Sectional battery replacement integrated frame and luggage tractor

Abstract

The application discloses a segmented battery replacement integrated vehicle frame and a luggage towing vehicle. The segmented battery replacement integrated vehicle frame comprises a front section frame, a middle section battery replacement frame and a rear section frame. The front section frame is arranged below the cab of the flat-head luggage towing vehicle. The rear section frame is used for mounting a rear axle and a towing pin mechanism. The middle section battery replacement frame is connected between the front section frame and the rear section frame. The middle section battery replacement frame is arranged to be downwardly sunken relative to the front section frame and the rear section frame to form a sunken mounting area for accommodating a battery replacement battery pack in the height direction of the whole vehicle. The middle section battery replacement frame is integrated with a three-stage guiding device, a circuit quick plug and a waterway quick plug. The battery replacement battery pack is corrected in posture in stages during the falling and landing process, and realizes electrical connection and cooling waterway connection after final positioning. The application also discloses a luggage towing vehicle adopting the above vehicle frame and a battery replacement method. The application avoids that the battery replacement battery pack blocks the rear view field of the driver for observing the tail towing pin, and improves the one-time success rate of battery replacement through the three-stage guiding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of airport ground support vehicles, low-speed electric vehicles, and vehicle battery swapping structures. Specifically, it relates to a segmented battery swapping integrated chassis for a flat-head baggage tractor, as well as a baggage tractor using the chassis and a battery swapping method. Background Technology

[0002] Airport baggage towing vehicles are used to tow baggage trailers, cargo trailers, or other ground support equipment, and are frequently used vehicles in airport ground support operations. With the electrification of airport ground equipment, electric baggage towing vehicles are gradually replacing traditional fuel-powered vehicles. Compared to conventional charging methods, battery swapping can replenish power in a shorter time, which helps improve the vehicle's continuous operating capability and reduce downtime.

[0003] Baggage tractors can generally be divided into long-nose and flat-nose types based on their body layout. Long-nose baggage tractors typically have the cab located in the middle or rear of the vehicle, providing ample space at the front and offering fewer restrictions on the placement of the power battery or battery pack. Flat-nose baggage tractors have the cab at the front, offering shorter length, greater maneuverability, and better forward visibility. However, the space behind the cab is very compact, and it also needs to accommodate the rear axle, towing mechanism, drive system, and charging system.

[0004] When a baggage towing vehicle is attached to a baggage trailer, the driver needs to frequently look back to observe the positional relationship between the tow pin at the rear of the vehicle and the trailer tow bar. This rear-view observation differs from the rear-view requirements of ordinary road vehicles; the focus is on the position of the tow pin below the rear of the vehicle. The driver needs to accurately judge whether the tow pin is aligned with the trailer tow bar during short-distance, low-speed reversing or slight movements.

[0005] Existing battery swapping assemblies typically integrate the battery pack, high-voltage control box, cooling system, battery radiator, fan, piping, and connectors into a single unit. While this integrated structure facilitates modular replacement, it significantly increases the battery pack's size, especially its height. If such a battery swapping pack is placed directly behind the cab of a flat-nose luggage tractor, the battery pack can easily protrude above the lower edge of the rear window or encroach on the driver's rear view, making it difficult for the driver to see the rear tow pin.

[0006] Simply moving the battery pack down would be limited by the longitudinal and transverse beams of the chassis and the operating space for the battery swapping equipment. Conversely, simply reducing the size of the battery pack would be limited by its capacity, high-voltage control components, and cooling capabilities. Therefore, battery swapping for cab-over luggage tractors cannot be achieved simply by installing an existing battery swapping pack onto the vehicle.

