Battery pack transfer device and battery swap station

Abstract

The application discloses a battery pack transfer device and a battery swap station, and belongs to the technical field of battery swapping. The battery pack transfer device comprises a ground rail and a transfer trolley arranged on the ground rail. A lifting mechanism and a plurality of stand columns are arranged on the bottom plate of the trolley frame. A plurality of leg sleeves are fixedly arranged on the lower part of the two sides of a floating support plate, and the inside of the leg sleeves is elastically connected with the bottom plate of the trolley frame through first springs. A plurality of fixing sleeves are fixedly connected on the two sides of the floating support plate, and a telescopic rod is slidably connected in the fixing sleeve. The centering and clamping mechanism comprises a support frame fixedly arranged on the bottom plate. A fixing seat is arranged on the upper end of the support frame, and a plurality of guide grooves are arranged on the fixing seat. A driving rod is slidably connected in the guide groove, the upper end of the driving rod is fixedly connected with a clamping plate, and one end of a connecting rod is pivotally connected with the end of the telescopic rod. The application realizes the automatic centering and clamping of the battery pack through linkage of the floating support plate and the connecting rod, avoids the problems of deviation and jumping during the transfer of the battery pack, and improves the stability during the transfer of the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of battery swapping technology, specifically relating to a battery pack transfer device and a battery swapping station. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy electric vehicle industry, battery swapping has become one of the mainstream methods for quickly replenishing energy for new energy vehicles due to its advantages such as fast charging speed, no charging wait, and effective delay in battery degradation. It is widely used in various new energy vehicle fields such as passenger cars, logistics vehicles, and ride-hailing vehicles. As the core supporting facility of the battery swapping model, the battery swapping station's internal battery pack transfer efficiency and stability directly determine the overall vehicle battery swapping efficiency and safety.

[0003] Currently, the battery pack transfer devices used in existing battery swapping stations are mostly traditional structures such as roller conveyors, telescopic forks, and translational robotic arms. These rely on motor drives to achieve uniform speed transfer and positioning, and can basically complete the transfer of battery packs between storage locations, charging locations, and swapping locations. However, existing transfer devices still have significant technical defects in actual operation, with the core problems concentrated in the instantaneous operating conditions during equipment start-up and shutdown.

[0004] Specifically, most existing transfer devices employ conventional constant-speed start-stop control logic. When the equipment accelerates instantaneously from a standstill or decelerates instantaneously from a constant-speed running state, it generates significant instantaneous inertial impact forces. Battery packs are heavy, high-density integrated components, and existing transfer devices rely solely on simple limiting edges and friction support surfaces for placement, lacking specific instantaneous inertial buffering and locking protection structures. Under the influence of instantaneous inertial forces, battery packs placed on the transfer device are highly susceptible to displacement, sliding, or even slight bouncing, failing to maintain stable positioning.

[0005] The aforementioned battery pack displacement issue can trigger a series of chain reactions and drawbacks: First, slight displacement of the battery pack can lead to deviations in the alignment accuracy of subsequent battery swapping, causing misalignment between the battery and the vehicle mounting position or charging socket. This not only affects the success rate of battery swapping but also easily leads to safety risks such as poor charging contact and interface wear. Second, repeated sliding of the battery pack can cause friction and collisions between the battery pack shell, electrode contacts, and the support and limiting structures of the transfer device. Over long-term operation, this can lead to damage to the battery's appearance and the protective layer, reducing battery life and increasing battery maintenance costs. Third, if the battery pack displacement is significant, it can cause the battery pack to deviate from its preset position during transfer, easily leading to equipment jamming and shutdown malfunctions. In severe cases, it can even cause safety accidents such as the battery pack slipping or tipping over. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a battery pack transfer device and a battery swapping station to solve the problems of large instantaneous inertial impact force during start-up and shutdown, easy slippage and displacement of battery packs, and poor positioning stability of existing battery pack transfer devices.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery pack transfer device is provided, comprising a ground rail and a transfer vehicle disposed on the ground rail. The transfer vehicle includes a frame, with a traveling wheel and a guide wheel at the lower part of the frame. At least one set of traveling drive mechanisms for driving the frame along the ground rail is provided on the side wall of the frame. A lifting mechanism and several columns are provided on the bottom plate of the frame. A top plate is provided at the upper end of each column. The lifting end of the lifting mechanism is connected to the bottom of the top plate. A rod is provided at the lower part of the top plate and is gappedly connected to the columns. A through groove is provided on the top plate, and a floating support plate is gappedly installed in the through groove. Several leg sleeves are fixedly installed on both sides of the lower part of the floating support plate, and the leg sleeves are elastically connected to the bottom plate of the frame through a first spring. Several fixed sleeves are fixedly connected to both sides of the plate, and telescopic rods are slidably connected inside the fixed sleeves; a telescopic fork is provided on the upper part of the top plate, and a fork reduction motor for driving the telescopic fork is provided on the top plate; a centering clamping mechanism is provided on both sides of the frame, and the centering clamping mechanism includes a support frame fixedly installed on the base plate, a fixed seat is provided at the upper end of the support frame, and several guide grooves are provided on the fixed seat; a second guide rail is provided on the fixed seat, a clamping plate is slidably connected on the second guide rail, a drive rod is slidably connected inside the guide groove, the upper end of the drive rod is fixedly connected to the clamping plate, the lower end of the drive rod is pivotally connected to a connecting rod, the other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod, and the middle part of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the support frame.

