Battery exchange station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery exchange station and, more specifically, to a battery exchange station which identifies the type of a battery pack supplied to a battery slot in advance, takes out a charging connector suitable for the type of the battery pack, and connects the charging connector to the battery pack. The battery exchange station according to the present invention includes: a battery slot accommodating one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number of 2 or more); n different charging connectors respectively corresponding to the n battery packs; a sensing unit for identifying the type of the battery pack introduced into the battery slot; and a connector connection unit for taking out a charging connector suitable for the type of the battery pack accommodated in the battery slot and connecting the same to the battery pack accommodated in the battery slot. Accordingly, the type of the battery pack supplied to the battery slot can be identified in advance, and the charging connector suitable for the type of the battery pack can be taken out and connected to the battery pack.

Description

Battery exchange station

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0099853, filed July 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery exchange station, and more particularly, to a battery exchange station that determines in advance the type of battery pack supplied to a battery slot, takes out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connects it to the battery pack.

[0005] Secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) are rechargeable and dischargeable, unlike primary batteries, which are non-rechargeable. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small, portable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and camcorders, while high-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for motors in hybrid vehicles and other vehicles.

[0006] Secondary batteries can be used in the form of battery cells. A battery cell consists of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, layered sequentially within an outer shell, with the inner space filled with an electrolyte. Multiple battery cells can be electrically connected to form a battery module or battery pack. Meanwhile, these secondary batteries can be inserted into a battery slot within a battery swapping station in the form of a battery pack and charged.

[0007] Figures 1a and 1b are perspective views illustrating a conventional battery exchange station and a conventional battery slot, respectively. The battery exchange station (1) is formed with a plurality of battery slots (100), and the battery exchange station (1) may be equipped with a charging connector for charging an inserted battery pack (10).

[0008] Battery packs (10) have different types of charging connectors depending on their type, but conventional battery exchange stations (1) are equipped with only one type of charging connector. Therefore, conventional battery exchange stations (1) are designed to charge only one type of battery pack (10), and there was a problem that different types of battery packs (10) could not be charged with a single device.

[0009] The present invention has been conceived in recognition of the above problems, and provides a battery exchange station that determines in advance the type of battery pack supplied to a battery slot, takes out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connects it to the battery pack.

[0010] A battery exchange station according to the present invention comprises: a battery slot for accommodating any one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs; a sensing unit for identifying the type of battery pack loaded into the battery slot; and a connector connecting portion for taking out a charging connector corresponding to the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery slot and connecting it to the battery pack accommodated in the battery slot.

[0011] The battery slot may include a lower plate; a front plate and a rear plate respectively installed on the front side and the rear side of the lower plate; a first side plate and a second side plate respectively installed on the right side and the left side of the lower plate; and an upper plate installed on the upper portions of the front plate and the rear plate.

[0012] The front plate may be formed with a hinged door through which a battery pack is passed in or out of the battery slot.

[0013] The above sensing unit may include a wireless communication module installed in the hinge door and wirelessly communicating with a battery pack passing through the hinge door.

[0014] A connector insertion hole into which any one of the n charging connectors is inserted may be formed in the above rear plate.

[0015] The connector connection part may include a rotary motor that rotates in one direction; n linear motors respectively connected to the n charging connectors; and a connecting member that connects the rotary motor and the n linear motors.

[0016] The above connecting member may include a frame portion that is fitted and connected to the rotational axis of the rotational motor; and n protrusions formed on the frame portion and arranged along the rotational direction of the rotational motor.

[0017] The n protrusions are respectively coupled to the stators of the n linear motors, and the n charging connectors can be respectively coupled to the movers of the n linear motors.

[0018] The battery exchange station according to the present invention may further include a slot size adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery slot.

[0019] The above slot size adjustment unit may include a first slide coupled to the first side plate to move the first side plate left and right.

[0020] The above slot size adjustment unit may include a second slide coupled to the second side plate to move the second side plate left and right.

[0021] The above slot size adjustment unit may include a third slide coupled to the upper plate to move the upper plate up and down.

[0022] The battery exchange station according to the present invention may include a mounting plate installed inside the battery slot and on which a battery pack introduced into the battery slot is mounted.

[0023] In addition, the battery exchange station according to the present invention may further include a guide rail installed at the lower portion of the mounting plate to guide forward and backward movement of the mounting plate.

