Battery pack lifting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack lifting device using a magnetic damper that can stably raise and lower a battery pack to a desired position by configuring permanent magnets, electromagnets, rack and pinions, and slide rails within the device to prevent damage to the battery pack that may occur when seating or moving a heavy-load battery pack.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0182079, filed December 22, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack lifting device, and more specifically to a battery pack lifting device using a magnetic damper that can stably lift and lower a battery pack to a desired position by providing permanent magnets, electromagnets, rack and pinions, and slide rails within the device to prevent damage to the battery pack that may occur when seating or moving a heavy battery pack. [Background technology]

[0003] As the safety and capacity of rechargeable lithium secondary batteries have been improved rapidly, the number of devices using the lithium secondary batteries as an energy source has been increasing.

[0004] For example, the lithium secondary battery is widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices or wearable devices, which are multifunctional small products, and is also used in medium- and large-sized battery packs for use as an energy source or energy storage system (ESS) for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are presented as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that cause air pollution.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical and prismatic secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal case, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. Among these, cylindrical secondary batteries have the advantages of relatively large capacity and structural safety.

[0006] To realize such high-power and high-capacity secondary batteries, battery packs are manufactured. Such battery packs include vehicle drive battery packs, PCM (Power Storage Module) packs for ESS, and battery module unit packs. Due to their large size and heavy load, they are generally transported and mounted by automated equipment such as robots.

[0007] In the case of battery packs weighing 10kg to 20kg, such as those used in e-bikes and e-scooters, it is common for workers to manually move and place them on semi-automated lines. However, this repetitive work can lead to accidents such as unexpected drops and collisions that can damage the battery pack during product assembly, even with battery packs of this weight.

[0008] When semi-finished products or battery packs are seated in jigs for product assembly during the manufacturing process, or when packaging, or when fastening or assembling an electrification set including a secondary battery, the battery pack may be damaged during the seating process due to gravity.

[0009] Such damage to the battery pack during the manufacturing process is due to the absence of cushioning material that can act as a buffer for the product.

[0010] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0065729 discloses a battery pack transfer device that includes a rail level platform that is horizontally positioned at a set height and to which the transfer device is connected for movement, and that supports the rail level platform using a combination of one or more of: a fixed vertical support that is detachably fixed to the top of the battery mounting rack, positioned vertically, and to which one end of the rail level platform is connected; and a general vertical support that is placed on the top of the battery mounting rack, positioned vertically, and to which a set portion of the rail level platform is connected. However, the publication does not disclose technology for a battery pack lifting device that can position heavy battery packs in desired locations.

[0011] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0064378 discloses a battery pack replacement system for an electric vehicle, including a discrimination unit that discriminates the type of battery pack of a vehicle, a replacement unit that detaches or attaches a discharged battery pack from the vehicle, a charging / discharging unit that charges / discharges and stores the discharged battery pack, and a transport unit that transports the discharged battery pack separated by the replacement unit to the charging / discharging unit or transports a fully charged battery pack from the charging / discharging unit to the replacement unit. However, the publication does not disclose a battery pack lifting device that can position a heavy battery pack in a desired location.

[0012] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0154038 provides an ESS-type assembled battery pack that includes a system including an outer box, two or more battery cells, a cartridge that houses the battery cells, and a lead jig, where the cartridge has an openable / closable structure to allow the battery cells to be attached and detached, and the lead jig has a structure that allows the battery cells to be attached and detached to the leads of the battery cells, and when the battery cells are placed in the cartridge and stacked in the thickness direction, and the lead jig is attached to the leads of the battery cells, the battery cells are electrically connected without welding the leads of the battery cells. However, the publication does not disclose technology for a battery pack lifting device that can position a heavy battery pack in a desired location.

[0013] Korean Patent No. 10-1188628 discloses a battery cell moving device that includes a die consisting of a carrier jig with a mounting groove formed on its inner surface and a groove formed on one outer surface, an elastic pressing member that presses the carrier jig, and an elastic connecting member with a connecting groove corresponding to the groove of the carrier jig. When the carrier jig is pressed in the direction of travel with the carrier jig mounted between the elastic pressing member of the die and the elastic connecting member, the carrier jig is elastically pressed by the elastic pressing member of the die and moves step by step along the elastic connecting member at the intervals of the grooves, thereby continuously performing predetermined operations on the battery cells mounted on the carrier jig. However, no technology is disclosed regarding a battery pack lifting device that can position heavy battery packs in desired locations.

