Battery pack taking and placing device and battery replacement trolley

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of battery pack taking and placing device and battery swap trolley, including upper layer support, lower layer support, ball hinge and multiple elastic support mechanism, upper layer support and lower layer support are stacked, upper layer support is used to support battery pack, ball hinge is located between upper layer support and lower layer support, multiple elastic support mechanism is located between upper layer support and lower layer support, and it is arranged around ball hinge, elastic support mechanism can be controllably elastically deformed along first direction, second direction and third direction.The utility model takes and places battery pack on battery support, ball hinge can let upper layer support have certain angular deflection around ball hinge center, to adapt to the deflection error and positioning error of battery pack position caused by various factors.And, elastic support mechanism can let upper layer support have certain up and down float relative to lower layer support, to adapt to the deflection error and positioning error of battery pack position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of battery swapping equipment technology, specifically relating to a battery pack loading and unloading device and a battery swapping trolley. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, battery swapping for electric vehicles primarily relies on battery swapping carts to transport battery packs between the electric vehicle and the swapping station. Swapping stations are typically equipped with battery racks to hold the battery packs. When the swapping cart moves near the racks, it aligns its battery pack loading / unloading device with the battery pack on the rack, and then the battery pack is towed onto the cart. However, for truck-type swapping stations, uneven truck loads and inconsistent tire pressures can cause misalignment of the battery packs. This can lead to collisions and friction between the battery pack and the loading / unloading device when the battery pack is towed, and in cases of significant error, it may even be impossible to successfully tow the battery pack onto the device.

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery pack picking and placing device, which solves the problem that the battery pack picking and placing device cannot smoothly pick up and place the battery pack when the battery pack has a positional misalignment error.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a specific embodiment of this utility model provides a battery pack loading and unloading device for loading and unloading battery packs on a battery holder. The battery pack loading and unloading device includes an upper support, a lower support, a ball joint, and multiple elastic support mechanisms. The upper support and the lower support are stacked. The upper support is used to support the battery pack. The ball joint is located between the upper support and the lower support. The multiple elastic support mechanisms are located between the upper support and the lower support and are arranged around the ball joint. The elastic support mechanisms can controllably generate elastic deformation along a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the elastic support mechanism includes a sleeve disposed on the lower support, an elastic element disposed in the sleeve, and an insert disposed at the top of the elastic element. The insert is embedded in the upper support and can rotate relative to the upper support in any direction.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the battery pack loading and unloading device includes four elastic support mechanisms arranged in a rectangular pattern.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes a dragging mechanism disposed on the upper support and controllably movable along a first direction. The dragging mechanism is used to drag the battery pack on the battery bracket to the upper support and also to push the battery pack on the upper support to the battery bracket.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the dragging mechanism includes a first moving part that can be controlled to move along a first direction and a second moving part that can be controlled to move along a second direction, the second moving part being used to engage with the battery pack along the second direction.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes a guide rail extending along a first direction and disposed on an upper support, the guide rail being used to allow the battery pack to move along its surface.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the battery pack taking and placing device further includes two reset mechanisms. Each reset mechanism includes a connecting part connected to the lower support and an elastic part connected to the connecting part. The two elastic parts of the two reset mechanisms abut against the upper support in opposite directions in the horizontal direction.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes a lateral shifting mechanism, which includes a third moving part that can be controlled to move along a second direction. The third moving part is used to drive the upper support to move relative to the lower support along the second direction.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes a positioning pin disposed at the front end of the upper support and extending along the first direction, the positioning pin being used to be inserted into the positioning hole of the battery support.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the battery pack loading and unloading device includes two positioning pins spaced apart along a second direction, and the vertical projections of the two positioning pins on a plane perpendicular to the first direction have different shapes.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes a camera disposed within a positioning pin.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack loading and unloading device further includes an unlocking mechanism disposed at the front end of the upper support and extending along a first direction, the unlocking mechanism being used to unlock the locking mechanism on the battery support that locks the battery pack.