[0024] A battery exchange station according to the present invention comprises: a battery slot for accommodating any one of n different battery packs (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs; a sensing unit for identifying the type of battery pack loaded into the battery slot; and a connector connection unit for taking out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery slot and connecting it to the battery pack accommodated in the battery slot, thereby having the advantageous effect of being able to identify in advance the type of battery pack supplied to the battery slot, taking out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack, and connecting it to the battery pack.

[0025] Figure 1a is a perspective view showing a conventional battery exchange station.

[0026] Figure 1b is a perspective view showing a conventional battery slot.

[0027] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of a battery slot of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2b is a perspective view showing the inside of a battery slot of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 is a rear view showing the rear surface of the front plate of Figure 2b.

[0030] Figure 4a is a front view schematically showing the front part of the rear plate of Figure 2b.

[0031] Fig. 4b is a front view showing the first connector inserted into the rear plate of Fig. 4a.

[0032] Figure 4c is a front view showing a second connector inserted into the rear plate of Figure 4a.

[0033] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of a first battery pack accommodated in a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5b is a drawing showing a connector connection and an NFC tag formed in the first battery pack of FIG. 5a.

[0035] FIG. 5c is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of a second battery pack loaded into a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5d is a drawing showing a connector connection and an NFC tag formed in the second battery pack of FIG. 5c.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery slot and connector connection portion of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing in detail the connector connection part of Fig. 6.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing how the size of a battery slot is adjusted in a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0041] In order to clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of a part that is irrelevant to the description or a related known technology that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention has been omitted, and when adding reference signs to components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference signs are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0042] In addition, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0043] Hereinafter, a battery exchange station according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044]

[0045] Example 1

[0046] Fig. 2a is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of the battery slot of the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Fig. 2b is a perspective view showing the inside appearance of the battery slot of the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the rear surface of the front plate of Fig. 2b.

[0047] FIG. 4a is a front view schematically showing the front part of the rear plate of FIG. 2b, FIG. 4b is a front view showing a first connector inserted into the rear plate of FIG. 4a, and FIG. 4c is a front view showing a second connector inserted into the rear plate of FIG. 4a.

[0048] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of a first battery pack accommodated in a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a drawing showing a connector connection portion and an NFC tag formed in the first battery pack of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a perspective view showing the entire appearance of a second battery pack loaded into the battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 5D is a drawing showing a connector connection portion and an NFC tag formed in the second battery pack of FIG. 5C.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery slot and a connector connection part of a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connector connection part of FIG. 6 in detail.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a battery slot (100) that accommodates one of n different battery packs (10) (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), n different charging connectors (200) corresponding to each of the n battery packs (10), a sensing unit (300) that identifies the type of battery pack (10) loaded into the battery slot (100), and a connector connection unit (400) that takes out a charging connector (200) that matches the type of battery pack (10) accommodated in the battery slot (100) and connects it to the battery pack (10) accommodated in the battery slot (100). The sensing unit (300) can determine in advance the type of battery pack (10) supplied to the battery slot (100), and the connector connection unit (400) can take out a charging connector (200) suitable for the type of battery pack (10) determined by the sensing unit (300) and connect it to the battery pack (10). Therefore, the battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has the advantageous effect of being able to charge different types of battery packs (10) at once.

[0051] Here, the battery pack (10) is a battery cell electrically connected in the form of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode sequentially laminated within an outer material immersed in an electrolyte, and may have various structures and shapes depending on the type. For example, the battery pack (10) may have a shape in which a plurality of battery cells are housed within a hexagonal case.

[0052] A plurality of battery slots (100) are provided in the battery exchange station (1), and can form a space for accommodating and charging a battery pack (10) therein. Specifically, the battery slots (100) can include a lower plate (110), a front plate (120) and a rear plate (130) installed respectively on the front and rear sides of the lower plate (110), a first side plate (140) and a second side plate (150) installed respectively on the right and left sides of the lower plate (110), and an upper plate (160) installed on the upper portions of the front plate (120) and the rear plate (130).

[0053] The lower plate (110) is a metal plate that is fixedly installed at a designated location inside the battery exchange station (1) and may have a flat shape in a horizontal direction. The front plate (120) and the rear plate (130) are metal plates that are respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the lower plate (110) and may have various shapes. The front plate (120) and the rear plate (130) and the front plate (110) may be connected in various ways. For example, the front plate (120) and the rear plate (130) may each be screw-connected or welded to the upper surface of the lower plate (110).