[0007] In addition, the battery pack needs to reliably connect with the vehicle's electrical and water system quick-connect connectors during the battery swapping process. Initial deviations, descent attitude deviations, and manufacturing / assembly errors may occur during the lifting or transport of the battery pack by the swapping equipment. Without tiered guidance, the battery pack may still be misaligned near the quick-connect connectors, causing misalignment of the electrical connectors, damage to the water system seals, battery swapping failures, or repeated adjustments, thus prolonging the swapping time.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a segmented, sunken, and guided integrated frame designed specifically for the characteristics of flat-head luggage tractors, which can not only meet the requirements for battery pack arrangement, but also ensure the driver's rear visibility of the rear towing pin, and improve the success rate of quick-connect battery pack docking. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a segmented battery swapping integrated chassis and a luggage tractor, in order to solve the problem that the large size of the battery swapping battery pack assembly in the flat-head luggage tractor obstructs the driver's rear view and makes it difficult to implement battery swapping arrangements.

[0010] Another objective of this invention is to achieve step-by-step positioning of the battery pack from coarse to fine positioning through a three-level guiding structure, ensuring that the quick-connect circuit and quick-connect water circuit complete position correction before contact, thereby improving the success rate of battery swapping.

[0011] Another objective of this invention is to separate the battery radiator from the battery swapping pack by means of a quick-connect water channel, so that the radiator can be placed in other positions on the vehicle frame, thereby reducing the height and volume of the battery swapping pack while ensuring the battery cooling capacity, and further ensuring the driver's rear visibility.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a segmented battery swapping integrated chassis, comprising a front chassis, a middle battery swapping chassis, and a rear chassis. The front chassis is located below the cab and supports the flat-nose cab; the rear chassis is located at the rear of the vehicle and is used to mount the rear axle, towing pin mechanism, and related traction structures; the middle battery swapping chassis connects the front chassis and the rear chassis and is used to support, position, and lock the battery swapping pack.

[0013] The mid-section battery swapping frame is recessed downwards relative to the front and rear frames, forming a sunken installation area. This sunken installation area can be understood as a low-position battery pack housing space within the overall vehicle structure. After the battery swapping pack enters this area, its top height is significantly lower than in conventional arrangements.

[0014] To enhance the rear visibility technology, this invention establishes a structural constraint relationship between the installation height of the battery pack and the driver's rear view channel. Specifically, after installation, the top of the battery pack can be lower than the lower edge of the rear window of the cab; or lower than the line of sight defined by the line connecting the driver's eye point to the rear tow pin mechanism of the vehicle; or at least not encroach on the main observation area required by the driver to observe the rear tow pin. This constraint relationship distinguishes this invention from typical low-positioned battery pack arrangements, and it is designed specifically for the tow pin observation needs of flat-head luggage tow trucks.

[0015] The mid-section battery swapping vehicle frame integrates a three-stage guiding device. The three-stage guiding device includes a primary guide, a secondary guide, and a tertiary precision positioning arranged sequentially from top to bottom, which is used to progressively improve the positioning accuracy during the descent of the battery swapping pack.

[0016] The primary guide includes a guide ramp, a flared guide, or an outwardly expanding guide plate, used for coarse positioning of the battery pack; the secondary guide includes a vertical guide plate or guide post, used to correct lateral and / or longitudinal deviations during the descent of the battery pack; the tertiary precision positioning includes a positioning pin and a positioning hole, used for pre-insertion positioning when the battery pack approaches its final installation position.

[0017] The third-level precision positioning is located near the quick-connect electrical connector and / or quick-connect water connector to complete the attitude correction of the battery pack before the quick-connect electrical connector and / or quick-connect water connector make contact. The third-level precision positioning can adopt structures such as tapered positioning pins and positioning holes, limiting blocks and limiting grooves. The third-level precision positioning is preferably arranged near the quick-connect electrical connector and quick-connect water connector, so that the battery pack has completed attitude correction before the electrical connector and water connector make contact, avoiding misalignment and collision.

[0018] The mid-section battery swapping frame integrates a circuit quick connector and a water quick connector; the circuit quick connector is used to connect to the battery pack terminal electrical connector after the battery pack is placed, and the water quick connector is used to connect to the cooling water channel of the battery pack after the battery pack is placed.

[0019] The circuit quick connector is mounted on a mounting base with floating compensation capability. The mounting base allows the circuit quick connector to be positionally compensated within a predetermined range through elastic elements, floating sleeves, elongated holes, or flexible support elements. The water circuit quick connector includes a coolant inlet quick connector and a coolant return quick connector, which are respectively connected to the cooling pipes on the vehicle frame side.

