Charging bin, charging rack including same, battery exchange station and energy storage station

Abstract

A charging bin, a charging rack including the same, a battery exchange station, and an energy storage station are provided. The charging bin (10) is a bin on which a battery pack (30) is placed by a battery pack transfer device. The charging bin (10) includes a mounting mechanism (1) that mounts the battery pack (30) using a frame structure, the mounting mechanism (1) having a frameless space (1a) into which an extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters when the battery pack transfer device places the battery pack (30) on the mounting mechanism (1), and an electrical connection mechanism (2) that is provided on the mounting mechanism (1) and that electrically connects with the battery pack (30) after the battery pack (30) is placed on the mounting mechanism (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202010093469X, filed on February 14, 2020. The entire text of the above Chinese patent application is incorporated herein by reference. The present application relates to charging bins, charging racks containing same, battery exchange stations and energy storage stations. [Background technology]

[0002] In the prior art, energy storage stations or battery exchange stations are typically provided with several charging bins for charging batteries. The batteries in the charging bins are transported by a battery pack transfer device. After the battery pack transfer device places the battery pack on the mounting frame of the charging bin using an extension mechanism, a separate avoidance structure must be provided between the mounting mechanism and the battery pack so that the extension mechanism can be removed from the charging bin. This separate avoidance structure complicates the structure of the charging bin. Furthermore, the battery pack transfer device must set a relatively complex movement trajectory to avoid the mounting frame of the charging bin located below the battery pack, which significantly complicates the process of loading and unloading the battery packs using the battery pack transfer device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a charging bin, a charging rack including the same, a battery exchange station, and an energy storage station, in order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art battery pack transfer device, in that the process of inserting and removing battery packs in and from a charging bin is complicated and the structure of the charging bin itself is prone to become complicated as a result. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present application solves the above problems by the following technical solution.

[0005] A charging bin into which a battery pack is placed by a battery pack transfer device, the charging bin comprising: a mounting mechanism for mounting a battery pack using a frame structure, the mounting mechanism having a frameless space into which an extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device enters when the battery pack transport device places the battery pack on the mounting mechanism; The battery pack further includes an electrical connection mechanism provided on the mounting mechanism for electrically connecting with the battery pack after the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism. This charging bin has a frameless space in the mounting mechanism through which the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters, thereby preventing the battery pack transfer device from interfering with the mounting mechanism when placing or removing a battery pack from the mounting mechanism, saving the space required to prevent the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device from extending and retracting, reducing the height of the space occupied by the charging bin, and simplifying the structure of the charging bin and the process flow for loading and unloading battery packs using the battery pack transfer device.

[0006] Preferably, the mounting mechanism includes a front mounting frame and a rear mounting frame that jointly mount the battery pack, the frameless space is formed between the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, and the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the front mounting frame, thus forming a frameless space in the mounting mechanism by providing a separate frame.

[0007] Preferably, a first alignment mechanism is provided on each side of the front mounting frame, and when the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the first alignment mechanism engages with a second alignment mechanism on the side of the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of positioning and placing the battery pack on the mounting mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the first alignment mechanism is a guide fork, the second alignment mechanism is a alignment block, and the alignment block is provided so as to be able to engage and be positioned in a locking groove between two fork portions of the guide fork. In this way, the horizontal displacement of the second alignment mechanism is limited by the two fork portions, thereby achieving the purpose of positioning the battery pack relative to the mounting mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, at least one of the two fork portions of the guide fork has, at its top, a slope or an arcuate surface that faces the inside of the guide fork. Thus, a guide structure for the battery pack is formed using the slope or arcuate surface, and the position of the battery pack is guided by the way the inner surfaces of the fork and the side surfaces of the battery pack come into contact with each other, thereby effectively improving the positioning accuracy when the battery pack is placed.

[0010] Preferably, the tops of the fork sections of the guide fork are folded back toward the outside of the charging bin, forming a guide structure for the battery pack inside the fork sections, realizing widthwise positioning adjustability of the battery pack, and allowing the battery pack to be accurately positioned and placed on the battery bracket.

[0011] Preferably, a third alignment mechanism is provided on each side of the rear mounting frame, and when the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the battery pack is placed exclusively between the two third alignment mechanisms. Thus, the guide alignment function of the third alignment mechanism increases the number of guide alignment points on the mounting mechanism from two to four, improving the accuracy and success rate of alignment when placing the battery pack and achieving horizontal positioning of the battery pack on the mounting mechanism.

[0012] Preferably, the third alignment mechanism has a sheet-like structure, and the top of the third alignment mechanism is folded outward toward the outside of the charging bin, thereby forming a guide structure for the battery pack inside the top end of the third alignment mechanism, thereby realizing widthwise alignment adjustability of the battery pack.