[0017] In another aspect, this utility model also provides a battery swapping vehicle, which includes the aforementioned battery pack loading and unloading device.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, this invention allows the upper support to swing at a certain angle around the center of the ball joint when placing or removing the battery pack from the battery holder, thus accommodating the positional and positioning errors of the battery pack caused by various factors. Furthermore, the elastic support mechanism allows the upper support to float vertically relative to the lower support, further accommodating the positional and positioning errors of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective structural view of the battery pack loading and unloading device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view of the battery pack loading and unloading device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the battery pack loading and unloading device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of part B in the middle section;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery swapping vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Key reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Battery pack loading and unloading device; 11. Upper support; 111. First frame; 112. First support beam; 12. Lower support; 121. Second frame; 122. Second support beam; 13. Ball joint; 14. Elastic support mechanism; 141. Sleeve; 142. Elastic element; 143. Embedded element; 15. Guide rail; 16. Dragging mechanism; 161. First moving part; 162. First fixed part; 163. Second moving part; 164. Second fixed part; 17. Reset mechanism; 171. Connecting part; 172. Elastic part; 18. Lateral shift mechanism; 19. Positioning pin; 110. Unlocking mechanism; 2. Moving device; 3. Supporting device; 4. Lifting device. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0029] Secondly, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0030] Additionally, the term "first direction" is parallel to the horizontal direction; see the following for details. Figure 1 In the X-axis direction, the "second direction" is parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the "first direction," as shown in the Y-axis direction in section 1. The "third direction" is parallel to the vertical direction, as shown in the Z-axis direction in section 1.

[0031] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figures 1 to 5As shown, this utility model provides a battery pack loading and unloading device 1, which includes an upper support 11, a lower support 12, a ball joint 13, multiple elastic support mechanisms 14, a guide rail 15, and a dragging mechanism 16. The upper support 11 and the lower support 12 are stacked vertically. The ball joint 13 is located between the upper support 11 and the lower support 12, with its top end connected to the upper support 11 and its bottom end connected to the lower support 12, allowing the upper support 11 to rotate relative to the lower support 12 in any direction. Multiple elastic support mechanisms 14 are located between the upper support 11 and the lower support 12 and are also arranged around the ball joint 13. Each elastic support mechanism 14 can be controllably deformed along a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction to ensure that the upper support 11 and the lower support 12 are always in a stable connection state when they rotate relative to each other. The guide rail 15 extends along the first direction on the upper support 11 and is used to allow the battery pack to move along its surface. The dragging mechanism 16 is mounted on the upper support 11 and can be moved in a controlled manner along a first direction to drag the battery pack on the battery holder onto the guide rail 15, and also to push the battery pack on the guide rail 15 onto the battery holder.

[0032] According to the above structural design, when using the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 to load and unload the battery pack on the battery bracket, the ball joint 13 allows the upper bracket 11 to swing at a certain angle around the center of the ball joint 13, to accommodate the swing error and positioning error of the battery pack position caused by various factors. Furthermore, the elastic support mechanism 14 allows the upper bracket 11 to float vertically relative to the lower bracket 12, to accommodate the swing error and positioning error of the battery pack position.

[0033] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 3 As shown, the upper support 11 includes a first frame 111 and a first support beam 112 disposed within the first frame, and the lower support 12 includes a second frame 121 and a second support beam 122 disposed within the second frame. The first support beam 112 and the second support beam 122 both extend along a first direction, and a ball joint 13 is disposed between the first support beam 112 and the second support beam 122.

[0034] Furthermore, both the first frame 111 and the second frame are constructed as rectangular structures.

[0035] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 5 As shown, the elastic support mechanism 14 includes a sleeve 141, an elastic element 142, and an insert 143. The sleeve 141 is fixedly connected to the lower support 12. The elastic element 142 is disposed inside the sleeve 141, and the top end of the elastic element 142 extends out of the sleeve 141. The insert 143 is fixedly connected to the top end of the elastic element 142. The top end of the insert 143 is provided with an arc surface, and the arc surface is at least partially embedded in the upper support 11, so that the insert 143 can rotate relative to the upper support 11 in any direction.

[0036] Furthermore, the elastic element 142 can be a spring.

[0037] Furthermore, four elastic support mechanisms 14 are provided, and the four elastic support mechanisms 14 are distributed in a rectangular shape at the four corners of the first frame 111 and the second frame.