[0008] Furthermore, the walking drive mechanism includes a walking reduction motor fixedly installed on the side wall of the frame, a gear connected to the output shaft of the walking reduction motor, and a rack fixedly installed on the side wall of the ground rail, with the gear meshing with the rack.

[0009] Furthermore, the clamping plate of the centering clamping mechanism is arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transfer vehicle, so that the clamping and limiting direction of the clamping plate is consistent with the direction of the inertial impact force generated during the start-up, stop and speed change of the transfer device, thus avoiding battery pack displacement due to insufficient clamping force of the clamping plate.

[0010] Furthermore, fixed stops are fixedly installed at both ends of the ground rail, and fixed arms are fixedly installed on both sides of the vehicle frame, with buffers provided at the ends of the fixed arms.

[0011] Furthermore, the floating support plate has insertion holes on its side wall, and at least one locking mechanism is fixedly installed on the bottom plate of the vehicle frame. The locking mechanism is a telescopic structure, and the lifting mechanism and the locking mechanism are pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or electric cylinders. When the floating support plate is pressed down and moves into place, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism extends and is inserted and fixed inside the insertion hole. During the operation of the transfer device placing the battery pack under the battery rack or picking up the battery pack from the battery rack, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism retracts and releases the insertion limit with the insertion hole.

[0012] Furthermore, a first guide rail is fixedly installed on the top plate, and the lower end of the fork base plate of the telescopic fork is slidably installed on the first guide rail. An adjustable pitch reduction motor is fixedly installed on the top plate. Both the adjustable pitch reduction motor and the fork reduction motor are dual-output shaft reduction motors. The output shaft of the adjustable pitch reduction motor is configured as a double-ended screw, and the two ends of the double-ended screw are threadedly connected to the two fork base plates respectively. The output shaft of the fork reduction motor is configured as a spline sleeve with a spline groove, and the power input shaft of the telescopic fork is configured as a spline shaft that slides with the spline sleeve.

[0013] Furthermore, a floating clamping plate is provided on one side of the clamping plate, and a limiting plate for limiting the vertical jump of the battery pack is provided at the upper end of the floating clamping plate. Several fixed shafts are fixedly connected to one side of the floating clamping plate, and several bushings are provided on one side of the clamping plate. The end of the bushing is provided with an inner plug. The end of the fixed shaft extends into the bushing and slides with the bushing. A second spring is provided inside the bushing. One end of the second spring abuts against the fixed shaft, and the other end of the second spring abuts against the inner plug.

[0014] Furthermore, the bushing has an internal thread, the inner plug is threaded to the bushing, and a knob is fixedly connected to the end of the inner plug away from the second spring.