[0014] Therefore, in order to prevent damage to the battery pack that may occur when a heavy-duty battery pack is seated or moved, the current situation is that no configuration of a battery pack lifting device using a magnetic damper that can stably lift and lower the battery pack to a desired position by configuring permanent magnets, electromagnets, rack and pinions, and slide rails within the device has been presented. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0065729 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0064378 [Patent Document 3] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0154038 [Patent Document 4] Korean Patent No. 10-1188628 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a battery pack lifting device using a magnetic damper that can stably lift and lower a battery pack to a desired position by providing permanent magnets, electromagnets, rack and pinions, and slide rails within the device to prevent damage to the battery pack that may occur when seating or moving a heavy-duty battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] To achieve this object, the battery pack lifting device according to the present invention may include a housing (100), an upper jig (200) on which a battery pack (10) is mounted, vertical jig (300) connected to both sides of the upper jig and formed vertically, and a lower jig (400) connected to one end of the vertical jig (300) at both sides and formed to face the upper jig (200), and is characterized in that the battery pack is lifted and lowered by adjusting the magnetic field strength between the upper jig (200) and the lower jig (400).

[0018] A permanent magnet 270 or an electromagnet 410 may be formed on one surface of each of the upper jig 200 and the lower jig 400 .

[0019] An electromagnet 410 may be formed on one surface of either the upper jig 200 or the lower jig 400 .

[0020] The repulsive and attractive magnetic fields between the upper jig 200 and the lower jig 400 can be adjusted to adjust the elevation of the upper jig.

[0021] A plurality of rollers 210 for moving along the wall surface of the vertical jig may be formed on a first surface of the upper jig 200.

[0022] A pinion (220) is formed on one of both end surfaces of the upper jig (200), and the vertical jig (210) corresponding to the pinion No. A rack (310) may be formed on one side.

[0023] The upper jig (200) may include an upper jig attachment / detachment unit (280) for separating the pinion (220) from the rack (310) and separating the roller (210) from the wall surface of the vertical jig (300) when the upper jig (200) is positioned at a predetermined distance from the lower jig (400).

[0024] When the upper jig (200) is separated from the vertical jig (300) by the upper jig attaching / detaching unit (280), first slide protrusions (230) formed on both end surfaces of the upper jig (200) can protrude.

[0025] The upper jig (200) separated from the vertical jig (300) by the upper jig attachment / detachment unit (280) moves back and forth by engaging the first slide protrusion (230) with one of a plurality of first slide recesses (320) formed on the vertical jig (300), and the second slide protrusions (420) formed on both end surfaces of the lower jig are engaged with the second slide recesses (330) formed on the vertical jig (300) and move back and forth, thereby positioning the battery pack (10) at a predetermined position.

[0026] A receiving portion (240) having a cushion (250) for the battery pack (10) to sit on is formed on the upper surface of the upper jig (200), and each edge of the receiving portion (240) and the battery pack (10) can be fitted together.

[0027] The battery pack may further include a spring (260) coupled to the upper or lower part of the receiving part (240) to connect the receiving parts to each other and to absorb vibrations applied to the battery pack from the outside. The receiving part (240) may include a receiving groove (241) having a rectangular plate shape and a predetermined depth to be fitted with the outer surface of the battery pack, and may include a receiving plate (242) from the lower surface of the receiving part, from which the cushion (250) protrudes downward, and a stopper (243) detachably coupled to the receiving plate (242) to prevent the battery pack coupled to the receiving groove (241) from separating.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention can also be provided in the form of various combinations of means for solving the above problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] As described above, the battery pack lifting device according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to stably lift and lower a battery pack using the attractive and repulsive forces between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

[0030] In addition, it is possible to provide an effect of buffering the weight in the existing battery pack assembly process or the assembly process of a drive device including a battery pack.

[0031] In addition, there is an effect that mechanical damage can be reduced without a suspension device in a device for seating or moving a battery pack, including a magnetic damper jig. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack lifting device including a magnetic damper. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a rack and pinion of a battery pack lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a sliding configuration of a battery pack lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery pack receiving section according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rack and pinion formed on a vertical jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0034] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain component" does not mean excluding other components, but means that other components may also be included.

[0035] Furthermore, descriptions that limit or add specific elements are applicable to all inventions and are not limited to a particular invention unless otherwise specified.

[0036] Furthermore, throughout the description of the present invention and the claims, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0037] Furthermore, throughout the description of the present invention and the claims, unless otherwise specified, "or" includes "and." Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases: including A, including B, or including both A and B.

[0038] The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with detailed embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack lifting device including a magnetic damper.

[0040] The battery pack lifting device may include a housing 100, an upper jig 200 to which the battery pack 10 is attached, a vertical jig 300 connected to both sides of the upper jig 200 and formed vertically, and a lower jig 400 connected to one end of the vertical jig 300 at both sides and formed to face the upper jig 200, and may be characterized in that the battery pack lifting device lifts and lowers the battery pack by adjusting the magnetic field strength between the upper jig 200 and the lower jig 400.