[0013] Preferably, the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame are provided with reinforcing beams at locations away from the entry side of the extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device, The two ends of the reinforcing beam are connected to the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, respectively, or the reinforcing beam is integral with the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, and the reinforcing beam is used to simultaneously reinforce the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, thereby compensating for the reduction in frame strength caused by providing separate frame structures.

[0014] Preferably, the mounting mechanism has a first mounting table, the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the first mounting table, and the first mounting table further has a push-pull mechanism for driving the electrical connection mechanism; When the battery pack is placed on the first mounting table, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism to electrically connect with the electrical connector on the battery pack; When the battery pack is lifted relative to the first mounting base, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism to detach from the electrical connector on the battery pack, thus achieving the purpose of inserting and removing the electrical connector into and from the battery pack.

[0015] Preferably, the pushing / pulling mechanism is a horizontal electric pushing / pulling mechanism or a diagonal guide pushing / pulling mechanism.

[0016] Preferably, the mounting mechanism further includes a front mounting frame, the first mounting table is located above the front mounting frame, The push-pull mechanism is a diagonal guide push-pull mechanism, and the diagonal guide push-pull mechanism includes a mounting seat formed on the outer surface of the case of the electrical connection mechanism, the mounting seat is connected to the first mount via a slide rail device and to the front mount frame via an orientation device, and the slide rail device and the orientation device cooperate to enable the electrical connection mechanism to move back and forth so as to electrically connect or disconnect the electrical connection mechanism to or from the electrical connector on the battery pack. By adopting this structure, the objective of the electrical connection mechanism automatically electrically connecting or disconnecting to or from the electrical connector on the battery pack as the battery pack is inserted or removed from the mount mechanism is achieved.

[0017] Preferably, the slide rail device includes vertical plates provided on both sides of the first mount, slide rails or pulleys provided on both sides of the mounting seat, and horizontal slide grooves for engaging with the slide rails or pulleys are opened at corresponding positions on the vertical plates. In this way, after the mounting seat is attached to the first mount, the objective of making the mounting seat movable in the horizontal direction relative to the first mount is achieved by the engagement of the slide rails or pulleys with the slide grooves.

[0018] Preferably, the orientation device includes a guide plate with an oblique groove attached to the mounting seat and a position control rod attached to the front mounting frame, the oblique groove inclining downward along the electrical connection mechanism toward the battery pack, and the position control rod passing through the oblique groove, so that the first mounting base moves downward when a battery is placed thereon, and the orientation device and sliding device move the electrical connection mechanism in a direction approaching the battery pack to electrically connect with the electrical connector on the battery pack, while the first mounting base moves upward when the battery pack on it is lifted, and the orientation device and sliding device move the electrical connection mechanism in a direction away from the battery pack to disconnect it from the electrical connector on the battery pack. According to the above structure, the inclined oblique groove guides the direction of movement of the mounting seat relative to the front mounting frame. After the battery pack is placed on the first mounting base, the first mounting base and the mounting seat are moved downward by utilizing the gravity applied from the battery pack to the first mounting base. Guided by the oblique groove, the mounting seat moves horizontally relative to the front mounting frame and the first mounting base, inserting and removing the electrical connector from the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of plugging in and removing the electrical connector.

[0019] Preferably, the loading mechanism further includes an elastic device provided between the front loading frame and the first loading table, the elastic device being adapted to elastically support the first loading table by the front loading frame. According to the above structure, when the battery pack is released from the first mounting base, the elastic device can rebound the first mounting base to its original position, thereby achieving the purpose of moving the first mounting base upward when the battery pack is removed by the elastic device.

[0020] Preferably, the mounting mechanism further includes a guide device for guiding the elastic device to elastically move in a vertical direction so that the first mounting table is elastically supported by the front mounting frame in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring that the first mounting table can move up and down relative to the front mounting frame.

[0021] Preferably, the guide device includes a guide rod provided under the first mounting table and a guide hole opened in the front mounting frame, the guide hole being provided corresponding to the guide rod and intended for the guide rod to be inserted therein, and the elastic device being annularly attached to the guide rod located between the guide hole and the first mounting table. According to the above structure, the first mounting table can move only up and down relative to the front mounting frame due to the precise engagement between the guide hole and the guide rod.

[0022] Preferably, the guide device further includes a position control member provided at the lower end of the guide rod, and the position control member is pressed against the lower edge of the guide hole when the first mounting table is returned upward by the elastic device. The position regulating member is used to restrict the position limit when the first mounting table returns upward, thereby preventing the first mounting table and the guide rod connected to it from moving upward and coming off the guide hole.

[0023] Preferably, the elastic device is a compression spring, and the first mounting base is returned to its up position when the battery pack is released from the first mounting base by utilizing the repulsive force generated when the compression spring is compressed.

