Guide column and battery pack guide system equipped therewith

Abstract

Disclosed is a guide column and a battery pack guide system including the same, the guide column including a guide surface having a hollow portion downward, a bearing component arranged in the hollow portion at the bottom of the guide surface, and a first panel arranged above the guide surface, the guide surface being an inclined surface, a first frame being fixed to four peripheral edges of the guide surface, the bearing component including a second frame and a plurality of rolling bearings, the first panel being provided with a fourth through hole through which the rolling bearings pass, and an outer bearing of the rolling bearing is exposed to the first panel, the first frame and the second frame being fixedly connected to the first panel, the first frame being provided with a plurality of first through holes, the second frame being provided with a plurality of second through holes, and the first panel being provided with a plurality of third through holes which are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the first through hole, the second through hole and the third through hole cooperate with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 2022103640127 filed in China on April 7, 2022, and all the contents of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of new energy vehicles, specifically to a guide column and a battery pack guide system equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0003] For the energy replenishment of new energy electric vehicles, there are two modes: plug - in charging and battery swapping. The plug - in charging mode has problems such as high initial battery purchase cost, long charging time, and low charging safety. The battery swapping mode can become a competitive technical mode when combined with large - scale centralized charging. Depending on the vehicle type, the installation position of the replaceable battery pack is generally below the chassis, on the side of the vehicle body, at the rear of the vehicle body, or above the vehicle body. The battery pack installed above the vehicle body generally adopts a hanging - type replacement.

[0004] When performing replacement with a hanging - type replacement mechanism, due to the flexible replacement of the replacement mechanism, a certain swing occurs when the battery pack drops. During the process of the battery pack falling into the battery pack tray, it is guided through the primary, secondary, and tertiary guide columns so that the battery pack can accurately fall into the battery pack tray to complete the overall replacement. During replacement, before the battery pack reaches the position, it first passes through the primary guide column. The primary guide column restricts the swing amplitude of the greatly swinging battery pack to a small range so that the swing amplitude meets the guide - ability requirements of the secondary guide column.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The current primary guide column is a single integrated structure of the upper guide surface and lower guide column, manufactured from high-strength steel, and is generally welded directly to the battery pack tray, forming an integrated structure with the battery pack tray (see Figure 9). Both the primary guide column and the battery pack frame are made of high-strength steel, and a certain amount of shaking occurs during the process of the battery pack falling when it is replaced in a vehicle. When the battery pack comes into contact with the primary guide column, the primary guide column controls the shaking of the battery pack within a certain range. During the process of the battery pack coming into contact with the primary guide column, an impact force is generated on the guide surface of the primary guide column, and a large frictional force is generated between the battery pack and the primary guide column during the subsequent guiding process. Such impact and frictional forces during the replacement process cause deformation and frictional damage to the primary guide column, and in severe cases, directly affect the replacement process. At the same time, similar damage is also caused to the battery pack frame.

[0006] Furthermore, when replacing mining trucks and long-haul heavy-duty trucks in mining areas, the continuous working hours, poor working environment, and high working intensity can cause vibrations that can cause cracks in damaged areas of the primary guide column, potentially leading to structural failure and increasing the risk of replacement failure and safety of the battery pack. Since the primary guide column is fixedly welded to the battery pack tray, replacing a damaged primary guide column requires removing and cutting the battery pack tray, resulting in long repair times, complex repair methods, high repair costs, and a significant impact on the operational efficiency of the vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In light of the above technical problems, such as the fact that existing primary guide columns are easily damaged and difficult to replace during power exchange, embodiments of this disclosure propose a guide column and a battery pack guide system equipped therewith.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a guide column comprising a guide surface having a hollow portion at the bottom, a bearing component disposed in the hollow portion at the bottom of the guide surface, and a first panel disposed above the guide surface, wherein the guide surface is an inclined surface, a first frame is fixed to the four periphery of the guide surface, the bearing component comprises a second frame and a plurality of rolling bearings, the first panel is provided with a fourth through hole through which the rolling bearings pass, the outer bearings of the rolling bearings are exposed to the first panel, the first frame and the second frame are fixedly connected to the first panel, the first frame is provided with a plurality of first through holes, the second frame is provided with a plurality of second through holes, and the first panel is provided with a plurality of third through holes that are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the first, second, and third through holes cooperate with each other.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the rolling bearing includes a third frame, a bearing rod, a positioning groove symmetrically fixed to the inner wall of the third frame, and an elastic member, wherein the third frame matches the size of the inner region enclosed by the first frame, the second frame is fixed to the outer circumference of the third frame, the bearing rod is fixedly connected to the inner bearing of the rolling bearing, the positioning groove is used to restrict the position of the bearing rod, the elastic member is disposed within the positioning groove, and the elastic member is selected according to the load capacity of the rolling bearing.

