Battery replacement station

The battery swapping station addresses the limitation of single-type charging by using a sensing unit and connector unit to adapt to different battery packs, ensuring versatile charging capabilities.

JP2026511376APending Publication Date: 2026-04-14LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
Filing Date
2024-06-20
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional battery exchange stations are designed to charge only one type of battery pack, limiting their ability to accommodate and charge multiple types of battery packs.

Method used

A battery swapping station that includes a battery slot capable of accommodating multiple types of battery packs, a sensing unit to determine the type of battery pack, and a connector connecting unit to retrieve and connect a matching charging connector to the battery pack, along with a slot size adjustment unit to accommodate various battery sizes.

Benefits of technology

Enables the charging of multiple types of battery packs by determining their type and connecting appropriate charging connectors, allowing for versatile battery pack compatibility and efficient charging.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery replacement station, and more particularly to a battery replacement station that pre-determines the type of battery pack to be supplied to the battery slot, retrieves a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack, and connects it to the battery pack. The battery exchange station according to the present invention includes a battery slot that accommodates one of n different battery packs (where n is a natural number of 2 or more), n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs, a sensing unit that determines the type of battery pack to be loaded into the battery slot, and a connector connecting unit that retrieves a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack loaded into the battery slot and connects it to the battery pack loaded into the battery slot. This allows the station to determine in advance the type of battery pack to be supplied to the battery slot, retrieve a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack, and connect it to the battery pack.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0099853 filed on July 31, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery swapping station, and more particularly, to a battery swapping station that grasps in advance the type of battery pack to be supplied to a battery slot, takes out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connects it to the battery pack.

Background Art

[0003] A rechargeable battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged, unlike a non-rechargeable primary battery. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used in portable small electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and video cameras, and high-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for motor drives such as hybrid vehicles.

[0004] A rechargeable battery can be used in the form of battery cells. A battery cell has a form in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are sequentially stacked in an exterior material, and the internal space of the exterior material is filled with an electrolyte. When a plurality of battery cells are collected and electrically connected, a battery module or a battery pack can be formed. On the other hand, such a rechargeable battery can be charged by being inserted into a battery slot inside a battery swapping station in the form of a battery pack.

[0005] Each of FIGS. 1A and 1B is a perspective view showing a conventional battery swapping station and a conventional battery slot. A plurality of battery slots 100 are formed in the battery swapping station 1, and the battery swapping station 1 can be provided with a charging connector for charging the inserted battery pack 10.

[0006] The type of battery pack 10 varies depending on the type of battery pack it is connected to, and conventional battery exchange stations 1 were equipped with only one type of charging connector. Therefore, conventional battery exchange stations 1 were designed to charge only one type of battery pack 10, resulting in the problem that a single device could not charge other types of battery packs 10. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This invention was made in recognition of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a battery replacement station that pre-determines the type of battery pack to be supplied to the battery slot, retrieves a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack, and connects it to the battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The battery exchange station according to the present invention includes a battery slot for accommodating one of n different battery packs (where n is a natural number of 2 or more), n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs, a sensing unit for determining the type of battery pack being loaded into the battery slot, and a connector connecting unit for retrieving a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot and connecting it to the battery pack housed in the battery slot.

[0009] The battery slot may include a lower plate, a front plate and a rear plate provided on the front and rear sides of the lower plate, respectively, a first side plate and a second side plate provided on the right and left sides of the lower plate, respectively, and an upper plate provided on the top of the front plate and the rear plate.

[0010] A hinged door can be formed on the front plate through which a battery pack is loaded into or unloaded from the battery slot. The sensing unit may include a wireless communication module that is provided in the hinged door and communicates wirelessly with a battery pack passing through the hinged door.

[0011] The rear plate may have a connector insertion hole into which one of the n charging connectors is inserted. The connector connection portion may include a rotary motor that rotates in one direction, n linear motors coupled to each of the n charging connectors, and a connecting member that connects the rotary motor and the n linear motors.

[0012] The connecting member may include a frame portion that is fitted and coupled to the rotating shaft of the rotary motor, and n protrusions formed on the frame portion and arranged along the rotational direction of the rotary motor.

[0013] The n protrusions can be coupled to the stators of the n linear motors, and the n charging connectors can be coupled to the movable parts of the n linear motors.

[0014] The battery replacement station according to the present invention may further include a slot size adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot.

