Conveying device

Abstract

The present invention provides a transport device suitable for use when transporting multiple energy storage devices by vehicle. [Solution] A battery carrier 1 used when transporting a portable, detachable battery pack 50 as a power source for electric equipment by vehicle, comprising a carrier body 2 mounted on a vehicle and having a storage space K capable of accommodating a plurality of battery packs 50, the carrier body 2 having an inlet 2a for taking the battery pack 50 into the storage space K, an outlet 2b for taking the battery pack 50 out of the storage space K, and a transport unit 3 for transporting the battery pack 50 between the inlet 2a and the outlet 2b.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, portable detachable battery packs called MPP (Mobile Power Pack) have been developed and are beginning to be used as power sources for electric devices. In addition, battery services using MPP called BaaS (Battery as a Service) are also beginning to be provided. BaaS is a business model in which an EV (Electric Vehicle) user does not own the vehicle's battery as in the conventional case, but uses the battery by replacing it with a charged battery pack at a swapping station.

[0003] Meanwhile, in the above-described BaaS using MPP, a large amount of the battery packs may be transported for reasons such as maintenance of the battery packs. In this case, a carrier (battery carrier) for transporting the battery packs by a vehicle is required.

[0004] In addition to the case where a plurality of MPPs are packed and transported by a freight vehicle such as a truck, when a plurality of MPPs are transported by a general vehicle such as a commercial vehicle, it is important to achieve stable transport and to be able to grasp the status (information) of each MPP.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a battery vehicle in which a battery box having a battery therein is installed to be loadable and unloadable. Specifically, this battery vehicle includes (A) a slide member (2) fixed to the outer side wall of the battery box (1), and (B) rollers (3) that slidably support the slide member (2) from below so that the lower surface of the battery box (1) installed on the vehicle body (10) does not come into contact with the vehicle body (10).

[0006] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses an electric low-floor vehicle in which a battery unit (BU) is detachably attached to a battery storage compartment (26) of the vehicle body. Specifically, this electric low-floor vehicle includes a battery storage compartment (26) located under the seat behind the footrest floor (4) and opening to the front, a battery unit (BU) which is inserted into and removed from the battery storage compartment (26) from the footrest floor (4) side along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and has an electrode connector (42) that is connected to a power supply connector (41) on the vehicle body side, and rolling rollers (36a) attached to the battery unit (BU) that roll on a track along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body inside the battery storage compartment (26). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-287137 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-209040 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, in the invention described in Patent Document 1 above, a roller (3) located below a sliding member (2) fixed to the outside of the side wall of the battery box (1) rotates, causing the battery box (1) to move away from the vehicle body (10), thus facilitating the loading and unloading of the battery.

[0009] However, when multiple battery boxes (1) are installed on the vehicle body (10), space is required for each battery box (1) to install a sliding member (2) and a roller (3). In addition, the cost required to install the battery boxes (1) on the vehicle body (10) will also increase.

[0010] On the other hand, in the invention described in Patent Document 2 above, when removing a battery unit (BU) from the battery storage compartment (26), the electrode connector (42) connected to the power supply connector (41) on the vehicle body side is detached. However, when multiple battery units (BU) are housed in the battery storage compartment (26), connecting the power supply connector (41) and the electrode connector (42) becomes difficult. In particular, when multiple battery units (BU) are housed in the depth direction of the battery storage compartment (26), it becomes extremely difficult to adopt such a structure.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a transport device that is suitably used when transporting multiple energy storage devices by vehicle, in order to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. (1) The transport device according to the present invention is a transport device (for example, a battery carrier 1 according to the embodiment) used when transporting a portable, detachable energy storage device (for example, a battery pack 50 according to the embodiment) by a vehicle (for example, a vehicle 100 according to the embodiment), and comprises a carrier body (for example, a carrier body 2 according to the embodiment) mounted on the vehicle, having a storage space (for example, a storage space K according to the embodiment) capable of accommodating a plurality of the energy storage devices, the carrier body having an inlet (for example, an inlet 2a according to the embodiment) for taking the energy storage devices into the storage space, an outlet (for example, an outlet 2b according to the embodiment) for taking the energy storage devices out of the storage space, and a transport unit (for example, a transport unit 3 according to the embodiment) for transporting the energy storage devices between the inlet and the outlet.