[0020] The water channel quick-connect is connected to the battery radiator located in other areas of the vehicle frame or body. The battery radiator is arranged separately from the battery swapping pack, and the battery radiator is not integrated into the battery swapping pack.

[0021] This invention places the battery radiator in other areas of the vehicle frame or body, such as the front frame area, under the cab, the side panel area, the rear frame area, or other locations that do not obstruct the driver's view of the rear tow pin. The battery radiator is connected to the battery swapping pack via frame-side cooling pipes and quick-connect water lines. Since the battery radiator is no longer integrated inside the battery swapping pack, the pack can primarily integrate the battery assembly and high-voltage control box, thereby reducing the pack's height and size.

[0022] The mid-section battery swapping frame can also integrate a battery pack locking mechanism. This mechanism can mechanically, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically lock the battery pack after it has been positioned. Together with the three-stage guide, electrical quick-connect, and water quick-connect mechanisms, the locking mechanism forms the frame-side battery swapping functional module, enabling the mid-section battery swapping frame to function not only as a load-bearing structure but also as a battery swapping positioning and connection platform.

[0023] The present invention also provides a luggage tractor, including a cab, a rear axle, a towing pin mechanism, a battery swapping pack, and the aforementioned segmented battery swapping integrated frame. The cab is located at the front of the vehicle and forms a flat-head structure. The battery swapping pack is installed in the sunken mounting area of ​​the middle battery swapping frame, and the arrangement of the battery swapping pack does not obstruct the driver's rear view of the towing pin mechanism from the cab.

[0024] This invention also provides a battery swapping method for the aforementioned baggage tractor, comprising the following steps: moving the battery pack to be installed to the top of the middle battery swapping frame; coarsely positioning the battery pack using a primary guide; correcting the lateral and / or longitudinal deviations of the battery pack using a secondary guide during its descent; performing pre-installation positioning using a third-stage precise positioning when the battery pack approaches its final installation position; continuing to descend and position the battery pack to complete the connection of the electrical quick-connect and water quick-connect; and locking the battery pack to the middle battery swapping frame using a battery pack locking mechanism.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) The present invention divides the frame of the flat-head luggage tractor into a front section, a middle section and a rear section, and uses the middle section as a sunken battery swapping area, so that the battery swapping battery pack can be arranged in the low space in the middle of the vehicle, thus solving the problem of insufficient battery swapping space for flat-head vehicles.

[0026] (2) The present invention matches the battery pack installation height with the driver’s rear view channel for observing the rear tow pin, avoiding the battery pack from blocking the tow pin observation area, which can improve the safety and efficiency when attaching luggage trailers.

[0027] (3) The present invention eliminates the deviation of the battery pack during the descent process by first-level guidance, second-level guidance and third-level precise positioning, thereby improving the success rate of battery swapping in one placement.

[0028] (4) The third-level precision positioning is set near the quick-connect, and the posture correction is completed before the circuit quick-connect and water quick-connect come into contact, which can reduce the risk of connector misalignment, impact and seal damage.

[0029] (5) The present invention integrates the quick-connect circuit and quick-connect water circuit into the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame. After the battery pack is placed, the electrical connection and cooling water circuit connection can be automatically realized, reducing manual operation and shortening the battery swapping time.

[0030] (6) The present invention places the battery radiator outside the vehicle frame in other areas, so the battery swapping pack does not need to carry the radiator and its air duct, which can further reduce the size of the battery swapping pack and improve the rear visibility and the flexibility of the overall vehicle layout.

[0031] (7) The mid-section battery swapping frame of the present invention has the functions of bearing, sinking arrangement, guiding, quick-connect installation, cooling water connection and locking, forming an integrated battery swapping frame unit, which is conducive to modular manufacturing and maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the baggage tractor of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of the segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame structure of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame and the quick-connect and guide structure of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the battery pack and the three-stage guide device of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-connect circuit structure of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-connect water channel structure of the present invention.

