Battery swap station

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery swap station, and relates to the technical field of battery swap. A station body support of the battery replacing station is provided with a moving channel and a placing area, and a first channel end of the moving channel is used for accessing a battery pack of a vehicle; at least part of the transfer mechanism is movably connected with the second channel end of the moving channel so as to transfer the battery pack from the second channel end to the placement area, and the detection end of the first detection device is arranged opposite to the moving channel; for the battery pack entering from the first channel end, the first detection device is used for detecting foreign matters on one of the top surface of the boss and the surface of the body; and for the battery pack moving from the second channel end to the placement area, the second detection device is used for detecting foreign matters on the other one of the top surface of the boss and the surface of the body. The power swap station can separately detect foreign matters on the top surface of the boss and the surface of the body through the first detection device and the second detection device, so that shielding of the boss to a detection signal is reduced when the foreign matters on the surface of the body are detected, and the success rate of foreign matter detection is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery swapping technology, and in particular to a battery swapping station. Background Art

[0002] For vehicles powered by battery packs, these packs become depleted after consuming a significant amount of power. Related technologies involve removing depleted batteries from the vehicle and storing them at a battery swap station. Some battery swap stations are equipped with charging systems that recharge depleted batteries and deliver fully charged batteries and other battery packs to the vehicle.

[0003] When installing a fully charged battery pack into a vehicle, the surface of the battery pack must conform to the vehicle. During installation, foreign matter such as sand, gravel, and iron filings on the surface of the battery pack can be easily squeezed by the vehicle and damage the battery pack.

[0004] Related technologies use a light source emitter to emit light at a certain angle toward the surface to be inspected, and a light pickup element detects the reflected light to determine whether there is any foreign object on the surface. Because some battery packs have protrusions on the surface, these protrusions can block the surface at certain angles, easily leading to failure in foreign object detection on the battery pack surface. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to propose a charging station that aims to improve the success rate of foreign object detection.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the battery swap station proposed in the present application includes a station body support, a transfer mechanism, a first detection device and a second detection device, the station body support has a movable channel and a placement area, the first channel end of the movable channel is used to be arranged opposite to the vehicle, the first channel end is used to connect the battery pack of the vehicle, and the main surface of the battery pack has a boss; at least part of the transfer mechanism is movably connected to the second channel end of the movable channel, and the transfer mechanism is used to transfer the battery pack from the second channel end to the placement area; the first detection device is relatively fixed to the station body support, and the detection end of the first detection device is arranged opposite to the movable channel; for the battery pack entering from the first channel end, the first detection device is used to detect foreign objects on one of the top surface of the boss and the surface of the main body; the second detection device is installed on the station body support or the transfer mechanism; for the battery pack moving from the second channel end to the placement area, the second detection device is used to detect foreign objects on the other of the top surface of the boss and the surface of the main body.

[0007] When in use, the battery swap station in the technical solution of the present application can connect to the battery pack of the vehicle through the first channel end, and can move the battery pack to the second channel end through the movable channel, and then transfer the battery pack to the placement area through the transfer mechanism; for the battery pack entering from the first channel end and the battery pack moving from the second channel end to the placement area, the battery swap station can separately detect foreign objects on the top surface of the boss and the surface of the main body through the first detection device and the second detection device, which is beneficial to reduce the obstruction of the boss to the detection signal when detecting foreign objects on the surface of the main body, and is beneficial to improving the success rate of foreign object detection.

[0008] Optionally, the length direction of the movable channel is set along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss; the main body surface includes a first surface portion, and the first surface portion and the boss are arranged along the first direction; the transfer mechanism includes a transfer bracket and a transfer body, and the transfer body is movably connected to the transfer bracket along a second direction; the second direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss, and the second direction intersects with the length direction of the movable channel, and the transfer body is used to receive the battery pack from the second channel end and transfer the battery pack from the second channel end to the placement area; the second detection device includes a first sub-detection body, and the first sub-detection body is installed on the station bracket or the transfer bracket; for the battery pack transferred from the second channel end to the transfer body along the second direction, the first sub-detection body is used to detect foreign matter on the first surface portion.

[0009] At this time, since the first surface portion and the boss are arranged along the first direction, the battery swap station can move the battery pack along the second direction through the transfer body and detect foreign objects on the first surface portion through the first sub-detection body, which is conducive to detecting foreign objects on the first surface portion in the second direction and reducing the obstruction of the detection signal by the boss, which is conducive to further improving the detection success rate.

[0010] Optionally, the transfer body includes a telescopic fork, which is movably connected to the transfer bracket. The telescopic fork can extend from the transfer bracket or retract into the transfer bracket along the second direction, and the telescopic fork is used to carry the battery pack.

[0011] At this time, the telescopic fork included in the transfer body can realize the transfer of the battery pack in the second direction by extending or retracting the transfer bracket, which is beneficial to reducing the occupied space of the transfer body and improving the compactness of the transfer mechanism and the battery swap station.

[0012] Optionally, the surface of the main body includes a second surface portion, and the second surface portion and the boss are arranged along the second direction; the transfer body is movably connected to the transfer bracket along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body is used to lift the battery pack; the second detection device includes a second sub-detection body, and the second sub-detection body is connected to the transfer bracket or the transfer body; for the battery pack lifted and lowered along the direction of gravity, the second sub-detection body is used to detect foreign matter on the second surface portion.

