Battery transfer system and battery replacing station

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery transfer system and a battery swap station, the battery transfer system is used for transferring a battery pack in the battery swap station, the battery transfer system comprises a first transfer position, a second transfer position and a transfer trolley, and the transfer trolley has a moving state and an interaction state; in the moving state, the transfer trolley reciprocates between the first transfer station and the second transfer station; a fixedly-arranged battery replacing device is arranged on one side of the first transfer station, a battery taking and placing device is arranged on at least one side of the second transfer station, and in the interaction state, the transfer trolley stops at the first transfer station and interacts with the battery replacing device for a battery pack or stops at the second transfer station and interacts with the battery taking and placing device for the battery pack. The transfer trolley can be in reciprocating butt joint between the battery taking and placing device and the battery replacing device to achieve efficient transfer of the battery pack, the problem that the manufacturing, using and maintaining cost is high due to the fact that the structure of the battery replacing device is too complex can be solved, multiple sets of battery transfer systems are adaptively arranged in a single battery replacing station, and the battery replacing efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery transfer, in particular to a battery transfer system and a battery swapping station. Background Art

[0002] At present, the power supply methods of electric vehicles mainly include direct charging and quick battery swapping. The quick battery swapping generally adopts the detachable installation method of battery packs for quick replacement, that is: charging the replaced battery packs (usually in the battery swapping station), and installing other battery packs with stored power on the vehicle body. With the continuous increase in the number of electric vehicles, higher requirements are also put forward for the battery swapping efficiency of quick battery swapping.

[0003] In the existing quick battery swapping process, usually the battery swapping device also serves as a battery transfer device, which integrates a series of functions such as battery transfer and battery swapping. When it is necessary to swap the battery of the battery swapping vehicle, the battery swapping device has to move back and forth between the battery swapping vehicle and the battery taking and placing device to take and place the battery packs, which results in the existence / extension of the battery swapping waiting time, and thus leads to the reduction of the battery swapping efficiency. In addition, integrating too many functions on the battery swapping device is likely to cause the complex structure of the battery swapping device, and the manufacturing, use and maintenance costs are all relatively high; and the complex structure is likely to cause the increase of the vertical size of the battery swapping device, affecting the adaptability of the battery swapping device to the bottom battery swapping vehicle.

[0004] It can be seen that there are still certain defects in the prior art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a battery transfer system and a battery swapping station, which can efficiently complete the battery pack interaction between the battery swapping device and the battery taking and placing device in the battery swapping station, improve the battery swapping efficiency and avoid the problems of high manufacturing, use and maintenance costs caused by the over-complex functional structure of the battery swapping device.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In the first aspect, the utility model provides a battery transfer system, which is used for transferring battery packs in a battery swapping station, including a first transfer position, a second transfer position and a transfer vehicle. The transfer vehicle has a moving state and an interaction state; in the moving state, the transfer vehicle reciprocally moves between the first transfer position and the second transfer position; on one side of the first transfer position, a fixedly arranged battery swapping device is provided, and on at least one side of the second transfer position, a battery taking and placing device is provided. In the interaction state, the transfer vehicle docks at the first transfer position to interact with the battery swapping device for the battery pack or docks at the second transfer position to interact with the battery taking and placing device for the battery pack.

[0008] In the above solution, the position of the battery swapping device is fixed at the battery swapping station. The transfer vehicle can efficiently reciprocate and dock between the battery picking and placing device and the battery swapping device to achieve efficient transfer of the battery pack, facilitating the interaction of the battery pack between the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device, effectively improving the battery swapping efficiency. At the same time, it can avoid the problem that the battery swapping device integrates the battery pack transfer function, resulting in an overly complex structure of the battery swapping device and high manufacturing, use, and maintenance costs. Moreover, it can also reduce the impact of the need for multiple positioning and matching between the battery swapping device and the battery swapping vehicle on the battery swapping efficiency.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the transfer vehicle includes a moving mechanism, a carrying mechanism disposed above the moving mechanism, and a stretching mechanism connected to the carrying mechanism. The stretching mechanism can stretch towards the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device to achieve the interaction of the battery pack.