[0039] In the diagram: 1. Front frame; 2. Mid-section battery swapping frame; 3. Rear frame; 4. Battery swapping pack; 5. Three-stage guide system; 51. Primary guide; 52. Secondary guide; 53. Tertiary precision positioning; 6. Quick-connect circuit; 7. Quick-connect water system; 71. Quick-connect coolant inlet; 72. Quick-connect coolant outlet; 8. Cab; 9. Rear axle; 10. Traction pin mechanism; 11. Battery radiator; 12. Side cooling pipes on the frame; 13. Battery pack locking mechanism; 14. Recessed installation area; 15. Driver's rear view passage; 16. Lower edge of the cab rear window. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Example 1: Segmented Sinking Frame Structure like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a segmented battery swapping integrated chassis, including a front chassis 1, a middle battery swapping chassis 2, and a rear chassis 3. The front chassis 1 supports the cab 8 and provides a mounting base for steering, braking, pedals, or electrical components below the cab 8. The rear chassis 3 is used to mount the rear axle 9 and the towing pin mechanism 10. The middle battery swapping chassis 2 is disposed between the front chassis 1 and the rear chassis 3 and is used to accommodate and support the battery swapping pack 4.

[0041] The middle battery swapping frame 2 is arranged downwards relative to the front frame 1 and the rear frame 3. Specifically, the middle battery swapping frame 2 may include two longitudinal load-bearing beams on the left and right sides and multiple crossbeams, forming a frame structure. The battery pack load-bearing surface of the middle battery swapping frame 2 is lower than the cab load-bearing surface of the front frame 1 and also lower than the rear axle mounting load-bearing surface of the rear frame 3.

[0042] Through the aforementioned sunken arrangement, the mid-section battery swapping frame 2 forms a sunken installation area 14 in the middle of the vehicle. After the battery swapping pack 4 is installed in the sunken installation area 14, its top height is lower than that of the traditional arrangement. This sunken installation area 14 can be located in or close to the lowest structural area of ​​the vehicle, but still maintains the ground clearance required for airport ground vehicle operation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the front frame 1, the middle battery swapping frame 2, and the rear frame 3 can be manufactured separately and then connected, or they can be welded together as a whole. If segmented manufacturing is adopted, the three frame segments can be connected by connecting plates, bolts, rivets, locating pins, or welding structures. The segmented structure facilitates modular adjustment of the middle battery swapping frame 2 according to different battery pack specifications.

[0044] Example 2: Rear View Avoidance Relationship like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cab 8 of the flat-head luggage tractor is located at the front of the vehicle, and the towing pin mechanism 10 is located at the rear. When attaching the luggage trailer, the driver needs to observe the towing pin mechanism 10 from the cab 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the arrangement height of the battery pack 4 is matched with the driver's rear view passage 15.

[0045] The driver's rear view passage 15 can be determined based on the positions of the driver's eye point, the lower edge of the rear window 16 of the cab, and the towing pin mechanism 10. Specifically, the line connecting the driver's eye point to the towing pin mechanism 10 or the observation area above it can be used as the rear view boundary, or the passage between the lower edge of the rear window 16 of the cab and the towing pin mechanism 10 can be used as the rear view observation area.

[0046] After the battery pack 4 is installed on the middle section of the battery swapping frame 2, its top is preferably lower than the lower edge 16 of the rear window of the cab; or lower than the line of sight defined by the line connecting the driver's eye point and the towing pin mechanism 10; or at least ensures that the top of the battery pack does not enter the driver's main observation area for observing the towing pin mechanism 10. Thus, the driver can directly look back to observe the towing pin mechanism 10 when reversing or slightly engaging the vehicle, without being obstructed by the battery pack 4.

[0047] The aforementioned rear visibility avoidance relationship is a key structural constraint proposed by this invention for flat-nose luggage tractors. Unlike the low-positioned battery arrangement in ordinary electric vehicles, the mid-section lowering in this embodiment is not simply to lower the center of gravity, but to resolve the conflict between the battery pack swapping requirements and the observation needs of the rear towing pin in the flat-nose luggage tractor.