[0013] At this time, the transfer body can be transferred to the placement area by lifting the battery pack, and the second sub-detection body can detect foreign matter on the second surface part during the process of lifting and moving the battery pack to the placement area, which is beneficial to reduce the additional detection time required and improve the efficiency of foreign matter detection.

[0014] Optionally, the transfer mechanism includes a lifting platform, the lifting platform is movably connected to the transfer bracket along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body is movably connected to the lifting platform along the second direction.

[0015] At this time, the lifting platform and the transfer bracket are movably connected along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body and the lifting platform are movably connected along the second direction, which is beneficial to improving the movement stability of the transfer body relative to the transfer bracket, and is beneficial to improving the stability of the battery pack during the transfer process, and reducing the risk of the battery pack being damaged by bumps.

[0016] Optionally, the battery swap station further includes a first sliding rail and a sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism being used to carry the battery pack; the length direction of the first sliding rail is consistent with the length direction of the movable channel, and the sliding mechanism is slidingly connected to the first sliding rail; the sliding mechanism is at least partially disposed in the movable channel, and the sliding mechanism is used to move the carried battery pack from the first channel end to the second channel end.

[0017] At this time, the sliding mechanism is slidably connected to the first sliding track, which is conducive to quickly moving the battery pack from the first channel end to the second channel end of the movable channel through the sliding mechanism, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of the battery pack and improving the movement stability of the battery pack, thereby facilitating improving the detection accuracy of the first detection device.

[0018] Optionally, the movable channel has an outer exchange space and an inner exchange space, and the outer exchange space and the inner exchange space are arranged in a direction from the first channel end to the second channel end; the sliding mechanism includes an outer load-bearing part and an inner load-bearing part, the outer load-bearing part is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space, and the inner load-bearing part is used to be arranged opposite to the inner exchange space; when the inner load-bearing part moves the battery pack from the vehicle to the inner exchange space, the outer load-bearing part is used to carry the battery pack from the battery swap station; the transfer body is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space, the transfer body is used to transfer the battery pack from the battery swap station to the outer load-bearing part, and the transfer body is also used to receive the battery pack from the inner load-bearing part.

[0019] At this time, when the inner carrying part moves the battery pack from the vehicle to the inner exchange space, the transfer mechanism can transfer the battery pack from the battery swap station to the outer carrying part at the outer exchange space; the inner carrying part then moves the battery pack from the vehicle to the outer exchange space, and the transfer mechanism can transfer the battery pack from the vehicle to the placement space at the outer exchange space, so that the transfer mechanism can complete the transfer of the battery pack from the battery swap station and the battery pack from the vehicle at the outer exchange space, thereby improving the working efficiency of the transfer mechanism.

[0020] Optionally, the battery swap station further includes a second sliding track, the length direction of the second sliding track is consistent with the length direction of the first sliding track, and the transfer mechanism is slidingly connected to the second sliding track.

[0021] At this time, the transfer mechanism can move through the second sliding track, which is conducive to the transfer mechanism placing the battery pack in placement areas at different positions, reducing the movement stroke required by the transfer mechanism itself, reducing the complexity of the transfer mechanism, and improving the durability and stability of the transfer mechanism.

[0022] Optionally, the station body bracket includes at least two frame bodies, which are arranged along the length direction of the movable channel; the frame body is provided with a through space, which passes through the frame body along the arrangement direction of the frame body, and each of the through spaces is interconnected to form the movable channel.

[0023] At this time, the station body bracket can be quickly assembled into place through at least two frame bodies, and the various through spaces are interconnected to form the above-mentioned moving channel, thereby improving the overall manufacturing efficiency of the station body bracket.

[0024] Optionally, two adjacent frame bodies are at least partially spaced apart from each other, the first detection device is disposed in the space between the two adjacent frame bodies, and the first detection device is connected to the frame bodies.

[0025] At this time, the first detection device can be installed in the gap between two adjacent frame bodies, which is conducive to improving the compactness of the battery swap station, and is conducive to reducing the risk of external objects hitting the first detection device, thereby improving the durability of the first detection device.

[0026] Optionally, the through space is provided at the bottom of the frame body, and the placement area is provided above the through space.

[0027] At this time, the frame body can be provided with a through space at the bottom and a placement area at the top, thereby facilitating improvement of space utilization.

[0028] Optionally, the frame body toward the second channel end is provided with an opening, the opening is connected to the through space, the opening is arranged on the side of the frame body toward the transfer mechanism, and the battery pack in the through space is used to move from the opening to the transfer mechanism.

[0029] At this time, the battery swap station can quickly transfer the battery pack to the transfer mechanism through the opening toward the transfer mechanism, shortening the transfer path length of the battery pack and improving the transfer efficiency of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a battery pack corresponding to an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0032] Figure 2 A top view of a battery pack corresponding to an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0033] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0034] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of another partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 5 A right side view of the partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided by this application;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a left side view of the partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided by this application;

[0037] Figure 7 A front view of a partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0038] Figure 8 A top view of the partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided in this application;

[0039] Figure 9 A front view of another partial structure of an embodiment of a battery swap station provided by this application;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a top view of another local structure of an embodiment of the battery swap station provided in this application.