[0024] A charging rack, a charging bin as described above; and a charger electrically connected to the electrical connection mechanism. Thus, when a battery pack is placed in the charging bin by the battery pack transfer device, the charger supplies power to the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of charging. Charging bins employing this structure can reduce the vertical space occupied by the charging rack, or can increase the number of charging bins without increasing the space occupied by the charging rack.

[0025] Preferably, the charging rack further includes an emergency bin and an emergency ejection mechanism. The emergency bin allows the battery pack to be quickly removed from the base frame by the transfer frame of the emergency ejection mechanism, preventing the risk of combustion or explosion from a thermal runaway battery pack from spreading to battery packs in other charging bins in the charging rack. The battery pack transfer frame, which is provided for each battery pack, allows for a quick response and timely removal of a thermal runaway battery pack, reducing the risk in the shortest possible time and improving the safety factor of the entire charging rack.

[0026] Preferably, the charging rack includes a plurality of the charging bins distributed in a matrix, and the frameless spaces of the plurality of charging bins in the same vertical direction are vertically connected to each other, so that the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device can move downward after placing a battery pack thereon to easily withdraw the battery pack from the corresponding charging bin area.

[0027] Preferably, the charging rack further includes a fixed pole extending vertically, and the mounting mechanisms for the charging bins are connected to the fixed pole, respectively, thereby improving the overall strength of the charging rack.

[0028] Preferably, a reinforcing plate structure is provided at the connection point between the mounting mechanism and the fixed column, thereby effectively increasing the structural rigidity of the charging rack in the vertical direction.

[0029] A battery exchange station or energy storage station comprising the charging rack described above. The charging bin of the battery exchange station or energy storage station has a frameless space in the mounting mechanism into which the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters, thereby avoiding interference with the mounting mechanism when the battery pack transfer device places or removes a battery pack from the mounting mechanism, or saving the space required to avoid the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device extending or retracting, thereby reducing the height of the space occupied by the battery exchange station or energy storage station, and simplifying the structure of the charging bin and the process flow of the battery pack transfer device for putting in and taking out the battery packs, thereby achieving the objective of reducing costs.

[0030] Preferably, the mounting mechanism of the charging bin includes a front mounting frame and a rear mounting frame for jointly mounting the battery pack, the frameless space is formed between the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, and the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the front mounting frame; The front and rear mounting frames are provided with reinforcing beams at locations away from the entry side of the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device, with both ends of the reinforcing beam connected to the front and rear mounting frames, respectively, and the reinforcing beams being provided on the inner wall of the battery exchange station or the inner wall of the energy storage station. By directly fixing the charging bin mounting mechanism to the frame structure of the battery exchange station or energy storage station, the structural strength of the mounting mechanism is ensured, and even if a frameless space is provided in the mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism's ability to mount battery packs is not affected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] The positive advances and advantages of the present invention are as follows: In the charging bin, and the charging rack, battery exchange station, and energy storage station that include the charging bin, the mounting mechanism has a frameless space into which the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters, thereby preventing the battery pack transfer device from interfering with the mounting mechanism when placing or removing a battery pack from the mounting mechanism, and simplifying the structure of the charging bin and the process flow for loading and unloading battery packs using the battery pack transfer device, thereby achieving the objective of reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a charging bin according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a mounting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first alignment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first mounting table according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a mounting seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a first mounting table and a mounting seat are combined together in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a motion state of a direction determining device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a charging rack according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery pack transfer frame of an emergency ejection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 1 is a partial internal structural schematic diagram of an energy storage station according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention will be further described below through examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0034] The present application provides a charging rack 100 on which a battery pack 30 is placed by a battery pack transfer device, and the charging rack 100 includes a mounting mechanism 1 and an electrical connection mechanism 2. The mounting mechanism 1 uses a mounting frame to achieve the purpose of mounting the battery pack 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mounting mechanism 1 has a frameless space 1a into which an extension mechanism (not shown) of the battery pack transfer device enters when the battery pack transfer device places the battery pack 30 on the mounting mechanism 1. Meanwhile, the mounting mechanism 1 is provided with an electrical connection mechanism 2 for electrically connecting with the battery pack 30 after the battery pack 30 is placed on the mounting mechanism 1, thereby achieving the purpose of charging the battery pack 30.

