Lifting adjusting type battery charging interface docking device and battery swap station

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lifting adjusting type battery charging interface butt joint device and a battery swap station, relates to the technical field of vehicle battery swap, and adopts the technical scheme that the lifting adjusting type battery charging interface butt joint device comprises a battery swap platform, a battery bin and a battery swap device. The battery replacing platform is used for bearing a vehicle with a battery needing to be replaced, the battery bin is used for storing the battery, and the battery replacing device comprises a lifting mechanism and a transfer mechanism and is used for unloading the power-lack battery from the vehicle and transporting the power-lack battery to the battery bin, and meanwhile taking the full-charge battery out of the battery bin and installing the full-charge battery on the vehicle. Aiming at the problem of butt joint of battery packs with different thicknesses and a vehicle, the device comprises a battery replacing frame, a lifting adjusting mechanism and other parts, a bearing part is driven to lift through a driving part, then a supporting part and the battery packs are driven to lift, and after it is determined that the battery packs reach a preset position through a triggering device, butt joint of the battery packs and the vehicle is further completed. The overall cost can be reduced, and meanwhile, the reliability of butt joint between the battery packs with different thicknesses and the vehicle can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle battery swapping technology, and more specifically, to a lifting and adjusting battery charging interface docking device and a battery swapping station. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the demand for battery swapping stations, as a crucial infrastructure for ensuring the range of new energy vehicles, is increasing daily. Currently, battery swapping stations on the market typically possess basic components such as a swapping platform, battery compartment, and swapping device to facilitate the replacement of vehicle power batteries. However, with the diversification of user needs, battery packs of different capacities have been introduced, allowing users to choose flexibly according to their usage. To facilitate standardized battery swapping specifications and reduce overall costs, battery packs of different capacities adopt a strategy of "uniform length and width dimensions, adjusted thickness."

[0003] In existing technologies, battery swapping stations primarily rely on visual, laser recognition, or system analysis to determine the thickness of battery packs when replacing them with those of different thicknesses. The lifting mechanism is then used for adaptive installation. However, this approach has limitations. Intelligent algorithms for determining battery pack thickness may contain errors, and the development costs of the analysis equipment and systems increase the company's expenses. Furthermore, with the increasing variety of battery pack types, including capacity and type selections, the system needs continuous adjustments to adapt to new packs, further increasing maintenance costs and complexity.

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application proposes a height-adjustable battery charging interface docking device. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a height-adjustable battery charging interface docking device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a lifting and adjustable battery charging interface docking device, including a battery swapping frame, which is composed of a bottom frame, a side frame and a tail frame, and the top and front surfaces of the battery swapping frame are open.

[0007] The lifting and adjusting mechanism is installed inside the battery swapping rack. The lifting and adjusting mechanism includes a support part, a drive part, and a receiving part. The drive part is installed on the bottom frame, and the drive end of the drive part is fixedly connected to the receiving part.

[0008] The bottom of the support part is provided with a downward-opening sliding groove, and the receiving part is inserted into the sliding groove, so that the support part and the receiving part are slidably connected.

[0009] A support block is fixed on the bottom frame, and the bottom of the support part presses against the top of the support block to form a working space between the support block and the bottom frame;

[0010] A triggering device is provided on the side frame or tail frame;

[0011] Both the drive unit and the triggering device are equipped with signal transmission modules for information transmission with the battery swapping station system.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving part is provided with a plurality of power components for disassembling the battery pack, and the support part is provided with a plurality of through holes for the power components to pass through; the power components are fixed on the receiving part.

[0013] Preferably, the triggering device is equipped with an infrared sensor for detecting the height position of the battery pack.

[0014] Preferably, a groove for placing a triggering device is provided on the side frame or the tail frame; the triggering device includes a slider, a groove and a spring element, the groove is provided on the side frame or the tail frame, the slider is disposed in the groove by the spring element, and the slider is slidably disposed in the groove;

[0015] The side of the slider facing the bottom frame is beveled, so that when the battery pack comes into contact with the slider, it can provide a horizontal force to the slider, thereby causing the slider to retract into the groove.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving part is provided with a guide post, and the bottom frame is provided with a guide hole for the guide post to pass through.