[0015] Furthermore, the connecting rod includes a threaded sleeve, both sides of which are pivotally connected to the support frame, and the lower end of the threaded sleeve is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod; a threaded rod is threadedly connected inside the threaded sleeve, and a bearing seat is rotatably connected to the end of the threaded rod, with one side of the bearing seat pivotally connected to the drive rod.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery swapping station is provided, including a battery rack and the aforementioned battery pack transfer device, wherein the battery rack is disposed on one or both sides of a ground rail; when battery racks are arranged on both sides of the ground rail, the telescopic fork is a bidirectional telescopic fork to realize the battery pack storage and retrieval operation of the battery racks on both sides of the ground rail.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) The present invention achieves automatic centering and clamping of the battery pack by linking the floating support plate with the connecting rod, avoiding problems such as offset, sliding and jumping during the transfer of the battery pack, and improving the stability of the battery pack during the transfer process.

[0018] (2) An insertion hole is provided on the side wall of the floating support plate and a locking mechanism is provided on the bottom plate of the frame. After the floating support plate carries the battery pack and moves down to the position, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism extends out to insert into the insertion hole to realize the mechanical locking and positioning of the floating support plate, lock the vertical position of the floating support plate, and avoid the failure of the centering clamping mechanism caused by the speed change and bumps of the transport vehicle.

[0019] (3) By setting an adjustable pitch reduction motor, the telescopic forks on both sides can be driven to move closer or further apart by the double-headed screw, so as to adjust the distance between the telescopic forks on both sides and meet the support requirements of battery packs of different specifications and models.

[0020] (4) By setting a floating clamping plate, when the clamping plate moves towards the battery pack to perform centering clamping, the floating clamping plate forms an elastic buffer through the second spring, which can adaptively compensate for the clamping stroke and avoid excessive rigid clamping force from squeezing and damaging the battery pack shell; in addition, by using the inner plug to adjust the pre-compression degree of the second spring, the clamping force of the floating clamping plate on the battery pack can be adjusted.

[0021] (5) The connecting rod is configured as a telescopic adjustable structure with a threaded sleeve and a threaded rod. The threaded transmission between the threaded sleeve and the threaded rod enables stepless adjustment of the overall length of the connecting rod. After the connecting rod length is adjusted, the lever arm ratio and effective stroke of the connecting rod can be changed, thereby controlling the inward sliding distance and maximum clamping stroke of the clamping plate. The centering and clamping stroke can be flexibly adjusted according to battery packs of different widths, which can ensure effective clamping and alignment of small-sized battery packs, and avoid excessive compression of large-sized battery packs due to excessive clamping stroke, thus adapting to the centering and clamping needs of battery packs of various specifications. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery pack transfer device according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the transfer vehicle, telescopic forks, and centering clamping mechanism.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the fork base plate, the fork reduction motor, and the adjustable pitch reduction motor.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer vehicle structure.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the roof structure.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a floating support plate structure.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the centering clamping mechanism and the vehicle frame assembly.