[0048] Example 3: Three-stage guide device like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a three-stage guiding device 5 is installed on the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame 2. The three-stage guiding device 5 includes a primary guide 51, a secondary guide 52, and a tertiary precision positioning 53. The three-stage guiding device 5 can be arranged at the four corners, both sides, or near the circuit quick-connect 6 and water quick-connect 7 of the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame 2.

[0049] The primary guide 51 is used for coarse positioning. The primary guide 51 can be an outwardly flared guide plate, guide ramp, flared guide frame, or inclined guide block located on the upper part of the middle section of the battery swapping frame 2. When the battery swapping pack 4 enters from above and downwards, even if there is a certain initial deviation in the battery swapping equipment, the battery swapping pack 4 will be guided into the limited range of the middle section of the battery swapping frame 2 under the action of the primary guide 51.

[0050] The secondary guide 52 is used to further correct deviations. The secondary guide 52 can be a vertically set guide plate, guide post, guide groove, roller, or slider structure, and it cooperates with the guide surface, guide seat, frame side beam, or guide groove on the battery pack 4. As the battery pack 4 continues to descend, the secondary guide 52 restricts its lateral movement, longitudinal movement, and rotation around the vertical direction, so that the battery pack attitude gradually approaches the final assembly attitude.

[0051] The third-level precision positioning 53 is used for final positioning. The third-level precision positioning 53 can adopt structures such as tapered positioning pins and positioning holes, positioning sleeves and positioning posts, and limiting blocks and limiting grooves. Preferably, the third-level precision positioning 53 is set near the circuit quick connector 6 and the water circuit quick connector 7, so that the battery pack 4 has achieved a high positioning accuracy before the quick connectors make contact.

[0052] The positioning process of the battery pack 4, guided by the three-stage guide device 5, consists of "large-scale coarse positioning - descent process correction - precise positioning before insertion," which avoids the accumulation of positioning errors caused by relying solely on single-stage positioning. This structure is particularly suitable for rapid battery swapping scenarios in airport vehicles, helping to improve the success rate of a single battery swap and reduce repeated lifting or secondary adjustments.

[0053] Example 4: Quick-connect circuit structure like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the mid-section battery swapping frame 2 features an integrated circuit quick-connect 6. The quick-connect 6 can be fixed to the upper surface, side plate, or dedicated mounting base of the mid-section battery swapping frame 2, facing the battery pack end connector of the battery swapping battery pack 4. After the battery pack 4 is positioned and placed by the three-stage guide device 5, the battery pack end connector mates with the quick-connect 6.

[0054] The quick-connect circuit 6 may include a high-voltage positive terminal, a high-voltage negative terminal, a low-voltage signal terminal, a communication terminal, a high-voltage interlock terminal, and a shielded connection structure. The quick-connect circuit 6 can improve safety through a protective cover, an insulating base, a sealing structure, and an anti-misinsertion structure.

[0055] To accommodate manufacturing and positioning errors, the quick-connect circuit 6 is preferably mounted on a floating mount. The floating mount may include elastic elements, floating sleeves, elongated holes, guide sleeves, flexible connectors, or combinations thereof, providing the quick-connect circuit 6 with minor compensation capabilities in the lateral, longitudinal, or height directions. Since the third-stage precision positioning 53 has already completed position correction before the quick-connect contacts, the floating mount only needs to compensate for small errors, thereby reducing the risk of connector damage.

[0056] Example 5: Quick-connect water channel and external radiator structure like Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the mid-section battery swapping vehicle frame 2 integrates a water circuit quick connector 7. The water circuit quick connector 7 includes a coolant inlet quick connector 71 and a coolant return quick connector 72. The coolant inlet quick connector 71 and the coolant return quick connector 72 are respectively connected to the cooling pipes 12 on the frame side and cooperate with the battery pack end cooling interface on the battery swapping battery pack 4.