[0017] Preferably, the support is provided with multiple rollers to facilitate the movement of the battery pack on the support.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: it uses physical positioning to determine the docking position between the battery pack and the vehicle. By setting a trigger device on the side or rear frame of the battery swapping rack, when the battery pack is driven to the preset position, the trigger device can accurately sense this and send a command to the controller to stop the drive unit. This physical positioning method is not affected by factors such as the surface features of the battery pack or ambient light, and can ensure that regardless of the thickness of the battery pack, it can be accurately positioned at the preset position, maintaining a consistent distance from the vehicle above, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of the battery pack docking with the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another operating state of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the support connection structure of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom frame structure of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the side frame of this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 100, battery swapping frame; 101, bottom frame; 102, side frame; 103, tail frame; 200, lifting and adjusting mechanism; 201, support part; 201a, sliding groove; 202, drive part; 203, receiving part; 300, roller; 400, through hole; 401, power component; 500, support block; 600, triggering device; 601, slider; 602, sliding groove; 603, elastic element; 604, push button switch; 701, guide column; 702, guide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0028] Furthermore, in this utility model, the use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0029] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0031] This invention provides a battery swapping station for replacing the power battery of a vehicle. The battery swapping station mainly includes a battery swapping platform (not shown in the figure), a battery compartment (not shown in the figure), and a battery swapping device (not shown in the figure).

[0032] The battery swapping platform can carry vehicles that need battery replacement, the battery compartment is mainly used to store batteries, and the battery swapping device is mainly used to remove depleted batteries from the vehicle and install fully charged batteries onto the vehicle.

[0033] Once a vehicle that needs a battery replacement enters the battery swapping station, staff can guide the vehicle to a designated location on the battery swapping platform, or the vehicle can automatically park itself at the designated location on the platform. The battery swapping unit will then remove the depleted battery from the vehicle and transport it to the battery compartment. Finally, it will retrieve a fully charged battery from the battery compartment and install it onto the vehicle.

[0034] It should be noted that, in practical applications, those skilled in the art can configure the battery swapping device as an RGV (Rail-Guided Vehicle), or alternatively, they can configure it as...

[0035] Adjustments and changes to the specific type of battery swapping device, such as AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle), do not deviate from the principles and scope of this utility model and should be limited to the protection scope of this utility model.

[0036] The battery compartment is equipped with battery racks and a stacker crane. The battery racks are used to store batteries, and the stacker crane is used to transport batteries. Both are mature applications in existing technologies and will not be elaborated here.

[0037] The typical battery swapping process is as follows: After a vehicle that needs a battery replacement parks on the battery swapping platform, the battery swapping unit removes the depleted battery from the vehicle and transports it to the battery rack. The battery swapping unit places the depleted battery pack (referring to the old battery pack that needs to be replaced) in the buffer position (optional). Before this, the stacker crane has already retrieved a fully charged battery pack (referring to the new battery pack that needs to be replaced) from the storage position and is waiting for the battery swapping unit. After the battery swapping unit places the depleted battery pack in the buffer position, the fully charged battery pack can be transferred to the battery swapping unit. Then, the depleted battery in the buffer position is removed and transported to the charging area for charging. After the depleted battery is placed down, a fully charged battery pack can be retrieved to wait for the next vehicle to swap batteries, thus improving the battery swapping speed.

[0038] To meet diverse user needs, many manufacturers have launched battery packs with different capacities, allowing users to choose flexibly based on their usage. For example, users who commute short distances can choose low-capacity battery packs to reduce costs, while long-distance users can choose high-capacity battery packs to reduce charging frequency.

[0039] Meanwhile, in order to facilitate standardized battery swapping specifications and reduce overall costs, a strategy of "uniform length and width dimensions, and adjusted thickness" will be adopted for battery packs of different capacities.

[0040] The explanation for the unified battery swapping standard is that the length and width of the battery pack remain unchanged, and the shape of the battery pack is also the same on a flat surface. In particular, the position of the charging interface of the battery pack is also consistent.

[0041] Based on the above, when replacing a vehicle battery, especially when replacing a fully charged battery into the vehicle, users will choose battery packs of different capacities according to their needs. Therefore, the battery swapping device needs to adopt different installation strategies for battery packs of different capacities.

[0042] Currently, the thickness of battery packs is mainly determined using methods such as vision, laser recognition, or system analysis. Then, a lifting mechanism is controlled for adaptation, allowing installation on battery packs of different thicknesses. However, with increasingly diverse user needs, the variety of battery packs will also increase, including choices in capacity and type. Using intelligent algorithms to analyze and determine battery pack thickness may not only introduce errors, but such analytical equipment and systems will inevitably increase development costs for companies. Furthermore, as battery packs iterate, the system will need to be adjusted accordingly.

[0043] Therefore, this application improves upon existing battery swapping station technology by addressing the process of connecting battery packs of different thicknesses to vehicles.

[0044] The battery swapping station's swapping equipment includes a lifting mechanism and a transfer mechanism. The lifting mechanism can move to the vehicle's underframe, support the depleted battery pack on the underframe, and move it to the transfer mechanism. Then, the transfer mechanism transports the depleted battery pack to the charging area. At the same time, it transports the fully charged battery pack to the lifting mechanism, which then moves the fully charged battery pack to the vehicle's underframe for installation, thus completing the battery swapping operation.