[0010] In the above solution, the stretching mechanism can complete efficient battery pack handover with the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device, avoiding the need for additional structures such as robotic arms to carry the battery pack, saving equipment costs and installation space.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, along the moving direction of the transfer vehicle, at least one end of the carrying mechanism is provided with a limiting mechanism. The limiting mechanism has a first state and a second state that can be switched with each other. When the transfer vehicle is in the moving state and carrying the battery pack at the same time, the limiting mechanism maintains the first state and at least a part of it is higher than the upper surface of the stretching mechanism to limit the battery pack. When the transfer vehicle is in the interaction state, the limiting mechanism maintains the second state and is not higher than the upper surface of the stretching mechanism to avoid interfering with the interaction of the battery pack.

[0012] In the above solution, the setting of the limiting mechanism can limit and fix the battery pack during the transfer process of the battery pack, avoiding the battery pack from slipping when the transfer vehicle starts / stops suddenly and when it needs to stop urgently due to obstacle avoidance / failure during the transfer process, ensuring the safety of the transfer.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the transfer vehicle further includes a rotating mechanism. The lower end of the rotating mechanism is connected to the carrying mechanism, and the stretching mechanism is fixed to the upper end of the rotating mechanism, so that when the rotating mechanism rotates relative to the carrying mechanism, it drives the stretching mechanism to rotate synchronously.

[0014] In the above solution, by setting the rotating mechanism, the extending mechanism can rotate relative to the bearing mechanism, so that the extending direction of the extending structure can be adjusted, which enables the extending mechanism to correspond to the power exchange devices / battery pick-up and placement devices in multiple directions, improving the transfer efficiency of a single transfer vehicle. Especially for the battery pick-up and placement device, it can be arranged on each side of the second transfer position. At the same time, the battery pick-up and placement devices located on each side correspond to at least one battery rack, realizing the transfer of battery packs between the transfer vehicle and the battery rack. Such a setting greatly improves the battery storage capacity of the power exchange station without increasing the number of transfer vehicles.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the moving mechanism includes a first guide rail, a first sliding part, and a first driving member. The first guide rail is arranged to extend from the first transfer position to the second transfer position. The first sliding part is arranged at the bottom of the bearing mechanism and cooperates with the first guide rail. The first driving member is used to drive the bearing mechanism to move along the guide rail.

[0016] In the above solution, the first guide rail provides a moving path for the bearing mechanism, and through the cooperation between the first guide rail and the first sliding part, the limit cooperation between the first guide rail and the bearing mechanism can be realized, which is beneficial to ensuring the stability of the bearing mechanism when carrying the battery pack and has high safety; and the above structural setting is simple, easy to maintain, and has low use cost.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, it further includes a detection mechanism, which is used to detect the moving amount of the bearing mechanism and feedback to control the first driving member.

[0018] By setting the detection mechanism, it is beneficial to accurately detect the moving amount of the bearing mechanism and its accurate position on the first guide rail, so as to facilitate the accurate control of the start and stop of the first driving member; it is not only beneficial to ensure that the bearing mechanism can accurately reach the first transfer position and the second transfer position to complete the battery transfer work, but also beneficial to reasonably allocate the working conditions of the first driving member and reduce energy consumption; at the same time, it is also beneficial to avoid collisions between the bearing mechanism and the power exchange device or the battery pick-up and placement device, resulting in damage to the equipment or the battery pack.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the first driving member includes a first motor, a first gear, and a first rack. The first driving member is fixed on the bearing mechanism. The first gear is connected to the output end of the first motor. The first rack is arranged parallel to the first guide rail. The first gear meshes with the first rack so that the first motor can accurately control the moving amount of the bearing mechanism.

[0020] In the above solution, the first gear and the first rack are in meshing fit. This fit structure is more precise compared to ordinary wheel-rail fits. At the same time, the motor also has advantages such as fast response speed and easy control. Therefore, adopting the above solution facilitates more precise control of the movement of the bearing mechanism.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the extending mechanism includes a mounting plate and two extending arms arranged in parallel. The limiting mechanism includes a limiting member and a second driving member. The limiting member is disposed on the mounting plate and located between the two extending arms. The second driving member can drive the limiting member to rotate or lift to switch the limiting member to the first state located above the extending arms or to the second state located below the extending arms.