[0054] The upper plate (160) is a metal plate installed on the upper portions of the front plate (120) and the rear plate (130), and may have a flat shape in the horizontal direction. The upper plate (160) may be screw-connected or welded to each of the front plate (120) and the rear plate (130) at a position lower than the upper portions of the first side plate (140) and the second side plate (150).

[0055] As described above, the battery slot (100) in which six plates are combined can form a receiving space in which a battery pack (10) is received. A mounting member (600) on which the battery pack (10) is received is formed at the lower end of the receiving space, and a support spring that supports the mounting member (600) in the vertical direction can be installed at the lower end of the mounting member (600). In addition, a guide portion (610) that guides the movement of the mounting member (600) can be formed at the lower end of the mounting member (600).

[0056] A hinged door (121) may be formed on the front plate (120) through which a battery pack (10) that is introduced or removed into the battery slot (100) passes. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the hinged door (121) may be hingedly connected to a hinge joint (122) installed on the upper portion of the front plate (120). At this time, the hinged door (121) may function as a passage through which the battery pack (10) is introduced or removed into the battery slot (100).

[0057] Meanwhile, a sensing unit (300) that determines the type of the battery pack (10) when the battery pack (10) passes through the hinge door (121) may be installed in the hinge door (121). This sensing unit (300) may include a wireless communication module (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery pack (10) passing through the hinge door (121). Accordingly, the wireless communication module (310) can determine the type of the battery pack (10) in advance before the battery pack (10) is accommodated inside the battery slot (100), and thus, the connector connection portion (400) of the battery exchange station (1) can take out and place in advance a charging connector (200) that matches the type of the battery pack (10) before the battery pack (10) is completely accommodated inside the battery slot (100).

[0058] Here, the wireless communication module (310) is a module that wirelessly communicates with the NFC tag of the battery pack (10) when it approaches to determine the type of the battery pack (10), and can be installed in various areas within the hinge door (121). For example, the wireless communication module (310) can be installed on one side or the other side of the hinge door (121). In addition, a module fixing member (320) that fixes the wireless communication module (310) can be installed on the hinge door (121).

[0059] A connector insertion hole (131) into which any one of n charging connectors (200) can be inserted may be formed in the rear plate (130). As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the connector insertion hole (131) may be an opening formed in a central region of the rear plate (130) so that the charging connector (200) can pass through. At this time, the connector insertion hole (131) may be formed to be sufficiently large so that various types of charging connectors (200) can pass through.

[0060] For example, the connector insertion hole (131) can be formed large enough to allow not only a charging connector (200a) having a shape corresponding to the first battery pack (10a) but also a charging connector (200b) having a shape corresponding to the second battery pack (10b) to pass through with ease, as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c.

[0061] The charging connector (200) is connected to the connector connection portion (11) of the battery pack (10) to electrically charge the battery pack (10). The battery pack (10) has a connector connection portion (11) of a different shape depending on its type, and the charging connector (200) may also vary depending on the type of battery pack (10).

[0062] For example, in the case of the first battery pack (10a) illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, a connector connection portion (11a) may be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. The first battery pack (10a) may be connected to a charging connector (200a) corresponding to the shape of the connector connection portion (11a). In the case of the second battery pack (10b) illustrated in FIGS. 5c and 5d, a connector connection portion (11b) may be formed on the lower plate of the battery pack. Similarly, the second battery pack (10b) may also be connected to a charging connector (200b) corresponding to the shape of the connector connection portion (11b).

[0063] In this way, the shape of the charging connector (200) connected to each battery pack (10) can be different, and the connector insertion hole (131) can be formed large enough to allow various types of charging connectors (200a, 200b) to pass through.

[0064] Meanwhile, an NFC tag (12) capable of communicating with a wireless communication module (310) formed on a hinge door (121) may be formed on the battery pack (10). The NFC tag (12) may be formed at various locations depending on the type of battery pack (10). For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5b and 5d, the NFC tags (12a, 12b) may be formed on the bottom surface of the battery pack (10a, 10b).

[0065] Meanwhile, the connector connection part (400) is configured to take out a charging connector (200) suitable for the type of battery pack (10) identified by the sensing unit (300) and connect it to the battery pack (10), and may include a rotary motor (410) that rotates in one direction, n linear motors (420) each connected to n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) charging connectors (200), and a connecting member (430) that connects the rotary motor (410) and the n linear motors (420). In this case, there is an advantageous effect that an appropriate charging connector (200) among the n charging connectors (200) can be automatically taken out and connected to the battery pack (10).