[0045] This application mainly improves the lifting mechanism of the battery swapping device. The lifting mechanism of this application can be understood as a lifting and adjusting docking device that can connect the battery charging interface to the vehicle.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a power swapping rack 100, which includes a bottom frame 101, side frames 102, and a tail frame 103. The bottom frame 101, the two side frames 102, and the tail frame 103 together form a power swapping rack 100 with an open top and front.

[0047] To save costs and reduce overall weight, the bottom frame 101, side frame 102, and tail frame 103 are designed in a frame shape.

[0048] The battery swapping rack 100 is equipped with a lifting and adjusting mechanism 200, which includes a support part 201, a driving part 202, and a receiving part 203. The support part 201 can be a support plate that can support the battery pack. In order to facilitate the axial movement of the battery pack on the support part 201, multiple rollers 300 can also be provided on the support part 201. The rollers 300 can facilitate the movement of the battery pack on the support part 201. In addition, the rollers 300 can also have a driving force to drive the battery pack to move.

[0049] The drive unit 202 is disposed on the base frame 101, and there can be multiple drive units 202, evenly distributed on the base frame 101. The drive end of the drive unit 202 is connected to the receiving part 203, and the drive unit 202 can drive the receiving part 203 to perform height adjustment. Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the support part 201 is provided with a downward-opening sliding groove 201a, and the receiving part 203 is inserted into the sliding groove 201a. The support part 201 and the receiving part 203 are slidably connected.

[0050] The receiving part 203 is located below the support part 201, and the support part 201 can limit the receiving part 203, so that the receiving part 203 can slide inside the support part 201. The driving part 202 can be a hydraulic mechanism or other lifting mechanism, which will not be described in detail here.

[0051] The drive unit 202 drives the receiving unit 203 to rise and fall, and then the receiving unit 203 abuts against the support unit 201, driving the support unit 201 to rise and fall, thereby completing the lifting and lowering of the battery pack on the support unit 201. At the same time, in order to enable the drive unit 202 to drive the receiving unit 203 better and more stably, a guide post 701 can be provided between the receiving unit 203 and the bottom frame 101. The bottom frame 101 has a guide hole 702 for the guide post 701 to pass through, and the guide post 701 and the guide groove 702 are slidably connected.

[0052] A triggering device 600 is provided on the side frame 102 or the rear frame 103. The triggering device 600 is usually located at the end of the side frame 102 or the rear frame 103 away from the bottom frame 101. The following example uses the triggering device 600 located on the side frame 102 to break down the original steps of installing a fully charged battery pack onto the vehicle into two steps. The first step is to adapt to the thickness of the battery pack. After the transfer device pushes the fully charged battery pack onto the support part 201, it will give the controller a signal that the placement is complete. The controller is a part of the battery swapping station operating system and is mainly used to coordinate the operation between various mechanisms.

[0053] The controller then sends an upward signal to the drive unit 202, which pushes the receiving unit 203, and through the receiving unit 203 pushes the support unit 201, causing the support unit 201 carrying the battery pack to move towards the trigger device 600 until the battery pack touches the trigger device 600. The trigger device 600 senses the battery pack and then sends a command to the controller, which stops the drive unit 202. At this point, the battery pack is considered to have reached the preset position.

[0054] As described above, regardless of the thickness of the battery pack, once the drive unit 202 moves the battery pack to the preset position via the support unit 201, the drive unit 202 will stop operating. Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the battery pack, the distance between the battery pack and the vehicle above will be consistent once the battery pack reaches the preset position.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, at this time, the support part 201 drives the battery pack to move to the trigger device 600.

[0056] The second step then proceeds. The controller again drives the drive unit 202 to operate, continuing to move the battery pack towards the vehicle via the support unit 201, completing the docking of the battery pack with the vehicle and connecting the battery pack's charging interface to the vehicle. The distance the drive unit 202 raises the battery pack in the second step is mainly determined by a preset position. For example, if the preset position is set to 30 centimeters from the docking point on the vehicle, the drive unit 202 only needs to raise the battery pack by 30 centimeters in the second step.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to interface with vehicles for battery packs of various thicknesses using physical positioning, which reduces overall costs while ensuring reliability.

[0058] The triggering device 600 can be an infrared sensor that determines whether the battery pack has reached a preset position. The triggering device 600 can also be implemented through mechanical means.