[0030] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the centering clamping mechanism.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage structure.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Ground rail; 11. Fixed stop; 12. Rack; 2. Transfer vehicle; 21. Frame; 22. Traveling wheel; 23. Guide wheel; 24. Travel reduction motor; 25. Gear; 26. Column; 27. Lifting mechanism; 28. Locking mechanism; 29. ​​Fixed arm; 210. Buffer; 211. Top plate; 212. Through slot; 213. First guide rail; 214. Insert rod; 3. Telescopic fork; 31. Fork base plate; 32. Fork reduction motor; 33. Splined sleeve; 34. Splined shaft; 35. Adjustable distance reducer 36. High-speed motor; 4. Double-ended screw; 5. Floating support plate; 6. Leg sleeve; 7. First spring; 8. Fixed sleeve; 9. Telescopic rod; 10. Centering clamping mechanism; 11. Support frame; 12. Fixed seat; 13. Guide groove; 14. Second guide rail; 15. Clamping plate; 16. Floating clamping plate; 17. Fixed shaft; 18. Bushing; 19. Second spring; 20. Inner plug; 21. Drive rod; 22. Connecting rod; 23. Threaded sleeve; 24. Threaded rod; 25. Bearing seat; 36. Battery rack. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following will be combined with the appendix Figures 1-11 The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described herein. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to 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 invention.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery pack transfer device is provided, including a ground rail 1 and a transfer vehicle 2 disposed on the ground rail 1, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the transfer vehicle 2 includes a frame 21, with wheels 22 and guide wheels 23 on the lower part of the frame 21. The wheels 22 are mounted on the upper part of the ground rail 1, and the guide wheels 23 abut against the side wall of the ground rail 1. The side wall of the frame 21 is provided with at least one set of driving mechanisms for driving the frame 21 to move along the ground rail 1. The bottom plate of the frame 21 is provided with a lifting mechanism 27 and several columns 26. The upper end of the columns 26 is provided with a top plate 211. The lifting end of the lifting mechanism 27 is connected to the bottom of the top plate 211. Figure 6 As shown, the lower part of the top plate 211 is provided with a plug rod 214 that is gappedly connected to the column 26. The top plate 211 is provided with a through groove 212, and a floating support plate 4 is gappedly installed in the through groove 212. The floating support plate 4 is an "n" shaped structure or a "T" shaped structure, such as... Figure 7 As shown, several leg sleeves 41 are fixedly installed on both sides of the lower part of the floating support plate 4. The leg sleeves 41 are elastically connected to the bottom plate of the frame 21 through a first spring 42. Several fixed sleeves 43 are fixedly connected to both sides of the floating support plate 4. Telescopic rods 44 are slidably connected inside the fixed sleeves 43. Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the top plate 211 is equipped with a telescopic fork 3 for picking up the battery pack, and the top plate 211 is equipped with a fork reduction motor 32 for driving the telescopic fork 3; in the initial state, the top surface height of the floating support plate 4 is higher than the top surface height of the telescopic fork 3; as Figure 2 As shown, the frame 21 is provided with centering clamping mechanisms 5 on both sides, such as... Figure 8 , Figure 10As shown, the centering clamping mechanism 5 includes a support frame 51 fixedly installed on the base plate. The upper end of the support frame 51 is provided with a fixed seat 52. The fixed seat 52 is provided with a plurality of guide grooves 53. The fixed seat 52 is provided with a second guide rail 54. A clamping plate 55 is slidably connected to the second guide rail 54. A drive rod 511 is slidably connected in the guide grooves 53. The upper end of the drive rod 511 is fixedly connected to the clamping plate 55. The lower end of the drive rod 511 is pivotally connected to a connecting rod 512. The other end of the connecting rod 512 is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod 44. The middle part of the connecting rod 512 is pivotally connected to the support frame 51.

[0037] During the battery swapping operation, the lifting mechanism 27 drives the top plate 211 and the telescopic fork 3 to lift, connect and unload the vehicle battery pack. The battery pack, supported by the telescopic fork 3, falls back down with the top plate 211. When the bottom of the battery pack contacts the floating support plate 4, it presses down on the floating support plate 4 by its own weight, compressing the first spring 42 to achieve elastic buffering. While the floating support plate 4 is pressed down, it drives the fixed sleeves 43 on both sides and the telescopic rod 44 to move synchronously. Using the lever transmission structure formed by the connecting rod 512, the lower end of the connecting rod 512 is driven to rotate outward and the upper end to rotate inward. Then, through the drive rod 511 sliding along the guide groove 53, the clamping plate 55 slides towards each other along the second guide rail 54, automatically centering and clamping the battery pack.