[0010] In a third embodiment, the bearing rod is provided with concentric large-headed cylindrical structures or coaxial small bearing structures at both ends.

[0011] In a fourth embodiment, the elastic member is a spring.

[0012] In the fifth embodiment, the rolling bearing is a deep groove ball bearing.

[0013] In the sixth embodiment, the first frame, the second frame, and the third frame are all steel plate frames.

[0014] In a seventh embodiment, a battery pack guide system comprising a guide column according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a battery pack tray and a battery pack frame, wherein the guide columns are fixed in pairs to the battery pack tray, the battery pack tray is provided with a cushioning rubber pad, and a second panel is provided at the contact portion between the battery pack frame and the first panel.

[0015] In the eighth embodiment, one end of the second panel has an inclined surface.

[0016] In the ninth embodiment, the second panel is provided with a plurality of fifth through-holes that are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the second panel is fixed to the battery pack frame through the fifth through-holes.

[0017] In the tenth embodiment, both the first panel and the second panel are made of a composite wear-resistant material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] Compared to the prior art, the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of this disclosure are as follows:

[0019] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first panel of the guide column, the bearing components, and the frame of the guide surface are detachably connected, allowing maintenance to be completed by quickly replacing parts, thereby reducing the difficulty of maintenance, significantly shortening maintenance time, and ensuring work efficiency.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, due to the elastic force of the elastic member and the rotation of the rolling bearing, the frictional force between the first panel and the second panel is reduced. The friction of the panel is smaller than the friction of rigid contact, which not only protects the frame of the battery pack, but also protects the guide surface of the guide column, and can eliminate the risk of causing structural damage during the subsequent operation of the battery pack.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery pack contacts the guide column during battery replacement, due to the rotation of the rolling bearing and the elastic member below it, the impact force when the battery pack drops is reduced and the guiding speed is improved. When the first panel contacts the second panel, all the rolling bearings are stored in the third frame, which can ensure the normal progress of the replacement process and reduce the impact force between the battery pack and the guide column.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of the guide column in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] A front view of the guide column in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 3] A schematic structural view of the bearing component in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic view of the connection structure between the rolling bearing and the bearing rod in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic structural view of the guide surface of the guide column in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 6] A schematic structural view of the first panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 7] A side view of the second panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 8] A front view of the second panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view of the guide column in the related art is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The following clearly describes the technical concepts in the embodiments of this application, linking them to the drawings of the embodiments. Clearly, the embodiments described are only some, not all, embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are intended to distinguish similar subjects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that these terms are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of this application may be carried out in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and that the subjects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same kind and do not limit the number of subjects; for example, the first subject may be one or more. In the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected subjects, and the letter " / " generally indicates that the preceding and succeeding related subjects are in an "or" relationship. In this application, "transmission" refers to the distribution of a signal, not the transmission of a signal in the narrow sense.

[0025] The embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below. Examples of embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar numbers indicate the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are examples and are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0026] A guide column and a battery pack guide system equipped therewith, based on embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the guide column of the embodiment of the present disclosure mainly includes a guide surface 1, a bearing component 17, and a first panel 5.