[0022] In the above solution, the limiting member can limit or release the battery pack through linear motion or rotation in the vertical direction. Preferably, the rotation solution is adopted. Compared with the linear motion solution, adopting the rotation solution is convenient for strengthening the limiting member in the horizontal direction, improving its limiting ability, and ensuring the strength of the limiting structure.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the limiting member includes a fixing portion, a rotating portion, and a baffle. The fixing portion is fixed on the mounting plate. The first end of the rotating portion is pivotally connected to the fixing portion, and the second end is connected with an upward-extending baffle. Moreover, an extending portion extending downward is provided at the bottom of the second end. The extending portion and the rotating portion are smoothly transitioned. The second driving member abuts against the rotating portion and / or below the extending portion. The second driving member can move between the first end and the second end to drive the baffle to lift.

[0024] In the above solution, the rotating portion is pivotally connected to the fixing portion. By the movement of the second driving member in the horizontal direction, it is possible to drive the rotating portion and the baffle to move relative to the battery pack in the vertical direction to limit and fix the battery pack. The entire limiting member occupies less installation space in the vertical direction, which is beneficial to reducing the height of the equipment, and thus more convenient for the interaction of the battery pack with the battery swapping device or the battery picking and placing device.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the second driving member includes a second guide rail, a second sliding portion, a rolling portion, and a driving portion. The second sliding portion and the rolling portion are arranged in parallel and are both connected to the driving portion. The rolling portion abuts against the rotating portion and / or below the extending portion to push against the rotating portion and / or the extending portion. The second sliding portion and the second guide rail cooperate to enable the second sliding portion to move along a preset path.

[0026] In the above solution, the driving part can preferably be a driving cylinder and is arranged in the horizontal direction. Adopting this setting method can make full use of the installation space inside the extending mechanism and is beneficial to reducing the installation space occupied by the second driving part in the vertical direction, avoiding interference with the transfer and interaction of the battery pack. By setting the second sliding part, the rolling part can move along a preset path when pushing against the rotating part and / or the extending part, so as not to cause deviation and lead to the failure of pushing against the rotating part and / or the extending part, ensuring the reliability of the limiting part.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a battery swapping station, including a battery swapping device, a battery picking and placing device, and the battery transfer system as described above. The transfer vehicle reciprocates between the first transfer position and the second transfer position to interact with the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device for the battery pack.

[0028] In the above solution, the transfer vehicle completes the transfer of the battery pack between the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device. Compared with the prior art in which the functions of unlocking the battery swapping, adapting and adjusting the battery, positioning for walking and transporting, and lifting are all integrated into the battery swapping equipment / battery swapping device, it can avoid the complex structure of the equipment and the difficulty of maintenance, and can also avoid the disadvantages such as difficult debugging and low stability caused by the simultaneous positioning of the vehicle positioning system and the battery swapping equipment / battery swapping device, thus being beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, there are two battery transfer systems, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the battery swapping device; there are two battery picking and placing devices, which are respectively located on the side of the battery transfer system away from the battery swapping device.

[0030] In the above solution, by respectively arranging battery transfer systems on both sides of the battery swapping device, the battery transfer system on one side provides a fully charged battery to be installed on the vehicle, and the battery transfer system on the other side receives the discharged battery removed from the vehicle, thus greatly improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, there are multiple battery picking and placing devices, and the multiple battery picking and placing devices are respectively located on different sides of the second transfer position. The transfer vehicle can rotate to different sides of the second transfer position to interact with each battery picking and placing device for the battery pack.

[0032] In the above solution, by arranging a plurality of battery loading and unloading devices on different sides, and each battery loading and unloading device corresponding to the battery rack on its respective side, the battery storage capacity of the battery swapping station is greatly increased; at the same time, since the transfer vehicle of the battery transfer system has a steering function, it can be docked and interacted with the battery loading and unloading devices on different sides, so that the battery pack can enter the corresponding battery rack or obtain the battery pack from the corresponding battery rack, thereby improving the battery storage capacity without increasing the number of transfer vehicles, and further improving the space utilization rate in the battery swapping station. Further, the number and corresponding setting methods of the first transfer position, the second transfer position and the transfer vehicle can be adaptively adjusted according to the construction scale of the battery swapping station, so as to improve the economy while ensuring the battery swapping efficiency.