[0041] A permanent magnet 270 or an electromagnet 410 may be formed on one surface of each of the upper jig 200 and the lower jig 400 .

[0042] A permanent magnet as a lifting means may be formed at the bottom of the body of the upper jig that moves along the base plate of the upper jig by a moving force generating means for moving the upper jig up and down.

[0043] An electromagnet for lifting and lowering the battery pack by magnetic repulsion with the upper jig may be formed as a lifting means on the upper part of the body of the lower jig.

[0044] When the electromagnets are sequentially driven by the control unit, they generate magnetic force lines having a pole (e.g., N pole) opposite to the pole (e.g., S pole) of the magnetic force lines generated by the permanent magnet, causing the battery pack to rise due to the repulsive force between the magnetic force lines generated by the permanent magnet and the magnetic force lines generated by the electromagnets. After a predetermined time, when the control unit cuts off the drive of the electromagnets, the battery pack descends under its own weight.

[0045] After the battery pack is attached to the upper jig, the battery pack, which is positioned on the upper jig in a stopped state, can repeatedly rise to a predetermined height and then fall due to the repulsive force between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet.

[0046] An electromagnet 410 may be formed on one surface of either the upper jig 200 or the lower jig 400 .

[0047] The repulsive and attractive magnetic fields between the upper jig 200 and the lower jig 400 can be adjusted to adjust the elevation of the upper jig.

[0048] Preferably, the electromagnet formed on the lower jig has a control program therein and is selectively driven for a predetermined time in response to an output signal from a control unit that determines the position of the upper jig using the movement position sensing means. When the upper jig moves a predetermined distance, the driving of the electromagnet stops, and when a driving signal is generated from the control unit, only the electromagnet is driven again for a predetermined time, so that the upper jig rises to a predetermined height and then falls.

[0049] A plurality of rollers 210 for moving along the wall surface of the vertical jig may be formed on a first surface of the upper jig 200 .

[0050] The first surface of the upper jig is the surface opposite to the surface of the upper jig on which the battery pack is located, and is preferably the surface of the upper jig on which the permanent magnet is formed.

[0051] The rollers are formed on both sides of the first surface, and the rollers may contact a wall surface of the vertical jig and move toward the inside of the first surface at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the vertical jig.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rack and pinion of a battery pack lifting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] A pinion 220 is formed on one of both end surfaces of the upper jig 200, and the vertical jig corresponding to the pinion No. A rack 310 may be formed at one surface.

[0054] Here, the upper jig can move along the wall surface of the vertical jig, and a rack and pinion type driving unit is located above the upper jig, which will be described later.

[0055] The vertical jig may have various shapes, for example, a shape having a square cross section or a shape having a circular cross section.

[0056] Here, when a vertical jig having a rectangular cross section is used, the rollers of the upper jig can move along the vertical jig as they are, but when a vertical jig having a circular cross section is used, long roller rails are installed vertically along the vertical jig to ensure a stable roller support surface, and the rollers of the upper jig can move up and down along the roller rails.

[0057] A driving unit for moving the upper jig equipped with the battery pack may include the moving force generating means for driving a permanent magnet formed on the upper jig as a power source and an electromagnet formed on the lower jig, and a rack and pinion as a driving body of the upper jig.

[0058] The upper jig is driven up and down by a pinion formed on one end surface of the upper jig and a rack formed on the vertical jig corresponding to the position where the pinion is formed, and the roller acts as an auxiliary support for lifting and lowering.

[0059] The pinion is fixedly mounted on one side of the upper jig, and the pinion is engaged with a rack formed on the vertical jig.

[0060] When the moving force generating means for generating a magnetic repulsive force is activated, the pinion moves along the rack, so that the upper jig can move up and down.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sliding configuration of a battery pack lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] When the upper jig 200 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the lower jig 400, an upper jig attaching / detaching unit 280 may be included to separate the pinion 220 from the rack 310 and separate the roller 210 from the wall surface of the vertical jig 300.

[0063] The upper jig may be provided with the upper jig attaching / detaching unit and the electromagnet.

[0064] When the upper jig 200 is separated from the vertical jig 300 by the upper jig attaching / detaching unit 280, first slide protrusions 230 formed on both end surfaces of the upper jig 200 may protrude.