[0057] In this embodiment, the battery radiator 11 is removed from the battery pack 4 and installed in another area of ​​the vehicle frame or body. The battery radiator 11 can be located in the front frame 1 area, under the cab 8, in the side panel area, in the rear frame 3 area, or other locations that do not obstruct the driver's rear view. The battery radiator 11 is connected to the water quick-connect pipe 7 via the frame-side cooling pipe 12.

[0058] The battery pack 4 can retain the battery pack, high-voltage control box, and battery pack-side cooling interface, but does not integrate the radiator, fan, or large air duct. After the battery pack 4 is installed, the battery pack-side cooling interface connects to the water channel quick connector 7. The coolant circulates through the battery radiator 11, the frame-side cooling pipe 12, the water channel quick connector 7, and the internal cooling channels of the battery pack to cool the battery pack.

[0059] Since the battery radiator 11 is no longer replaced as a whole with the battery swapping pack 4, the height and volume of the battery swapping pack 4 can be reduced. This structure, together with the lowered arrangement of the middle battery swapping frame 2, ensures that the battery swapping pack 4 does not exceed the driver's rearward observation area, thereby further enhancing the rear visibility of the flat-head luggage tractor.

[0060] The water-cooled quick-connect fitting 7 can have a self-sealing function, which automatically seals the cooling pipe 12 on the frame side and the cooling interface on the battery pack side when the battery pack 4 is removed, reducing coolant leakage. The water-cooled quick-connect fitting 7 can also be equipped with a guide sleeve, dust cover, sealing ring, locking ring or pressure relief structure to improve the reliability of multiple insertions and removals.

[0061] Example 6: Battery Pack Locking and Battery Swapping Process A battery pack locking mechanism 13 can also be installed on the mid-section battery swapping vehicle frame 2. The battery pack locking mechanism 13 can be a mechanical locking pin, a rotary locking hook, a wedge-shaped locking block, an electric locking component, a pneumatic locking component, or a hydraulic locking component. The battery pack locking mechanism 13 is activated after the battery pack 4 is positioned and quick-connect docking is completed, fixing the battery pack 4 to the mid-section battery swapping vehicle frame 2.

[0062] During battery swapping, the battery swapping equipment moves the battery pack 4 to be installed above the middle battery swapping frame 2. First, the primary guide 51 performs coarse positioning of the battery pack 4; then, the battery pack 4 descends and enters the secondary guide 52, which gradually corrects the lateral, longitudinal, and angular deviations of the battery pack 4; when the battery pack 4 is close to the final installation position, the third-stage precise positioning 53 completes the pre-plugging positioning; finally, the circuit quick connector 6 and the water quick connector 7 are connected, and the battery pack locking mechanism 13 locks in place.

[0063] When disassembling the battery pack 4, first release the battery pack locking mechanism 13, disconnect the high-voltage interlock or perform a safety power cut-off, and then lift the battery pack 4 upwards using the battery swapping equipment. The water quick-connect 7 and the electrical quick-connect 6 disengage as the battery pack rises. The water quick-connect 7 can reduce coolant leakage through its self-sealing structure.

[0064] Alternative implementation methods In other embodiments, the mid-section battery swapping frame 2 can adopt a frame beam structure, a box beam structure, or a plate beam combination structure. The degree of sag of the mid-section battery swapping frame 2 can be determined comprehensively based on the battery pack height, the position of the rear window of the cab, the height of the towing pin, and the ground clearance of the entire vehicle.

[0065] The three-stage guide device 5 is not limited to the specific structure shown in the figure. The first-stage guide 51, the second-stage guide 52, and the third-stage precision positioning 53 can be set on the side of the vehicle frame, or partially set on the side of the battery pack 4, as long as they can achieve step-by-step positioning and ensure positioning before quick-connect contact.

[0066] The location of the battery heat sink 11 is not limited to a fixed area. As long as the battery heat sink 11 is arranged separately from the battery swapping pack 4 and is connected to the cooling circuit of the battery swapping pack 4 through the water quick connector 7, and this arrangement can reduce the volume or height of the battery swapping pack 4, it falls within the scope of this invention.

[0067] In addition to being applicable to airport baggage towing vehicles, this invention can also be applied to other low-speed towing vehicles or in-field towing vehicles that require the driver to observe the rear towing mechanism and have a compact overall space.