[0033] In summary, the battery transfer system disclosed in the present application can efficiently reciprocate and dock between the battery loading and unloading device and the battery swapping device to achieve efficient transfer of the battery pack, thereby avoiding the problem that the battery swapping device integrates the battery pack transfer function, which makes the structure of the battery swapping device too complex and leads to high manufacturing, use and maintenance costs, and can also reduce the impact of the need for multiple positioning and matching between the battery swapping device and the battery swapping vehicle on the battery swapping efficiency. Moreover, in the battery swapping station disclosed in the present application, multiple sets of the foregoing battery transfer systems can be adapted, and the layout mode of the battery transfer system can be adaptively adjusted according to the scale and / or installation space limitation of the battery swapping station to obtain the best economic benefits while ensuring the battery swapping efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and constitute a part of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery transfer system in an example;

[0036] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a transfer vehicle in an example;

[0037] Figure 3 It is a front view structural diagram of a transfer vehicle in an example;

[0038] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a limiting mechanism in an example;

[0039] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the limiting mechanism from another perspective in an example;

[0040] Figure 6 It is a side view structural diagram of a limiting mechanism in an example.

[0041] List of components and reference numerals:

[0042] 11 First transfer position, 12 Second transfer position;

[0043] 21 Battery swapping device, 22 Battery picking and placing device;

[0044] 3 Transfer vehicle, 31 Moving mechanism, 311 First guide rail, 312 First sliding part, 313 First motor, 314 First gear, 315 First rack, 32 Loading mechanism, 321 Loading rack, 322 First fixing plate, 323 Second fixing plate, 33 Extending mechanism, 331 Mounting plate, 332 Extending arm, 333 Third motor, 341 Limiting part, 3411 Fixing part, 3412 Rotating part, 3413 Baffle, 3414 Extending part, 342 Second driving part, 3421 Second sliding part, 3422 Second guide rail, 3423 Rolling part, 3424 Driving part, 351 Slewing bearing, 352 Second gear, 353 Second motor;

[0045] 4 Battery pack. Detailed implementation mode

[0046] In order to more clearly illustrate the overall concept of the present utility model, the following will be further described in detail by way of examples in combination with the accompanying drawings of the specification.

[0047] It should be noted that many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to fully understand the present utility model. However, the present utility model can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited by the specific implementation modes disclosed below.

[0048] As Figure 1-4 shown, the present application provides a battery transfer system, which is applied in a battery swapping station for transferring the battery pack 4. The battery transfer system includes a first transfer position 11, a second transfer position 12 and a transfer vehicle 3. The transfer vehicle 3 has a moving state and an interaction state. In the moving state, the transfer vehicle 3 reciprocates between the first transfer position 11 and the second transfer position 12. A fixedly arranged battery swapping device 21 is provided on one side of the first transfer position 11, and a battery picking and placing device 22 is provided on at least one side of the second transfer position 12. In the interaction state, the transfer vehicle 3 docks at the first transfer position 11 to interact with the battery swapping device 21 for the battery pack 4 or docks at the second transfer position 12 to interact with the battery picking and placing device 22 for the battery pack 4.

[0049] In the above solution, the transfer vehicle 3 can efficiently reciprocate and dock between the battery picking and placing device 22 and the battery swapping device 21 to achieve efficient transfer of the battery pack 4. This enables the battery swapping device 21 to be fixed at the battery swapping station to perform the battery swapping operation. Compared with the existing battery swapping device 21 that integrates the transfer function of the battery pack 4, it can avoid the problem that the complex structure of the battery swapping device 21 due to integrating the battery pack 4 transfer function leads to high manufacturing, usage, and maintenance costs. Moreover, it can also reduce the impact of the battery swapping device 21's round-trip battery picking and placing and the need for multiple positioning and matching between the battery picking and placing device 22 and the battery swapping vehicle on the battery swapping efficiency.

[0050] Further, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 as shown, the transfer vehicle 3 includes a moving mechanism 31, a carrying mechanism 32 disposed above the moving mechanism 31, and an extending mechanism 33 connected to the carrying mechanism 32. The extending mechanism 33 can extend towards the battery swapping device 21 and the battery picking and placing device 22 to interact with the battery pack 4. In one example, continuing to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 as shown, the above-mentioned carrying mechanism 32 includes a carrying frame 321, a first fixing plate 322 disposed on the upper part of the carrying frame 321, and a second fixing plate 323 disposed on the lower part of the carrying frame 322. The extending mechanism 33 is disposed on the upper part of the first fixing plate 322. The carrying frame 321 and the second fixing plate 323 are connected to the aforementioned moving mechanism 31. The structure of the above-mentioned carrying mechanism 32 is simple, convenient to assemble, and has low processing cost, usage cost, and maintenance cost.