[0013] According to the transport device of the present invention, by mounting the carrier body on a vehicle and housing multiple energy storage units in the storage space of the carrier body, it is possible to transport multiple energy storage units in a stable state by the vehicle.

[0014] (2) In the conveying device described in (1) above, the conveying unit may have a plurality of conveying bodies (for example, the conveying rollers 4 in this embodiment) arranged in the direction of conveying the energy storage device, and a drive unit for driving the plurality of conveying bodies, wherein the drive unit drives the energy storage device, which is placed directly or indirectly on the plurality of conveying bodies, to be conveyed in the direction in which the plurality of conveying bodies are arranged.

[0015] According to the transport device described in (2) above, it is possible to transport the energy storage units automatically. In addition, it becomes easier to insert and remove the energy storage units from the inlet and outlet of the carrier body.

[0016] (3) In the transport device described in (1) above, the transport unit may be configured to sequentially transport the energy storage unit housed in the storage space from the intake side to the outlet side.

[0017] According to the transport device described in (3) above, it is possible to sequentially transport the energy storage devices housed in the storage space from the intake side to the outlet side via the transport section.

[0018] (4) In the conveying device described in (3) above, the intake and the outlet are located at one end of the carrier body in the conveying direction for conveying the energy storage unit, and the conveying unit may have a configuration comprising: a first conveying path (for example, the first conveying path 3a in the embodiment) extending from the intake toward the other end in the conveying direction; a second conveying path (for example, the second conveying path 3b in the embodiment) extending from the outlet toward the other end in the conveying direction; and a third conveying path (for example, the third conveying path 3c in the embodiment) located at the other end in the conveying direction for switching the direction in which the energy storage unit is conveyed between the first and second conveying paths.

[0019] According to the transport device described in the above (4), while switching the transport direction of the energy storage device at the third transport path between the first transport path and the second transport path, it is possible to accommodate more energy storage devices in the accommodation space of the carrier body between the first transport path and the second transport path. In addition, the energy storage devices can be easily taken in and out from the inlet and the outlet of the carrier body.

[0020] (5) In the transport device described in the above (4), the first transport path may be provided on the upper stage side of the accommodation space, the second transport path may be provided on the lower stage side of the accommodation space, and the third transport path may be configured to drop the energy storage device from the first transport path side to the second transport path side.

[0021] According to the transport device described in the above (5), it is possible to accommodate more energy storage devices in the height direction of the accommodation space of the carrier body, between the first transport path provided on the upper stage side of the accommodation space and the second transport path provided on the lower stage side of the accommodation space. Further, in the third transport path, it is possible to switch the transport direction of the energy storage device by the fall of the energy storage device.

[0022] (6) In the transport device described in the above (5), the third transport path may be provided with a buffer portion that reduces the impact caused by the fall of the energy storage device.

[0023] According to the transport device described in the above (5), the impact applied to the energy storage device when the energy storage device falls can be reduced by the buffer portion.

[0024] (7) The transport device described in the above (1) may be configured to include an information acquisition unit that acquires information of the energy storage device accommodated in the carrier body, and the information acquisition unit is communicably connected to the energy storage device that is taken into the accommodation space from the inlet, so as to acquire the information recorded in the storage unit on the energy storage device side.

[0025] According to the conveying device described in the above (7), it is possible to acquire information on each energy storage device accommodated in the carrier main body by the information acquisition unit.

[0026] (8) In the conveying device described in the above (7), inside the carrier main body, a connector unit (for example, the connector unit 6 of the embodiment) that communicatively connects the energy storage device and the information acquisition unit, an arm unit (for example, the arm unit 7 of the embodiment) that supports the connector unit, and a rotation mechanism (for example, the rotation mechanism 8 of the embodiment) that rotates the arm unit between a connection position where the connector unit is connected to the energy storage device and a retracted position where the connector unit is retracted may be provided.

[0027] According to the conveying device described in the above (8), by rotating the arm unit with the rotation mechanism, it is possible to rotate the connector unit between the connection position and the retracted position relative to the energy storage device.

