Battery swapping station and its operating method

Abstract

A battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed in this document includes N slots into which a battery pack can be inserted, an electrode plate electrically connected to the battery packs inserted into M slots (less than N), and a power supply that charges the battery packs provided in the M slots via the electrode plate, wherein when viewed in a first direction, the center points of the N slots are equally spaced from a first point, the electrode plate is rotatable around an axis in the first direction, and the electrode plate may be electrically connected to the battery packs inserted into the M slots out of the N slots by the rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this document claim the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0132753, filed on October 14, 2022, and incorporate all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application as part of this specification.

[0002] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery swapping station and an operation method thereof.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, battery swapping stations that can replace a discharged battery with a charged battery have been developed and popularized. The battery swapping station may include a slot into which a battery can be inserted and a power supply that can charge the battery inserted into the slot. (For example, Patent Document 1) 。 [Prior art document] [Patent] Patent Document 1: Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2228640

[0004] Since the battery swapping station is intended for battery replacement (or replacement) by the user, one or more slots exist in an empty state. However, since the user can insert a battery into the empty slot at any time, the power supply is connected. Therefore, the battery swapping station must be designed with a power capacity corresponding to the total number of slots without considering the empty slots.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the battery swapping station may increase production costs and maintenance costs by being designed to have a power capacity greater than necessary.

[0006] Therefore, a method for providing an optimal power capacity to the battery swapping station is required.

[0007] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes N slots into which battery packs can be inserted, electrode plates electrically connected to battery packs inserted into M slots (less than N), and a power supply for charging the battery packs in the M slots via the electrode plates, wherein, when viewed in a first direction, the center points of each of the N slots are equally spaced apart from a first point, the electrode plates are rotatable about the first direction as an axis, and the electrode plates may be electrically connected to the battery packs inserted into M slots out of the N slots by the rotation.

[0009] In a battery exchange station according to one embodiment, when viewed in the first direction, the angles between adjacent slots among the N slots may be the same with respect to the first point.

[0010] In a battery exchange station according to one embodiment, N is 4, M is 3, and the electrode plates may be arranged to be in contact with the slots on the back side, which is the opposite side of the front side of each of the slots into which the battery pack is inserted.

[0011] In a battery swapping station according to one embodiment, the electrode plate rotates based on a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction which is opposite to the first rotational direction, based on a previous empty slot and the current empty slot, and the current empty slot may be MN slots that are not electrically connected between the battery pack and the power supply via the electrode plate.

[0012] In a battery swapping station according to one embodiment, if the first index of the current empty slot is smaller than the second index of the previous empty slot, the electrode plate may rotate based on the first rotation direction, and if the first index is not smaller than the second index, the electrode plate may rotate based on the second rotation direction.

[0013] In a battery exchange station according to one embodiment, the first rotation direction may be clockwise, and the second rotation direction may be counterclockwise.

[0014] In one embodiment of a battery replacement station, the electrode plates may be configured to rotate when the battery pack needs to be replaced.

[0015] A method for operating a battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include: an operation to identify the exchange of a battery pack in N slots into which a battery pack can be inserted; an operation to identify the index of the currently empty slot among the N slots; an operation to identify one of a first rotational direction of the electrode plate and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction based on the index of the current empty slot; and an operation to rotate the electrode plate based on the identified rotational direction in order to charge the battery packs inserted in M ​​slots among the N slots, excluding the currently empty slot.

[0016] In the method of operating a battery replacement station according to an embodiment, the operation of identifying the one rotation direction may include an operation of selecting the first rotation direction when the first index of the current empty slot is smaller than the second index of the previous empty slot, and an operation of selecting the second rotation direction when the first index is not smaller than the second index.

[0017] In the method of operating a battery replacement station according to an embodiment, the first rotation direction may be counterclockwise and the second rotation direction may be clockwise.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The battery replacement stations according to various embodiments disclosed in this document can be designed to have a power capacity that is only slightly less than the power capacity corresponding to the empty slots.

[0019] The effects of the battery replacement station according to the disclosure of this document are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of this document.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram of a battery replacement station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a power supply, an electrode plate, and slots of a battery replacement station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the state according to the rotation of an electrode plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing a method of operating a battery replacement station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals can be used for the same or similar components.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that it does not limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but includes various modifications, equivalents and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] The embodiments of this document and the terms used therein should not limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents or alternatives of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals can be used for similar or related components. The singular form of the noun corresponding to an item can include one or more of the said items, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

[0024] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", "the first", "the second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)" can be used merely to distinguish the component from other components, and do not limit the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or procedure), unless otherwise stated.