[0051] It should be noted here that the structure and setting method of the carrying mechanism 32 in this application are not limited to the above example. The above example is only a preferred example of this application, and it can also adopt many other different structures and setting methods. This application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0052] In the above solution, the extending mechanism 33 can complete efficient handover of the battery pack 4 with the battery swapping device 21 and the battery picking and placing device 22. With this setting method, for the cooperation between the transfer vehicle 3 and the battery swapping device 21, after the extending mechanism 33 transfers the battery pack 4 to the battery swapping device 21, the battery swapping device 21 can directly perform the battery swapping operation, eliminating steps such as the movement of the battery swapping device 21, which is beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency; for the transfer vehicle 3 and the battery picking and placing device 22, it avoids setting up structures such as robotic arms to carry the battery pack 4, saving equipment costs and installation space.

[0053] Further, referring to Figure 2As shown, along the moving direction of the transporter 3, at least one end of the carrying mechanism 32 is provided with a limiting mechanism, which has a first state and a second state that can be switched with each other. When the transporter 3 is in the moving state and carrying the battery pack 4 at the same time, the limiting mechanism maintains the first state and at least a part of it is higher than the upper surface of the extending mechanism 33 to limit the battery pack 4; when the transporter 3 is in the interaction state, the limiting mechanism maintains the second state and is not higher than the upper surface of the extending mechanism 33 to avoid interfering with the interaction of the battery pack 4.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, there are two limiting mechanisms, and the two limiting devices are arranged at both ends of the carrying mechanism 32 along the extending direction of the extending mechanism 33, and the two limiting devices 34 are staggered in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the extending mechanism 33.

[0055] In the above solution, when the limiting mechanism is in the first state, at least a part of the limiting mechanism is higher than the upper surface of the extending mechanism 33, so as to realize the limitation of the battery pack 4, and then the battery pack 4 can be limited and fixed during the transportation process of the battery pack 4, avoiding the battery pack 4 from slipping when the transporter 3 starts / stops instantaneously and when avoiding obstacles / failing during the transportation process and needing to stop urgently, thus ensuring the transportation safety.

[0056] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the transporter 3 further includes a rotating mechanism, the lower end of the rotating mechanism is connected to the second fixing part 323, and the extending mechanism 33 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating mechanism, so that the rotating mechanism drives the extending mechanism 33 to rotate synchronously when rotating relative to the carrying mechanism 32.

[0057] In the above solution, the carrying mechanism 32 can rotate with the rotation of the rotating mechanism, so that the extending direction of the extending structure can be adjusted, which also enables the extending mechanism 33 to correspond to the power exchange devices 21 / battery picking and placing devices 22 in multiple directions, improving the transportation efficiency of a single transporter 3.

[0058] The following further illustrates the transportation system in the present application through an example:

[0059] In this example, referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the moving mechanism 31 includes a first guide rail 311, a first sliding portion 312 and a first driving member. The first guide rail 311 is arranged to extend from the first transfer position 11 to the second transfer position 12. The first sliding portion 312 is arranged at the bottom of the bearing mechanism 32 and cooperates with the first guide rail 311. The first driving member is used to drive the bearing mechanism 32 to move along the guide rail. The first guide rail 311 provides a moving path for the bearing mechanism 32, and the cooperation between the first guide rail 311 and the first sliding portion 312 can realize the limited cooperation between the first guide rail 311 and the bearing mechanism 32, which is conducive to ensuring the stability of the bearing mechanism 32 when carrying the battery pack 4 and moving, and has high safety. In addition, the above structure is simple to set, easy to maintain, and has low cost.

[0060] As a preferred embodiment of this example, the battery transfer system is also provided with a detection mechanism, which is used to detect the movement of the carrying mechanism 32 and feedback control the first drive member. The detection mechanism is provided to facilitate accurate detection of the movement of the carrying mechanism 32 and its accurate position on the first guide rail 311, thereby facilitating accurate control of the start and stop of the first drive member; it is beneficial to ensure that the carrying mechanism 32 can accurately reach the first transfer position 11 and the second transfer position 12 to complete the battery transfer work, and it is also beneficial to reasonably allocate the working conditions of the first drive member and reduce energy consumption; at the same time, it is also beneficial to avoid collision between the carrying mechanism 32 and the battery replacement device 21 or the battery placement device 22, resulting in damage to the equipment or battery pack 4.

