Replaceable Battery Module

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a replaceable battery module includes a battery pack including a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface and a locking member movably disposed within the groove, and a battery pack mounting portion having an installation space in which the battery pack is accommodated and an inclined protrusion that is detachably engaged with the locking member so that the position of the battery pack placed within the installation space is fixed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a replaceable battery module, an electric vehicle including the same, and a battery swap station.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0050511, filed on April 25, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] The light electric vehicle (LEV) market is being proposed as a solution to traffic congestion and parking shortages in large cities, and its use is expanding in various fields such as tourist spots, golf carts, and logistics warehouses.

[0004] A small electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack needs to be charged in order to operate, but has the drawback that it takes a long time to charge the battery.

[0005] Recently, battery swapping has been considered to shorten battery charging time. Battery swapping refers to a method of exchanging a used battery for a fully charged battery, and it can provide convenience to electric vehicle drivers because it allows battery replacement in a short time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable battery module that allows quick replacement of a battery pack with a simple connection structure, an electric vehicle including the same, and a battery swap station. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a replaceable battery module including: a battery pack including a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface and a locking member movably provided in the groove; and a battery pack mounting part having an installation space for accommodating the battery pack and an inclined protrusion that is detachably engaged and fixed to the locking member so that the position of the battery pack placed in the installation space is fixed.

[0008] Furthermore, when a force is applied in the installation direction to install the battery pack in the installation space, the locking member may come into contact with the inclined protrusion, then pass through the inclined protrusion, and then be locked to the inclined protrusion after passing through the inclined protrusion.

[0009] The groove may have a wing extending in a direction in which the battery pack is attached, and the locking member may be connected to the wing.

[0010] The wing may be spaced apart from the bottom of the groove and extend from one sidewall of the groove.

[0011] The locking member may also include one end connected to the wing portion to fix its position, and another end having a hook-shaped head and configured to be movable in a first direction toward the bottom of the groove or a second direction away from the bottom of the groove.

[0012] The other end of the locking member may be configured such that when the other end passes through the inclined protrusion in an interference fit manner, the hook-shaped head is pushed by the inclined protrusion and moves in a first direction, and when the other end of the locking member has completely passed through the inclined protrusion, the hook-shaped head is released from the pushing force of the inclined protrusion and moves in a second direction.

[0013] In addition, the hook-shaped head may include an interference fit portion that decreases in thickness along the mounting direction of the battery pack so that the hook-shaped head can pass over the inclined protrusion with an interference fit, and a locking and fixing portion that increases in thickness along the mounting direction of the battery pack so that the hook-shaped head can be locked and fixed to the inclined protrusion when the hook-shaped head has passed over the inclined protrusion.

[0014] The inclined protrusion may have an outer inclined portion that comes into contact with the interference fit portion when the battery pack is attached and that is configured to increase in thickness along the attachment direction of the battery pack, and an inner inclined portion that comes into contact with the locking and fixing portion after the hook-shaped head passes through the outer inclined portion and that is configured to decrease in thickness along the attachment direction of the battery pack.

[0015] In addition, when an external force is applied to the battery pack in the installation direction of the battery pack, the locking member passes through the inclined protrusion and can be installed in the installation space. At this time, when the battery pack is installed in the installation space, the interference fit portion can pass through the inclined protrusion while sliding along the outer inclined portion of the inclined protrusion.

[0016] Furthermore, when an external force is applied to the battery pack in a direction opposite to the mounting direction of the battery pack, the locking member passes through the inclined protrusion and disengages from the inclined protrusion, and the battery pack may be separated to the outside of the mounting space.

[0017] At this time, when the battery pack installed in the installation space is separated, the locking fixing part can pass through the inclined protrusion while sliding along the inner inclined part of the inclined protrusion.

[0018] The locking member may be made of an elastic material, and may be configured such that a portion of the locking member bends when an external force is applied.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle including the replaceable battery module.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery swap station including a replaceable battery module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the replaceable battery module according to at least one aspect of the present invention, the electric vehicle including the same, and the battery swap station have the following advantages.