[0028] (9) The conveying device described in the above (7) may be configured to include a storage unit (for example, the storage unit 20 of the embodiment) that stores the information of the energy storage device acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0029] According to the conveying device described in the above (9), it is possible to store the information of the energy storage device acquired by the information acquisition unit in the storage unit.

[0030] (10) The conveying device described in the above (7) may be configured to include a display unit (for example, the display unit 30 of the embodiment) that displays the information of the energy storage device acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0031] According to the conveying device described in the above (10), it is possible to display the information of the energy storage device acquired by the information acquisition unit on the display unit.

[0032] (11) In the conveying device described in the above (1), the energy storage device may be a detachable battery pack that is portable as a power source for electric equipment.

[0033] According to the transport device described in (11) above, by mounting the carrier body on a vehicle and housing multiple battery packs in the storage space of the carrier body, it is possible to transport multiple battery packs in a stable state by the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the present invention, a transport device is provided that is suitably used when transporting multiple energy storage devices by vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This shows a battery carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention mounted on a vehicle, with (A) being a side view and (B) being a rear view thereof. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the battery carrier. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The shapes, components, arrangement positions of components, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Dimensions are not precisely shown in each figure. In each figure, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numeral.

[0037] As an embodiment of the present invention, we will describe, for example, the battery carrier 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the battery carrier 1 mounted on the vehicle 100, with (A) being a side view and (B) being a rear view. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the battery carrier 1.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1(A), (B) and 2, the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment is used when transporting (carrying) a portable, detachable battery pack 50, which is used as a power source for electric equipment, by vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the battery pack 50 is not used as a power source for the vehicle 100, which is the means of transport, but is transported as cargo of the vehicle 100.

[0039] In particular, the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment is suitably used in a BaaS using MPP when transporting multiple MPPs in a general vehicle such as a commercial vehicle. Furthermore, this embodiment illustrates a case in which two battery carriers 1 are mounted in the rear of the interior of a vehicle 100, as shown in Figures 1(A) and (B).

[0040] Therefore, the battery carrier 1 is configured to allow the battery pack 50 to be inserted and removed from the rear of the vehicle 100. Alternatively, depending on the orientation in which the battery carrier 1 is mounted on the vehicle, it may be configured to allow the battery pack 50 to be inserted and removed from, for example, the side of the vehicle.

[0041] The battery pack 50 is envisioned to be a size and weight that can be carried by hand, even among MPPs. The battery pack 50 is provided with a memory unit that can rewrite information such as memory, an external connector unit electrically connected to the memory unit, and a charging terminal unit electrically connected to an external charger. The information recorded in the memory unit of the battery pack 50 may include, for example, the remaining charge level of the battery pack 50. The battery pack 50 may also be provided with a handle for easier carrying.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment includes a carrier body 2 having a storage space K capable of accommodating a plurality of battery packs 50, an information acquisition unit 10 that acquires information recorded in the storage unit on each battery pack 50 housed in the carrier body 2, a storage unit 20 that stores the information of each battery pack 50 acquired by the information acquisition unit 10, and a display unit 30 that displays the information of each battery pack 50 acquired by the information acquisition unit 10.

[0043] The carrier body 2 has an inlet 2a for taking the battery pack 50 into the storage space K, an outlet 2b for taking the battery pack 50 out of the storage space K, and a transport unit 3 for transporting the battery pack 50 between the inlet 2a and the outlet 2b.

[0044] The intake port 2a and the outlet port 2b are located at one end (the rear end in this embodiment) of the carrier body 2 in the transport direction (the front-to-back direction in this embodiment) for transporting the battery pack 50. In this embodiment, the intake port 2a is provided at the upper part of the rear end of the carrier body 2. On the other hand, the outlet port 2b is provided at the lower part of the rear end of the carrier body 2.

[0045] In the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, the intake port 2a and the outlet port 2b are located on the same side of the carrier body 2, making it easy to insert and remove the battery pack 50 from these intake port 2a and outlet port 2b.