[0038] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, two guide rails 15 are provided, and the two guide rails 15 are arranged opposite each other along the second direction. Furthermore, on the plane perpendicular to the first direction, the shape of the vertical projection of the guide rail 15 is approximately L-shaped, that is, the guide rail 15 includes an integrally connected base plate and a side plate, the base plate is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, and the side plate is approximately parallel to the vertical direction.

[0039] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the dragging mechanism 16 includes a first moving part 161, a second moving part 163, a first fixed part 162, and a second fixed part 164. Two first fixed parts 162 are provided and configured as slide rails. The two first fixed parts 162 extend along a first direction and are disposed on the upper support 11. The first moving part 161 has a certain length in a second direction, spanning between the two first fixed parts 162, and is slidably connected to both first fixed parts 162. The second fixed part 164 is configured as a slide rail, extends along a second direction, and is disposed on the first moving part 161. The second moving part 163 is slidably connected to the second fixed part 164, and is configured to engage with the battery pack.

[0040] Furthermore, the towing mechanism 16 also includes a first driving element that drives the first moving part 161 to move in a first direction and a second driving element that drives the second moving part 163 to move in a second direction. The first driving element can be a linear motor, and the second driving element can be an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0041] Furthermore, the battery pack includes a handle that can engage with the second moving part 163. When the second moving part 163 engages with the handle, it can temporarily connect the dragging mechanism 16 and the battery pack together, making it easier for the dragging mechanism 16 to apply force to the battery pack.

[0042] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 also includes two reset mechanisms 17, which are arranged on both sides of the first support beam 112 along a second direction. Each reset mechanism 17 includes a connecting portion 171 and an elastic portion 172. The connecting portion 171 is fixedly connected to the lower support bracket 12. One side of each elastic portion 172 of the two reset mechanisms 17 abuts against the connecting portion 171 in a horizontal direction, and the other side abuts against the first support beam 112 in the opposite direction in a horizontal direction. When the upper support bracket 11 disengages from the battery bracket, the compressed portion of one elastic portion 172 rebounds, driving the upper support bracket 11 to reset. At this time, the other elastic portion 172 acts as a limit, preventing the upper support bracket 11 from moving too far.

[0043] Furthermore, the elastic part 172 may be a spring.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the positions of the two reset mechanisms 17 can also be adaptively adjusted; for example, the two reset mechanisms 17 can also be arranged opposite each other along a first direction. Alternatively, the two reset mechanisms 17 can also be arranged opposite each other in any direction within the horizontal plane.

[0045] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 also includes a lateral movement mechanism 18, which includes a third moving part that can be controlled to move along a second direction. The third moving part is used to drive the upper support 11 to move relative to the lower support 12 in the second direction. The third moving part may be configured as a telescopic part of an electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or hydraulic cylinder.

[0046] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the battery pack taking and placing device 1 also includes an unlocking mechanism 110 located at the front end of the upper support 11 and extending along the first direction. The front end of the upper support 11 is the end of the upper support 11 that is close to the battery holder when taking and placing the battery pack. The unlocking mechanism 110 is constructed as a block structure and is used to open the locking mechanism on the battery holder that locks the battery pack.

[0047] Specifically, the battery pack has rollers on both sides that can roll along the battery support. The locking mechanism is located on the rolling path of the rollers and is configured as a rotatable stop structure. When the unlocking mechanism 110 contacts the stop structure, the unlocking mechanism 110 can controllably drive the stop structure to rotate directly or indirectly, causing the stop structure to move out of the rolling path of the rollers, thereby opening the locking mechanism. The battery pack can then detach from the battery support under the drive of the dragging mechanism 16.

[0048] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 also includes a positioning pin 19 located at the front end of the upper bracket 11 and extending along the first direction. The positioning pin 19 is used to be inserted into the positioning hole of the battery bracket.

[0049] Specifically, the battery holder has a positioning hole, and the positioning pin 19 and the positioning hole together constitute a positioning mechanism. When the battery pack taking and placing device 1 takes and places the battery pack, the positioning pin 19 is aligned with the positioning hole, and then the battery pack taking and placing device 1 moves toward the battery holder. When the positioning pin 19 is inserted into the positioning hole, it indicates that the upper bracket 11 has been aligned with the battery holder, and the battery pack can be removed from the battery holder or placed on the battery holder.