[0022] The hook structure that secures the battery pack in the battery pack mounting portion by a tight fit makes it easy to attach and detach the battery pack, allowing for quick battery pack replacement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a replaceable battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is an operational state diagram illustrating a process of mounting a battery pack in the replaceable battery module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an operational state diagram illustrating a process of mounting a battery pack in the replaceable battery module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery swap station according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, a replaceable battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electric vehicle including the same, and a battery swap station will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The size and shape of each component shown for convenience of explanation may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a replaceable battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are operational state diagrams illustrating the process of installing a battery pack 100 in the replaceable battery module shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] Specifically, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the process of tight fitting when the battery pack 100 is attached, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state when the battery pack 100 is completely attached.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a battery swap station 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The present invention relates to a replaceable battery module.

[0030] An electric vehicle 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the replaceable battery module. A battery swap station 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the replaceable battery module. Specifically, the replaceable battery module can be applied to a light electric vehicle (LEV) or a battery swap station (also called a "battery charging station").

[0031] 1 to 3, a replaceable battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack 100 and a battery pack mounting portion 200.

[0032] The battery pack mounting unit 200 may be installed in an electric vehicle 300 or in a battery charging station (battery swap station) 400 .

[0033] In addition, the battery pack 100 may be electrically connected to the battery pack mounting unit 200 while being mounted in the battery pack mounting unit 200. By electrically connecting the battery pack 100 and the battery pack mounting unit 200 to each other, power may be supplied from a battery charging station (battery swap station) 400 to the battery pack 100, thereby charging the battery pack 100. In addition, power may be supplied from the battery pack 100 to a motor, which is a driving source of the electric vehicle 300.

[0034] The replaceable battery module includes a battery pack 100 including a groove 110 formed on an exterior surface and a locking member 120 movably installed in the groove 110. The replaceable battery module also includes a mounting space 210 for accommodating the battery pack 100, and a battery pack mounting part 200 having an inclined protrusion 220 detachably engaged with the locking member 120 so as to fix the position of the battery pack 100 placed in the mounting space 210. The inclined protrusion 220 is installed to protrude into the mounting space 210.

[0035] The locking member 120 is sometimes called a hook-shaped locking member.

[0036] Specifically, the battery pack 100 includes a groove 110 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a hook-shaped locking member 120 connected to a side wall 113 of the groove 110 .

[0037] The battery pack 200 may have one set of grooves 110 and one set of locking members 120 on each side of the battery pack 200 in the mounting direction M. That is, the battery pack 100 may include two sets of grooves 110 and hook-shaped locking members 120.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hook-shaped locking member 120 is a claw-shaped locking member that is hook-type and is fixed to the inclined protrusion 220, and the hook-shaped locking member 120 may be arranged so that the claw portion faces the outside of the battery pack 100. For example, when the battery pack 100 is mounted, the claw portion may be arranged so that it faces the inner surface of the battery pack mounting portion 200.

[0039] The battery pack 100 may include a plurality of secondary battery cells E housed therein.

[0040] In addition, the battery pack 100 may have a width W1 of the front end 100a and a width W2 of the rear end 100b that are different from each other.

[0041] The front end 100a of the battery pack 100 is a portion that enters the mounting space 210 first when sliding along the mounting direction M, and a region located opposite the front end 100a is called the rear end 100b. The width of the front end 100a of the battery pack 100 may be formed relatively narrower than the width of the rear end 100b so that the battery pack 100 can easily enter the mounting space 210.

[0042] The battery pack 100 may also include a handle 130 provided on the rear end 100b side.

[0043] The battery pack mounting part 200 has a mounting space 210 in which the battery pack 100 is detachably mounted, and an inclined protrusion 220 that is tightly fitted and fixed to the locking member 120 to fix the position of the mounted battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 requires a certain amount of force in the mounting direction M to be mounted.

[0044] For example, when the battery pack 100 is mounted in the mounting space 210, the claw portion of the hook-shaped locking member 120 comes into contact with the inclined protrusion 220, preventing it from moving. However, if a certain amount of force is applied, the hook-shaped locking member 120 passes through the inclined protrusion 220 and can be fastened to the inclined protrusion 220 by a tight fit.