[0061] Continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown, the rotating mechanism includes a slewing bearing 351 and a rotating drive. The inner ring of the slewing bearing 351 is connected to the upper part of the supporting mechanism 32, and the outer ring of the slewing bearing 351 is connected to the mounting plate 331, and the outer ring of the slewing bearing 351 can rotate relative to the inner ring; the rotating drive includes a second gear 352 and a second motor 353. The edge of the outer ring of the slewing bearing 351 is provided with a gear ring adapted to the second gear 352. The second motor 353 drives the second gear 352 to rotate and then drives the slewing bearing 351 and the extension mechanism 33, the limiting mechanism, etc. on the upper part of the slewing bearing 351 to rotate.

[0062] Continue to refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the figure, the first driving member in this embodiment preferably includes a first motor 313, a first gear 314, and a first rack 315. The first driving member is fixed on the carrying mechanism 32. The first gear 314 is connected to the output end of the first motor 313. The first rack 315 is arranged parallel to the first guide rail 311. The first gear 314 meshes with the first rack 315 so that the first motor 313 can accurately control the moving amount of the carrying mechanism 32. The meshing between the first gear 314 and the first rack 315 is a meshing fit. This fit structure is more precise compared to ordinary wheel-rail fits. At the same time, the motor also has advantages such as fast response speed and easy control. Therefore, adopting the above solution facilitates more accurate control of the movement of the carrying mechanism 32.

[0063] It should be noted here that this application does not specifically limit the structure and setting method of the first driving member and the rotating mechanism. The above solution is only a preferred solution in this embodiment, and other more different setting solutions can also be adopted.

[0064] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the extending mechanism 33 in this embodiment includes a mounting plate 331 and two parallel extending arms 332, and further includes a third motor 333 connected to the extending arms 332. The third motor 33 drives the extending arms 332 to move relative to the mounting plate 331. The limiting mechanism includes a limiting member 341 and a second driving member 342. The limiting member 341 is arranged on the mounting plate 331. The second driving member 342 can drive the limiting member 341 to rotate or lift to switch the limiting member 341 to the first state located above the extending arms 332 or to the second state located below the extending arms 332. The limiting member 341 can limit or release the battery pack 4 through linear movement or rotation in the vertical direction. Preferably, the rotation scheme is adopted. Compared with the linear movement scheme, adopting the rotation scheme is convenient for strengthening the limiting member 341 in the horizontal direction, improving its limiting ability, and ensuring the strength of the limiting structure.

[0065] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the limiting member 341 includes a fixing portion 3411, a rotating portion 3412, and a baffle 3413. The fixing portion 3411 is fixed to the mounting plate 331. The first end of the rotating portion 3412 is pivotally connected to the fixing portion 3411, and the second end is connected to an upwardly extending baffle 3413. Moreover, a downwardly extending extension portion 3414 is provided at the bottom of the second end. The extension portion 3414 and the rotating portion 3412 are smoothly transitioned. The second driving member 342 abuts against the rotating portion 3412 and / or below the extension portion 3414. The second driving member 342 can move between the first end and the second end to drive the baffle 3413 to move up and down. The second driving member 342 includes a second guide rail 3422, a second sliding portion 3421, a rolling portion 3423, and a driving portion 3423. The second sliding portion 3421 and the rolling portion 3423 are arranged in parallel and are both connected to the driving portion 3423. The rolling portion 3423 abuts against the rotating portion 3412 and / or below the extension portion 3414 to push against the rotating portion 3412 and / or the extension portion 3414. The second sliding portion 3421 and the second guide rail 3422 cooperate so that the second sliding portion 3421 moves along a preset path. It should be noted here that the present application does not specifically limit the structure of the limiting member 341 and its setting method. The above solution is only a preferred solution in this example, and other more different setting solutions can also be adopted.

[0066] In the above solution, the rotating portion 3412 is pivotally connected to the fixing portion 3411. By moving the second driving member 342 in the horizontal direction, the rotating portion 3412 and the baffle 3413 can be driven to move relative to the battery pack 4 in the vertical direction to limit and fix the battery pack 4. The entire limiting member 341 occupies less installation space in the vertical direction, which is beneficial to reducing the height of the device, thereby facilitating the interaction of the battery pack 4 with the battery swapping device 21 or the battery picking and placing device 22 more conveniently. And in the above solution, the driving portion 3423 can preferably be a driving cylinder and is arranged in the horizontal direction. Adopting this setting method can make full use of the installation space inside the extending mechanism 33 and is beneficial to reducing the installation space occupied by the second driving member 342 in the vertical direction, avoiding interference with the transfer and interaction of the battery pack 4. By setting the second sliding portion 3421, the rolling portion 3423 can move along a preset path when pushing against the rotating portion 3412 and / or the extension portion 3414, so as not to cause deviation and result in the failure of pushing against the rotating portion 3412 and / or the extension portion 3414, ensuring the reliability of the limiting member 341.