[0038] After the battery pack is transferred to the battery rack 6 in the station, the transfer vehicle 2 aligns with the empty compartment of the battery rack 6. The lifting mechanism 27 drives the top plate 211, the telescopic fork 3, and the clamped old battery pack to lift together, raising the old battery pack to the bearing height of the battery rack 6. During the lifting process of the telescopic fork 3, the centering clamping mechanisms 5 on both sides unlock in the opposite direction. The floating support plate 4 returns to its original position under the action of the first spring 42, causing the telescopic rod 44 to retract and the connecting rod 512 to swing in the opposite direction, driving the clamping plate 55 to loosen outward and release the lateral limit on the old battery pack. Then the telescopic fork 3 slowly extends, pushing the old battery pack smoothly and placing it on the empty compartment of the battery rack 6, completing the return and storage of the old battery pack. After the old battery pack is fully positioned, the telescopic forks 3 retract and reset, and the device switches to power-taking mode. The transfer vehicle 2 aligns with the fully charged new battery pack on the battery rack 6. The lifting mechanism 27 raises the top plate 211 and the telescopic forks 3, so that the telescopic forks 3 insert into the bottom fork of the new battery pack to take position and lift the new battery pack. The new battery pack presses down on the floating support plate 4, triggering the linkage clamping mechanism again to achieve automatic centering and clamping and elastic buffering limit, ensuring that the new battery pack does not slip or deviate during the entire process of fork picking and transfer. Finally, the transfer vehicle 2 carries the clamped and fixed fully charged new battery pack back to the vehicle for battery swapping, repeating the lifting, docking, and battery installation process to complete the closed loop of the whole vehicle battery swapping operation.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 5As shown, the walking drive mechanism includes a walking reduction motor 24 fixedly installed on the side wall of the frame 21. A gear 25 is connected to the output shaft of the walking reduction motor 24. A rack 12 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the ground rail 1. The gear 25 meshes with the rack 12.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the clamping plate 55 of the centering clamping mechanism 5 is arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transfer vehicle 2, so that the clamping and limiting direction of the clamping plate 55 is consistent with the direction of the inertial impact force generated during the start-up, stop and speed change of the transfer device, thus avoiding the displacement of the battery pack due to insufficient clamping force of the clamping plate 55.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 As shown, fixed stops 11 are fixedly installed at both ends of the ground rail 1, and fixed arms 29 are fixedly installed on both sides of the frame 21. The ends of the fixed arms 29 are provided with buffers 210. In this embodiment, the buffers 210 are polyurethane buffers. When the electronic control of the transfer car 2 fails, the buffers 210 impact the fixed stops 11 at the end of the ground rail 1. Relying on the microporous structure inside the polyurethane (PU) material, the material undergoes elastic compression upon impact, converting the kinetic energy of the transfer car 2 into the deformation energy inside the material, slowly absorbing the impact, reducing the impact force, and preventing the transfer car 2 from rushing out of the ground rail 1.

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, the floating support plate 4 has an insertion hole on its side wall, and at least one locking mechanism 28 is fixedly installed on the bottom plate of the frame 21. The locking mechanism 28 is a telescopic structure. The lifting mechanism 27 and the locking mechanism 28 are cylinders, hydraulic cylinders or electric cylinders. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 27 is an electric cylinder and the locking mechanism 28 is a cylinder. When the floating support plate 4 is pressed down and moves into place, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism 28 extends and is inserted and fixed inside the insertion hole. During the operation of the transfer device placing the battery pack into the battery rack 6 or picking up the battery pack from the battery rack 6, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism 28 retracts and releases the insertion limit with the insertion hole.

[0043] Using the above scheme, after the floating support plate 4 carries the battery pack and moves into place, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism 28 extends out of the insertion hole to achieve mechanical locking and positioning of the floating support plate 4, locking the vertical position of the floating support plate 4 and preventing the centering clamping mechanism 5 from failing due to speed changes or bumps in the transfer vehicle 2. When it is necessary to lower the battery pack to the battery rack 6 or to fork a new battery pack from the battery rack 6, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism 28 actively retracts, releasing the locking limit on the floating support plate 4, so that the floating support plate 4 can normally cooperate with the forklift to complete elastic reset and displacement adaptation without affecting the normal current exchange operation.

[0044] like Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, a first guide rail 213 is fixedly installed on the top plate 211. The lower end of the fork base plate 31 of the telescopic fork 3 is slidably installed on the first guide rail 213. An adjustable-pitch reduction motor 35 is fixedly installed on the top plate 211. Both the adjustable-pitch reduction motor 35 and the fork reduction motor 32 are dual-output shaft reduction motors. The output shaft of the adjustable-pitch reduction motor 35 is set as a double-ended screw 36, and the two ends of the double-ended screw 36 are respectively threaded to the two fork base plates 31. Figure 4 As shown, the output shaft of the fork reduction motor 32 is configured as a spline sleeve 33 with a spline groove, and the power input shaft of the telescopic fork 3 is configured as a spline shaft 34 that slides with the spline sleeve 33.