[0065] The upper jig 200, which is separated from the vertical jig 300 by the upper jig attachment / detachment unit 280, moves back and forth with the first slide protrusion 230 engaged with one of a plurality of first slide recesses 320 formed on the vertical jig 300, and the second slide protrusions 420 formed on both end surfaces of the lower jig are engaged with the second slide recesses 330 formed on the vertical jig 300, thereby moving back and forth to position the battery pack 10 at a predetermined position.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack receiving section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] A receiving portion 240 having a cushion 250 for the battery pack 10 to sit on is formed on the upper surface of the upper jig 200, and each edge portion of the receiving portion 240 and the battery pack 10 can be fitted to each other.

[0068] The battery pack may further include a spring 260 that is coupled to the upper or lower part of the receiving part 240 to connect the receiving parts to each other and that can absorb vibrations applied to the battery pack from the outside. The receiving part 240 may include a receiving groove 241 having a square plate shape and a predetermined depth to be fitted with the outer surface of the battery pack, and may include a receiving plate 242 from which the cushion 250 protrudes downward on the lower surface of the receiving part, and a stopper 243 that is detachably coupled to the receiving plate 242 to prevent the battery pack coupled to the receiving groove 241 from being separated.

[0069] A seating member having an absorbing member for seating the battery pack is formed on the upper surface of the upper jig, and each edge portion of the seating member and the battery pack can be fitted together.

[0070] The battery pack may further include a buffer member coupled to an upper or lower portion of the seating member to connect the seating members and to absorb external vibrations applied to the battery pack, the seating member having a rectangular plate shape and including a seating groove having a predetermined depth to be fitted with an outer surface of the battery pack, and a mounting plate on a lower surface of the seating member from which the absorbing member protrudes downward, and a separation prevention piece detachably coupled to the mounting plate to prevent the battery pack coupled to the seating groove from being separated.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rack and pinion formed on a vertical jig according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Battery Pack 100 Housing 200 Upper Jig 210 Roller 220 Pinion 230 First slide protrusion 240 Storage Unit 241 Storage groove 242 Storage Plate 243 Stopper 250 cushion 260 Spring 270 Permanent Magnets 280 Upper jig attachment / detachment unit 300 Vertical Jig 310 racks 320 First slide recess 330 Second slide recess 400 Lower Jig 410 Electromagnet 420 Second slide protrusion

Claims

1. Housing and an upper jig on which the battery pack is mounted; a vertical jig connected to both sides of the upper jig and formed vertically; a lower jig, both sides of which are connected to one end of the vertical jig and which is formed to face the upper jig; a battery pack lifting device that adjusts a magnetic field strength between the upper jig and the lower jig to lift and lower the battery pack;

2. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein a permanent magnet or an electromagnet is formed on one surface of each of the upper jig and the lower jig.

3. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 2 , wherein an electromagnet is formed on one surface of either the upper jig or the lower jig.

4. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 3 , wherein the lifting of the upper jig is controlled by adjusting magnetic repulsive and attractive forces between the upper jig and the lower jig.

5. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of rollers are formed on a first surface of the upper jig to move along a wall surface of the vertical jig.

6. 6. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 5, wherein a pinion is formed on one of both end surfaces of the upper jig, and a rack is formed on a position of the first surface of the vertical jig corresponding to the pinion.

7. 7. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 6, wherein the upper jig includes an upper jig attaching / detaching unit for separating the pinion from the rack and separating the roller from the wall surface of the vertical jig when the upper jig is positioned at a predetermined distance from the lower jig.

8. 8. The battery pack lifting device according to claim 7, wherein first slide protrusions formed on both end surfaces of the upper jig protrude when the upper jig is separated from the vertical jig by the upper jig attaching / detaching unit.

9. the upper jig separated from the vertical jig by the upper jig attaching / detaching unit moves forward and backward by coupling the first slide protrusion to any one of a plurality of first slide recesses formed on the vertical jig; 9. The battery pack lifting device of claim 8, wherein second slide protrusions formed on both end surfaces of the lower jig are engaged with second slide recesses formed on the vertical jig and move back and forth to position the battery pack at a predetermined position.

10. a receiving portion provided with a cushion for the battery pack to sit on is formed on an upper surface of the upper jig; The battery pack lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein each edge of the receiving portion and the battery pack are fitted together.

11. a spring coupled to an upper portion or a lower portion of the receiving portion, the spring being capable of absorbing external vibrations applied to the battery pack; the receiving portion includes a receiving groove having a rectangular plate shape, the receiving groove having a predetermined depth so that the battery pack can be fitted into the receiving groove; the storage portion includes a storage plate from the bottom surface of the storage portion, the cushion protruding downward; The battery pack lifting device according to claim 10 , wherein the receiving portion includes a stopper detachably attached to the receiving plate to prevent the battery pack fitted in the receiving groove from being separated.

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