[0066] Here, the rotation motor (410) rotates the linear motor (420) clockwise or counterclockwise, and can move the charging connector (200) connected to the linear motor (420) to a height corresponding to the connector insertion hole (131). The linear motor (420) moves the connected charging connector (200) in the forward and backward direction, and can move the charging connector (200) located outside the connector insertion hole (131) into the connector insertion hole (131). In this case, the charging connector (200) moved into the connector insertion hole (131) can be connected to the connector connection portion (11) of the battery pack (10) accommodated in the battery slot (100).

[0067] Additionally, the linear motor (420) can pull out the charging connector (200) located inside the connector insertion hole (131) to the outside of the connector insertion hole (131). For example, when the battery pack (10) is fully charged, the linear motor (420) can retract the charging connector (200) to separate it from the connector connection portion (11) of the battery pack (10).

[0068] Meanwhile, the connecting member (430) may include a frame portion (431) that is fitted and connected to the rotation shaft (411) of the rotation motor (410) and n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) protrusions (432) that are formed on the frame portion (431) and are arranged along the rotation direction of the rotation motor (410). Here, the n protrusions (432) may be respectively coupled to the stators (421) of the n linear motors (420), and the n charging connectors (200) may be respectively coupled to the movers (422) of the n linear motors (420).

[0069] In this regard, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a structure in which a connecting member (430) is connected to a rotational shaft (411) of a rotational motor (410), two protrusions (431) are formed on a frame portion (431) of the connecting member (430), and a linear motor (420) is connected to each of the two protrusions (431). An opening into which a rotational shaft (411) can be fitted may be formed in the connecting member (430).

[0070] The connecting member (430) connecting the rotary motor (410) and the linear motor (420) may have various structures. For example, the frame portion (431) of the connecting member (430) may be a cylindrical member having an opening in the center. The frame portion (431) of the connecting member (430) may be formed with a protrusion (432) extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the rotational shaft (411). In particular, a plurality of protrusions (432) may be installed on the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion (431) along the rotational direction of the rotational shaft (411).

[0071] A linear motor (420) may include a stator (421) that generates a magnetic field and a mover (422) that flows current and moves in a straight direction by the magnetic field generated from the stator (421). Here, the stator (421) is a box-shaped member that surrounds the rod-shaped mover (422) and may be coupled to the aforementioned protrusion (432). Various methods may be used for coupling the stator (421) and the protrusion (432). For example, the stator (421) and the protrusion (432) may be screw-coupled.

[0072] The mover (422) is a rod-shaped member that reciprocates linearly and can be connected to the charging terminal of the charging connector (200). Various methods can be used to connect the mover (422) and the charging terminal. For example, the mover (422) and the charging terminal can be connected by welding or by adhesive bonding using an adhesive material.

[0073] The connector connection unit (400) can prepare a charging connector (200) that matches the type of battery pack (10) identified by the sensing unit (300). For example, if the type of battery pack (10) identified by the sensing unit (300) is the first battery pack (10a) described above, the connector connection unit (400) can prepare a charging connector (200a) that corresponds to the connector connection unit (11a) of the first battery pack (10a).

[0074] Here, a step of moving the charging connector (200a) to a position corresponding to a position where the connector insertion hole (131) is formed is first performed, which can be performed by the rotation of the rotation motor (410). Specifically, as the rotation motor (410) rotates, the linear motor (420) connected to the rotation shaft (411) of the rotation motor (410) can rotate in one direction. The rotation of the rotation motor (410) can continue until the charging connector (200a) connected to the linear motor (420) moves to a position corresponding to a position where the connector insertion hole (131) is formed.

[0075] Thereafter, the linear motor (420) connected to the charging connector (200a) can move the mover (421) in a straight direction to move the charging connector (200a) into the connector insertion hole (131). At this time, the first battery pack (10a) is installed inside the battery slot (100), and the charging connector (200a) can be connected to the connector connection portion (11a) of the first battery pack (10a).

[0076] Meanwhile, when the second battery pack (10b) is installed inside the battery slot (100), the connector connection part (400) can drive the rotation motor (410) and the linear motor (420) as described above to connect the charging connector (200b) corresponding to the connector connection part (11b) of the second battery pack (10b) to the connector connection part (11b).

[0077] Meanwhile, the connector connection part (400) may further include a body frame (440) that accommodates a rotational motor (410), a linear motor (420), and a connecting member (430). The body frame (440) may be a box-shaped member that forms an internal space in which the rotational motor (410), the linear motor (420), and the connecting member (430) are accommodated. In this case, the rotational motor (410), the linear motor (420), and the connecting member (430) are accommodated inside the body frame (440), which has the advantageous effect of protecting the main driving part of the present invention from external impact, etc.