[0067] It should be noted here that the above example is only a preferred example of the present application, and the battery transfer system in the present application is not limited to the above example.

[0068] Further, the present application also discloses a battery swapping station, which includes a battery swapping device 21, a battery picking and placing device 22, and the above-mentioned battery transfer system. The transfer vehicle 3 reciprocates between the first transfer position 11 and the second transfer position to interact with the battery swapping device 21 and the battery picking and placing device 22 for the battery pack 4. In the above solution, the transfer vehicle 3 completes the conversion of the battery pack 4 between the battery swapping device 21 and the battery picking and placing device 22. Compared with the prior art in which the battery swapping unlocking function, the battery adaptation adjustment function, the walking and transportation positioning function, and the lifting function are all integrated into the battery swapping device 21, it can avoid the complex equipment structure and difficult maintenance, and can also avoid the disadvantages of difficult debugging and low stability caused by the simultaneous positioning of the vehicle positioning system and the battery swapping device 21, thus being beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0069] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, there are two battery transfer systems and two battery picking and placing devices 22 in the battery swapping station. The two battery transfer systems are respectively located on opposite sides of the battery swapping device 21, and the two battery picking and placing devices 22 are respectively located on the side of the battery transfer system away from the battery swapping device 21.

[0070] In the above solution, by respectively arranging the battery transfer systems on both sides of the battery swapping device, the fully charged battery to be installed on the vehicle is provided by the battery transfer system on one side, and the discharged battery removed from the vehicle is received by the battery transfer system on the other side, thus greatly improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0071] Alternatively, there are multiple battery picking and placing devices 22, and the multiple battery picking and placing devices 22 are respectively located on different sides of the second transfer position 12. The transfer vehicle 3 can rotate to different sides of the second transfer position 12 to interact with each battery picking and placing device 22 for the battery pack 4.

[0072] In the above solution, by arranging multiple battery picking and placing devices on different sides, and each battery picking and placing device corresponds to a battery rack on its respective side, the battery storage capacity of the battery swapping station is greatly increased; at the same time, since the transfer vehicle of the battery transfer system has a steering function, it can be docked and interacted with the battery picking and placing devices on different sides, so that the battery pack can enter the corresponding battery rack or obtain the battery pack from the corresponding battery rack, thereby improving the battery storage capacity without increasing the number of transfer vehicles, and further improving the space utilization rate in the battery swapping station. Further, the setting quantity and corresponding setting method of the first transfer position 11, the second transfer position 12, and the transfer vehicle 3 can be adaptively adjusted according to the construction scale of the battery swapping station, so as to improve the economy while ensuring the battery swapping efficiency.

[0073] In summary, the battery transfer system disclosed in the present application can efficiently reciprocally dock between the battery picking and placing device 22 and the battery swapping device 21 to achieve efficient transfer of the battery pack 4, thereby avoiding the problem that the battery swapping device 21 integrates the battery pack 4 transfer function, resulting in an overly complex structure of the battery swapping device 21 and high manufacturing, use, and maintenance costs. Moreover, it can also reduce the impact of multiple positioning and matching between the battery swapping device 21 and the battery swapping vehicle on the battery swapping efficiency. In addition, multiple sets of the aforementioned battery transfer systems can be adapted in the battery swapping station disclosed in the present application, and the layout of the battery transfer systems can be adaptively adjusted according to the scale and / or installation space limitation of the battery swapping station to obtain the best economic benefits while ensuring the battery swapping efficiency.

[0074] The technical solution protected by the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. It should be noted that the combination of the technical solution of any one embodiment with the technical solutions of one or more other embodiments is within the protection scope of the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with general descriptions and specific embodiments above, based on the present utility model, some modifications or improvements can be made, which are obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model all belong to the scope of protection required by the present utility model.