[0028] In some embodiments, the guide surface 1 is an inclined surface, and the bottom (downward) of the guide surface 1 is a hollow structure.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first frame 2 is fixed around the edges of the guide surface 1. Specifically, the first frame 2 is welded to the four sides of the guide surface 1, forming the frame of the guide surface 1. In some embodiments, the first frame 2 is a steel plate frame, but it may be made of other suitable materials.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first frame 2 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 7. That is, a plurality of first through holes 7 are distributed in the first frame 2, and the first panel 5 and the bearing component 17 are fixedly connected through these first through holes 7.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first panel 5 is fixed above the guide surface 1, and the first panel 5 is provided with a fourth through-hole 10. The size of the first panel 5 matches the size of the guide surface 1, and the fourth through-hole 10 is for passing the rolling bearing 12 of the bearing component 17 through. Specifically, the outer bearing of the rolling bearing 12 passes through the fourth through-hole 10 and is exposed in the first panel 5. The fourth through-hole 10 corresponds one-to-one with the rolling bearing 12.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first panel 5 is provided with multiple third through-holes 9. The third through-holes 9 of the first panel 5 cooperate with the first through-holes 7 of the first frame 2. That is, the opening positions and number of openings of the third through-holes 9 of the first panel 5 and the first through-holes 7 of the first frame 2 are the same.

[0033] In some embodiments, the third through-hole 9 of the first panel 5 is a through-hole that is larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, so that when the first panel 5 and the first frame 2 are fixedly connected using bolts 16, the bolt cap does not rise above the surface of the first panel 5 after tightening the bolts 16, thereby avoiding damage to the bolts 16 during operation. The surface of the first panel 5 facing the guide surface is the inner surface, and the surface away from the guide surface is the outer surface.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first panel 5 is made of a composite wear-resistant material.

[0035] In some embodiments, the bearing component 17 is located in the hollow portion at the bottom of the guide surface 1, and the bearing component 17 includes a second frame 3, a third frame 4, a bearing rod 13, a positioning groove 14, an elastic member 15, and a plurality of rolling bearings 12.

[0036] The third frame 4 is the assembly frame for the bearing component 17, housing the bearing rod 13, positioning groove 14, elastic member 15, and multiple rolling bearings 12 within the third frame 4, and the second frame 3 is fixed to the outer circumference (on the outer ring) of the third frame 4. The inner dimensions of the third frame 4 and the first frame 2 are the same; specifically, the outer dimensions of the third frame 4 and the inner dimensions of the first frame 2 are the same, so the third frame 4 can be positioned below the first frame 2. In some embodiments, the third frame 4 is a steel plate frame. The third frame 4 may be made of other suitable materials.

[0037] The second frame 3 is welded to the outer circumference of the third frame 4, and the size of the second frame 3 matches the size of the first frame 2. The second frame 3 is provided with multiple second through holes 8. The opening positions and number of the second through holes 8 in the second frame 3 match those of the first through holes 7 in the first frame 2. That is, the first through holes 7 in the first frame 2, the second through holes 8 in the second frame 3, and the third through holes 9 in the first panel 5 cooperate with each other to connect the bearing component 17, the first panel 5, and the first frame 2. In some embodiments, the second frame 3 is a steel plate frame, but it may be made of other suitable materials. Since the bearing component 17 and the first panel 5 are detachably fixed to the first frame 2, if it is necessary to replace the bearing component 17 or the first panel 5, only the damaged related component needs to be removed, which can reduce repair time and improve work efficiency.

[0038] In some embodiments, the rolling bearing 12 is located within the third frame 4 via a bearing rod 13. Specifically, the inner bearing of the rolling bearing 12 is fixedly connected to the bearing rod 13, and the rolling bearing 12 is fixed to the bearing rod 13. As can be seen from this, the rolling bearing 12 is fixed to the bearing rod 13 via the inner bearing, and the outer bearing of the rolling bearing 12 is exposed to the first panel 5. Note that the rolling bearing 12 can be a deep groove ball bearing or other suitable bearing. Also, the number of rolling bearings 12 is set according to the actual demand.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bearing rod 13 is provided with a large concentric cylindrical structure or a small coaxial bearing structure at both ends. As can be seen from this, during operation, both ends of the bearing rod 13 are positioned in the positioning groove 14, and the design of the positioning groove 14 prevents the bearing from coming off during operation.