[0041] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0042] 100. Battery swap station; 101. Mobile channel; 102. Storage area; 103. First channel end; 104. Second channel end; 105. External exchange space; 106. Internal exchange space; 107. Frame; 108. Through space; 109. Opening;

[0043] 110. Station support; 120. Transfer mechanism; 121. Transfer support; 122. Transfer body; 1221. Telescopic fork; 123. Lifting platform;

[0044] 130, first detection device; 140, second detection device; 141, first sub-detection object; 142, second sub-detection object;

[0045] 150, first sliding track; 160, sliding mechanism; 161, outer bearing portion; 162, inner bearing portion; 170, second sliding track;

[0046] 200 , battery pack; 210 , body surface; 211 , first surface portion; 212 , second surface portion; 220 , boss.

[0047] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0049] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present application involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), such directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0050] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features limited to "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears in the full text, its meaning includes three parallel schemes. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme in which A and B are satisfied at the same time. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0051] For vehicles powered by battery packs, these packs become depleted after consuming a significant amount of power. Related technologies involve removing depleted batteries from the vehicle and storing them at a battery swap station. Some battery swap stations are equipped with charging systems that recharge depleted batteries and deliver fully charged batteries and other battery packs to the vehicle.

[0052] When installing a fully charged battery pack into a vehicle, the surface of the battery pack must conform to the vehicle. During installation, foreign matter such as sand, gravel, and iron filings on the surface of the battery pack can be easily squeezed by the vehicle and damage the battery pack.

[0053] Related technologies use a light source emitter to emit light at a certain angle toward the surface to be inspected, and a light pickup element detects the reflected light to determine whether there is any foreign object on the surface. Because some battery packs have protrusions on the surface, these protrusions can block the surface at certain angles, easily leading to failure in foreign object detection on the battery pack surface.

[0054] Therefore, based on the above considerations, and in order to improve the success rate of foreign object detection, this application proposes a charging station. During use, the charging station can separately detect foreign objects on the top surface of the boss and the surface of the battery pack body, which helps reduce the obstruction of the detection signal by the boss when detecting foreign objects on the body surface.

[0055] Next, the structure of the battery swap station proposed in this application will be explained with specific implementation methods.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 ,in Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a battery pack 200 corresponding to an embodiment of a battery swap station 100 is shown. Figure 2 A top view of a battery pack 200 corresponding to an embodiment of a battery swap station 100 is shown, wherein Figure 2 It includes three battery packs 200 arranged side by side along the X-axis. It is understandable that the battery pack 200 may include multiple battery cells, and the battery cells may be lithium batteries or sodium batteries. The battery cells in the form of lithium batteries may be configured as square shell batteries, cylindrical batteries, soft pack batteries, or blade batteries, etc. In addition, the main body surface 210 of the battery pack 200 has a boss 220. It is understandable that the surface of the battery pack 200 can be understood as the outer surface of the battery case of the battery pack 200, and the interior of the boss 220 can be provided with a receiving cavity to accommodate the electronic components of the battery management system of the battery pack 200.

[0057] Furthermore, the main body surface 210 may include a first surface portion 211, wherein the first surface portion 211 and the boss 220 are arranged along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the top surface of the boss 220. For example, the first direction may be set as the X-axis direction in the figure. The main body surface 210 may also include a second surface portion 212, wherein the second surface portion 212 and the boss 220 are arranged along a second direction; the second direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss 220. For example, the second direction may be set as the Y-axis direction in the figure. The following explanation will be based on the first direction being set as the X-axis direction and the second direction being set as the Y-axis direction. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments also apply to other directions in which the second direction is set as parallel to the top surface of the boss 220 and intersects the first direction, such as when the second direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss 220 and forms an angle of 80 degrees, 60 degrees, or 40 degrees with the first direction.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present application, refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5The battery swap station 100 includes a station support 110, a transfer mechanism 120, a first detection device 130 and a second detection device 140. The station support 110 has a movable channel 101 and a placement area 102. The first channel end 103 of the movable channel 101 is used to be arranged opposite to the vehicle. The first channel end 103 is used to access the battery pack 200 of the vehicle. At least part of the transfer mechanism 120 is movably connected to the second channel end 104 of the movable channel 101. The transfer mechanism 120 is used to transfer the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102; the first detection device 130 and the second detection device 140 are used to detect the battery pack 200. 0 is fixed relative to the station support 110, and the detection end of the first detection device 130 is arranged opposite to the moving channel 101; for the battery pack 200 entering from the first channel end 103, the first detection device 130 is used to detect foreign objects on one of the top surface of the boss 220 and the body surface 210; the second detection device 140 is installed on the station support 110 or the transfer mechanism 120; for the battery pack 200 moving from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102, the second detection device 140 is used to detect foreign objects on the other of the top surface of the boss 220 and the body surface 210. Figure 4 The transfer mechanism 120 may be configured to transfer the battery pack 200 to the upper placement area 102 along the Z1 direction.

[0059] The station support 110 can be understood as an overall shelf-like structure that can form a movable channel 101 and a placement area 102. The movable channel 101 can be understood as a channel structure that can allow the battery pack 200 to move therein. The movable channel 101 can be set as a closed channel that is closed in the circumference, or the movable channel 101 can be set as an open channel with openings in the circumference. This embodiment does not limit this. The battery pack 200 can be moved in the movable channel 101 by an external mechanism such as a robotic arm, or the battery pack 200 can be moved in the movable channel 101 by structures such as conveyor lines included in the battery swap station 100 itself.