[0025] In this document, when a component (e.g., component 1) is referred to as being "coupled," "joined," or "connected" to another component (e.g., component 2), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communically," or when it is referred to as "coupled" or "connected," it means that the component can be directly (e.g., wired or wirelessly) or indirectly (e.g., via component 3) connected to the other component.

[0026] The methods according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as part of a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or online (e.g., via an application store or directly between two user devices) by download or upload. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or generated on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0027] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, each component of the above-mentioned components (e.g., a module or program) may include one or more individuals, and some of the individuals may be separated and arranged in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., a module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the components of the multiple components before the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, operations performed by a module, program or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, and one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a battery swapping station 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows the power supplies 121, 122, 123, electrode plate 111, and slots 131, 132, 133, 134 of the battery swapping station 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows the behavior of the electrode plate 111 in response to rotation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1, the battery swapping station 100 may include a connection device 110, power supplies 121, 122, 123, slots 131, 132, 133, 134, and a controller 140. In one embodiment, the connection device 110 may include an electrode plate 111 and a motor 115.

[0030] Figure 1 shows three power supplies 121, 122, and 123, and four slots 131, 132, 133, and 134, but this is merely an example. Depending on the embodiment, the battery swapping station 100 may include N slots and M power supplies, which is less than N. Here, NM may be 1.

[0031] A battery pack can be inserted into each of the slots 131, 132, 133, and 134. The front of each of the slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be fitted with a battery pack, while the back may be in contact with the electrode plate 111 of the connection device 110.

[0032] Referring to Figure 2, slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may have a rectangular parallelepiped structure. In other embodiments, slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may have a structure different from a rectangular parallelepiped (e.g., a structure with polygonal front and back faces and rectangular sides, or a cylindrical structure).

[0033] When battery packs are inserted into slots 131, 132, 133, and 134, the battery packs can be charged by power supplies 121, 122, and 123. Power supplies 121, 122, and 123 can charge the battery packs inserted into slots 131, 132, 133, and 134, which are connected via the electrode plates 111 of the connection device 110.

[0034] The number of power supplies 121, 122, and 123 may be less than the number of slots 131, 132, 133, and 134. By doing so, the electrode plate 111 can electrically connect battery packs inserted into slots less than the number of slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 to power supplies 121, 122, and 123.

[0035] The total number of battery packs inserted into slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be the same as the number of power supplies 121, 122, and 123. For example, if the number of slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 is N, and the number of power supplies 121, 122, and 123 is M, then the total number of battery packs inserted into the N slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be M. Here, NM may be 1. Depending on the embodiment, N may be 4 and M may be 3.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, the electrode plate 111 can be configured such that at least one of the slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 is not electrically connected to the power supplies 121, 122, and 123. The electrode plate 111 may also be positioned so as to be in contact with the slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 on its back surface, which is the opposite side of the front surface of each slot.

[0037] In one embodiment, when viewed in the first direction (-x direction), the center points of slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be equally spaced apart from the first point 112. For example, the distance between the center point of slot 131 and the first point 112 may be the same as the distance between the center point of slot 132 and the first point 112.

[0038] In one embodiment, when viewed in the first direction (-x direction), the angles between adjacent slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be the same as those between adjacent slots, with respect to the first point 112. For example, the angle formed by slot 131, the first point 112, and slot 132 may be the same as the angle formed by slot 134, the first point 112, and slot 133.

[0039] In Figure 2, it can be seen that slots 131, 133, and 134 are electrically connected to power supplies 121, 122, and 123 via electrode plate 111, while slot 132 is not electrically connected to power supplies 121, 122, and 123. Hereafter, slots electrically connected to power supplies 121, 122, and 123 will be referred to as "connected slots," and slots not electrically connected to power supplies 121, 122, and 123 will be referred to as "unconnected slots."

[0040] In one embodiment, the connection slots and non-connection slots can be changed by rotating the electrode plate 111. In one embodiment, the rotation of the electrode plate 111 can cause the battery pack inserted into the connection slot to be electrically connected to the power supplies 121, 122, and 123.