[0035] Specifically, the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device is usually an insert plate provided on the underside of the battery pack 30, and after this extension mechanism carries the battery pack 30 and places it face down on the mounting mechanism 1, the extension mechanism can continue to move downward to quickly retract from the charging rack 100 without interfering with other parts of the charging rack 100. Therefore, by providing the mounting mechanism 1 with a frameless space 1a into which the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters, the charging bin 10 can avoid interference with the mounting mechanism 1 when the battery pack transfer device places or removes the battery pack 30 from the mounting mechanism 1 and can simplify the structure of the charging bin 10. In other words, by providing the frameless space 1a in the mounting mechanism 1 into which the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device enters, the charging bin 10 can save space that would have been required to prevent the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device from extending or retracting below the battery pack, and as a result, the space occupied by the charging bin can be reduced in height.

[0036] In other words, if the extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device continues to move downward, it can continuously perform two steps: placing the battery pack 30 on the mounting frame and retracting it from the charging rack 100; whereas if the extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device continues to move upward, it can continuously perform two steps: entering the charging bin 10 and removing the battery pack 30 from the mounting frame, thereby effectively simplifying the steps in the process of taking the battery pack 30 in and out.

[0037] Taking this embodiment as an example, the mounting frame of the mounting mechanism 1 specifically may include a front mounting frame 111 and a rear mounting frame 112, which are disposed on both ends of the battery pack 30 to jointly mount the battery pack 30. The frameless space 1a is formed in the gap between the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112, and the electrical connection mechanism 2 is provided on the front mounting frame 111. In this way, the frameless space 1a is formed in the mounting mechanism 1 by providing a separate frame.

[0038] 2 to 4, first alignment mechanisms 16 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front mounting frame 111, while second alignment mechanisms 301 are provided on the side of the battery pack 30 at positions corresponding to the first alignment mechanisms 16. When the battery pack 30 is placed on the mounting mechanism 1 from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the first alignment mechanism 16 and the second alignment mechanism 301 on the battery pack 30 engage with each other, thereby achieving the purpose of positioning and placing the battery pack 30 on the mounting mechanism 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first alignment mechanism 16 is a guide fork, and the second alignment mechanism 301 is a positioning block that can be positioned by engaging with the locking groove 162 between the two fork portions 161 of the guide fork. Thus, the horizontal displacement of the second alignment mechanism 301 is limited by the two fork portions 161, thereby achieving the purpose of positioning the battery pack 30 relative to the mounting mechanism 1. Preferably, the top of the fork portion 161 of the guide fork may have a slope or arc surface extending toward the inside of the guide fork. This slope or arc surface forms a guide structure, and the position of the battery pack 30 is guided by the contact between the inner surface of the fork portion 161 and the side of the battery pack 30, effectively improving the accuracy and reliability of the positioning when the battery pack 30 is placed. The top of the fork portion 161 of the guide fork may also be folded outward toward the outside of the charging bin 10. In this way, a guide structure for the battery pack 30 is similarly formed inside the fork portion 161, allowing the battery pack 30 to be adjusted for alignment in the width direction, and the battery pack 30 can be accurately positioned and placed on the mounting frame.

[0040] 2 , the mounting mechanism 1 further includes third alignment mechanisms 17 provided on both the left and right sides of the rear mounting frame 112, and the third alignment mechanisms 17 are also used to position the battery pack 30. Thus, when the battery pack 30 is placed on the mounting mechanism 1 from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the battery pack 30 is placed only at a position between the two third alignment mechanisms 17. In this embodiment, the third alignment mechanisms 17 have a sheet-like structure provided in the vertical direction, and the top of the third alignment mechanism 17 is folded back outward toward the outside of the charging bin 10. Thus, a guide structure for the battery pack 30 is formed inside the top end of the third alignment mechanism 17. The guide alignment function of the third alignment mechanism 17 increases the number of guide alignment points on the mounting mechanism 1 from two to four, improving the accuracy and success rate of alignment when placing the battery pack 30 and achieving horizontal positioning of the battery pack 30 relative to the mounting mechanism 1.

[0041] In addition, the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112 are provided with reinforcing beams 113 at positions away from the entrance side of the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device, i.e., the reinforcing beams 113 are provided at the rear side of the charging bin 10, and both ends of the reinforcing beams 113 are connected to the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112, respectively, and are used to simultaneously reinforce the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112, compensating for the reduction in frame strength that would be caused by providing a separate frame structure and preventing the reinforcing beams 113 from occupying the central frameless space 1a. In another embodiment, the reinforcing beams 113 may be directly and integrally formed with the front mounting frame 111 or the rear mounting frame 112 to improve the fixing effect.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , the mounting mechanism 1 includes a first mounting table 12, which is mounted on a mounting frame. Meanwhile, an electrical connection mechanism 2 is mounted on the first mounting table 12, and the electrical connection mechanism 2 can be electrically connected to the battery pack 30 after the battery pack 30 is placed on the first mounting table 12. By directly mounting the electrical connection mechanism 2 on the first mounting table 12 on which the battery pack 30 is placed, it is possible to ensure the accuracy of the relative position between the electrical connection mechanism 2 and the battery pack 30 when the battery pack 30 is placed on the first mounting table 12, and this improves the reliability and accuracy of the butt connection between the electrical connection mechanism 2 and the battery pack 30. In this embodiment, the first mounting table 12 is mounted above the front mounting frame 111.