[0040] In some embodiments, the positioning grooves 14 are symmetrically fixed to the inner wall of the third frame 4, and the positioning grooves 14 are for restricting the bearing rod 13. The positioning grooves 14 are welded to the inner wall of the third frame 4, and the number of positioning grooves 14 is determined according to the actual requirements.

[0041] In some embodiments, the elastic member 15 is positioned within the positioning groove 14, and the elastic member 15 is selected according to the load capacity (load-bearing capacity) of the rolling bearing 12. During installation, the elastic member 15 is first placed in the positioning groove 14, and then both ends of the bearing rod 13 are placed in the positioning groove 14.

[0042] In some embodiments, the elastic member 15 is a spring.

[0043] The battery pack guide system of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a guide column, a battery pack tray, and a battery pack frame. The guide column is the guide column described above, and the battery pack tray is a support structure for securing the battery pack to the vehicle.

[0044] In some embodiments, a cushioning rubber pad is installed on the battery pack tray. The cushioning rubber pad mitigates the impact when the battery pack is dropped and prevents a violent collision between the battery pack and the battery pack tray.

[0045] The guide columns are fixed in pairs to the battery pack tray and are designed to guide the battery pack as it falls into the vehicle's battery pack tray, ensuring it falls precisely into the designed position.

[0046] In some embodiments, a second panel 6 is installed at the contact point between the battery pack frame and the first panel 5. The second panel 6 is provided with a plurality of fifth through holes 11, which are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the second panel 6 is fixed to the battery pack frame through these fifth through holes 11. As can be seen from this, the surface of the second panel 6 facing the battery pack frame is the inner surface, and the surface of the second panel 6 away from the battery pack frame is the outer surface. Specifically, holes corresponding to the fifth through holes 11 are provided in the battery pack frame, and the second panel 6 is fixed to the battery pack frame using bolts. After tightening the bolts, the bolt heads do not rise higher than the surface of the second panel 6. In addition, the thickness of the second panel 6 is smaller than the thickness of the cushioning rubber pad so that the cushioning rubber pad does not lose its effect.

[0047] In some embodiments, one end of the second panel 6 has an inclined surface. That is, designing the second panel 6 to have an inclined surface at one end allows the battery pack to fit better to the guide surface when it falls.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second panel 6 is made of a composite wear-resistant material.

[0049] This battery pack guide system is applied to suspended battery replacement vehicles. Suspended battery replacement vehicles are purely electric and employ a rear-mounted (back-type) battery pack. When the replacement vehicle enters the replacement station, the station's control system sends commands to the replacement system, and the replacement robot operates to replace the battery pack using the suspended method, enabling the vehicle to continue its operation.

[0050] During replacement, the battery pack comes into contact with the guide column, and during the guiding process, the rotation of the rolling bearing 12 and the elastic member 15 below the bearing reduce the impact force during the battery pack's descent, increasing the guiding speed. As the replacement progresses, the battery pack falls further, and the second panel 6 of the battery pack frame pushes down the rolling bearing 12, causing the elastic member 15 to contract and the second panel 6 to come into contact with the first panel 5. Once the first panel 5 and the second panel 6 come into contact, the rolling bearing 12 is fully contained within the third frame 4, ensuring the normal progress of the replacement process and reducing the impact force between the battery pack and the guide column.

