Battery replacement device

Abstract

A compact drive unit is used to appropriately raise and lower multiple batteries. [Solution] The battery replacement device 20 includes a first lifting frame 30A that holds a first battery 110A and is movable up and down, a second lifting frame 30B that holds a second battery 110B and is movable up and down in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame 30A, a linear connecting member 40 of a predetermined length provided above the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B, with one end connected to the first lifting frame 30A and the other end connected to the second lifting frame 30B, a drive unit 44 that moves the connecting member 40, and a pulley 42 that supports the connecting member 40. The drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 so as the first lifting frame 30A rises, the second lifting frame 30B is lowered, and moves the connecting member 40 so as the first lifting frame 30A is lowered, the second lifting frame 30B is raised.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery replacement device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an exchange system that automatically performs the replacement work of a vehicle battery. In this exchange system, gripping means movable along a rail raises and lowers while gripping the battery, thereby performing the replacement work of the battery at the upper part of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a vehicle equipped with a plurality of replaceable batteries, it is necessary to replace a plurality of batteries. However, since the gripping means of the above exchange system grips only one battery, the replacement work of a plurality of batteries becomes long. A method of raising and lowering a plurality of batteries by one gripping means may be proposed, but in this case, it is necessary to enlarge the drive unit that operates the gripping means.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to appropriately raise and lower a plurality of batteries with a small drive unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a battery replacement device is provided, comprising: a first lifting frame that holds a first battery and is movable up and down; a second lifting frame that holds a second battery and is movable up and down in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame; a linear connecting member of a predetermined length provided above the first and second lifting frames, with one end connected to the first lifting frame and the other end connected to the second lifting frame; a drive unit for moving the connecting member; and a pulley supporting the connecting member, wherein the drive unit moves the connecting member so as the first lifting frame rises, the second lifting frame falls, and moves the connecting member so as the first lifting frame falls, the second lifting frame falls.

[0007] Furthermore, the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame can be positioned at multiple locations in the lifting direction, and the drive unit may move the connecting member such that the first lifting frame is positioned at the upper end of the lifting direction and the second lifting frame is positioned at the lower end of the lifting direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the first lifting frame may have a first arm for holding the first battery which is attached to and detached from the vehicle, and the second lifting frame may have a second arm for holding the second battery which is attached to and detached from the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the first lifting frame may have a first swivel frame for swiveling the first battery it holds, and the second lifting frame may have a second swivel frame for swiveling the second battery it holds.

[0010] Furthermore, the first swivel frame may rotate the first battery while the first lifting frame is being raised or lowered, and the second swivel frame may rotate the second battery while the second lifting frame is being raised or lowered.

[0011] Furthermore, the timing at which the first rotating frame rotates the first battery may be different from the timing at which the second rotating frame rotates the second battery.

[0012] Furthermore, the system may also include guide sections that guide the first and second lifting frames, which move up and down in the opposite direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the pulley may include a first pulley located above the first lifting frame and a second pulley located above the second lifting frame. Furthermore, the connecting member may be a chain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a compact drive unit can appropriately raise and lower multiple batteries. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery replacement system 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the battery replacement device 20. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the replacement position. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the second storage position. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the first storage position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] <Overview of the battery replacement system> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery replacement system 1 according to one embodiment. In FIG. 1, the battery replacement system 1 is provided only on the right side (the rear in the front-rear direction shown in FIG. 1) of the vehicle 100, but is not limited thereto. For example, the battery replacement system 1 may be located on both sides of the vehicle 100.

[0017] The battery replacement system 1 is a system for replacing the battery 110 of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is a large vehicle such as a truck or a bus, for example. When the vehicle 100 stops at a predetermined position (in FIG. 1, the front of the battery replacement system 1), the battery 110 is automatically replaced.

[0018] The battery replacement system 1 includes a container 10, a storage unit 15, a battery replacement device 20, and a control unit 70. The container 10 is formed in a large box shape and has a space inside. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in FIG. 1 and the like are the directions when the battery replacement system 1 is viewed from the front.

[0019] The storage unit 15 is provided inside the container 10 and is a shelf for storing the battery 110. The storage unit 15 has upper and lower stages 16a and 16b that are separated in the up-down direction. The batteries 110 charged by the charging equipment are placed on the upper stage 16a and the lower stage 16b. The storage unit 15 is provided at the rear in the front-rear direction shown in FIG. 1 inside the container 10.