[0078] Meanwhile, the body frame (440) can be installed in a fixed position by being coupled to the rear plate (130). For example, the body frame (440) can be coupled to the rear plate (130) through a connecting rod portion (450) extending from one side of the rear plate (130).

[0079]

[0080] Example 2

[0081] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing how the size of a battery slot is adjusted in a battery exchange station according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0082] Embodiment 2 of the present invention differs from Embodiment 1 in that a slot size adjusting unit (500) or a mounting plate (600) for adjusting the size of a battery slot (100) is provided inside the battery exchange station (1). Common contents with Embodiment 1 will be omitted as much as possible, and Embodiment 2 will be described focusing on the differences. In other words, it is self-evident that contents not described in Embodiment 2, if necessary, may be considered as contents of Embodiment 1.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 8, the battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may further include a slot size adjustment unit (500) that adjusts the size of the battery slot (100) according to the type of battery pack (10) accommodated in the battery slot (100). In this case, the size of the battery slot (100) can be adjusted according to the type of battery pack (10) accommodated in the battery slot (100), so the battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has the advantageous effect of being able to accommodate various types of battery packs (10) inside the device.

[0084] In addition, the battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has, like Embodiment 1, a connector connection portion (400) that takes out a charging connector (200) suitable for the type of battery pack (10) accommodated inside the device and connects it to the battery pack (10), thereby having the advantageous effect of being able to charge each of the various types of battery packs (10) accommodated inside the device.

[0085] Meanwhile, the slot size adjustment unit (500) may include a first slide (510) that is coupled to the first side plate (140) and moves the first side plate (140) left and right. The first slide (510) may include a first fixed unit (511) installed at a fixed position on the right side of the lower plate (110) and a first moving unit (512) installed above the first fixed unit. At this time, the first side plate (140) may be coupled to the first moving unit (512) above the first moving unit (512), and in this case, may move left and right according to the left and right movement of the first moving unit (512).

[0086] Here, the first fixed unit (511) and the first moving unit (512) may have various structures and shapes. For example, the first moving unit (512) may be a moving unit that is coupled to a long, left-right extending load portion formed on the first fixed unit (511) and moves left-right along the load portion.

[0087] In addition, the slot size adjustment unit (500) may include a second slide (520) that is coupled to the second side plate (150) and moves the second side plate (150) left and right. The second slide (520) may include a second fixed unit (521) installed at a fixed position on the left side of the lower plate (110) and a second moving unit (522) installed above the second fixed unit. At this time, the second side plate (150) may be coupled to the second moving unit (522) at the upper side of the second moving unit (522), and in this case, may move left and right according to the left and right movement of the second moving unit (522).

[0088] Here, the second fixed unit (521) and the second moving unit (522) may have various structures and shapes. For example, the second moving unit (522) may be a moving unit that is coupled to a long, left-right extending load portion formed on the second fixed unit (521) and moves left-right along the load portion.

[0089] In addition, the slot size adjustment unit (500) may include a third slide (530) that is coupled to the upper plate (160) and moves the upper plate (160) up and down. The third slide is a linear motor that moves the upper plate (160) up and down, and may include a stator (531) that is fixedly installed in the upper region of the rear plate (130) and a mover (532) that is coupled to the upper plate (160).

[0090] Here, the stator (531) is a member that is installed at a fixed position of the rear plate (130) and generates a magnetic field, and the mover (532) can be a member that generates current and performs linear reciprocating movement in the up-and-down direction by the magnetic field generated by the stator (531). The stator (531) can be coupled to the rear plate (130) in various ways. For example, an adhesive layer can be formed between the stator (531) and the rear plate (130). In addition, the mover (532) can be coupled to the upper plate (160) in various ways. For example, the mover (532) and the upper plate (160) can be coupled by welding.

[0091] The battery exchange station (1) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a slot size adjustment unit (500) that moves the first and second side plates (140, 150) left and right and moves the upper plate (160) up and down, thereby being able to adjust the width and height of the battery slot (100), thereby being able to adjust the size of the internal space to match the size of the battery pack (10) loaded into the battery slot (100).

[0092] Meanwhile, a mounting plate (600) may be installed inside the battery slot (100) to mount the battery pack (10) brought into the battery slot (100). The mounting plate (600) is a flat plate on which the battery pack (10) is mounted, and may be formed to be sufficiently wide so that various types of battery packs (10) can be mounted.

