Rail-mounted vehicle charging device, charging base station, and rail-mounted vehicle charging system

Abstract

A rail-mounted vehicle charging device (10), a charging base station (4), and a rail-mounted vehicle charging system. The rail-mounted vehicle charging device is mounted on a traveling guide rail (101) suspended at the top of a parking lot, and along the traveling guide rail, a plurality of charging base stations are arranged corresponding to parking spaces in the parking lot. The vehicle charging device comprises: a charging main unit mounting platform (2) which can be mounted on the traveling guide rail and comprises a platform body (200), and a limiting assembly (204), an extension / retraction module (205) and traveling rails (206) which are arranged at the bottom of the platform body; and a charging main unit (3) which is detachably mounted below the charging main unit mounting platform and comprises a movable plug-in module (301), wherein when the movable plug-in module of the charging main unit and a static plug-in module of a charging base station are docked to form an electrical connection, the charging main unit is electrically connected to the charging base station, so that the charging base station supplies alternating current to the charging main unit, the charging main unit converts the alternating current into direct current, and the direct current is supplied to the charging base station.

Description

Rail-mounted vehicle charging equipment, charging base stations, and rail-mounted vehicle charging systems Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy vehicle charging, and more specifically, to rail-mounted vehicle charging equipment, charging base stations, and rail-mounted vehicle charging systems. Background Technology

[0002] By the end of 2023, China had the world's largest number of new energy vehicles. However, due to the current state of parking spaces in China, future charging for new energy vehicles will still rely on shared charging stations. With the government's strong promotion of public charging stations, the ratio of charging stations to parking spaces in public parking areas will continue to increase. However, due to the existing structure and distribution of charging stations, the cost per parking space is becoming increasingly high, including the area occupied by the charging station, the number of charging stations, and standby power consumption. This results in high cost, high energy consumption, and a lower turnover rate per charging station per parking space. Therefore, there is an urgent need for low-cost, low-resource-occupancy, and high-efficiency charging stations.

[0003] The structural and site characteristics of existing public charging stations lead to various problems when car owners charge their vehicles, such as insufficient dedicated charging spaces, gasoline vehicles occupying spaces, charging exceeding the time limit and occupying spaces, and queuing for charging. These issues result in a poor charging experience for car owners and waste of public resources.

[0004] While new energy replenishment solutions such as battery swapping stations and wheeled charging robots have emerged to address these issues, their characteristics prevent widespread adoption. Specifically: battery swapping stations require large land areas, have limited battery backup per station, support a limited range of vehicle models, and cannot be built in underground parking lots. Wheeled charging robots are essentially self-contained charging pile vehicles, resulting in excessively high costs per pile. Furthermore, they require navigating numerous obstacles when operating in large areas, posing safety and legal risks.

[0005] Currently, there are also rail-mounted charging robots that attempt to solve the problems of existing pile-type charging equipment, such as the rail-mounted charging equipment and its charging method described in Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN114954079A. However, in the case of insufficient charging piles, it will lead to situations such as car owners waiting too long in the parking space or not being able to charge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems of existing charging robots, the present invention aims to provide a rail-mounted vehicle charging device, charging base station and rail-mounted vehicle charging system that can improve the charging efficiency and convenience of new energy vehicles in finding charging piles and improve the utilization rate of charging pile assets by separating the charging host from the charging gun and the line and installing the charging gun on the charging base station, thereby effectively reducing the ratio of charging pile parking spaces and improving the charging pile finding efficiency and convenience of new energy vehicles.

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention provides a rail-mounted car charging device, which is mounted on a traveling guide rail suspended from the top of a parking lot. Multiple charging base stations are arranged along the traveling guide rail corresponding to the parking spaces in the parking lot. The car charging device includes: a charging host mounting platform that can be mounted on the traveling guide rail, comprising a platform body and limiting components, a push-and-retract module, and a traveling rail disposed at the bottom of the platform body; and a charging host that is detachably mounted on the lower part of the charging host mounting platform, comprising a moving plug module. When the moving plug module of the charging host is connected to the stationary plug module of the charging base station and forms an electrical connection, the charging host and the charging base station are electrically connected, enabling the charging base station to supply AC power to the charging host and DC power converted by the charging host to the charging base station.