[0020] The battery replacement device 20 removes the battery 110 mounted on the vehicle 100 from the vehicle 100 and stores it in the storage unit 15. Further, the battery replacement device 20 takes out the charged battery 110 stored in the storage unit 15 from the storage unit 15 and mounts it on the vehicle 100. The battery replacement device 20 is provided in front of the front-rear direction of FIG. 1 inside the container 10.

[0021] The control unit 70 controls the operation of the battery replacement device 20 to automatically replace the battery 110 of the vehicle 100. The control unit 70 also controls the charging equipment to charge the battery 110 housed in the housing 15.

[0022] <Detailed configuration of the battery replacement device> Figure 2 shows the configuration of the battery replacement device 20. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the replacement position. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the second storage position. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the first lifting frame 30A is in the first storage position. Note that in Figure 2, the connecting member 40, pulley 42, and drive unit 44 are omitted for the sake of explanation. In Figures 3 to 5, the configurations of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B are simplified, and the running rail 24 is omitted.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the battery replacement device 20 includes a housing 22, a first lifting frame 30A, a second lifting frame 30B, a connecting member 40, a pulley 42, a drive unit 44, and a guide unit 46.

[0024] The housing 22 is box-shaped and forms the framework of the battery exchange device 20. The housing 22 is movable on the running rail 24. As shown in Figure 2, the running rail 24 is provided along the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction), and the housing 22 moves in the left-right direction by the driving force of an actuator such as a motor.

[0025] The first lifting frame 30A is located inside the housing 22 and is positioned on the left side in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the first lifting frame 30A can move up and down in the vertical direction perpendicular to the front-back and left-right directions. Specifically, the first lifting frame 30A moves up and down along the guide portion 46 provided on the housing 22 by the driving force of the drive unit 44. The first lifting frame 30A holds the first battery 110A. The first lifting frame 30A moves up and down in the vertical direction while holding the first battery 110A.

[0026] The first lifting frame 30A can be positioned at multiple locations in the vertical direction (lifting direction). Specifically, the first lifting frame 30A moves up and down between the replacement position (position shown in Figure 3), the first storage position (position shown in Figure 5), and the second storage position (position shown in Figure 4). The replacement position is the lowest lower end position in the vertical direction, the first storage position is the highest upper end position in the vertical direction, and the second storage position is a position between the replacement position and the first storage position in the vertical direction. The first lifting frame 30A can be stopped at the replacement position, the first storage position, and the second storage position.

[0027] When the first lifting frame 30A is in the replacement position, the first battery 110A is attached to the vehicle 100 or removed from the vehicle 100. When the first lifting frame 30A is in the first storage position, the first battery 110A held by the first lifting frame 30A can be stored in the upper section 16a (Figure 1) of the storage section 15, and when the first lifting frame 30A is in the second storage position, the first battery 110A held by the first lifting frame 30A can be stored in the lower section 16b (Figure 1) of the storage section 15.

[0028] The first lifting frame 30A includes a first slewing frame 33A and a first arm 36A. The first swivel frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A that it holds. The first swivel frame 33A is rotatably supported relative to the first lifting frame 30A. Specifically, the first swivel frame 33A is located within the first lifting frame 30A and rotates within the first lifting frame 30A. By rotating, the first swivel frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A.

[0029] The first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A by 180 degrees between a first position in which the battery 110A it holds faces forward in the front-rear direction and a second position in which it faces backward in the front-rear direction. The first position is the position in which the first battery 110A faces the vehicle 100, and the second position is the position in which the first battery 110A faces the housing 15.

[0030] The first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A while the first lifting frame 30A is moving up and down. For example, the first rotating frame 33A starts rotating the first battery 110A when the first lifting frame 30A starts moving up and down.

[0031] The first arm 36A holds the first battery 110A, which is attached to and detached from the vehicle 100. The first arm 36A is slidably supported relative to the first slewing frame 33A. While holding the first battery 110A, the first arm 36A slides in the vertical and longitudinal directions. The first slewing frame 33A is provided with rails to allow the first arm 36A to slide. This makes it easier for the first arm 36A to house the first battery 110A in the housing 15. Furthermore, as the first arm 36A slides, even if the stopping position of the vehicle 100 relative to the battery exchange device 20 shifts, it becomes easier to attach the first battery 110A to the predetermined position on the vehicle 100, and it also becomes easier to remove the first battery 110A from the vehicle 100.