[0093] Here, a guide rail (610) that guides the forward and backward movement of the mounting plate (600) may be installed at the bottom of the mounting plate (600), and a rail moving part (611) that is coupled to a groove formed in the guide rail (610) and moves along the guide rail (610) may be formed at the bottom of the mounting plate (600). In this case, the mounting plate (600) on which the battery pack (10) is mounted can move forward and backward through the guide rail (610) inside the battery slot (100), thereby having the advantageous effect of easily moving the battery pack (10) loaded from the front plate (120) side to the rear plate (130) side where the connector insertion hole (131) is formed.

[0094]

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various embodiments are possible within the scope equivalent to the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0096]

[0097] [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1: Battery exchange station 10: Battery pack

[0099] 11: Connector connection 12: NFC tag

[0100] 100: Battery slot 110: Bottom plate

[0101] 120: Front plate 121: Hinged door

[0102] 122: Hinge joint 130: Rear plate

[0103] 131: Connector insertion hole 140: First side plate

[0104] 150: Second side plate 160: Top plate

[0105] 200: Charging connector 300: Sensing unit

[0106] 310: Wireless communication module 320: Module fixing member

[0107] 400: Connector connection 410: Rotating motor

[0108] 411: Rotation axis 420: Linear motor

[0109] 421: Stator 422: Mover

[0110] 430: connecting member 431: frame part

[0111] 432: Protrusion 440: Body frame

[0112] 450: Connecting rod section 500: Slot size adjustment section

[0113] 510: Slide 1 511: Fixed Unit 1

[0114] 512: 1st moving unit 520: 2nd slide

[0115] 521: Second fixed unit 522: Second mobile unit

[0116] 530: Slide 3 531: Stator

[0117] 532: Mover 600: Settling Plate

[0118] 610: Guide rail 611: Rail moving part

Claims

1. A battery slot that accommodates one of n different battery packs (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); n different charging connectors corresponding to each of the n battery packs; A sensing unit that identifies the type of battery pack being loaded into the battery slot; and A battery exchange station including a connector connection for taking out a charging connector suitable for the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery slot and connecting it to the battery pack accommodated in the battery slot.

2. In claim 1, The above battery slot is, lower plate; A front plate and a rear plate respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the lower plate; A first side plate and a second side plate installed on the right and left sides of the lower plate, respectively; and A battery exchange station characterized by comprising an upper plate installed on the upper portion of the front plate and the rear plate.

3. In claim 2, A battery exchange station characterized in that the front plate has a hinged door formed thereon through which a battery pack is passed in or out of the battery slot.

4. In claim 3, A battery exchange station characterized in that the sensing unit includes a wireless communication module installed in the hinge door and wirelessly communicating with a battery pack passing through the hinge door.

5. In claim 3, A battery exchange station characterized in that a connector insertion hole is formed on the rear plate into which any one of the n charging connectors is inserted.

6. In claim 5, The above connector connection part is, A rotary motor that rotates in one direction; n linear motors each coupled to the n charging connectors; and A battery exchange station characterized by including a connecting member connecting the above rotary motor and the n linear motors.

7. In claim 6, The above connecting member is, A frame part fitted to the rotation shaft of the above rotation motor; and A battery exchange station formed on the frame portion and characterized by including n protrusions arranged along the rotational direction of the rotation motor.

8. In claim 7, The above n protrusions are respectively coupled to the stators of the n linear motors, A battery exchange station, characterized in that the n charging connectors are each connected to the movers of the n linear motors.

9. In claim 2, A battery exchange station further comprising a slot size adjustment unit for adjusting the size of the battery slot according to the type of battery pack accommodated in the battery slot.

10. In claim 9, A battery exchange station characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit includes a first slide coupled to the first side plate to move the first side plate left and right.

11. In claim 9, A battery exchange station characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit includes a second slide coupled to the second side plate to move the second side plate left and right.

12. In claim 9, A battery exchange station characterized in that the slot size adjustment unit includes a third slide coupled to the upper plate to move the upper plate up and down.

13. In claim 1, A battery exchange station characterized by including a mounting plate installed inside the battery slot and on which a battery pack introduced into the battery slot is mounted.

14. In claim 13, A battery exchange station characterized in that it further includes a guide rail installed at the lower portion of the mounting plate to guide the forward and backward movement of the mounting plate.

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