[0043] The first mount 12 is further provided with a push-pull mechanism for driving the electrical connection mechanism 2 to plug in and connect to the battery pack 30. When the battery pack 30 is placed on the first mount 12, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism 2 to electrically connect with the electrical connector on the battery pack 30, while when the battery pack 30 is lifted up relative to the first mount 12, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism to disconnect from the electrical connector on the battery pack 30. In this way, the provision of the push-pull mechanism achieves the purpose of inserting and removing the electrical connector into and from the battery pack 30.

[0044] A cushion 121 for direct contact with the battery pack 30 may be further provided on the upper surface of the first mounting table 12. In this case, the impact generated when the battery pack 30 is placed on the first mounting table 12 is reduced. Preferably, the surface of the cushion 121 that comes into contact with the battery pack 30 may be made smooth to avoid horizontal friction between the cushion 121 and the battery pack 30.

[0045] The push-pull mechanism may be a horizontal electric push-pull mechanism. In this case, supplying power to a horizontal driver connected to the electrical connector causes the electrical connector to reciprocate horizontally, thereby achieving the purpose of further inserting and removing it from the battery pack 30. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the push-pull mechanism is a diagonal guide push-pull mechanism, which includes a mounting seat 131 formed on the outer surface of the case of the electrical connection mechanism 2. The mounting seat 131 is connected to the first mounting table 12 via a slide rail device 132 to realize horizontal movement relative to the first mounting table 12, and is also connected to the front mounting frame 111 via an orientation device 133 to realize oblique movement relative to the front mounting frame 111. The slide rail device 132 and the orientation device 133 cooperate with each other to enable the electrical connection mechanism 2 to reciprocate. In this way, after the battery pack 30 is placed on the first mounting base 12, the gravity applied from the battery pack 30 to the first mounting base 12 is used as a driving force to achieve the purpose of electrically connecting or disconnecting the electrical connection mechanism 2 to the electrical connector on the battery pack 30.

[0046] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the slide rail device 132 includes vertical plates 1321 provided on both sides of the first table 12 and pulleys 1322 provided on both side surfaces of the mounting base 131. A slide groove 1323 extending horizontally is formed on the vertical plates 1321 at a position corresponding to the pulley 1322 and engages with the pulley 1322. After the mounting base 131 is attached to the first table 12, the mounting base 131 can move horizontally relative to the first table 12 via the slide groove 1323. Of course, the structure of the slide rail device 132 is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, slide rails may be provided at the positions corresponding to the pulleys 1322. In such cases, the slide rails engage with the slide grooves 1323 on the vertical plates 1321, thereby achieving the same objective of horizontal movement.

[0047] 5 and 9 , the orientation device 133 may include a guide plate 1331 with a diagonal groove 1331a attached to the mounting base 131, and a horizontal position restriction rod 1332 attached to the front mounting frame 111. The diagonal groove 1331a slopes downward along the electrical connection mechanism 2 toward the battery pack 30, while the position restriction rod 1332 passes through the diagonal groove 1331a. In this way, when a battery is placed on the first mounting base 12, the first mounting base 12 moves downward using the gravity of the battery pack 30, and the mounting base 131 moves downward, causing the mounting base 131 to move diagonally downward along the extension direction of the diagonal groove 1331a, thereby achieving the purpose of moving the electrical connection mechanism 2 toward the battery pack 30 and electrically connecting with the electrical connector on the battery pack 30. On the other hand, when the battery pack 30 on it is lifted, the first mounting base 12 moves upward, moving the mounting seat 131 in the opposite direction, moving the electrical connection mechanism 2 away from the battery pack 30, and achieving the purpose of further disconnecting the battery pack 30 from the electrical connector. Here, as shown in Fig. 6, an opening 122 is provided on the surface of the first mounting base 12, and this opening 122 allows the upper mounting seat 131 to extend its guide plate 1331 downward and engage with the axial hole of a position limiting rod 1332 fixed to the front mounting frame 111 via its oblique groove 1331a.

[0048] The mounting mechanism 1 further includes an elastic device 14 disposed between the front mounting frame 111 and the first mounting base 12, and the elastic device 14 is configured to elastically support the first mounting base 12 by the front mounting frame 111. Thus, when the battery pack 30 is released from the first mounting base 12, the elastic device 14 can repel the first mounting base 12 to its original position, thereby achieving the purpose of moving the first mounting base 12 forward when the battery pack 30 is removed by the elastic device 14.