[0045] When the adjustable-pitch reduction motor 35 rotates, it can drive the telescopic forks 3 on both sides to move closer or further apart via the double-headed screw 36, thereby adjusting the distance between the telescopic forks 3 on both sides to meet the fork support requirements of different specifications and models of battery packs. Through the sliding fit structure between the spline sleeve 33 of the fork reduction motor 32 and the spline shaft 34 of the telescopic fork 3, the power transmission can still be effectively connected during the fork spacing adjustment sliding process, ensuring that the telescopic fork 3's extension and retraction for picking up and putting down materials is uninterrupted and the transmission does not fail.

[0046] like Figure 10 As shown, a floating clamping plate 56 is provided on one side of the clamping plate 55. A limiting plate for restricting the vertical movement of the battery pack is provided at the upper end of the floating clamping plate 56. Several fixed shafts 57 are fixedly connected to one side of the floating clamping plate 56, and several bushings 58 are provided on one side of the clamping plate 55. An inner plug 510 is provided at the end of each bushing 58. The ends of the fixed shafts 57 extend into the bushings 58 and slide in cooperation with them. A second spring 59 is provided inside each bushing 58. One end of the second spring 59 abuts against the fixed shaft 57, and the other end abuts against the inner plug 510. When the clamping plate 55 moves towards the battery pack for centering and clamping, the floating clamping plate 56 forms an elastic buffer through the second spring 59, which can adaptively compensate for the clamping stroke, preventing excessive rigid clamping force from damaging the battery pack casing. The limiting plate at the upper end of the floating clamping plate 56 can constrain the battery pack from above, limiting its vertical movement.

[0047] like Figure 9 As shown, the bushing 58 has an internal thread, the inner plug 510 is threadedly connected to the bushing 58, and a knob is fixedly connected to the end of the inner plug 510 away from the second spring 59.

[0048] Rotating the knob in either the forward or reverse direction causes the inner plug 510 to move axially within the bushing 58, changing the distance between the inner plug 510 and the end of the fixed shaft 57, thereby adjusting the pre-compression degree of the second spring 59 and adjusting the floating clamping force. The device's adaptability and versatility are improved by adjusting the clamping force of the floating clamping plate 56 to suit battery packs of different weights, shell materials, and sizes, while also ensuring both battery pack clamping stability and battery protection.

[0049] like Figure 11 As shown, the connecting rod 512 includes a threaded sleeve 513, the two sides of the middle part of the threaded sleeve 513 are pivotally connected to the support frame 51, and the lower end of the threaded sleeve 513 is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod 44; a threaded rod 514 is threadedly connected inside the threaded sleeve 513, and a bearing seat 515 is rotatably connected to the end of the threaded rod 514, and one side of the bearing seat 515 is pivotally connected to the drive rod 511.

[0050] In this embodiment, the connecting rod 512 is configured as a telescopic adjustable structure with a threaded sleeve 513 and a threaded rod 514 engaging. The threaded transmission between the threaded sleeve 513 and the threaded rod 514 enables stepless adjustment of the overall length of the connecting rod 512. After adjusting the length of the connecting rod 512, the lever arm ratio and effective stroke of the connecting rod 512 can be changed, thereby controlling the inward sliding distance and maximum clamping stroke of the clamping plate 55. The centering and clamping stroke can be flexibly adjusted according to battery packs of different widths, ensuring effective clamping and alignment of small-sized battery packs while avoiding excessive compression of large-sized battery packs due to excessive clamping stroke, thus adapting to the centering and clamping needs of battery packs of various sizes.

[0051] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery swapping station is provided, including a battery rack 6 and the aforementioned battery pack transfer device. The battery rack 6 is disposed on one or both sides of the ground rail 1. When battery racks 6 are arranged on both sides of the ground rail 1, the telescopic fork 3 adopts a bidirectional telescopic fork to realize the battery pack storage and retrieval operation of the battery racks 6 on both sides of the ground rail 1.