[0051] During the replacement process, the elasticity of the elastic member 15 and the rotation of the rolling bearing 12 reduce the frictional force between the first panel 5 and the second panel 6. Furthermore, since the frictional force between the first panel 5 and the second panel 6 is smaller than that of rigid contact, the battery pack frame is protected, as is the guide surface of the guide column, thus eliminating the risk of structural damage during the subsequent operation of the battery pack. The design of the first panel 5 and the second panel 6 reduces structural damage caused by rigid contact between the battery pack and the guide column, ensuring the structural safety of the battery pack frame and the guide column. If the first panel 5, the second panel 6, or the bearing component 17 is damaged during long-term use, maintenance can be completed by quickly replacing the part, reducing the difficulty of repair, significantly shortening repair time, and ensuring the operational efficiency of the vehicle. Additionally, the high degree of standardization and low cost of this invention allows for the availability of a certain number of spare parts.

[0052] As used herein, terms such as “one example,” “several examples,” “example,” “specific example,” or “several examples” mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described in the applicable example or example are included in at least one example or example of this disclosure. In this specification, exemplary expressions of the above terms may correspond to different examples or examples. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described may be used in combination in appropriate manner in one or more examples or examples. In addition, experts in the art may use different examples or examples and features of different examples or examples described herein in combination, provided that they do not conflict with each other.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used solely for descriptive purposes and do not imply relative importance or the quantity of a specified technical feature. Thus, features designated as “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one feature. In this disclosure, “plural” means at least two, for example, two or three, but is not limited thereto unless specifically and clearly defined.

[0054] While embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described, experts in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is limited by the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 Guide surface 2 First Frame 3 Second Frame 4 Third Frame 5. First Panel 6. Second Panel 7 First through hole 8 Second through hole 9 Third through hole 10 Fourth through hole 11 Fifth through hole 12. Rolling bearings 13. Bearing rod 14 Positioning grooves 15 Elastic members 16 volts 17. Bearing Components (Bearing Units)

Claims

1. A guide column for guiding the battery pack into the battery pack tray when replacing the electric vehicle battery. It includes a guide surface having a hollow portion at the bottom, a bearing component disposed in the hollow portion at the bottom of the guide surface, and a first panel disposed above the guide surface, The guide surface is an inclined surface, and the first frame is fixed to the four edges of the guide surface. The bearing component includes a second frame and a plurality of rolling bearings. A guide column characterized in that the first panel is provided with a fourth through-hole through which the rolling bearing passes, the outer bearing of the rolling bearing is exposed to the first panel, the first frame and the second frame are fixedly connected to the first panel, the first frame is provided with a plurality of first through-holes, the second frame is provided with a plurality of second through-holes, the first panel is provided with a plurality of third through-holes that are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the first through-holes, the second through-holes and the third through-holes cooperate with each other.

2. The rolling bearing includes a third frame, a bearing rod, a positioning groove symmetrically fixed to the inner wall of the third frame, and an elastic member. The third frame matches the size of the inner region enclosed by the first frame, and the second frame is fixed to the outer circumference of the third frame. The bearing rod is fixedly connected to the inner bearing of the rolling bearing. The positioning groove is used to limit the position of the bearing rod. The guide column according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is disposed in the positioning groove, and the elastic member is selected according to the load capacity of the rolling bearing.

3. The guide column according to claim 2, wherein concentric large-headed cylindrical structures or coaxial small bearing structures are provided at both ends of the bearing rod.

4. The guide column according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

5. The guide column according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rolling bearing is a deep groove ball bearing.

6. The guide column according to claim 2, wherein the first frame, the second frame, and the third frame are all steel plate frames.

7. A battery pack guide system comprising a guide column according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and further comprising a battery pack tray and a battery pack frame, The guide columns are fixed in pairs to the battery pack tray, and the battery pack tray is fitted with cushioning rubber pads. A battery pack guide system characterized in that a second panel is installed at the contact point between the battery pack frame and the first panel.

8. The battery pack guide system according to claim 7, wherein one end of the second panel has an inclined surface.

9. The battery pack guide system according to claim 7, wherein the second panel is provided with a plurality of fifth through holes that are larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and the second panel is fixed to the battery pack frame through the fifth through holes.

10. The battery pack guide system according to claim 7, wherein both the first panel and the second panel are made of a composite wear-resistant material.

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