[0032] The second lifting frame 30B is located inside the housing 22 and is positioned on the right side in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the second lifting frame 30B is capable of moving up and down. Specifically, the second lifting frame 30B moves up and down along the guide portion 46 provided on the housing 22 by the driving force of the drive unit 44. In this embodiment, the second lifting frame 30B does not move up and down in the same direction as the first lifting frame 30A, but moves up and down in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame 30A. That is, the second lifting frame 30B moves down when the first lifting frame 30A moves up, and moves up when the first lifting frame 30A moves down.

[0033] The second lifting frame 30B can be positioned at multiple locations in the vertical direction (lifting direction). Specifically, the second lifting frame 30B moves up and down between a replacement position (position shown in Figure 5) where the second battery 110B is installed on the vehicle 100, a first storage position (position shown in Figure 3) where the second battery 110B is housed in the upper section 16a of the storage section 15, and a second storage position (position shown in Figure 4) where the second battery 110B is housed in the lower section 16b of the storage section 15, similar to the first lifting frame 30A. The second lifting frame 30B can be stopped at the replacement position, the first storage position, and the second storage position.

[0034] The second lifting frame 30B includes a second swivel frame 33B and a second arm 36B. The second slewing frame 33B rotates the second battery 110B that it holds. The second slewing frame 33B is rotatably supported relative to the second lifting frame 30B, and by rotating, it rotates the second battery 110B.

[0035] The second rotating frame 33B rotates the second battery 110B while the second lifting frame 30B is moving up and down. For example, the second rotating frame 33B starts rotating the second battery 110B when the second lifting frame 30B starts moving up and down. In this case, the timing at which the second rotating frame 33B rotates the second battery 110B is the same as the timing at which the first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A. However, the above is not limited to the above, and the timing at which the second rotating frame 33B rotates the second battery 110B may differ from the timing at which the first rotating frame 33A rotates the first battery 110A. For example, the second rotating frame 33B may rotate the second battery 110B after the rotation of the first battery 110A by the first rotating frame 33A is completed. This prevents interference between the first rotating frame 33A and the second rotating frame 33B during rotation.

[0036] The second arm 36B holds the second battery 110B, which is attached to and detached from the vehicle 100. The second arm 36B is slidably supported relative to the second swivel frame 33B. While holding the second battery 110B, the second arm 36B slides in the vertical and longitudinal directions. This makes it easier for the second arm 36B to house the second battery 110B in the housing 15. Furthermore, as the second arm 36B slides, even if the stopping position of the vehicle 100 relative to the battery exchange device 20 shifts, it becomes easier to install the second battery 110B in the predetermined position on the vehicle 100, and also easier to remove the second battery 110B from the vehicle 100.

[0037] The connecting member 40 is a member that connects the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. Specifically, one end of the connecting member 40 is connected to the first lifting frame 30A, and the other end of the connecting member 40 is connected to the second lifting frame. The connecting member 40 is provided above the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. Specifically, the connecting member 40 is provided so as to be supported in the center of the upper part of the housing 22.

[0038] The connecting member 40 is a linear member of a predetermined length, and is a chain as an example. However, it is not limited to the above, and the connecting member 40 may be a wire or a belt. By using such a connecting member 40, the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B can be raised and lowered simultaneously in opposite directions in the vertical direction.

[0039] The pulley 42 movably supports the connecting member 40. Here, the pulley 42 is a fixed pulley fixed to the upper part of the housing 22. There are two pulleys 42 in this case, one pulley 42 is located to the left of the drive unit 44, and the other pulley 42 is located to the right of the drive unit 44. Specifically, one pulley 42 is the first pulley located above the first lifting frame 30A, and the other pulley 42 is the second pulley located above the second lifting frame 30B. The connecting member 40 is movably in contact with the outer surfaces of the two pulleys 42. With the two pulleys 42 provided above the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B in this way, the lifting and lowering of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B can be performed smoothly.

[0040] The drive unit 44 is a motor, which moves the connecting member 40. The drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 in the left-right direction, thereby raising and lowering the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. For example, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 to the right, thereby raising the first lifting frame 30A and lowering the second lifting frame 30B. In this case, the first lifting frame 30A acts as a counterweight, allowing the second lifting frame 30B to be lowered smoothly without the need for a dedicated counterweight.

[0041] On the other hand, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 to the left, thereby raising the second lifting frame 30B and lowering the first lifting frame 30A. In this case, the second lifting frame 30B acts as a counterweight, allowing the first lifting frame 30A to be lowered smoothly without the need for a dedicated counterweight.