[0015] The slot size adjustment unit may include a first slide that is coupled to the first side plate and moves the first side plate in the left-right direction. The slot size adjustment unit may include a second slide that is coupled to the second side plate and moves the second side plate in the left-right direction. The slot size adjustment unit may include a third slide that is coupled to the upper plate and moves the upper plate vertically.

[0016] The battery replacement station according to the present invention may include a mounting plate provided inside the battery slot on which a battery pack brought into the battery slot is placed.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery replacement station according to the present invention may further include a guide rail provided at the lower part of the aforementioned mounting plate, which guides the movement of the aforementioned mounting plate in the front-rear direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The battery exchange station according to the present invention includes a battery slot that accommodates one of n different battery packs (where n is a natural number of 2 or more), n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs, a sensing unit that determines the type of battery pack being loaded into the battery slot, and a connector connecting unit that retrieves a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot and connects it to the battery pack housed in the battery slot. This provides the advantageous effect of being able to determine in advance the type of battery pack to be supplied to the battery slot and retrieve a charging connector that matches the type of battery pack and connect it to the battery pack. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1a] This is a perspective view showing a conventional battery exchange station. [Figure 1b] This is a perspective view showing a conventional battery slot. [Figure 2a] This is a perspective view showing the entire battery slot of a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] This is a perspective view showing the inside of the battery slot of a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a rear view showing the back of the front plate in Figure 2b. [Figure 4a] This is a schematic front view showing the front portion of the rear plate of Figure 2b. [Figure 4b]It is a front view showing a state where a first connector is inserted into the rear plate of FIG. 4a. [Figure 4c] It is a front view showing a state where a second connector is inserted into the rear plate of FIG. 4a. [Figure 5a] It is a perspective view showing the overall state of the first battery pack accommodated in the battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] It is a view showing the connector connecting portion and the NFC tag formed on the first battery pack of FIG. 5a. [Figure 5c] It is a perspective view showing the overall state of the second battery pack to be installed inside the battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5d] It is a view showing the connector connecting portion and the NFC tag formed on the second battery pack of FIG. 5c. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the battery slot and the connector connecting portion of the battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the connector connecting portion of FIG. 6 in detail. [Figure 8] It is a view schematically showing a state where the size of the battery slot in the battery replacement station according to the second embodiment of the present invention is adjusted.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can easily implement it. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0021] To clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts not related to the explanation or related known technologies that unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention are omitted. In this specification, when attaching reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same or similar reference numerals shall be attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention. The battery exchange station according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First Embodiment Figure 2a is a perspective view showing the entire battery slot of a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2b is a perspective view showing the inside of the battery slot of a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a rear view showing the back of the front plate of Figure 2b.

[0024] Figure 4a is a schematic front view showing the front portion of the rear plate of Figure 2b, Figure 4b is a front view showing the first connector inserted into the rear plate of Figure 4a, and Figure 4c is a front view showing the second connector inserted into the rear plate of Figure 4a.

[0025] Figure 5a is a perspective view showing the entire first battery pack housed in a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5b shows the connector connection portion and NFC tag formed on the first battery pack of Figure 5a. Figure 5c is a perspective view showing the entire second battery pack inserted inside the battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5d shows the connector connection portion and NFC tag formed on the second battery pack of Figure 5c.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the battery slot and connector connection portion of a battery replacement station according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the connector connection portion of Figure 6.

[0027] Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the battery exchange station 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery slot 100 that accommodates one of n different battery packs 10 (where n is a natural number of 2 or more), n different charging connectors 200 corresponding to each of the n battery packs 10, a sensing unit 300 that determines the type of battery pack 10 to be loaded into the battery slot 100, and a connector connecting unit 400 that retrieves a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100 and connects it to the battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100. The sensing unit 300 can determine in advance the type of battery pack 10 to be supplied to the battery slot 100, and the connector connecting unit 400 can retrieve a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 determined by the sensing unit 300 and connect it to the battery pack 10. Therefore, the battery exchange station 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the advantageous effect of being able to charge multiple types of battery packs 10 at once.

[0028] Here, the battery pack 10 is an electrically connected battery pack in which a positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are sequentially stacked within an outer material immersed in an electrolyte solution, and can have various structures and shapes depending on the type. For example, the battery pack 10 can have a shape in which multiple battery cells are housed in a hexagonal case.