[0060] It is understood that the first channel end 103 and the second channel end 104 of the movable channel 101 can be configured to have a certain volume, that is, the first channel end 103 and the second channel end 104 can be respectively understood as a portion of the end of the movable channel 101. In addition, the placement area 102 can be understood as an area where the battery pack 200 can be placed. For example, the placement area 102 can be formed by a structure such as a grid or a support plate on the station body support 110.

[0061] The transfer mechanism 120 can be configured as a robotic arm or other structure. Alternatively, the transfer mechanism 120 can be configured as a guide rail structure and corresponding grippers or forks, etc., that enable the battery pack 200 to be moved within a space. At least a portion of the transfer mechanism 120 is movably connected to the second channel end 104 of the moving channel 101. This means that at least the grippers, forks, etc. of the transfer mechanism 120 that enable the battery pack 200 to move are movable relative to the moving channel 101, thereby moving the battery pack 200 to the placement area 102.

[0062] The first detection device 130 and the second detection device 140 can be understood as devices capable of detecting foreign objects on the top surface of the boss 220 and the main body surface 210 of the battery pack 200, respectively. These devices can, for example, emit light via a light source and detect reflected light via a light pickup element, as described above. Alternatively, they can be configured as industrial cameras, lidar, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc., although this embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first detection device 130 can be further configured as a two-dimensional imaging camera (2D camera), a three-dimensional imaging camera (3D camera), or a three-dimensional structured light camera (3D structured light camera). For example, if the first detection device 130 and the second detection device 140 are configured as industrial cameras, they can create a fitting surface for the top surface of the boss 220 and the main body surface 210, respectively, and then compare it to a preset template to identify points with abnormal surface heights. If the height exceeds a preset value, a foreign object is determined to be present in that area. Alternatively, experienced technicians can perform inspection based on photographic images, or other existing detection methods such as image recognition can be used to detect foreign objects.

[0063] For battery packs 200 entering from the first channel end 103, the first detection device 130 is used to detect foreign matter on one of the top surface of the boss 220 or the main body surface 210, for example, detecting foreign matter on the top surface of the boss 220. For battery packs 200 moving from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102, the second detection device 140 is used to detect foreign matter on the other of the top surface of the boss 220 or the main body surface 210, for example, detecting foreign matter on the main body surface 210. Of course, the first detection device 130 can also detect foreign matter on the main body surface 210, and the second detection device 140 can detect foreign matter on the top surface of the boss 220, and this embodiment is not limited to this. It can be understood that the first detection device 130 is configured to detect battery packs 200 moving within the moving channel 101, and the second detection device 140 is configured to detect battery packs 200 moving from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102.

[0064] Among them, the first detection device 130 can be fixed to the station body bracket 110 by bolt connection, clamping, etc., and the detection end of the first detection device 130 is arranged opposite to the moving channel 101, for example, the lens end of the industrial camera is arranged opposite to the moving channel 101.

[0065] In this embodiment, the battery swap station 100 can access the battery pack 200 of the vehicle through the first channel end 103, and can move the battery pack 200 to the second channel end 104 through the mobile channel 101, for example, along the Figure 3 Move to the second channel end 104 in the X1 direction; then transfer the battery pack 200 to the placement area 102 through the transfer mechanism 120, for example, Figure 3 The battery pack 200 is moved to the placement area 102 in the Y1 direction and the Z1 direction. For the battery pack 200 entering from the first channel end 103 and the battery pack 200 moving from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102, the battery swap station 100 can separately detect foreign matter on the top surface of the boss 220 and the main body surface 210 through the first detection device 130 and the second detection device 140, which is beneficial to reduce the obstruction of the boss 220 to the detection signal when detecting foreign matter on the main body surface 210, for example, reducing the obstruction of the boss 220 to the imaging light of the industrial camera, which is beneficial to improve the success rate of foreign matter detection.

[0066] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The length direction of the movable channel 101 is arranged along the first direction X, wherein the length direction of the movable channel 101 can be understood as the direction for the battery pack 200 to move, while the width direction of the movable channel 101 is mainly used to accommodate the battery pack 200 and avoid collision with the battery pack 200. It is understandable that the length direction of the movable channel 101 can be arranged to intersect with the second direction Y, and is not limited to being arranged along the first direction X.

[0067] In addition, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The transfer mechanism 120 includes a transfer bracket 121 and a transfer body 122. The transfer bracket 121 can be understood as a frame-like structure for mounting the transfer body 122 and other structures. The transfer bracket 121 can be directly connected to the transfer body 122, or the transfer bracket 121 can be connected to the transfer body 122 through other structures. In addition, the transfer body 122 can be understood as a structure capable of transferring the battery pack 200.