[0008] Preferably, in the vehicle charging equipment according to the present invention, the main body of the charging host mounting platform includes: a walking module, a positioning module, and a communication and power supply module arranged on the top of the main body; and the charging host mounting platform further includes: a charging base station location identifier and an obstacle detector mounted on the outer periphery of the main body. The base station location identifier and the obstacle detector provide the charging host mounting platform with environmental perception capabilities, such as obstacle avoidance, positioning, and visual recognition functions, thereby improving the safety, operating efficiency, and reliability of the mounting platform.

[0009] Preferably, in the car charging device according to the present invention, the positioning module of the charging host mounting platform is a clamping mechanism, and when the positioning module clamps the parking fixing beam of the charging base station, the charging host mounting platform and the charging base station form a locked state; and when the positioning module releases the parking fixing beam of the charging base station, the locked state between the charging host mounting platform and the charging base station is released.

[0010] Preferably, in the car charging device according to the present invention, the charging host further includes: a walking module disposed on the top of the charging host; and a positioning component, which is a movable mechanism and disposed on the side of the charging host facing away from the charging base station. The positioning component of the charging host matches the limiting component of the charging host mounting platform. The positioning component is locked or released by opening or releasing the limiting component. When a locked state between the push-retract module and the charging host is to be formed, the limiting component is opened and the positioning component of the charging host is pushed outward in the longitudinal direction until the limiting component and the positioning component of the charging host are locked. When the locked state between the push-retract module and the charging host is to be released, the limiting component is released and the positioning component of the charging host is retracted inward in the longitudinal direction, so that the limiting component is released from the lock with the positioning component of the charging host.

[0011] Preferably, in the car charging device according to the present invention, the traveling track of the charging host mounting platform matches the locking track of the charging base station. When the charging host mounting platform is locked to the charging base station, the traveling track of the charging host mounting platform and the locking track of the charging base station are connected to form a parallel track.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a charging base station for a rail-mounted vehicle charging device is provided, comprising: a frame body; a parking fixing beam disposed on the top of the frame body; a communication and power supply module fixed to the parking fixing beam; a locking rail fixed to the frame body below the parking fixing beam; a static plug-in module disposed on the lower inner side of the frame body; and a charging gun terminal block disposed on the lower side of the frame body and a charging gun electrically connected to the charging gun terminal block via a charging cable, wherein when the moving plug-in module of the charging host and the static plug-in module of the charging base station are connected and electrically connected, the charging host and the charging base station are electrically connected, so that the charging base station supplies AC power to the charging host and supplies DC power converted by the charging host to the charging base station, so that the charging host charges the vehicle through the charging gun connected to the charging base station.

[0013] Preferably, in the charging base station according to the present invention, the locking track is provided with a locking hole, which cooperates with the positioning component of the charging host, so that the charging host and the charging base station form a locked state.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a rail-mounted vehicle charging system is provided, comprising: a frame-type guide rail structure installed on the top of a parking lot, comprising: a traveling guide rail arranged above the parking spaces of the parking lot for through-mounting; a vehicle charging device according to a first aspect of the present invention that can be mounted on the traveling guide rail; a charging base station according to a second aspect of the present invention; and a charging terminal arranged corresponding to the parking spaces of the parking lot and capable of housing a charging gun.

[0015] Preferably, in the vehicle charging system according to the invention, the charging terminal includes a charging gun holder fixed thereon for housing the charging gun.

[0016] Preferably, in the vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the charging terminal is installed in any one of the following methods: ground-mounted, suspended, or wall-mounted.

[0017] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are at least as follows:

[0018] 1. This invention utilizes the high mobility of rail-mounted charging equipment (charging robot) to solve the problems of low utilization rate of traditional charging facilities and large workload of ground modification of parking spaces. It can effectively reduce the ratio of charging piles to parking spaces while improving the efficiency and convenience of new energy vehicles in finding charging piles, thereby improving the utilization rate of charging pile assets.

[0019] 2. This invention can cover a large area of ​​parking lots, eliminating the need for dedicated parking spaces for new energy vehicles and enabling mixed parking of gasoline and electric vehicles. This solves problems such as gasoline vehicles occupying parking spaces, insufficient dedicated new energy vehicle spaces, or low utilization rates of dedicated new energy vehicle spaces, thereby improving the operational efficiency of parking lots.

[0020] 3. This invention can flexibly add charging units on the track as the number of new energy vehicles increases, thus eliminating the need for new ground construction and meeting the demand for parking spaces for new energy vehicles as the number of new energy vehicles increases.