[0049] In this embodiment, the number of elastic devices 14 is three, and these three elastic devices 14 are distributed in a triangular shape, i.e., arranged along non-identical straight lines below the first table 12. In this way, the first table 12 is effectively elastically supported, and left-right rocking of the first table 12 is prevented. Of course, if the number of elastic devices 14 is more than three, the supporting capacity for the first table 12 is also increased accordingly.

[0050] The mounting mechanism 1 further includes a guide device 15 for guiding the elastic device 14 so that it elastically moves in the vertical direction. This ensures that the first mounting table 12 can move up and down relative to the front mounting frame 111, and the front mounting frame 111 elastically supports the first mounting table 12 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the guide device 15 includes a guide rod 151 provided below the first mounting table 12 and a guide hole 152 provided on the upper surface of the front mounting frame 111. The guide hole 152 is provided corresponding to the guide rod 151, and the guide rod 151 is inserted into the guide hole 152. Thus, due to the precise engagement between the guide hole 152 and the guide rod 151, the first mounting table 12 can only move up and down relative to the front mounting frame 111. The elastic device 14 in this embodiment is a compression spring, which is annularly attached to the guide rod 151 and is located between the guide hole 152 and the first platform 12. When the compression spring is compressed, a repulsive force is generated, which returns the first platform 12 to its upper position when the battery pack 30 is released from the first platform 12.

[0051] The guide device 15 further includes a position restricting member 153 provided at the lower end of the guide rod 151, and when the guide rod 151 is inserted into the guide hole 152, the position restricting member 153 is located below the front mounting frame 111. When the first mounting table 12 is returned upward by the elastic device 14, the position restricting member 153 is pressed against the lower edge of the guide hole 152, thereby restricting the position limit of the first mounting table 12 when it returns upward, and preventing the first mounting table 12 and the guide rod 151 connected thereto from moving upward and coming out of the guide hole 152.

[0052] The front mounting frame 111 may further be provided with an in-position sensor (not shown) associated with the first mounting base 12. The in-position sensor detects the relative vertical position between the first mounting base 12 and the mounting frame to detect whether a battery pack 30 is mounted on the mounting frame. In this embodiment, the in-position sensor is specifically a proximity sensor, and its detection end is installed horizontally below the first mounting base 12 and located on one side of the first mounting base 12. When the first mounting base 12, which is made of a metal material, moves downward due to the placement of the battery pack 30, it approaches the detection end, allowing the in-position sensor to detect approach data of the first mounting base 12. Whether a battery pack 30 is mounted on the mounting frame is determined based on this approach data.

[0053] The present application also provides a charging rack 100, which employs the charging bin 10 described above and also has a charger (not shown) butt-connected to the electrical connection mechanism 2 of the charging bin 10, for supplying power to the electrical connection mechanism 2. After the battery pack 30 is placed in the charging bin 10 by a battery pack transfer device, the charger supplies power to the battery pack 30, thereby achieving the purpose of charging. A charging bin 10 employing this structure can reduce the space occupied by the charging rack in the vertical direction, or can increase the number of charging bins 10 without increasing the space occupied by the charging rack 100.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the charging rack 100 further includes an emergency bin 50 and an emergency push-out mechanism 60 provided in the emergency bin 50, the emergency bin 50 being disposed below the charging bin 10, and the emergency push-out mechanism 60 including a base frame 603 and a battery pack transfer frame 602 provided on the base frame 603. As shown in FIG. 11, a moving mechanism (including rollers 603) is provided between the base frame 603 and the battery pack transfer frame 602, and the moving mechanism moves the battery pack transfer frame 602 on the base frame 603 along the side of the battery pack 30 in a sliding or rolling manner.

[0055] The emergency bin 50 allows the battery pack 30 to be quickly removed from the base frame 603 by the transfer frame of the emergency ejection mechanism 60, thereby avoiding the risk of combustion or explosion of the thermally runaway battery pack 30 affecting the battery packs 30 in other charging bins 10 in the charging rack 100. The battery pack transfer frame 602 provided for each battery pack 30 allows for a quick response and the timely removal of the thermally runaway battery pack 30, reducing the risk in the shortest possible time and improving the safety factor of the entire charging rack 100.

[0056] Above the emergency bin 50, a plurality of charging bins 10 are arranged in a matrix pattern. Figure 10 shows the specific structure of the plurality of charging bins 10 arranged in the same vertical direction, with the frameless spaces 1a of these charging bins 10 communicating with each other along the vertical direction. In this way, the extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device can move downward after placing a battery pack 30, making it easy to quickly withdraw from the area of ​​the corresponding charging bin 10.