[0050] Furthermore, the battery holder has two positioning holes of different shapes arranged along the second direction. The battery pack taking and placing device 1 includes two positioning pins 19 of different shapes arranged along the second direction, and the two positioning pins 19 are adapted to the two positioning holes one by one.

[0051] As an example, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the vertical projections of the two positioning holes can be constructed as circles and rhombuses respectively, and the vertical projections of the two positioning pins 19 can be constructed as circles and rhombuses respectively, wherein the positioning holes and positioning pins 19 of the same shape are adapted to each other.

[0052] In one embodiment, the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 also includes a camera located in the positioning pin 19, which allows the operator to observe the situation at the battery bracket in real time and improves positioning efficiency.

[0053] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 6 As shown, this utility model provides a battery swapping vehicle, which includes the battery pack loading and unloading device 1, the moving device 2, the supporting device 3, and the lifting device 4 in the above embodiments.

[0054] The mobile device 2 is in contact with the ground and can move controllably along the ground to move the battery pack from the battery bracket to the electric vehicle to be swapped. The support device 3 is vertically mounted on the mobile device 2. The lifting device 4 is mounted on the support device 3, and the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 is mounted on the lifting device 4. The lifting device 4 can drive the battery pack loading and unloading device 1 to move up and down.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style of the specification is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A battery pack loading and unloading device (1), used for loading and unloading a battery pack on a battery holder, characterized in that, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) includes: An upper support (11) and a lower support (12) are stacked, wherein the upper support (11) is used to support the battery pack; A ball joint (13) is provided between the upper support (11) and the lower support (12); Multiple elastic support mechanisms (14) are disposed between the upper support (11) and the lower support (12) and are arranged around the ball joint (13). The elastic support mechanisms (14) can controllably generate elastic deformation along a first direction, a second direction and a third direction.

2. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support mechanism (14) includes a sleeve (141) disposed on the lower support (12), an elastic element (142) disposed within the sleeve (141), and an insert (143) disposed at the top of the elastic element (142). The insert (143) is embedded in the upper support (11) and can rotate relative to the upper support (11) in any direction; and / or, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) includes four elastic support mechanisms (14) arranged in a rectangular shape.

3. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) further includes a dragging mechanism (16) disposed on the upper support (11) and controllably movable in a first direction. The dragging mechanism (16) is used to drag the battery pack on the battery bracket to the upper support (11) and also to push the battery pack on the upper support (11) to the battery bracket.

4. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The dragging mechanism (16) includes a first moving part (161) controllably movable in a first direction and a second moving part (163) controllably movable in a second direction, the second moving part (163) being used for engaging with the battery pack in the second direction; and / or, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) further includes a guide rail (15) extending along a first direction and disposed on the upper support (11), the guide rail (15) being used to allow the battery pack to move along its surface.

5. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack taking and placing device (1) further includes two reset mechanisms (17). Each reset mechanism (17) includes a connecting part (171) connected to the lower support (12) and an elastic part (172) connected to the connecting part (171). The two elastic parts (172) of the two reset mechanisms (17) abut against the upper support (11) in opposite directions in the horizontal direction.

6. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) further includes a lateral shifting mechanism (18), which includes a third moving part that can be controlled to move along a second direction. The third moving part is used to drive the upper support (11) to move relative to the lower support (12) along the second direction.

7. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack taking and placing device (1) further includes a positioning pin (19) located at the front end of the upper bracket (11) and extending along the first direction. The positioning pin (19) is used to be inserted into the positioning hole of the battery bracket.

8. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) includes two positioning pins (19) spaced apart along a second direction. The two positioning pins (19) have different shapes in their vertical projections onto a plane perpendicular to the first direction; and / or, The battery pack loading and unloading device (1) also includes a camera located in the positioning pin (19).

9. The battery pack taking and placing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack taking and placing device (1) further includes an unlocking mechanism (110) located at the front end of the upper bracket (11) and extending along the first direction. The unlocking mechanism (110) is used to open the locking mechanism on the battery bracket that locks the battery pack.

10. A battery replacement trolley, characterized in that, The battery swapping vehicle includes a battery pack loading and unloading device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images