[0044] Through the aforementioned technical solution, multiple sets of support rails 310 are arranged at intervals along the height direction on the frame 300 of the energy storage container, with reserved space between adjacent rail sets for accommodating the container 400. This allows a single energy storage container to efficiently integrate multiple containers 400 in a stacked manner. This multi-level, modular design significantly improves the space utilization rate of the energy storage container, allowing for a larger energy storage capacity within a limited footprint. Simultaneously, since each container 400 has independent accommodating space and a corresponding set of support rails 310, the installation, disassembly, and maintenance of the container 400 become more convenient without affecting the operation of other containers 400, thereby improving the maintainability and flexibility of the system. Furthermore, this structure also makes the overall layout of the energy storage container more compact.

[0045] In some embodiments, the support rail 310 group includes two parallel support rails 310; the base 210 of the automatic locking assembly is fixed on each of the two support rails 310; two movable parts 100 of the automatic locking assembly are fixed on the housing 400; and / or, two clearance openings 410 are provided at the end of the housing 400, the two clearance openings 410 are spaced apart along the width direction of the housing 400, and the movable parts 100 of the automatic locking assembly are correspondingly fixed to the clearance openings 410.

[0046] Through the above technical solution, the two parallel support rails 310 provide a wider and more balanced support surface for the housing 400, effectively distributing the weight of the housing 400. The bases 210 of the two automatic locking components are respectively fixed on the two support rails 310 and work in conjunction with the two moving parts 100 on the housing 400 to achieve symmetrical and distributed locking. This dual-point locking method can effectively prevent the housing 400 from shaking or shifting under external impact or vibration. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and do not limit the number of objects; for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0048] In the description of this application, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features.

[0049] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0050] In the description of this application, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them.

[0051] In the description of this application, the terms "above," "over," and "on top" for the first feature and the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0052] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0053] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic locking assembly, characterized by include: Movable parts and fasteners; The movable part is used to fix it to the box body. The movable part includes a pushing part and a positioning part connected to each other. The positioning part is located above the pushing part and has a positioning groove. The fastener includes a base, a tension spring, and a swing arm. The base is used to fix the fastener to the support rail assembly. One end of the tension spring is connected to the base, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the swing arm. The swing arm is rotatably mounted on the base. The actuating part is adapted to abut against the bottom of the swing arm so that the swing arm rotates from the first position to the second position, and the tension spring is stretched, and the top of the swing arm engages with the positioning groove.

2. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limiting part is fixed on the base, and the limiting part is located on the side of the swing arm away from the tension spring; When the swing arm is in the first position, the tension spring is stretched, and the bottom of the swing arm abuts against the limiting part.

3. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swing arm includes a first protrusion; The first protrusion protrudes toward the direction of the actuating portion, and the actuating portion is adapted to abut against the first protrusion.

4. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swing arm includes a second protrusion and a recess that are connected to each other; The second protrusion is located at the top of the swing arm and protrudes downward; the recess is recessed towards the tension spring. When the swing arm is in the second position, the second protrusion engages with the positioning groove; the concave portion engages with the positioning part.

5. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base includes a back plate and side plates connected to both sides of the back plate. One end of the tension spring is connected to the back plate, and the swing arm is disposed between the two side plates.

6. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both side panels include a positioning section and a guide section; each positioning section is connected to the back panel, and each guide section is connected to the positioning section; The distance between the two guide segments gradually increases from the closer to the positioning segment to the farther away from the positioning segment.

7. The automatic locking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving part and the positioning part are oriented in the same direction, and the length of the moving part is longer than the length of the positioning part; and / or, the movable part further includes a connecting part, which is disposed between the moving part and the positioning part, and the connecting part is provided with a mounting hole.

8. An energy storage container, characterized in that, Includes a frame, a housing, and an automatic locking assembly as described in any one of claims 1-7; The frame is fixed with a support guide rail assembly; The base of the automatic locking component is fixed on the support guide rail assembly; The movable part of the automatic locking assembly is fixed on the housing.

9. The energy storage container according to claim 8, characterized in that, The number of the support rail groups is multiple. The support rail groups are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the frame, and a space for the box to be accommodated is provided between each two adjacent support rail groups.

10. The energy storage container according to claim 8, characterized in that, The support rail assembly includes two parallel support rails; the base of the automatic locking component is fixed on each of the two support rails; and two movable parts of the automatic locking component are fixed on the housing. And / or, two clearance openings are provided at the end of the housing, the two clearance openings are spaced apart along the width direction of the housing, and the movable part of the automatic locking assembly is fixed to the clearance openings accordingly.

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