[0059] like Figure 5 As shown, the triggering device 600 includes a slider 601 and a spring member 603. A groove 602 is provided on the side frame 102, and the slider 601 is slidably connected within the groove 602. The slider 601 is positioned within the groove 602 via the spring member 603. One end of the slider 601 protrudes from the groove 602 under the action of the spring member 603. The side of the slider 601 facing the bottom frame 101 is designed as an inclined surface. When the battery pack, driven by the drive unit 202, contacts the slider 601, the circuit is activated. The inclined surface design of slider 601 allows slider 601 to compress elastic element 603 and retract into slide groove 602. A button switch 604 is also provided in slide groove 602 corresponding to the position of slider 601. When slider 601 is fully retracted into slide groove 602 by the pressure of battery pack, slider 601 will abut against the surface of button switch 604. The button switch will send a signal to controller, indicating that the battery pack has reached the preset position and control drive unit 202 to stop operating.

[0060] Since both disassembling and installing the battery pack require tightening the bolts securing the battery pack to the vehicle, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, multiple through holes 400 are provided on the support part 201, and the through holes 400 are opened at the positions of the bolts on the battery pack. Multiple power components 401 are provided on the receiving part 203. The power components 401 are existing technology, and their specific structure will not be described in detail here. The number of power components 401 is the same as the number of through holes 400, and the positions of the power components 401 corresponding to the through holes 400 are fixed on the receiving part 203. The power components 401 can slide in the through holes 400 under the drive of the receiving part 203, and can extend out of the through holes 400.

[0061] Multiple support blocks 500 are fixed on the base frame 101 at positions corresponding to the support portion 201. The support blocks 500 form a working space 204 between the support portion 201 and the base frame 101. This ensures that, under normal conditions, the receiving portion 203 is flush against the base frame 101, while the support portion 201, under the action of the support blocks 500, has a working space between it and the receiving portion 203. Figure 3 As shown, the power assembly 401 is retracted into the through hole 400. At this time, the surface of the support 201 is flat, which facilitates the operation of the battery pack on the support 201.

[0062] When a fully charged battery pack needs to be installed on a vehicle, after the fully charged battery pack moves onto the support 201, the drive unit 202 drives the receiving part 203 to move towards the support 201. At this time, the power component 401 also moves towards one end of the through hole 400. When the receiving part 203 is close to the support 201, the power component 401 extends out of the through hole 400 and connects with the corresponding bolt on the battery pack. Then, the docking operation of the fully charged battery pack is performed. After the docking is completed, the fully charged battery pack can be fixed on the vehicle by the power component 401, thus completing the battery swapping operation.

[0063] By cooperating with the receiving part 203 and the supporting part 201, the drive mechanism of the additional drive power component 401 can be eliminated, which not only saves equipment procurement costs, but also increases the coordination between the overall equipment.

[0064] Both the drive unit 202 and the trigger device 600 are equipped with signal transmission modules for signal transmission with the controller.

[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A height-adjustable battery charging interface docking device, characterized in that: It includes a battery swapping rack (100) and a lifting and adjusting mechanism (200). The battery swapping rack (100) includes a bottom frame (101), a side frame (102) and a tail frame (103), and the top and front surfaces of the battery swapping rack (100) are open. The lifting adjustment mechanism (200) is installed inside the battery swapping rack (100). The lifting adjustment mechanism (200) includes a support part (201), a drive part (202) and a receiving part (203). The drive part (202) is installed on the bottom frame (101), and the drive end of the drive part (202) is fixedly connected to the receiving part (203). The support part (201) has a downward-opening sliding groove (201a) at the bottom, and the receiving part (203) is inserted into the sliding groove (201a) to form a sliding connection between the support part (201) and the receiving part (203). The support block (500) is fixed on the bottom frame (101), and the bottom of the support part (201) presses against the top of the support block (500) to form a working space (204) between the support block (500) and the bottom frame (101); A triggering device (600) is provided on the side frame (102) or the tail frame (103).

2. The adjustable battery charging interface docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving part (203) is provided with a plurality of power components (401) for disassembling the battery pack, and the supporting part (201) is provided with a plurality of through holes (400) for the power components (401) to pass through; the power components (401) are fixed on the receiving part (203).

3. The adjustable battery charging interface docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The triggering device (600) is equipped with an infrared sensing device for detecting the height position of the battery pack.

4. The adjustable battery charging interface docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A groove (602) for placing a triggering device (600) is provided on the side frame (102) or the tail frame (103); The triggering device (600) includes a slider (601) and an elastic element (603). The elastic element (603) is disposed in a slide groove (602). The slider (601) is fixed on the elastic element (603) and slidably disposed in the slide groove (602). A button switch (604) is fixed in the slide groove (602). The side of the slider (601) facing the bottom frame (101) is a beveled surface.

5. A lifting and adjusting battery charging interface docking device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the receiving part (203) is provided with a guide post (701), and the bottom frame (101) is provided with a guide hole (702) for the guide post (701) to pass through.

6. The adjustable battery charging interface docking device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The support part (201) is provided with a plurality of rollers (300).

7. A battery swapping station, characterized in that, The battery swapping station includes the docking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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