[0045] The replaceable battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention can fasten and fix the battery pack 100 to the battery pack mounting part 200 in a press-fit manner using the hook-shaped fastening member 120 and the inclined protrusion 220, which have a relatively simple structure.

[0046] When a force is applied in the installation direction M to install the battery pack 100 in the installation space 210, the locking member 120 comes into contact with the inclined protrusion 220, passes through the inclined protrusion 220, and can be locked and fixed to the inclined protrusion 220 after passing through the inclined protrusion 220. Specifically, when the battery pack 100 is installed in the installation space 210 along the installation direction M, the hook-shaped locking member 120 passes through the inclined protrusion 220 with an interference fit when a force of a certain level or more is applied in the installation direction M, and can be locked and fixed to the inclined protrusion after completing the passage.

[0047] Conversely, when a force of a certain magnitude or more is applied in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M in order to separate the battery pack 100 mounted in the mounting space 210, the hook-shaped fastening member 120 that is fastened passes through the inclined protrusion 220 in an interference fit manner and disengages from the inclined protrusion, thereby releasing the fastening.

[0048] In addition, the groove 110 may be provided with wings 112 extending along the mounting direction M of the battery pack 100, and the locking member 120 may be connected to the wings 112. In this case, the wings 112 may be spaced apart from a bottom surface 111 of the groove 110 and extend from one side wall 113 of the groove 110.

[0049] For example, the groove 110 may include a wing portion 112 formed on one side wall 113, extending to the center of the groove 110 at a certain distance from the bottom surface 111 of the groove, and the hook-shaped engaging member 120 may be connected to the wing portion 112.

[0050] The hook-shaped locking member 120 may be connected to the inner surface of the wing 112 facing the bottom surface 111 of the groove 110. The replaceable battery module may include another connecting member 300 that connects the hook-shaped locking member 120 to the inner surface of the wing 112, and the connecting member 300 may be a screw, for example. However, the connecting member 300 is not limited to a screw, and various known types of connecting parts and connecting methods may be used without limitation.

[0051] The locking member 120 may include one end 121 connected to the wing portion 112 to be fixed in position, and the other end 122 provided to be movable in a first direction h1 approaching the bottom surface 111 of the groove 110 or in a second direction h2 moving away from the bottom surface 111 of the groove 110. The other end 122 may have a hook-shaped head.

[0052] The hook-shaped locking member 120 has a predetermined length. One end 121 of the locking member 120 is connected to the wing portion 112 to be fixed in position, and the other end 122 is movable. The other end 122 is the end opposite to the one end 121.

[0053] The locking member 120 may be made of an elastic material, and may be configured such that a portion of the locking member 120 bends when an external force is applied thereto. In this case, when an external force is applied, the other end 122 bends and can move in a first direction h1 or a second direction h2.

[0054] Furthermore, a claw-like hook-shaped head may be provided at the other end 122. The hook-shaped head may be formed by adjusting the thickness of the other end 122. In this specification, the other end 122 may be understood to refer to the hook-shaped head.

[0055] The hook-shaped head (other end) 122 can be fastened and fixed to the inclined protrusion 220 by a press fit. The hook-shaped head 122 of the hook-shaped fastening member 120 can move in a first direction h1 when subjected to an external force, and can return to its original position while moving in a second direction h2 when the external force is released.

[0056] The external force may be, for example, a pushing force from the inclined protrusion 120 when passing through the inclined protrusion 220 .

[0057] Referring to Figure 2, when the other end 122 of the locking member 120 passes through the inclined protrusion 220 in a tight fit manner, the hook-shaped head (other end) 122 is pushed by the inclined protrusion 220 and moves in a first direction h1, and referring to Figure 3, when the hook-shaped head (other end) 122 completes passing through the inclined protrusion 220, the force pushing the hook-shaped head (other end) 122 from the inclined protrusion 220 is released and the hook-shaped head (other end) 122 can move in a second direction h2.