[0021] 4. This invention does not change the charging habits of car owners, eliminating the need to wait for charging. After parking, car owners can manually plug in the charging gun, confirm the parking space on the system, and leave the site without waiting for the charging unit to arrive. This saves car owners time, especially when there are not enough charging units and other vehicles are still charging and require queuing. When a free charging unit becomes available, the system will automatically move it to the parking space and connect it to the charging base station to power the charging gun and recharge the vehicle. This improves charging convenience for users and increases asset utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the car charging system of the present invention in the state of having a charging host mounted, while Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the car charging system of the present invention in the state of having no charging host mounted on the charging host mounting platform.

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating the structure of a car charging device in the car charging system of the present invention.

[0024] Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating the structure of the charging host mounting platform of the automobile charging device of the present invention.

[0025] Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating the structure of the charging host of the automobile charging device of the present invention.

[0026] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the structure of a charging base station for an automobile charging system according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the charging operation of the vehicle charging system / equipment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the charging control method of the automobile charging system / equipment of the present invention, specifically the charging station search process.

[0029] Figure 9 is a detailed flowchart illustrating the charging control method of the automobile charging system / equipment of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0031] 10: Car charging equipment; 1: Frame guide rail structure; 101: Walking guide rail; 103: Lifting frame; 2: Charging host mounting platform; 200: Platform body; 201: Walking module; 202: Communication and power supply module; 203: Positioning module; 204: Limiting component; 205: Push-and-retract module; 206: Walking track; 207: Base station location identifier; 208: Obstacle detector; 209: Proximity sensor; 3: Charging host; 301: Motion insertion module; 302: Walking module; 303: Positioning component; 4: Charging base station; 400: Support frame; 400W 401: Side frame; 402: Static plug-in module; 403: Locking rail; 404: Locking hole; 405: Parking fixing beam; 406: Communication and power supply module; 407: Charging gun terminal; 408: Charging cable; 409: Charging gun; 500: Charging terminal; 501: Charging gun holder; 502: Column. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative configuration of components, numerical representations, and values ​​described in these embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. For simplicity, the same reference numerals or designations are used for the same structural parts or steps, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0033] [Structure of the Automobile Charging System of the Invention]

[0034] The structure of the rail-mounted car charging system of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. The car charging system includes: a frame-type guide rail structure 1 arranged on the top of a parking lot; a rail-mounted car charging device 10; multiple charging base stations 4 suspended above parking spaces via the guide rail structure 1 in a manner corresponding to the parking space locations in the parking lot; and charging terminals 5, arranged corresponding to the parking spaces in the parking lot and capable of housing charging guns. The car charging device 10 includes a charging host mounting platform 2 that can be mounted on and runs on a traveling guide rail, and a charging host 3 that is detachably mounted below the charging host mounting platform.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the charging terminal 5 includes a charging gun holder 501, which is fixed to the charging terminal for storing the charging gun. Preferably, the charging terminal 5 can be mounted on a column 502 on the charging base station 4 (as shown in Figures 1B, 6A, and 6B). Alternatively, the charging terminal 5 can be installed on the ground of a parking lot, for example, as a ground-mounted column mounted on the column 502, or as a wall-mounted unit.

[0036] When a vehicle is parked in a parking space (charging space or target space) next to any available charging base station 4, the user (e.g., the vehicle owner) can remove the charging gun from the charging terminal 5 and insert it into the vehicle's charging port to prepare for charging. The user can issue a charging command through a user terminal such as a mobile phone or an in-vehicle terminal, or the vehicle charging system can receive the charging command issued by the user through a user terminal or in-vehicle terminal after detecting that the charging gun is inserted into the vehicle's charging port. After receiving the charging command, the charging host mounting platform 2 attaches a nearby available charging host 3 and transports the charging host 3 to the charging base station 4 corresponding to the target parking space (target charging base station 4), and electrically connects the charging host 3 to the target charging base station 4, thereby enabling the charging host 3 to supply power to the vehicle through the charging base station 4 and the connected charging gun 407.