[0057] In addition, the charging rack 100 further includes fixed columns 70 extending vertically on both sides, and the mounting mechanisms 1 of multiple charging bins 10 arranged in the same vertical direction are each connected to these fixed columns 70, which extend further downward to connect to the base frame 603 of the emergency push-out mechanism 60. This improves the strength of the entire charging rack 100. In this embodiment, the mounting frame of the mounting mechanism 1 is divided into a front mounting frame 111 and a rear mounting frame 112, so the two fixed columns 70 located on both sides of the charging rack 100 are fixed to the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112, respectively.

[0058] In addition, a reinforcing plate structure should be provided at the connection point between the mounting frame and the fixed column 70. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate structure is specifically a triangular reinforcing plate (not shown) provided along the vertical direction, and the reinforcing plate is connected to the fixed column 70 and the front mounting frame 111 or the rear mounting frame 112 by welding, so as to effectively increase the structural rigidity of the charging rack 100 along the vertical direction.

[0059] The present application also provides an energy storage station that employs the above-described charging rack 100. The charging bin 10 of the energy storage station has a frameless space 1a in the mounting mechanism 1 into which the extension mechanism of a battery pack transfer device enters. This prevents interference between the battery pack transfer device and the mounting mechanism 1 when placing or removing a battery pack 30 from the mounting mechanism 1, or saves the space required to avoid the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device. This reduces the height of the space occupied by the battery exchange station or energy storage station, simplifies the structure of the charging bin 10 and the process flow for inserting and removing the battery pack 30 using the battery pack transfer device, and achieves the goal of reducing costs. Figure 12 shows a partial structural schematic of the energy storage station, in which reinforcing beams 113 connected to the front mounting frame 111 and the rear mounting frame 112 are fixed to the inner wall 1000a of the energy storage station. In this way, the mounting mechanism 1 of the charging bin 10 can be directly fixed to the energy storage station frame structure, ensuring the structural strength of the mounting mechanism 1. Even if a frameless space 1a is provided in the mounting mechanism 1, it is guaranteed that the mounting mechanism 1's ability to mount the battery pack 30 will not be affected.

[0060] Of course, in other implementations, the charging rack 100 can also be applied to a battery exchange station, but since the battery exchange station and the energy storage station have sufficiently similar charging area structures, the specific manner in which the charging rack 100 is installed inside the battery exchange station will not be described again.

[0061] Although specific embodiments of the present application have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely examples, and the scope of protection of the present application is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present application, and all such changes and modifications shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 charging rack, 10 charging bin, 1 mounting mechanism, 1a frameless space, 111 front mounting frame, 112 rear mounting frame, 113 reinforcing beam, 12 first mounting base, 121 cushion, 122 opening, 131 mounting seat, 132 slide rail device, 1321 standing plate, 1322 pulley, 1323 slide groove, 133 direction determining device, 1331 guide plate, 1331a diagonal groove, 1332 position regulating rod, 14 elastic device, 15 guide device, 151 guide rod, 152 guide hole, 153 position regulating member, 16 first alignment mechanism, 161 fork portion, 162 locking groove, 17 third alignment mechanism, 2 electrical connection mechanism, 30 battery pack, 301 second alignment mechanism, 50 emergency bin, 60 emergency ejection mechanism, 603 Base frame, 602 Battery pack transfer frame, 603 Roller, 70 Fixed column

Claims

1. A charging bin into which a battery pack is placed by a battery pack transfer device, the charging bin comprising: a mounting mechanism for mounting a battery pack using a frame structure, the mounting mechanism having a frameless space into which an extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device enters when the battery pack transport device places the battery pack on the mounting mechanism; an electrical connection mechanism provided on the mounting mechanism for electrically connecting the battery pack to the mounting mechanism after the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism; the mounting mechanism includes a front mounting frame and a rear mounting frame on which the battery pack is mounted together, the frameless space is formed between the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, and the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the front mounting frame; a third alignment mechanism is provided on each side of the rear mounting frame, and when the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the battery pack is placed exclusively between the two third alignment mechanisms; The charging bin is characterized in that the third alignment mechanism has a sheet-like structure, and the top of the third alignment mechanism is folded outward toward the outside of the charging bin.

2. 2. The charging bin according to claim 1, wherein a first alignment mechanism is provided on each side of the front mounting frame, and when the battery pack is placed on the mounting mechanism from top to bottom by the battery pack transfer device, the first alignment mechanism engages with a second alignment mechanism on the side of the battery pack.

3. 3. The charging bin according to claim 2, wherein the first alignment mechanism is a guide fork, the second alignment mechanism is an alignment block, and the alignment block is provided so as to be able to engage and be positioned within a locking groove between two fork portions of the guide fork.

4. At least one of the two fork portions of the guide fork has, at its top, a slope or an arcuate surface that faces the inside of the guide fork, The charging bin according to claim 3, wherein the top of the fork portion of the guide fork is folded back outward toward the outside of the charging bin.