[0046] The transport unit 3 includes a first transport path 3a extending from the intake 2a toward the other end in the transport direction (the front end in this embodiment), a second transport path 3b extending from the outlet 2b toward the other end in the transport direction, and a third transport path 3c located at the other end in the transport direction, which switches the direction in which the battery pack 50 is transported between the first transport path 3a and the second transport path 3b.

[0047] Multiple transport rollers 4 are provided in the first transport path 3a and the second transport path 3b, arranged in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the first transport path 3a is provided on the upper side of the storage space K. On the other hand, the second transport path 3b is provided on the lower side of the storage space K.

[0048] Multiple conveying rollers 4 consist of roughly cylindrical conveying bodies that can rotate freely around an axis, and are rotationally driven by power transmitted via a drive unit (not shown), such as an actuator.

[0049] In the first transport path 3a and the second transport path 3b, by rotating multiple transport rollers 4 around their axes, it is possible to automatically transport battery packs 50, which are placed directly or indirectly on the multiple transport rollers 4, from the inlet 2a side to the outlet 2b side of the carrier body 2.

[0050] In other words, in the first transport path 3a, the battery pack 50 can be transported from the intake 2a toward the other end in the transport direction. On the other hand, in the second transport path 3b, the battery pack 50 can be transported from the other end in the transport direction toward the outlet 2b.

[0051] In addition, the first transport path 3a and the second transport path 3b are not limited to the configuration using the multiple transport rollers 4 described above, but may also be configured using a transport means such as a belt conveyor as the transport section.

[0052] The third transport path 3c is provided with a pair of flap sections 5 that serve as buffers. The base ends of the pair of flap sections 5 are supported so as to be able to rotate vertically, and their tip ends are biased toward a position where they face each other.

[0053] In the third transport path 3c, as the battery pack 50 falls from the upper first transport path 3a to the lower second transport path 3b, the pair of flap sections 5 rotate downwards as the battery pack passes between them. This makes it possible to mitigate the impact on the battery pack 50 when it falls. After the battery pack 50 has passed, the pair of flap sections 5 return to their original positions with their ends facing each other.

[0054] In addition, the third transport path 3c is not limited to the configuration in which the battery pack 50 is dropped as described above. It may also be configured to transport the battery pack 50 between the upper first transport path 3a and the lower second transport path 3b using a transport means such as an elevator.

[0055] As described above, the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to sequentially transport the battery pack 50 housed in the storage space K from the inlet 2a side to the outlet 2b side via the transport unit 3.

[0056] Furthermore, in the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate more battery packs 50 in the storage space K of the carrier body 2 by switching the direction of transport of the battery packs 50 between the upper first transport path 3a and the lower second transport path 3b. In particular, in the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate more battery packs 50 in the height direction of the storage space K of the carrier body 2.

[0057] The information acquisition unit 10 is connected in a communicative manner to the battery pack 50, which is taken into the storage space K from the intake port 2a, and acquires information recorded in the storage unit on the battery pack 50.

[0058] Furthermore, the carrier body 2 is provided with a communication connector 6 that connects the battery pack 50 and the information acquisition unit 10 in a communicative manner, an arm 7 that supports the connector 6, and a rotating mechanism 8 that rotates the arm 7 between a connection position where the connector 6 is connected to the battery pack 50 and a retracted position where the connector 6 is retracted.

[0059] In the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, the rotating mechanism 8 rotates the arm portion 7 vertically, making it possible to rotate the connector portion 6 provided on the tip side of the arm portion 7 between a connection position and a retracted position for the battery pack 50.

[0060] The information acquisition unit 10 can acquire information recorded in the storage unit of the battery pack 50 by connecting the connector unit 6 to the connector unit on the battery pack 50. Examples of information acquired by the information acquisition unit 10 include battery information such as the remaining charge level of the battery pack 50, and management information such as the number and order of the battery packs 50 stored in the storage space K.

[0061] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 10 is not limited to a configuration that enables communication with the battery pack 50 by connecting the connector unit 6 to the connector unit on the battery pack 50 side as described above. It may also be configured to acquire information from the battery pack 50 through contactless communication, for example, using a contactless IC tag.

[0062] Furthermore, in the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 10 can record the information of each battery pack 50 acquired in the storage unit 20 in a rewritable format. In addition, the information of each battery pack 50 acquired by the information acquisition unit 10 can be displayed on the display unit 30.