[0029] Multiple battery slots 100 are provided in the battery replacement station 1, forming a space inside for housing and charging battery packs 10. Specifically, the battery slots 100 may include a lower plate 110, a front plate 120 and a rear plate 130 provided on the front and rear sides of the lower plate 110, respectively, a first side plate 140 and a second side plate 150 provided on the right and left sides of the lower plate 110, respectively, and an upper plate 160 provided on top of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130.

[0030] The lower plate 110 is a metal plate fixedly installed at a designated position inside the battery replacement station 1, and can have a horizontally flat shape. The front plate 120 and rear plate 130 are metal plates connected to the front and rear sides of the lower plate 110, respectively, and can have various shapes. The front plate 120 and rear plate 130 and the front plate 110 can be connected in various ways. For example, the front plate 120 and rear plate 130 can each be screw-connected or welded to the upper surface of the lower plate 110.

[0031] The upper plate 160 is a metal plate provided on top of the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130, and can have a horizontally flat shape. The upper plate 160 can be screw-connected or welded to the front plate 120 and the rear plate 130, respectively, at a position lower than the top of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150.

[0032] As described above, the battery slot 100, formed by the joining of six plates, can create a storage space inside which a battery pack 10 is housed. A mounting member 600 on which the battery pack 10 is placed is formed at the bottom of the storage space, and a support spring can be provided at the bottom of the mounting member 600 to support the mounting member 600 in the vertical direction. In addition, a guide portion 610 that guides the movement of the mounting member 600 may be formed at the bottom of the mounting member 600.

[0033] A hinged door 121 can be formed on the front plate 120 through which the battery pack 10 is loaded into or unloaded from the battery slot 100. As shown in Figure 3, the hinged door 121 can be hinged to a hinged coupling portion 122 provided on the upper part of the front plate 120. In this case, the hinged door 121 can function as a passage through which the battery pack 10 is loaded into or unloaded from the battery slot 100.

[0034] On the other hand, the hinged door 121 may be provided with a sensing unit 300 that determines the type of battery pack 10 at the moment the battery pack 10 passes through the hinged door 121. Such a sensing unit 300 may include a wireless communication module 310 that communicates wirelessly with the battery pack 10 as it passes through the hinged door 121. Therefore, since the wireless communication module 310 can determine the type of battery pack 10 in advance before the battery pack 10 is housed inside the battery slot 100, the connector connection part 400 of the battery replacement station 1 can pre-deploy a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 before the battery pack 10 is fully housed inside the battery slot 100.

[0035] Here, the wireless communication module 310 is a module that communicates wirelessly with the NFC tag of the battery pack 10 at the moment it approaches to determine the type of battery pack 10, and can be installed in various areas within the hinged door 121. For example, the wireless communication module 310 can be installed on one side or the other side of the hinged door 121. In addition, the hinged door 121 can be provided with a module fixing member 320 for fixing the wireless communication module 310.

[0036] The rear plate 130 can have a connector insertion hole 131 into which one of the n charging connectors 200 is inserted. As shown in Figure 4a, the connector insertion hole 131 can be an opening formed in the central region of the rear plate 130 so that the charging connector 200 can pass through. In this case, the connector insertion hole 131 can be made large enough to allow various charging connectors 200 to pass through.

[0037] For example, the connector insertion hole 131 can be made large enough to allow not only the charging connector 200a, which is shaped to fit the first battery pack 10a, but also the charging connector 200b, which is shaped to fit the second battery pack 10b, to pass through with ample clearance, as shown in Figures 4b and 4c.

[0038] The charging connector 200 is connected to the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10 and electrically charges the battery pack 10. However, since the battery pack 10 has a connector connection portion 11 of a different shape depending on its type, the charging connector 200 may also differ depending on the type of battery pack 10.

[0039] For example, in the case of the first battery pack 10a shown in Figures 5a and 5b, a connector connection portion 11a can be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. The first battery pack 10a can be connected to a charging connector 200a corresponding to the shape of the connector connection portion 11a. Similarly, in the case of the second battery pack 10b shown in Figures 5c and 5d, a connector connection portion 11b can also be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. The second battery pack 10b can also be connected to a charging connector 200b corresponding to the shape of the connector connection portion 11b.

[0040] Thus, since the shape of the charging connector 200 connected to each battery pack 10 may differ, the connector insertion hole 131 can be made large enough to allow various charging connectors 200a and 200b to pass through.

[0041] On the other hand, the battery pack 10 can have an NFC tag 12 formed on it that can communicate with the wireless communication module 310 formed on the hinged door 121. The NFC tag 12 can be formed in various locations depending on the type of battery pack 10. For example, as shown in Figures 5b and 5d, the NFC tags 12a and 12b can be formed on the bottom surface of the battery packs 10a and 10b.