[0068] For example, refer to Figure 4The transfer body 122 may be configured to include a telescopic fork 1221. The telescopic fork 1221 may be configured to have a structure similar to a fork. The telescopic fork 1221 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121. The telescopic fork 1221 may extend from the transfer bracket 121 or retract into the transfer bracket 121 along the second direction Y. The telescopic fork 1221 is used to carry the battery pack 200. In this embodiment, the telescopic fork 1221 included in the transfer body 122 can achieve the transfer of the battery pack 200 in the second direction Y by extending or retracting the transfer bracket 121, which is beneficial for reducing the space occupied by the transfer body 122 and improving the compactness of the transfer mechanism 120 and the battery swap station 100.

[0069] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The transfer mechanism 120 includes a lifting platform 123, which is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the direction of gravity, for example, by a lifting guide rail, so that the transfer body 122 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the direction of gravity, so that the transfer body 122 can lift the battery pack 200. The transfer body 122 is movably connected to the lifting platform 123 along the second direction Y, for example, by a horizontal guide rail, so that the transfer body 122 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the lifting platform 123 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body 122 is movably connected to the lifting platform 123 along the second direction Y, which is beneficial to improving the movement stability of the transfer body 122 relative to the transfer bracket 121, and is beneficial to improving the stability of the battery pack 200 during the transfer process, and reducing the risk of the battery pack 200 being damaged by bumps.

[0070] Reference Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the transfer body 122 is used to receive the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104 and transfer the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102. The second detection device 140 includes a first sub-detection body 141, and the first sub-detection body 141 is installed on the station body bracket 110 or the transfer bracket 121. Specifically, it can be installed by bolt connection, clamping, etc. For the battery pack 200 transferred from the second channel end 104 to the transfer body 122 along the second direction Y, the first sub-detection body 141 is used to detect foreign matter on the above-mentioned first surface part 211. Among them, the first sub-detection body 141 can be set as a photoelectric sensor, an industrial camera, a laser radar, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc., and this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first sub-detection body 141 can be further set as a three-dimensional imaging camera (3D camera), etc.

[0071] In this embodiment, since the first surface portion 211 and the boss 220 are arranged along the first direction X, the battery swap station 100 can move the battery pack 200 along the second direction Y through the transfer body 122 and detect foreign matter on the first surface portion 211 through the first sub-detection body 141, which is beneficial to detecting foreign matter on the first surface portion 211 in the second direction Y and reducing the obstruction of the detection signal by the boss 220, which is beneficial to further improve the detection success rate.

[0072] In some embodiments, the transfer body 122 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body 122 is used to lift the battery pack 200. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The second detection device 140 includes a second sub-detection body 142, which is connected to the transfer bracket 121 or the transfer body 122; for the battery pack 200 that is lifted and lowered along the direction of gravity, the second sub-detection body 142 is used to detect foreign matter on the second surface portion 212. The second sub-detection body 142 can be configured as a photoelectric sensor, an industrial camera, a laser radar, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the second sub-detection body 142 can be further configured as a two-dimensional imaging camera (2D camera), a three-dimensional imaging camera (3D camera), etc. Figure 6 、 Figure 7 The transfer mechanism 120 can transfer the battery pack 200 to the upper placement area 102 along the Z1 direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, the transfer body 122 can be moved to the placement area 102 by lifting the battery pack 200. The second sub-detection body 142 can detect foreign objects on the second surface portion 212 during the process of the battery pack 200 being lifted and transferred to the placement area 102, thereby reducing the additional detection time required and improving the efficiency of foreign object detection. The second sub-detection body 142 can be arranged to be fixed relative to the lifting platform 123, for example, mounted on the lifting platform 123.

[0074] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 and Figure 5The battery swap station 100 further includes a first sliding rail 150 and a sliding mechanism 160. The sliding mechanism 160 is used to carry the battery pack 200. The length direction of the first sliding rail 150 is consistent with the length direction of the moving channel 101, for example, they are respectively set to be consistent with the above-mentioned first direction X. The sliding mechanism 160 is slidably connected to the first sliding rail 150, thereby realizing movement along the length direction of the moving channel 101. The sliding mechanism 160 is at least partially arranged in the moving channel 101, for example, a part of the sliding mechanism 160 is arranged in the moving channel 101 or the entire sliding mechanism 160 is arranged in the moving channel 101; the sliding mechanism 160 is used to move the carried battery pack 200 from the first channel end 103 to the second channel end 104, for example, from Figure 5 Move the drawing from the outside to the inside.

[0075] In this embodiment, the sliding mechanism 160 is slidingly connected to the first sliding rail 150, which is conducive to quickly moving the battery pack 200 from the first channel end 103 to the second channel end 104 of the movable channel 101 through the sliding mechanism 160, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of the battery pack 200 and improving the movement stability of the battery pack 200, thereby facilitating improving the detection accuracy of the first detection device 130.

[0076] In some embodiments, reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The mobile channel 101 has an external exchange space 105 and an internal exchange space 106, and the external exchange space 105 and the internal exchange space 106 are arranged in the direction from the first channel end 103 to the second channel end 104; wherein, the external exchange space 105 can be understood as the part that is further outward relative to the internal exchange space 106, and the internal exchange space 106 can be understood as the part that is further inward relative to the external exchange space 105.

[0077] The sliding mechanism 160 can be correspondingly configured to include an outer load-bearing part 161 and an inner load-bearing part 162. The outer load-bearing part 161 and the inner load-bearing part 162 can be configured as an integral structure, for example, respectively as part of the plate body; the outer load-bearing part 161 and the inner load-bearing part 162 can also be configured as a split structure, and connected by ropes, chain buckles and other structures.