[0041] In one embodiment, the motor 115 can rotate the electrode plate 111 about a first direction (-x direction) as an axis. In another embodiment, the motor 115 can rotate the electrode plate 111 clockwise or counterclockwise about a first point 112 on the electrode plate 111.

[0042] The controller 140 can control the motor 115 to rotate the electrode plate 111 clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0043] The controller 140 can identify when the battery pack is replaced. For example, the controller 140 can identify when the battery pack is replaced based on signals from sensors (not shown) in slots 131, 132, 133, and 134, where the sensors (not shown) can detect when the battery pack is removed and / or inserted.

[0044] In one embodiment, the controller 140 can identify a battery pack replacement when a new battery pack is inserted into an empty slot and a battery pack is removed from a charging slot. Here, an empty slot refers to a slot in which no battery pack is inserted, and a charging slot refers to a slot in which a battery pack is inserted.

[0045] In one embodiment, the controller 140 can identify the index of the currently empty slot among slots 131, 132, 133, and 134. Here, each of slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be assigned an index. For example, slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be sequentially assigned the indices 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

[0046] In one embodiment, the controller 140 can identify one of two rotation directions for the electrode plate 111, based on the index of the current empty slot: a first rotation direction (e.g., counterclockwise) and a second rotation direction (e.g., clockwise) which is the opposite direction to the first rotation direction.

[0047] In one embodiment, the controller 140 can select a first rotation direction if the index of the current empty slot is smaller than the index of the previous empty slot. In one embodiment, the controller 140 can select a second rotation direction if the index of the current empty slot is not smaller than the index of the previous empty slot.

[0048] For example, the controller 140 can identify one of the following rotational directions of the electrode plate 111: a first rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) and a second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise), which is the opposite direction to the first rotational direction, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0049] [Table 1]

[0050] Referring to Table 1, if the previous empty slot index was 2-4 and the current empty slot index is 1, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be counterclockwise. If the previous empty slot index was 3 and 4 and the current empty slot index is 2, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be counterclockwise. If the previous empty slot index was 4 and the current empty slot index is 3, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be counterclockwise. If the previous empty slot index was 1 and the current empty slot index is 2, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be clockwise. If the previous empty slot index was 1 and 2 and the current empty slot index is 3, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be clockwise. If the previous empty slot index was 1-3 and the current empty slot index is 4, the rotation direction of the electrode plate 111 may be clockwise.

[0051] Referring to Figure 3, in state 310, when slot 131 is an empty slot, if a new battery pack is inserted into slot 131 and the battery pack inserted in slot 132 is removed, the current empty slot can be changed to slot 132. In this case, the electrode plate 111 can be rotated clockwise to transition from state 310 to state 320. By transitioning from state 310 to state 320, the unconnected slot can be changed from slot 131 to slot 132. Also, as slot 131 changes from an unconnected slot to a connected slot, the power supply connected to slot 131 among power supplies 121, 122, and 123 can charge the battery pack inserted in slot 131.

[0052] In state 320, when slot 132 is an empty slot, if a new battery pack is inserted into slot 132 and the battery pack inserted in slot 131 is removed, the current empty slot can be changed to slot 131. In this case, the electrode plate 111 can rotate counterclockwise to transition from state 320 to state 310. By transitioning from state 320 to state 310, the unconnected slot can be changed from slot 132 to slot 131. Also, as slot 132 changes from an unconnected slot to a connected slot, the power supply connected to slot 132 among power supplies 121, 122, and 123 can charge the battery pack inserted in slot 132.

[0053] Similarly, if the empty slot is changed from slot 132 to slot 133, the electrode plate 111 can rotate clockwise. If the empty slot is changed from slot 133 to slot 132, the electrode plate 111 can rotate counterclockwise. Any of the power supplies 121, 122, or 123 can charge a battery pack inserted into a slot that has been changed from an unconnected slot to a connected slot.

[0054] Furthermore, if the empty slot is changed from slot 133 to slot 134, the electrode plate 111 can rotate clockwise. If the empty slot is changed from slot 134 to slot 133, the electrode plate 111 can rotate counterclockwise. Any of the power supplies 121, 122, or 123 can charge the battery pack inserted into the slot that has been changed from an unconnected slot to a connected slot.