[0042] On the other hand, the connector connection section 400 selects a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300 and connects it to the battery pack 10. This section may include a rotary motor 410 that rotates in one direction, n linear motors 420 each connected to n (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) charging connectors 200, and a connecting member 430 that connects the rotary motor 410 and the n linear motors 420. In this case, there is the advantageous effect of automatically selecting the appropriate charging connector 200 from the n charging connectors 200 and connecting it to the battery pack 10.

[0043] Here, the rotary motor 410 rotates the linear motor 420 clockwise or counterclockwise, moving the charging connector 200 connected to the linear motor 420 to a height corresponding to the connector insertion hole 131. The linear motor 420 also moves the connected charging connector 200 in the front-back direction, moving the charging connector 200 located outside the connector insertion hole 131 into the connector insertion hole 131. In this case, the charging connector 200 that has moved inside the connector insertion hole 131 can be connected to the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100.

[0044] Furthermore, the linear motor 420 can pull the charging connector 200, which is located inside the connector insertion hole 131, out of the connector insertion hole 131. For example, when the battery pack 10 is fully charged, the linear motor 420 can retract the charging connector 200 and separate it from the connector connection portion 11 of the battery pack 10.

[0045] On the other hand, the connecting member 430 may include a frame portion 431 that is fitted and coupled to the rotating shaft 411 of the rotary motor 410, and n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) protrusions 432 formed on the frame portion 431 and arranged along the rotational direction of the rotary motor 410. Here, the n protrusions 432 can be coupled to the stators 421 of the n linear motors 420, and the n charging connectors 200 can be coupled to the movable elements 422 of the n linear motors 420.

[0046] In connection with this, Figures 6 and 7 show a structure in which a connecting member 430 is coupled to the rotating shaft 411 of a rotary motor 410, two protrusions 431 are formed on the frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430, and a linear motor 420 is coupled to each of the two protrusions 431. An opening can be formed in the connecting member 430 into which the rotating shaft 411 can be fitted and coupled.

[0047] The connecting member 430 that connects the rotary motor 410 and the linear motor 420 can have various structures. For example, the frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430 can be a cylindrical member with an opening in the center. The frame portion 431 of the connecting member 430 can have protrusions 432 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the rotating shaft 411. In particular, multiple protrusions 432 can be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the frame portion 431 along the rotational direction of the rotating shaft 411.

[0048] The linear motor 420 may include a stator 421 that generates a magnetic field, and a movable element 422 through which an electric current flows, causing it to move in a linear direction due to the magnetic field generated by the stator 421. Here, the stator 421 is a box-shaped member that surrounds the rod-shaped movable element 422, and can be coupled to the aforementioned protrusion 432. Various methods can be used to couple the stator 421 and the protrusion 432. For example, the stator 421 and the protrusion 432 can be screw-coupled.

[0049] The movable element 422 is a rod-shaped member that moves in a linear reciprocating motion and can be connected to the charging terminal of the charging connector 200. Various methods can be used to connect the movable element 422 and the charging terminal. For example, the movable element 422 and the charging terminal can be joined by welding or bonded together with an adhesive.

[0050] The connector connection section 400 can prepare a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300. For example, if the type of battery pack 10 identified by the sensing unit 300 is the first battery pack 10a described above, the connector connection section 400 can prepare a charging connector 200a that corresponds to the connector connection section 11a of the first battery pack 10a.

[0051] Here, the step of moving the charging connector 200a to a position corresponding to the position where the connector insertion hole 131 is formed is performed preferentially, and this can be done by rotating the rotary motor 410. Specifically, the rotation of the rotary motor 410 causes the linear motor 420, which is connected to the rotation axis 411 of the rotary motor 410, to rotate in one direction. The rotation of the rotary motor 410 can continue until the charging connector 200a, which is connected to the linear motor 420, moves to a position corresponding to the position where the connector insertion hole 131 is formed.

[0052] Subsequently, the linear motor 420 connected to the charging connector 200a moves the movable element 421 in a linear direction, moving the charging connector 200a into the connector insertion hole 131. At this time, since the first battery pack 10a is placed inside the battery slot 100, the charging connector 200a can be connected to the connector connection portion 11a of the first battery pack 10a.