[0063] As described above, in the battery carrier 1 of this embodiment, the carrier body 2 is mounted on a vehicle 100, and multiple battery packs 50 are housed in the storage space K of the carrier body 2, making it possible to transport multiple battery packs 50 in a stable state by the vehicle 100. In addition, the information acquisition unit 10 can acquire information on each battery pack 50 housed in the carrier body 2.

[0064] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the battery carrier 1 described above is configured to sequentially transport the battery pack 50 from an intake 2a located on the upper part of the carrier body 2 to an outlet 2b located on the lower part via a transport unit 3. However, it is also possible to configure the carrier body 2 to sequentially transport the battery pack 50 from an intake 2a located on one side to the left or right to an outlet 2b located on the other side via a transport unit 3.

[0065] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates a battery carrier 1 used when transporting a portable, detachable battery pack 50 as a power source for electric equipment in a vehicle 100, the present invention can also be applied to transport other energy storage devices in a vehicle, such as pressure vessels containing fuel gases like hydrogen or liquid fuels. In other words, the present invention can be broadly applied to transporting multiple energy storage devices in a vehicle using a transport device for transporting portable, detachable energy storage devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1…Battery carrier (transport device) 2…Carrier body 3…Transport section 3a…First transport path 3b…Second transport path 3c…Third transport path 4…Transport roller (transport body) 5…Flap section (cushion section) 6…Connector section 7…Arm section 8…Rotation mechanism 10…Information acquisition section 20…Storage section 30…Display section 50…Battery pack (energy storage device) 100…Vehicle K…Accommodation space

Claims

1. A transport device used when transporting a portable, detachable energy storage device by vehicle, The carrier body, which is mounted on the vehicle, has a storage space capable of accommodating multiple energy storage units. The carrier body has an inlet for bringing the energy storage device into the housing space, An outlet for removing the energy storage device from the containment space, A conveying device characterized by having a conveying section for conveying the energy storage device between the intake and the outlet.

2. The transport unit comprises a plurality of transport bodies arranged in the direction of transporting the energy storage device, It has a drive unit that drives the plurality of transport bodies, The drive unit drives the energy storage units, which are placed directly or indirectly on the plurality of transport bodies, in a direction in which the plurality of transport bodies are aligned. The conveying device according to feature 1.

3. The transport unit sequentially transports the energy storage device housed in the storage space from the intake side to the outlet side. The conveying device according to feature 1.

4. The intake and outlet are located at one end of the carrier body in the transport direction for transporting the energy storage unit. The conveying section includes a first conveying path extending from the intake towards the other end in the conveying direction, A second transport path extending from the aforementioned outlet toward the other end in the transport direction, A third transport path is located at the other end of the transport direction and switches the direction in which the energy storage device is transported between the first transport path and the second transport path. The conveying device according to feature 3.

5. The first transport path is provided on the upper side of the storage space, The second transport path is provided on the lower side of the storage space, The third transport path causes the energy storage device to drop from the first transport path side to the second transport path side. The conveying device according to feature 4.

6. The third transport path is provided with a buffer section to mitigate the impact caused by the energy storage device falling. The conveying device according to feature 5.

7. The carrier body is equipped with an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the energy storage device housed within it. The information acquisition unit is connected in a communicative manner to the energy storage unit that is taken into the containment space from the intake, and acquires information recorded in the storage unit on the energy storage unit side. The conveying device according to feature 1.

8. Inside the carrier body, there is a connector section that enables communication between the energy storage unit and the information acquisition unit, The arm portion that supports the connector portion, A rotating mechanism is provided that rotates the arm portion between a connection position for connecting the connector portion to the energy storage device and a retracted position for retracting the connector portion. The conveying device according to feature 7.

9. The system includes a storage unit that stores the information of the energy storage device acquired by the information acquisition unit. The conveying device according to feature 7.

10. The system includes a display unit that displays the information of the energy storage unit acquired by the information acquisition unit. The conveying device according to feature 7.

11. The energy storage device is a portable, detachable battery pack used as a power source for electric equipment. The conveying device according to feature 1.

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