[0078] Among them, the outer load-bearing part 161 is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space 105, and the inner load-bearing part 162 is used to be arranged opposite to the inner exchange space 106; when the inner load-bearing part 162 moves the battery pack 200 from the vehicle to the inner exchange space 106, the outer load-bearing part 161 is used to carry the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100; the transfer body 122 is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space 105, and the transfer body 122 is used to transfer the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 to the outer load-bearing part 161, and the transfer body 122 is also used to receive the battery pack 200 from the inner load-bearing part 162.

[0079] For example, combined with Figure 3 After the inner carrying part 162 carries the battery pack 200, it first moves along the X1 direction to the inner exchange space 106 (closer to the second channel end 104). At this time, the outer carrying part 161 is located at the outer exchange space 105, so that the transfer body 122 can transfer the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 to the outer carrying part 161 at the outer exchange space 105; after that, the inner carrying part 162 carrying the battery pack 200 moves along the X2 direction to the outer exchange space 105, at this time carrying the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100. The outer carrying part 161 of the battery pack 200 of the battery swap station 100 is moved to a more outward position, so as to facilitate the installation of the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 on the external vehicle; at the same time, the transfer body 122 located at the outer exchange space 105 can continue to transfer the battery pack 200 (depleted battery) from the vehicle on the inner carrying part 162 to the placement area 102, for example, by moving in the Y1 direction and the Z1 direction in the figure in turn to transfer the battery pack 200 (depleted battery) to the placement area 102.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the inner load-bearing part 162 moves the battery pack 200 from the vehicle to the inner exchange space 106, the transfer mechanism 120 can transfer the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 to the outer load-bearing part 161 at the outer exchange space 105; the inner load-bearing part 162 then moves the battery pack 200 from the vehicle to the outer exchange space 105, and the transfer mechanism 120 can transfer the battery pack 200 from the vehicle to the placement space at the outer exchange space 105, so that the transfer mechanism 120 can complete the transfer of the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 and the battery pack 200 from the vehicle at the outer exchange space 105, thereby improving the working efficiency of the transfer mechanism 120.

[0081] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 The battery swap station 100 also includes a second sliding rail 170 , the length direction of the second sliding rail 170 is consistent with the length direction of the first sliding rail 150 , for example, respectively set to be consistent with the above-mentioned first direction X, and the transfer mechanism 120 is slidingly connected to the second sliding rail 170 .

[0082] In this embodiment, the transfer mechanism 120 can be moved by the second sliding track 170, which is conducive to the transfer mechanism 120 placing the battery pack 200 in the placement area 102 at different positions, for example, the transfer mechanism 120 moves along the second sliding track 170. Figure 3 The battery pack 200 is placed in different placement areas 102 in the X direction by moving in the X3 direction, which reduces the movement stroke required by the transfer mechanism 120 itself, reduces the structural complexity of the transfer mechanism 120, and improves the durability and stability of the transfer mechanism 120.

[0083] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 The station support 110 includes at least two frames 107, which can be understood as a frame-like structure with a certain internal space. The frames 107 are arranged along the length of the moving channel 101, for example, along the first direction X. The frames 107 are provided with through spaces 108, which penetrate the frames 107 along the arrangement direction of the frames 107, for example, along the first direction X. The through spaces 108 are interconnected to form the moving channel 101, that is, the through spaces 108 of the frames 107 are interconnected.

[0084] In this embodiment, the station body bracket 110 can be quickly assembled into place through at least two frame bodies 107, and the various through spaces 108 are interconnected to form the above-mentioned moving channel 101, thereby improving the overall preparation efficiency of the station body bracket 110.

[0085] In some embodiments, reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The two adjacent frame bodies 107 are at least partially spaced apart, and the first detection device 130 is disposed in the space between the two adjacent frame bodies 107. The first detection device 130 is connected to the frame body 107, for example, by bolt connection, clamping, bonding, etc.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first detection device 130 can be installed in the gap between two adjacent frame bodies 107, which is beneficial to improving the compactness of the battery swap station 100, and is beneficial to reducing the risk of external objects colliding with the first detection device 130, thereby improving the durability of the first detection device 130.

[0087] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 and Figure 9 The through space 108 is provided at the bottom of the frame body 107 , and the placement area 102 is provided above the through space 108 .

[0088] In this embodiment, the frame body 107 can be provided with a through space 108 at the bottom and a placement area 102 at the top, thereby facilitating improved space utilization.

[0089] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 The frame body 107 facing the second channel end 104 is provided with an opening 109, the opening 109 is communicated with the through space 108, and the opening 109 is provided on the side of the frame body 107 facing the transfer mechanism 120, for example, Figure 4 The front side of the middle frame body 107; wherein, the battery pack 200 in the through space 108 is used to move from the opening 109 to the transfer mechanism 120, and specifically can be transferred by the above-mentioned transfer body 122.

[0090] In this embodiment, the battery swap station 100 can quickly transfer the battery pack 200 to the transfer mechanism 120 through the opening 109 facing the transfer mechanism 120, shortening the transfer path length of the battery pack 200 and improving the transfer efficiency of the battery pack 200.