[0058] In one example, the hook-shaped head (other end) 122 may include an interference fit portion 122a that is configured to decrease in thickness along the mounting direction M of the battery pack 100 so that it can pass through the inclined protrusion 220 with an interference fit, and a locking and fixing portion 122b that is configured to increase in thickness along the mounting direction M of the battery pack 100 so that it can be locked and fixed to the inclined protrusion 220 when it has completely passed through the inclined protrusion 220.

[0059] That is, by adjusting the thickness of the other end 122 of the locking member 120 along the mounting direction M of the battery pack 100, the interference fit portion 122a and the locking fixing portion 122b can be formed.

[0060] The interference fit portion 122a may have a first inclined surface formed at an angle to allow the inclined protrusion 220 to pass through with an interference fit, and the locking fixing portion 122b may have a second inclined surface formed at an angle to allow the inclined protrusion 220 to be locked and fixed when the hook-shaped head 122 has passed through. In this case, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be inclined in opposite directions.

[0061] The locking and fixing portion 122b may be located adjacent to the interference fit portion 122a and closer to the one end portion 121. The inclination angle of the first inclined surface of the interference fit portion 122 may be gentler than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface of the locking and fixing portion 122b.

[0062] In addition, the force required for the tight fit may vary depending on the inclination angle of the first inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the second inclined surface of the locking fixing portion 122b may be formed at an angle greater than a certain value to prevent separation after locking and fixing with the inclined protrusion 220.

[0063] In addition, the inclined protrusion 220 may have an outer inclined portion 221 that comes into contact with the interference fit portion 122a when the battery pack 100 is attached and is configured to increase in thickness along the attachment direction M of the battery pack 100, and an inner inclined portion 222 that comes into contact with the locking fixing portion 122b after the hook-shaped head 122 passes through the outer inclined portion 221 and is configured to decrease in thickness along the attachment direction M of the battery pack 100.

[0064] The outer inclined portion 221 may be formed with an inclination angle corresponding to the first inclined surface of the interference fit portion 122 a, and the inner inclined portion 222 may be formed with an inclination angle corresponding to the second inclined surface of the locking fixing portion 122 b. The outer inclined portion 221 may have a gentler inclination angle than the inner inclined portion 222.

[0065] When the battery pack 100 is mounted, the interference fit portion 122a can slide along the inclination of the outer inclined portion 221 of the inclined protrusion 220 and pass through the inclined protrusion 220. When the interference fit portion 122a passes through the inclined protrusion 220, an interference fit is achieved.

[0066] In addition, when the battery pack 100 mounted in the mounting space 210 is separated, the latching fixing part 122b can slide along the inclination of the inner inclined part 222 of the inclined protrusion 220 and pass through the inclined protrusion.

[0067] When the battery pack 100 is installed, the hook-shaped locking member 120 moves from the outside to the inside of the inclined protrusion 220, and when the battery pack 100 is removed, the hook-shaped locking member 120 moves from the inside to the outside of the inclined protrusion 220. The outside of the inclined protrusion 220 refers to a portion disposed adjacent to an entrance where the battery pack 100 is installed.

[0068] In addition, the hook-shaped locking member 120 may be made of an elastic material. For example, the hook-shaped locking member 120 may be made of a POM (polyoxymethylene) material. Since the hook-shaped locking member 120 is made of an elastic material, when it is pushed by the inclined protrusion 220 and moves in a first direction h1, and then the pushing force is released, it can move in a second direction h2 due to the restoring force of the elastic material and return to its original position.

[0069] The replaceable battery module according to the present invention may further include a cover (not shown) coupled to the battery pack mounting portion 200 .

[0070] The cover is coupled to the battery pack mounting part 200 so as to seal the mounting space 210 of the battery pack mounting part 200. The cover serves to prevent the attached battery pack 100 from coming off and to protect the battery pack 100 from being damaged by external impact.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 4 , one embodiment of the present invention may be an electric vehicle 300 including the replaceable battery module described above. The electric vehicle 300 includes a battery pack mounting unit 200, and a battery pack can be detachably mounted to the battery pack mounting unit 200. The type of the electric vehicle 300 is not particularly limited as long as it can be equipped with a replaceable battery pack, and it may be a small, medium, or large electric vehicle, preferably a small electric vehicle. Examples of small electric vehicles include electric scooters, electric bicycles, and kick scooters. An electric vehicle including the replaceable battery pack described above has the advantage of shortening the replacement time when replacing an old battery pack with a new one.