5. the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame are provided with reinforcing beams at locations away from the entry side of the extension mechanism of the battery pack transport device; The charging bin according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both ends of the reinforcing beam are connected to the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, respectively, or the reinforcing beam is integral with the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame.

6. the mounting mechanism has a first mounting table, the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the first mounting table, and the first mounting table further has a push / pull mechanism that drives the electrical connection mechanism; When the battery pack is placed on the first mounting table, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism to electrically connect with the electrical connector on the battery pack; 6. The charging bin according to claim 1, wherein when the battery pack is lifted relative to the first mounting base, the push-pull mechanism drives the electrical connection mechanism to disconnect from the electrical connector on the battery pack.

7. the pushing / pulling mechanism is a horizontal electric pushing / pulling mechanism or a diagonal guide pushing / pulling mechanism, and / or the mounting mechanism further includes a front mounting frame, and the first mounting table is located above the front mounting frame; 7. The charging bin of claim 6, wherein the push-pull mechanism is a diagonal guide push-pull mechanism, and the diagonal guide push-pull mechanism includes a mounting seat formed on the outer surface of a case of the electrical connection mechanism, the mounting seat being connected to the first mounting base via a slide rail device and connected to the front mounting frame via an orientation device, and the slide rail device and the orientation device working together enable the electrical connection mechanism to move back and forth so as to electrically connect or disconnect the electrical connection mechanism to or from the electrical connector on the battery pack.

8. The slide rail device includes vertical plates provided on both sides of the first mounting table, and slide rails or pulleys provided on both sides of the mounting seat, and horizontal slide grooves are opened at corresponding positions on the vertical plates to engage with the slide rails or pulleys so that the mounting seat can move horizontally relative to the first mounting table, 8. The charging bin according to claim 7, wherein the orientation device includes a guide plate with an oblique groove attached to the mounting seat and a position regulating rod attached to the front mounting frame, the oblique groove being inclined downward along the electrical connection mechanism toward the battery pack, and the position regulating rod passing through the oblique groove, such that when a battery is placed on the first mounting base, the first mounting base moves downward and the orientation device and sliding device move the electrical connection mechanism toward the battery pack to electrically connect with the electrical connector on the battery pack, while when the battery pack is lifted up on the first mounting base, the orientation device and sliding device move the electrical connection mechanism away from the battery pack to disconnect from the electrical connector on the battery pack.

9. The charging bin according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the mounting mechanism further includes an elastic device provided between the front mounting frame and the first mounting base, and the elastic device is configured to elastically support the first mounting base by the front mounting frame.

10. 10. The charging bin of claim 9, wherein the mounting mechanism further includes a guide device that guides the elastic device to elastically move along a vertical direction so that the first mounting base is elastically supported by the front mounting frame along the vertical direction.

11. 11. The charging bin of claim 10, wherein the guide device includes a guide rod provided under the first mounting base and a guide hole opened in the front mounting frame, the guide hole being provided corresponding to the guide rod and adapted for insertion of the guide rod, and the elastic device being annularly attached to the guide rod located between the guide hole and the first mounting base.

12. The charging bin of claim 11, wherein the guide device further includes a position regulating member provided at the lower end of the guide rod, and the position regulating member is configured to be pressed against the lower edge of the guide hole when the first mounting base is returned upward by the elastic device.

13. 13. The charging bin of claim 12, wherein the resilient device is a compression spring.

14. A charging rack, A charging bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a charger electrically connected to the electrical connection mechanism.

15. The charging rack of claim 14, further comprising an emergency bin and an emergency push-out mechanism.

16. 16. The charging rack according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the charging rack includes a plurality of the charging bins distributed in a matrix, and the frameless spaces of the plurality of charging bins in the same vertical direction are in communication with each other along the vertical direction.

17. the charging rack further includes a fixed pole extending along a vertical direction, and the mounting mechanisms of the plurality of charging bins are respectively connected to the fixed pole; 17. The charging rack according to claim 16, wherein a reinforcing plate structure is provided at a connection point between the mounting mechanism and the fixed column.

18. A battery exchange station or energy storage station, characterized in that it comprises a charging rack according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. the mounting mechanism of the charging bin includes a front mounting frame and a rear mounting frame for jointly mounting the battery pack, the frameless space is formed between the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, and the electrical connection mechanism is provided on the front mounting frame; 20. The battery exchange station or energy storage station of claim 18, wherein the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame are provided with reinforcing beams at locations away from the entry side of the extension mechanism of the battery pack transfer device, both ends of the reinforcing beams are connected to the front mounting frame and the rear mounting frame, respectively, and the reinforcing beams are provided on an inner wall of the battery exchange station or the energy storage station.

Images