[0091] In some embodiments, the battery swap station 100 may be equipped with a cleaning device for removing foreign matter from the top surface of the boss 220 or the main body surface 210. For example, the cleaning device may be configured as an air knife, a water gun, a brush, etc. Furthermore, the cleaning device may be mounted on a motion mechanism such as a robotic arm to facilitate the removal of foreign matter from various locations.

[0092] In this embodiment, the cleaning device can promptly clean foreign matter on the top surface of the boss 220 and the main body surface 210 , reducing the risk of the foreign matter being squeezed and damaging the battery pack 200 .

[0093] Reference Figures 1 to 10In one embodiment of the present application, the battery swap station 100 includes a station support 110, a transfer mechanism 120, a first detection device 130 and a second detection device 140. The station support 110 has a movable channel 101 and a placement area 102. The first channel end 103 of the movable channel 101 is used to be arranged opposite to the vehicle. The first channel end 103 is used to access the battery pack 200 of the vehicle. The body surface 210 of the battery pack 200 has a boss 220; at least part of the transfer mechanism 120 is movably connected to the second channel end 104 of the movable channel 101, and the transfer mechanism 120 is used to transfer the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104. To the placement area 102; the first detection device 130 is fixed relatively to the station body bracket 110, and the detection end of the first detection device 130 is arranged opposite to the moving channel 101; for the battery pack 200 entering from the first channel end 103, the first detection device 130 is used to detect foreign matter on the top surface of the boss 220 and one of the main body surfaces 210; the second detection device 140 is installed on the station body bracket 110 or the transfer mechanism 120; for the battery pack 200 moved from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102, the second detection device 140 is used to detect foreign matter on the other of the top surface of the boss 220 and the main body surface 210. The length direction of the movable channel 101 is set along the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss 220; the main body surface 210 includes a first surface portion 211, and the first surface portion 211 and the boss 220 are arranged along the first direction; the transfer mechanism 120 includes a transfer bracket 121 and a transfer body 122, and the transfer body 122 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 along the second direction; the second direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss 220, and the second direction intersects with the length direction of the movable channel 101, and the transfer body 122 is used to receive the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104 and transfer the battery pack 200 from the second channel end 104 to the placement area 102; the second detection device 140 includes a first sub-detection body 141, and the first sub-detection body 141 is installed on the station bracket 110 or the transfer bracket 121; for the battery pack 200 transferred from the second channel end 104 to the transfer body 122 along the second direction, the first sub-detection body 141 is used to detect foreign matter on the first surface portion 211. The transfer body 122 includes a telescopic fork 1221 , which is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 . The telescopic fork 1221 can extend from the transfer bracket 121 or retract into the transfer bracket 121 along the second direction. The telescopic fork 1221 is used to carry the battery pack 200 .The body surface 210 includes a second surface portion 212, which is arranged along the second direction with the boss 220. The transfer body 122 is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 in the direction of gravity and is used to lift and lower the battery pack 200. The second detection device 140 includes a second sub-detection body 142, which is connected to the transfer bracket 121 or the transfer body 122. When the battery pack 200 is lifted and lowered in the direction of gravity, the second sub-detection body 142 is used to detect foreign objects on the second surface portion 212. The transfer mechanism 120 includes a lifting platform 123, which is movably connected to the transfer bracket 121 in the direction of gravity. The transfer body 122 is movably connected to the lifting platform 123 in the second direction. The battery swap station 100 also includes a first sliding rail 150 and a sliding mechanism 160, the sliding mechanism 160 is used to carry the battery pack 200; the length direction of the first sliding rail 150 is consistent with the length direction of the movable channel 101, and the sliding mechanism 160 is slidingly connected to the first sliding rail 150; the sliding mechanism 160 is at least partially arranged in the movable channel 101, and the sliding mechanism 160 is used to move the carried battery pack 200 from the first channel end 103 to the second channel end 104. The movable channel 101 has an outer exchange space 105 and an inner exchange space 106, and the outer exchange space 105 and the inner exchange space 106 are arranged in the direction from the first channel end 103 to the second channel end 104; the sliding mechanism 160 includes an outer load-bearing part 161 and an inner load-bearing part 162, the outer load-bearing part 161 is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space 105, and the inner load-bearing part 162 is used to be arranged opposite to the inner exchange space 106; when the inner load-bearing part 162 moves the battery pack 200 from the vehicle to the inner exchange space 106, the outer load-bearing part 161 is used to carry the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100; the transfer body 122 is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space 105, and the transfer body 122 is used to transfer the battery pack 200 from the battery swap station 100 to the outer load-bearing part 161, and the transfer body 122 is also used to receive the battery pack 200 from the inner load-bearing part 162. The battery swap station 100 also includes a second sliding rail 170, the length direction of which is consistent with the length direction of the first sliding rail 150, and the transfer mechanism 120 is slidably connected to the second sliding rail 170. The station body support 110 includes at least two frame bodies 107, which are arranged along the length direction of the movable channel 101; the frame bodies 107 are provided with through spaces 108, which pass through the frame bodies 107 along the arrangement direction of the frame bodies 107, and each through space 108 is interconnected to form the movable channel 101. The two adjacent frame bodies 107 are at least partially spaced apart, and the first detection device 130 is arranged in the space between the two adjacent frame bodies 107, and the first detection device 130 is connected to the frame body 107. The through space 108 is provided at the bottom of the frame body 107, and a placement area 102 is provided above the through space 108.The frame body 107 facing the second channel end 104 is provided with an opening 109, which is connected to the through-space 108. The opening 109 is provided on the side of the frame body 107 facing the transfer mechanism 120. The battery pack 200 in the through-space 108 is used to move from the opening 109 to the transfer mechanism 120. The battery swap station 100 is provided with a cleaning device for cleaning foreign matter from the top surface of the boss 220 or the main body surface 210.