[0053] On the other hand, when the second battery pack 10b is placed inside the battery slot 100, the connector connection section 400 drives the rotary motor 410 and the linear motor 420 as described above, and connects the charging connector 200b corresponding to the connector connection section 11b of the second battery pack 10b to the connector connection section 11b.

[0054] On the other hand, the connector connection section 400 may further include a body frame 440 that houses the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430. The body frame 440 can be a box-shaped member that forms an internal space in which the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430 are housed. In this case, since the rotary motor 410, the linear motor 420, and the connecting member 430 are housed inside the body frame 440, there is an advantageous effect that the main drive unit of the present invention can be protected from external shocks and the like.

[0055] On the other hand, the body frame 440 can be connected to the rear plate 130 and provided in a fixed position. For example, the body frame 440 can be connected to the rear plate 130 via a connecting rod portion 450 that extends from one surface of the rear plate 130.

[0056] Second Embodiment Figure 8 shows how the size of the battery slots in a battery replacement station according to a second embodiment of the present invention is adjusted.

[0057] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a slot size adjustment unit 500 or mounting plate 600 for adjusting the size of the battery slot 100 is provided inside the battery replacement station 1. The second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences, with common elements with the first embodiment being omitted as much as possible. In other words, it is clear that any information not described in the second embodiment can be considered as part of the first embodiment.

[0058] Referring to Figure 8, the battery replacement station 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a slot size adjustment unit 500 that adjusts the size of the battery slot 100 according to the type of battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100. In this case, since the size of the battery slot 100 can be adjusted to match the type of battery pack 10 housed in the battery slot 100, the battery replacement station 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the advantageous effect of being able to accommodate various battery packs 10 inside the device.

[0059] Furthermore, the battery exchange station 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, like the first embodiment, has a connector connecting section 400 that allows the user to take out a charging connector 200 that matches the type of battery pack 10 housed inside the device and connect it to the battery pack 10, thus providing the advantageous effect of being able to charge each of the various battery packs 10 housed inside the device.

[0060] On the other hand, the slot size adjustment unit 500 may include a first slide 510 that is coupled to the first side plate 140 and moves the first side plate 140 in the left-right direction. The first slide 510 may include a first fixing unit 511 provided at a fixed position on the right side of the lower plate 110, and a first moving unit 512 provided above the first fixing unit. In this case, the first side plate 140 can be coupled to the first moving unit 512 from above, and in this case, it can move left and right in accordance with the left-right movement of the first moving unit 512.

[0061] Here, the first fixed unit 511 and the first movable unit 512 can have various structures and shapes. For example, the first movable unit 512 can be a movable unit that is connected to a rod portion that extends long in the left-right direction formed on the first fixed unit 511 and moves in the left-right direction along the rod portion.

[0062] Furthermore, the slot size adjustment unit 500 may include a second slide 520 that is coupled to the second side plate 150 and moves the second side plate 150 in the left-right direction. The second slide 520 may include a second fixing unit 521 provided at a fixed position on the left side of the lower plate 110, and a second moving unit 522 provided above the second fixing unit. In this case, the second side plate 150 can be coupled to the second moving unit 522 from above, and in this case, it can move left and right in accordance with the left-right movement of the second moving unit 522.

[0063] Here, the second fixed unit 521 and the second movable unit 522 can have various structures and shapes. For example, the second movable unit 522 can be a movable unit that is connected to a rod portion that extends long in the left-right direction formed on the second fixed unit 521 and moves in the left-right direction along the rod portion.

[0064] Furthermore, the slot size adjustment unit 500 may include a third slide 530 that is coupled to the upper plate 160 and moves the upper plate 160 in the vertical direction. The third slide is a linear motor that moves the upper plate 160 in the vertical direction and may include a stator 531 fixedly provided in the upper region of the rear plate 130 and a movable element 532 coupled to the upper plate 160.

[0065] Here, the stator 531 is a component that generates a magnetic field and is provided in a fixed position on the rear plate 130, while the movable element 532 is a component that generates an electric current and moves linearly back and forth in the vertical direction due to the magnetic field generated by the stator 531. The stator 531 can be coupled to the rear plate 130 in various ways. For example, an adhesive layer can be formed between the stator 531 and the rear plate 130. The movable element 532 can also be coupled to the upper plate 160 in various ways. For example, the movable element 532 and the upper plate 160 can be coupled by welding.

[0066] The battery replacement station 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a slot size adjustment unit 500 that moves the first and second side plates 140 and 150 in the left-right direction and the upper plate 160 in the up-down direction, thereby allowing the width and height of the battery slot 100 to be adjusted. This allows the size of the internal space to be adjusted to match the size of the battery pack 10 inserted into the battery slot 100.