[0052] The above description is merely an example and illustration of the structure of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the scope defined by the structure of the present invention, they should all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack transfer device, comprising a ground rail and a transfer vehicle mounted on the ground rail, the transfer vehicle comprising a frame, with traveling wheels and guide wheels at the lower part of the frame, and at least one set of traveling drive mechanisms for driving the frame to travel along the ground rail on the side wall of the frame; a lifting mechanism and several columns are provided on the bottom plate of the frame, a top plate is provided at the upper end of the columns, the lifting end of the lifting mechanism is connected to the bottom of the top plate, and a plug rod is provided at the lower part of the top plate that is gappedly connected to the columns, characterized in that... The top plate has a through groove, and a floating support plate is intermittently installed in the through groove. Several leg sleeves are fixedly installed on both sides of the lower part of the floating support plate. The leg sleeves are elastically connected to the bottom plate of the frame through a first spring. Several fixed sleeves are fixedly connected to both sides of the floating support plate. A telescopic rod is slidably connected in the fixed sleeve. A telescopic fork is provided on the upper part of the top plate. A fork reduction motor for driving the telescopic fork is provided on the top plate. A centering clamping mechanism is provided on both sides of the frame. The centering clamping mechanism includes a support frame fixedly installed on the bottom plate. A fixed seat is provided at the upper end of the support frame. Several guide grooves are provided on the fixed seat. A second guide rail is provided on the second guide rail. A clamping plate is slidably connected on the second guide rail. A drive rod is slidably connected in the guide groove. The upper end of the drive rod is fixedly connected to the clamping plate. A connecting rod is pivotally connected to the lower end of the drive rod. The other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod. The middle part of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the support frame.

2. The battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The walking drive mechanism includes a walking reduction motor fixedly installed on the side wall of the frame, a gear connected to the output shaft of the walking reduction motor, and a rack fixedly installed on the side wall of the ground rail, with the gear meshing with the rack.

3. The battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping plate of the centering clamping mechanism is arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transfer vehicle.

4. The battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Fixed stops are fixedly installed at both ends of the ground rail, and fixed arms are fixedly installed on both sides of the frame. The ends of the fixed arms are equipped with buffers.

5. A battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating support plate has insertion holes on its side wall, and at least one locking mechanism is fixedly installed on the bottom plate of the vehicle frame. The locking mechanism is a telescopic structure, and the lifting mechanism and the locking mechanism are made of cylinders, hydraulic cylinders or electric cylinders. When the floating support plate is pressed down and moves into place, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism extends and is inserted and fixed inside the insertion hole. During the operation of the transfer device placing the battery pack under the battery rack or picking up the battery pack from the battery rack, the telescopic end of the locking mechanism retracts and releases the insertion limit with the insertion hole.

6. The battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first guide rail is fixedly installed on the top plate. The lower end of the fork base plate of the telescopic fork is slidably installed on the first guide rail. An adjustable pitch reduction motor is fixedly installed on the top plate. Both the adjustable pitch reduction motor and the fork reduction motor are dual-output shaft reduction motors. The output shaft of the adjustable pitch reduction motor is set as a double-ended screw, and the two ends of the double-ended screw are respectively threaded to the two fork base plates. The output shaft of the fork reduction motor is set as a spline sleeve with a spline groove, and the power input shaft of the telescopic fork is set as a spline shaft that slides with the spline sleeve.

7. A battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A floating clamping plate is provided on one side of the clamping plate. A limiting plate for limiting the vertical jump of the battery pack is provided at the upper end of the floating clamping plate. Several fixed shafts are fixedly connected to one side of the floating clamping plate. Several bushings are provided on one side of the clamping plate. The end of the bushing is provided with an inner plug. The end of the fixed shaft extends into the bushing and slides with the bushing. A second spring is provided inside the bushing. One end of the second spring abuts against the fixed shaft, and the other end of the second spring abuts against the inner plug.

8. A battery pack transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bushing has an internal thread, and the inner plug is threadedly connected to the bushing. A knob is fixedly connected to the end of the inner plug that is away from the second spring.

9. A battery pack transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod includes a threaded sleeve, both sides of which are pivotally connected to the support frame, and the lower end of the threaded sleeve is pivotally connected to the end of the telescopic rod; a threaded rod is threadedly connected inside the threaded sleeve, and a bearing seat is rotatably connected to the end of the threaded rod, with one side of the bearing seat pivotally connected to the drive rod.

10. A battery swapping station, characterized in that, The device includes a battery rack and a battery pack transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the battery rack is arranged on one or both sides of the ground rail; when battery racks are arranged on both sides of the ground rail, the telescopic fork adopts a bidirectional telescopic fork to realize the battery pack storage and retrieval operation of the battery racks on both sides of the ground rail.

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