[0094] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery swap station, characterized in that: The battery swap station includes: A station body bracket, the station body bracket having a movable channel and a placement area, the first channel end of the movable channel is used to be arranged opposite to the vehicle, the first channel end is used to connect to the battery pack of the vehicle, and the body surface of the battery pack has a boss; a transfer mechanism, at least a portion of which is movably connected to the second channel end of the movable channel, and the transfer mechanism is used to transfer the battery pack from the second channel end to the placement area; a first detection device, the first detection device being fixed relative to the station body support, and a detection end of the first detection device being arranged relative to the movable channel; for the battery pack entering from the first channel end, the first detection device is used to detect foreign matter on one of the top surface of the boss and the surface of the body; A second detection device is installed on the station body bracket or the transfer mechanism; for the battery pack moved from the second channel end to the placement area, the second detection device is used to detect foreign matter on the top surface of the boss and the other one of the surfaces of the main body.

2. The battery swap station according to claim 1, wherein: The length direction of the moving channel is arranged along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss; the surface of the body includes a first surface portion, and the first surface portion and the boss are arranged along the first direction; The transfer mechanism includes a transfer bracket and a transfer body, the transfer body being movably connected to the transfer bracket along a second direction; the second direction is parallel to the top surface of the boss, and the second direction intersects with the length direction of the movable channel, and the transfer body is used to receive the battery pack from the second channel end and transfer the battery pack from the second channel end to the placement area; The second detection device includes a first sub-detection body, which is installed on the station body bracket or the transfer bracket; for the battery pack transferred from the second channel end to the transfer body along the second direction, the first sub-detection body is used to detect foreign matter on the first surface part.

3. The battery swap station according to claim 2, wherein: The transfer body includes a telescopic fork, which is movably connected to the transfer bracket. The telescopic fork can extend from the transfer bracket or retract into the transfer bracket along the second direction. The telescopic fork is used to carry the battery pack.

4. The battery swap station according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The body surface includes a second surface portion, and the second surface portion and the boss are arranged along the second direction; The transfer body is movably connected to the transfer bracket along the direction of gravity, and the transfer body is used to lift the battery pack; The second detection device includes a second sub-detection body, which is connected to the transfer bracket or the transfer body; for the battery pack lifted and lowered along the direction of gravity, the second sub-detection body is used to detect foreign matter on the second surface portion.

5. The battery swap station according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transfer mechanism includes a lifting platform, the lifting platform is movably connected to the transfer bracket along the gravity direction, and the transfer body is movably connected to the lifting platform along the second direction.

6. The battery swap station according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The battery swap station also includes a first sliding rail and a sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism is used to carry the battery pack; the length direction of the first sliding rail is consistent with the length direction of the movable channel, and the sliding mechanism is slidingly connected to the first sliding rail; the sliding mechanism is at least partially arranged in the movable channel, and the sliding mechanism is used to move the carried battery pack from the first channel end to the second channel end.

7. The battery swap station according to claim 6, characterized in that: The movable channel has an outer exchange space and an inner exchange space, and the outer exchange space and the inner exchange space are arranged in a direction from the first channel end to the second channel end; The sliding mechanism includes an outer bearing portion and an inner bearing portion, wherein the outer bearing portion is arranged opposite to the outer exchange space, and the inner bearing portion is arranged opposite to the inner exchange space; when the inner bearing portion moves the battery pack from the vehicle to the inner exchange space, the outer bearing portion is used to carry the battery pack from the battery swap station; The transfer body is used to be arranged opposite to the outer exchange space, and the transfer body is used to transfer the battery pack from the battery swap station to the outer load-bearing part. The transfer body is also used to receive the battery pack from the inner load-bearing part.

8. The battery swap station according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery swap station further includes a second sliding track, the length direction of the second sliding track is consistent with the length direction of the first sliding track, and the transfer mechanism is slidingly connected to the second sliding track.

9. The battery swap station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The station support comprises at least two frame bodies, and the frame bodies are arranged along the length direction of the moving channel; The frame body is provided with a through space, and the through space penetrates the frame body along the arrangement direction of the frame body, and the through spaces are interconnected to form the moving channel.

10. The battery swap station according to claim 9, characterized in that: The two adjacent frame bodies are at least partially spaced apart from each other, the first detection device is disposed in the space between the two adjacent frame bodies, and the first detection device is connected to the frame bodies.

11. The battery swap station according to claim 9, wherein: The through space is arranged at the bottom of the frame body, and the placement area is arranged above the through space.

12. The battery swap station according to claim 11, wherein: The frame body toward the second channel end is provided with an opening, the opening being connected to the through space. The opening is provided on the side of the frame body toward the transfer mechanism, and the battery pack in the through space is used to move from the opening to the transfer mechanism.

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