Claims

1. A segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame, characterized in that, It includes a front frame, a middle battery swapping frame, and a rear frame; the front frame is used to be arranged under the cab of the flat-head luggage tractor, the rear frame is used to install the rear axle and the towing pin mechanism, and the middle battery swapping frame is connected between the front frame and the rear frame; the middle battery swapping frame is set downward relative to the front frame and the rear frame to form a sunken installation area in the overall vehicle height direction for accommodating the battery swapping pack.

2. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recessed installation area is configured such that the top of the battery pack after installation is lower than the lower edge of the rear window of the cab, or lower than the line of sight defined by the line connecting the driver's eye point to the towing pin mechanism, so as to avoid obstructing the driver's rear view of the towing pin mechanism.

3. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mid-section battery swapping frame includes longitudinal load-bearing beams, crossbeams, and battery pack support seats mounted on the longitudinal load-bearing beams or crossbeams; the front frame, mid-section battery swapping frame, and rear frame are connected by bolts, riveting, welding, or detachable connecting plates to form a stepped load-bearing structure.

4. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame is equipped with a three-stage guiding device, which includes a primary guide, a secondary guide, and a tertiary precision positioning arranged sequentially from top to bottom, to progressively improve the positioning accuracy during the descent of the battery swapping pack.

5. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary guide includes a guide ramp, a flared guide, or an outwardly expanding guide plate, used for coarse positioning of the battery pack; the secondary guide includes a vertical guide plate or guide post, used to correct lateral and / or longitudinal deviations during the descent of the battery pack; the tertiary precision positioning includes a positioning pin and a positioning hole, used for pre-insertion positioning when the battery pack approaches its final installation position.

6. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The third-level precise positioning is set near the circuit quick-connect and / or water quick-connect to complete the attitude correction of the battery pack before the circuit quick-connect and / or water quick-connect make contact.

7. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mid-section battery swapping frame integrates a circuit quick connector and a water quick connector; the circuit quick connector is used to connect to the battery pack terminal electrical connector after the battery pack is placed, and the water quick connector is used to connect to the cooling water channel of the battery pack after the battery pack is placed.

8. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circuit quick connector is mounted on a mounting base with floating compensation capability. The mounting base allows the circuit quick connector to be positionally compensated within a predetermined range through elastic elements, floating sleeves, elongated holes, or flexible support elements. The water circuit quick connector includes a coolant inlet quick connector and a coolant return quick connector, which are respectively connected to the cooling pipes on the vehicle frame side.

9. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The water channel quick-connect is connected to the battery radiator located in other areas of the vehicle frame or body. The battery radiator is arranged separately from the battery swapping pack, and the battery radiator is not integrated into the battery swapping pack.

10. The segmented battery swapping integrated vehicle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mid-section battery swapping frame is also equipped with a battery pack locking mechanism, which is used to fix the battery pack to the mid-section battery swapping frame after the battery pack is placed in position.

11. A baggage tractor, characterized in that, The vehicle includes a cab, a rear axle, a traction pin mechanism, a battery swapping pack, and a segmented battery swapping integrated frame as described in any one of claims 1 to 10; the cab is located at the front of the vehicle and forms a flat-head structure, the battery swapping pack is installed in the sunken installation area of ​​the middle battery swapping frame, and the arrangement of the battery swapping pack does not obstruct the driver's rear view of the traction pin mechanism from the cab.

12. A battery swapping method for the baggage tractor as described in claim 11, characterized in that, include: Move the battery pack to be installed to the top of the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame; The battery pack is coarsely positioned using a primary guide. During the descent of the battery pack, the lateral and / or longitudinal deviations of the battery pack are corrected by a secondary guide. When the battery pack is close to its final installation position, a third-level precise positioning method is used for pre-insertion positioning. The battery pack continues to descend and settle into position to complete the connection of the circuit quick-connect and the water circuit quick-connect; The battery pack is locked to the middle section of the battery swapping vehicle frame by a battery pack locking mechanism.

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