[0072] 5, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery swap station 400 including the replaceable battery module described above. The battery swap station 400 can charge the battery pack by supplying power to the battery pack via the battery pack mounting unit 200. A battery swap station including the replaceable battery pack described above has the advantage of reducing the replacement time consumed when mounting an old battery pack or removing a fully charged battery pack.

[0073] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] According to at least one embodiment of the replaceable battery module of the present invention, an electric vehicle and a battery swap station including the same, a hook structure that fastens and secures the battery pack in the battery pack mounting portion using an interference fit method makes it easy to attach and detach the battery pack, and allows for quick battery pack replacement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100 battery packs 110 Groove 120 Locking member 200 Battery pack attachment 210 Mounting space 220 Inclined protrusion

Claims

1. a battery pack including a groove formed on an outer circumferential surface and a locking member movably provided in the groove; a battery pack mounting portion having an installation space for accommodating the battery pack and an inclined protrusion that is detachably engaged with the locking member so as to fix the position of the battery pack disposed in the installation space; A replaceable battery module comprising: The groove is provided with a wing portion extending along the mounting direction of the battery pack, The locking member is connected to the wing portion, The locking member has one end connected to the wing portion to fix its position; the other end portion having a hook-shaped head portion and movable in a first direction approaching the bottom surface of the groove or in a second direction away from the bottom surface of the groove; Replaceable battery module.

2. 2. The replaceable battery module of claim 1, wherein when a force is applied in an installation direction to install the battery pack in the installation space, the locking member contacts the inclined protrusion, then passes through the inclined protrusion, and is locked to the inclined protrusion after passing through the inclined protrusion.

3. The replaceable battery module of claim 1 , wherein the wing portion is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the groove and extends from one side wall of the groove.

4. The other end of the locking member is When the hook passes through the inclined protrusion in an interference fit manner, the hook-shaped head is pushed by the inclined protrusion and moves in a first direction; The replaceable battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the hook-shaped head is released from the inclined protrusion when the hook-shaped head has completely passed the inclined protrusion, and moves in the second direction.

5. an interference fit portion of the hook-shaped head, the thickness of which decreases along the mounting direction of the battery pack so that the hook-shaped head can pass through the inclined protrusion by interference fit; a locking and fixing portion that is provided to increase in thickness along the mounting direction of the battery pack in order to be locked and fixed to the inclined protrusion when the battery pack has passed through the inclined protrusion; The replaceable battery module of claim 1 , comprising:

6. the inclined protrusion includes an outer inclined portion that contacts the interference-fit portion when the battery pack is installed and that increases in thickness along the installation direction of the battery pack; an inner inclined portion that comes into contact with the latching portion after the hook-shaped head passes through the outer inclined portion and that is provided so as to decrease in thickness along the mounting direction of the battery pack; The replaceable battery module according to claim 5 , comprising:

7. When the battery pack is attached, The replaceable battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the interference-fit portion passes through the inclined protrusion while sliding along the outer inclined portion of the inclined protrusion.

8. When the battery pack installed in the installation space is separated, The replaceable battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the locking fixing part passes through the inclined protrusion while sliding along the inner inclined part of the inclined protrusion.

9. The replaceable battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the locking member is made of an elastic material.

10. The replaceable battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the locking member is configured to bend in a certain region when an external force is applied.

11. An electric vehicle comprising the replaceable battery module of claim 1.

12. A battery swap station comprising the replaceable battery module of claim 1.

13. The wing portion (112) extends from a side wall (113) extending from a bottom surface (111) of the groove (110) along the mounting direction (M) of the battery pack, 2. The replaceable battery module according to claim 1, wherein a side portion of the locking member closer to one end (121) is attached to an inner surface of the wing portion (112) via a connecting member (300).

14. A replaceable battery module as described in Claim 13, wherein one end (121) of the locking member has a space between it and the side wall (113).

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