[0067] On the other hand, a mounting plate 600 can be provided inside the battery slot 100 on which the battery pack 10 loaded into the battery slot 100 is placed. The mounting plate 600 is a flat plate on which the battery pack 10 is placed, and can be made sufficiently wide to accommodate various battery packs 10.

[0068] Here, a guide rail 610 can be provided at the lower part of the mounting plate 600 to guide the movement of the mounting plate 600 in the front-rear direction, and a rail moving part 611 can be formed at the lower part of the mounting plate 600, which is connected to a groove formed in the guide rail 610 and moves along the guide rail 610. In this case, the mounting plate 600 on which the battery pack 10 is mounted can move in the front-rear direction via the guide rail 610 inside the battery slot 100, which has the advantageous effect of easily moving the battery pack 10 inserted from the front plate 120 side to the rear plate 130 side where the connector insertion hole 131 is formed.

[0069] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within a scope equivalent to the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the claims described below. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1: Battery replacement station 10: Battery pack 11: Connector connection part 12: NFC tags 100: Battery slot 110: Lower plate 120: Front plate 121: Hinged door 122: Hinge connection 130: Rear plate 131: Connector insertion hole 140: First side plate 150: Second side plate 160: Top plate 200: Charging connector 300: Sensing Unit 310: Wireless communication module 320: Module fixing member 400: Connector connection part 410: Rotary motor 411: Rotation axis 420: Linear motor 421: Stator 422: Mover 430: Connecting member 431: Frame section 432:Protrusion 440: Body frame 450: Connecting rod section 500: Slot size adjustment section 510: Slide 1 511: First Fixed Unit 512: First Mobile Unit 520: Slide 2 521: Second Fixed Unit 522: Second Mobile Unit 530: Slide 3 531: Stator 532: Mover 600: Mounting plate 610: Guide rail 611: Rail movement section

Claims

1. A battery slot that accommodates one of n distinct battery packs (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), Each of the aforementioned n battery packs is associated with a set of n distinct charging connectors, A sensing unit that determines the type of battery pack to be loaded into the battery slot, A charging connector matching the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot is removed, and a connector connecting portion is provided to connect to the battery pack housed in the battery slot, Battery exchange station, including

2. The aforementioned battery slot is Lower plate and The front plate and rear plate are provided on the front and rear sides of the lower plate, respectively. A first side plate and a second side plate are provided on the right and left sides of the lower plate, respectively. The battery replacement station according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an upper plate provided on the upper part of the front plate and the rear plate.

3. The battery replacement station according to claim 2, characterized in that the front plate has a hinged door through which a battery pack is loaded into or unloaded from the battery slot.

4. The battery replacement station according to claim 3, characterized in that the sensing unit includes a wireless communication module provided in the hinged door and wirelessly communicates with a battery pack passing through the hinged door.

5. The battery replacement station according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear plate has a connector insertion hole into which any one of the n charging connectors is inserted.

6. The aforementioned connector connection portion is A rotary motor that rotates in one direction, n linear motors, each connected to one of the n charging connectors, The battery replacement station according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes a connecting member that connects the rotary motor and the n linear motors.

7. The aforementioned connecting member is A frame portion that is fitted and coupled to the rotating shaft of the aforementioned rotary motor, The battery replacement station according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes n protrusions formed on the frame portion and arranged along the rotation direction of the rotary motor.

8. The n protrusions are each coupled to the stators of the n linear motors, The battery replacement station according to claim 7, characterized in that the n charging connectors are each coupled to the movable elements of the n linear motors.

9. The battery replacement station according to claim 2, further comprising a slot size adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack housed in the battery slot.

10. The battery replacement station according to claim 9, characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit is coupled to the first side plate and includes a first slide that moves the first side plate in the left-right direction.

11. The battery replacement station according to claim 9, characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit is coupled to the second side plate and includes a second slide that moves the second side plate in the left-right direction.

12. The battery replacement station according to claim 9, characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit is coupled to the upper plate and includes a third slide that moves the upper plate in the vertical direction.

13. The battery replacement station according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a mounting plate provided inside the battery slot on which a battery pack loaded into the battery slot is placed.

14. The battery replacement station according to claim 13, further comprising a guide rail provided at the lower part of the mounting plate for guiding the movement of the mounting plate in the front-rear direction.