Claims

1. A battery transfer system for transferring battery packs in a battery swapping station, characterized in that, It includes a first transfer position, a second transfer position, and a transfer vehicle. The transfer vehicle has a moving state and an interaction state. In the moving state, the transfer vehicle reciprocates between the first transfer position and the second transfer position. On one side of the first transfer position, there is a fixedly arranged battery swapping device, and on at least one side of the second transfer position, there is a battery picking and placing device. In the interaction state, the transfer vehicle docks at the first transfer position to interact with the battery swapping device for the battery pack or docks at the second transfer position to interact with the battery picking and placing device for the battery pack.

2. The battery transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer vehicle includes a moving mechanism, a carrying mechanism arranged above the moving mechanism, and an extending mechanism connected to the carrying mechanism. The extending mechanism can extend towards the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device to achieve interaction with the battery pack.

3. The battery transfer system according to claim 2, wherein Along the moving direction of the transfer vehicle, at least one end of the carrying mechanism is provided with a limiting mechanism. The limiting mechanism has a first state and a second state that can be switched with each other. When the transfer vehicle is in the moving state and carrying the battery pack at the same time, the limiting mechanism maintains the first state and at least part of it is higher than the upper surface of the extending mechanism to limit the battery pack. When the transfer vehicle is in the interaction state, the limiting mechanism maintains the second state and is not higher than the upper surface of the extending mechanism to avoid interfering with the interaction of the battery pack.

4. The battery transfer system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer vehicle further includes a rotating mechanism. The lower end of the rotating mechanism is connected to the carrying mechanism, and the extending mechanism is fixed to the upper end of the rotating mechanism, so that when the rotating mechanism rotates relative to the carrying mechanism, it drives the extending mechanism to rotate synchronously.

5. The battery transfer system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The moving mechanism includes a first guide rail, a first sliding part, and a first driving part. The first guide rail is arranged to extend from the first transfer position to the second transfer position. The first sliding part is arranged at the bottom of the carrying mechanism and cooperates with the first guide rail. The first driving part is used to drive the carrying mechanism to move along the guide rail.

6. The battery transfer system according to claim 5, wherein It further includes a detection mechanism. The detection mechanism is used to detect the moving amount of the carrying mechanism and feedback to control the first driving part.

7. The battery transfer system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first driving part includes a first motor, a first gear, and a first rack. The first driving part is fixed on the carrying mechanism. The first gear is connected to the output end of the first motor. The first rack is arranged parallel to the first guide rail. The first gear meshes with the first rack so that the first motor can accurately control the moving amount of the carrying mechanism.

8. The battery transfer system according to claim 3, wherein The extending mechanism includes a mounting plate and two parallel extending arms. The limiting mechanism includes a limiting part and a second driving part. The limiting part is arranged on the mounting plate and located between the two extending arms. The second driving part can drive the limiting part to rotate or lift to switch the limiting part to the first state located above the extending arms or to the second state located below the extending arms.

9. The battery transfer system according to claim 8, wherein, The limiting member includes a fixing portion, a rotating portion and a baffle. The fixing portion is fixed on the mounting plate. The first end of the rotating portion is pivotally connected to the fixing portion, and the second end is connected with a baffle extending upward. And a downward extending extension portion is provided at the bottom of the second end. The extension portion and the rotating portion are smoothly transitioned. The second driving member abuts below the rotating portion and / or the extension portion, and the second driving member can move between the first end and the second end to drive the baffle to lift and lower.

10. The battery transfer system according to claim 9, wherein, The second driving member includes a second guide rail, a second sliding portion, a rolling portion and a driving portion. The second sliding portion and the rolling portion are arranged in parallel and are both connected to the driving portion. The rolling portion abuts below the rotating portion and / or the extension portion to push against the rotating portion and / or the extension portion. The second sliding portion and the second guide rail cooperate so that the second sliding portion moves along a preset path.

11. A power exchange station, characterized in that, It includes a battery swapping device, a battery picking and placing device and the battery transfer system according to any one of claims 1-10. The transfer vehicle reciprocates between the first transfer position and the second transfer position to interact with the battery swapping device and the battery picking and placing device for the battery pack.

12. The swapping station according to claim 11, wherein, There are two battery transfer systems, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the battery swapping device; there are two battery picking and placing devices, which are respectively located on the side of the battery transfer system away from the battery swapping device.

13. The battery swapping station according to claim 11, wherein There are multiple battery picking and placing devices, and the multiple battery picking and placing devices are respectively located on different sides of the second transfer position. The transfer vehicle can rotate to different sides of the second transfer position to interact with each battery picking and placing device for the battery pack.

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