[0042] The drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 so that the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B are positioned in predetermined locations. For example, the drive unit 44 moves the connecting member 40 to position the first lifting frame 30A in the first housing position and the second lifting frame 30B in the exchange position in the lifting direction. In this case, the first battery 110A can be housed in the housing 15 while the second battery 110B is mounted on the vehicle 100. Similarly, the drive unit 44 positions the first lifting frame 30A in the second housing position and the second lifting frame 30B in the second housing position. Alternatively, the drive unit 44 can position the first lifting frame 30A in the exchange position and the second lifting frame 30B in the first housing position.

[0043] Incidentally, a method can be considered in which the first slewing frame 33A and the second slewing frame 33B are supported by a single lifting frame, and the single lifting frame is raised and lowered. In this method, since a single lifting frame is raised and lowered, the first slewing frame 33A and the second slewing frame 33B will rise or fall simultaneously. In this case, since the weight of the frame raised and lowered by the drive unit will be large, a drive unit that generates a large driving force will be required. Furthermore, in the above method, a dedicated counterweight needs to be provided on the housing 22 in order to raise and lower the lifting frame smoothly.

[0044] In contrast, in this embodiment, when one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B rises, the other descends, thus reducing the driving force of the drive unit 44. Furthermore, since one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B functions as a counterweight, there is no need to provide a dedicated counterweight, and the battery replacement device 20 can be made smaller.

[0045] The description of the configuration of this embodiment will continue. The guide section 46 guides the raising and lowering of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B. The guide section 46 is a guide member provided along the vertical direction on the frame of the housing 22. By providing the guide section 46, the posture of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B can be stabilized when they are raised and lowered, as they are connected to the connecting member 40.

[0046] <Effects of this embodiment> The battery replacement device 20 of the above-described embodiment includes a linear connecting member 40 that connects a first lifting frame 30A and a second lifting frame 30B, which can be raised and lowered in opposite directions, a pulley 42 that movably supports the connecting member 40, and a drive unit 44 that rotates the pulley 42. When the pulley 42 rotates in the forward direction, it lowers the second lifting frame 30B as the first lifting frame 30A rises, and when it rotates in the reverse direction, it raises the second lifting frame 30B as the first lifting frame 30A descends. As a result, when the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B are raised or lowered, one of them functions as a counterweight, eliminating the need for a separate counterweight. Furthermore, since only one of the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B is pulled, the driving force of the drive unit 44 can be reduced compared to when both the first lifting frame 30A and the second lifting frame 30B are pulled, thus allowing the drive unit 44 to be made smaller.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 20 Battery replacement device 30A First Lifting Frame 30B Second Lifting Frame 33A First rotating frame 33B Second Rotating Frame 36A First Arm 36B Second Arm 40 Connecting member 42 Pulleys 44 Drive unit 46 Guide section 110A Battery No. 1 110B Second Battery

Claims

1. A first lifting frame that holds the first battery and is movable up and down, A second lifting frame that holds a second battery and can be raised and lowered in the opposite direction to the first lifting frame, A linear connecting member of a predetermined length is provided above the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame, with one end connected to the first lifting frame and the other end connected to the second lifting frame, A drive unit for moving the connecting member, The pulley supporting the aforementioned connecting member, Equipped with, The drive unit moves the connecting member so as the first lifting frame rises, the second lifting frame falls, and moves the connecting member so as the first lifting frame falls, the second lifting frame falls. Battery replacement device.

2. The first lifting frame and the second lifting frame can be positioned at multiple locations in the lifting direction. The drive unit moves the connecting member such that the first lifting frame is positioned at the upper end in the lifting direction and the second lifting frame is positioned at the lower end in the lifting direction. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

3. The first lifting frame has a first arm that holds the first battery which is attached to and detached from the vehicle, The second lifting frame has a second arm for holding the second battery which is attached to and detached from the vehicle. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

4. The first lifting frame has a first swivel frame that rotates the first battery it holds, The second lifting frame has a second swivel frame that swivels the second battery it holds. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

5. The first swivel frame rotates the first battery while the first lifting frame is being raised and lowered. The second swivel frame rotates the second battery while the second lifting frame is being raised or lowered. The battery replacement device according to claim 4.

6. The timing at which the first rotating frame rotates the first battery is different from the timing at which the second rotating frame rotates the second battery. The battery replacement device according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a guide section that guides the first lifting frame and the second lifting frame, which move up and down in the opposite direction. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

8. The pulley includes a first pulley located above the first lifting frame and a second pulley located above the second lifting frame. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

9. The connecting member is a chain. The battery replacement device according to claim 1.

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