[0055] Finally, if the empty slot is changed from slot 131 to slot 134, the electrode plate 111 can rotate clockwise. However, in that case, the unconnected slots can be changed sequentially from slot 131 to slot 132, slot 133, and slot 134. Also, if the empty slot is changed from slot 134 to slot 131, the electrode plate 111 can rotate counterclockwise. However, in that case, the unconnected slots can be changed sequentially from slot 134 to slot 133, slot 132, and slot 131.

[0056] The battery swapping station 100, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, can be designed to have a power capacity that is less than the power capacity corresponding to an empty slot. Furthermore, the battery swapping station 100 can be designed so that the wires do not twist beyond a specified degree even when the electrode plates 111 rotate.

[0057] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation method of a battery exchange station 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4, in operation 410, the battery replacement station 100 can identify a battery replacement. For example, the battery replacement station 100 can identify a battery pack replacement based on signals from sensors (not shown) in slots 131, 132, 133, and 134, where the sensors (not shown) can detect the removal and / or insertion of the battery pack.

[0059] In one embodiment, the battery replacement station 100 can identify a battery pack replacement as occurring when a new battery pack is inserted into an empty slot and a battery pack is removed from a charging slot. Here, an empty slot refers to a slot in which no battery pack is inserted, and a charging slot refers to a slot in which a battery pack is inserted.

[0060] In operation 420, the battery swapping station 100 can identify the direction of rotation based on the current empty slot. In one embodiment, the controller 140 can select a first direction of rotation (e.g., counterclockwise) if the index of the current empty slot is smaller than the index of a previous empty slot. In one embodiment, the controller 140 can select a second direction of rotation (e.g., clockwise) if the index of the current empty slot is not smaller than the index of a previous empty slot. Here, slots 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be sequentially assigned the indices 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

[0061] In operation 430, the battery swapping station 100 can rotate the electrode plate 111 in the identified rotational direction. The battery swapping station 100 can rotate the electrode plate 111 so that the current empty slot becomes a disconnected slot.

Claims

1. Each has N slots into which a battery pack can be inserted, Electrode plates electrically connected to battery packs inserted into M slots (fewer than N slots), The system includes a power supply for charging battery packs provided in each of the M slots via the electrode plate, When viewed in the first direction, the center points of each of the N slots are spaced equally apart from the first point. The electrode plate is rotatable about the first direction as an axis, The electrode plate is electrically connected to the battery packs, which are inserted into M of the N slots, by the rotation, in a battery exchange station.

2. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in the first direction, the angles between adjacent slots among the N slots are the same with respect to the first point.

3. The aforementioned N is 4, and the aforementioned M is 3. The battery replacement station according to claim 1, wherein the electrode plate is arranged to be in contact with the slot on the back surface, which is the opposite side of the front surface of each of the slots into which the battery pack is inserted.

4. The electrode plate rotates based on a rotational direction selected from a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction which is the opposite direction to the first rotational direction, based on the previous empty slot and the current empty slot. The battery replacement station according to claim 1, wherein the current empty slots are M to N slots that are not electrically connected between the battery pack and the power supply via the electrode plates.

5. If the first index of the current empty slot is smaller than the second index of the previous empty slot, the electrode plate rotates based on the first rotation direction. The battery replacement station according to claim 4, wherein the electrode plate rotates based on the second rotation direction if the first index is not smaller than the second index.

6. The first direction of rotation is clockwise, The battery replacement station according to claim 4, wherein the second rotation direction is counterclockwise.

7. The battery replacement station according to claim 1, wherein the electrode plate rotates when the battery pack is replaced.

8. An operation to identify the replacement of the battery pack in each of the N slots into which a battery pack can be inserted, The operation of identifying the index of the current empty slot among the N slots, Based on the index of the current empty slot, the operation of identifying one of the rotational directions of the electrode plate, which is a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction which is the opposite direction to the first rotational direction, A method for operating a battery exchange station, comprising the action of rotating the electrode plates based on the identified rotation direction in order to charge battery packs inserted in M ​​slots out of the N slots, excluding the currently empty slot.

9. The operation of identifying one direction of rotation is, If the first index of the current empty slot is smaller than the second index of the previous empty slot, the operation to select the first rotation direction is performed. A method for operating a battery exchange station according to claim 8, comprising the action of selecting the second rotation direction if the first index is not smaller than the second index.

10. The first direction of rotation is counterclockwise, The method for operating a battery replacement station according to claim 8, wherein the second rotation direction is clockwise.

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