[0037] The specific structure of the guide rail structure 1 will be described below with reference to FIG1A. As shown in FIG1A, the guide rail structure 1 includes: a traveling guide rail 101 arranged above the parking spaces of the parking lot and suspended through it; and a hoisting frame 103 for fixing the traveling guide rail 101 to the top of the parking lot, the hoisting frame 103 being installed above the covered parking spaces. As an example, the traveling guide rail 101 shown in the present invention has an I-shaped cross-section (as shown in FIG1A, FIG3 and FIG6B), but obviously other shapes or structures can also be adopted.

[0038] Charging base stations 4 can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with parking spaces, positioned above each parking space along the guide rail. Other arrangements are also possible, such as a two-to-one arrangement between two parking spaces with their rear ends adjacent, or a three-to-one, four-to-one, or combination thereof, depending on the specific layout of the parking spaces.

[0039] The charging host mounting platform 2 of the car charging equipment 10 can be mounted on the travel rail of the guide rail structure 1 and can communicate with the server via the network to travel between each charging base station according to the instructions of the server along the travel rail 101.

[0040] The specific structures of the charging base station and the car charging equipment included in the car charging system of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0041] [Structure of the charging base station of the present invention]

[0042] The structure of the charging base station according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. The charging base station 4 includes: a support frame 400, a static insert module 401, a locking rail 402, a parking fixing beam 403, and a communication and power supply module 404. The support frame 400 adopts a frame structure, and a side frame 400W on the side of the support frame 400 away from the travel guide rail 101 extends downwards. The static insert module 401 is mounted on the extended portion of the side frame 400W. As a preferred example, the static insert module 401 in Figure 6B is located in the center of the side frame 400W. Obviously, the static insert module 401 can also be located on the side of the side frame 400W near the edge, as long as it corresponds to the position of the matching moving insert.

[0043] The locking rail 402 is perpendicular to the travel guide rail 101 and is located at the bottom of the support frame 400 to support and define the charging host. The locking rail 402 has a locking hole 402H axially located near one end of the travel guide rail 101, which can mate with the positioning component of the charging host (described later) to form a locked state between the charging host and the charging base station, ensuring that the host will not detach from or fall off the base station. The parking fixing beam 403 can be a straight beam structure, arranged parallel to the locking rail 402 at the top of the support frame 400, extending towards the travel guide rail 101 and fixedly connected to the travel guide rail 101 above it. The parking fixing beam serves as a locking mechanism when the charging mounting platform is parked.

[0044] The communication and power supply module 404 is fixed to the bottom surface of the parking beam 403 and close to the travel guide rail 101. It can cooperate with the positioning module of the charging host mounting platform 2 to form a locked state. In this state, the communication and power supply module 404 of the charging base station 4 interfaces with the communication and power supply module of the charging host mounting platform 2 to form an electrical connection and enable mutual communication. In addition, the static plug-in module 401 interfaces with the dynamic plug-in module on the charging host to form an electrical connection.

[0045] The charging base station 4 also includes a charging gun terminal 405 installed on the side frame 400W. The charging base station 4 is connected to the charging cable 406 through the charging gun terminal 405 to provide power supply, communication control and other capabilities for the charging gun 407.

[0046] [Structure of the car charging device of the present invention]

[0047] The structure of the car charging device of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 2, and 3. The car charging device 10 according to the present invention includes: a charging host mounting platform 2 and a charging host 3 detachably mounted on the lower part of the charging host mounting platform 2. In the working state, the charging host mounting platform 2 is suspended below the frame travel guide rail 101. The charging host mounting platform 2 can move along the travel guide rail 101 of the frame guide rail structure 1 between each charging station 4, with or without the charging host 3 mounted, and can push the mounted charging host 3 to the charging station 4 side to unload the charging host 3.

[0048] The specific structure of each part of the car charging device of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0049] [Structure of the charging host mounting platform of the present invention]

[0050] The structure of the charging host mounting platform is described below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. Specifically, the charging host mounting platform 2 includes a platform body 200. Two walking modules 201 are arranged on the top surface of the platform body 200. As a preferred example, the two walking modules 201 (201A and 201B) are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the top surface of the platform body 200 along the longitudinal direction of the platform body 200 (parallel to the walking guide rail 101 in the mounted state). Obviously, the number and arrangement of the walking modules 201 are not limited to this, and other numbers and arrangements can be used.

[0051] As a preferred example, in this embodiment, each walking module 201 employs roller sets symmetrically arranged on both sides of the platform body 200 in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the walking guide rail 101 in the mounted state). In the mounted state, the walking guide rail 101 is held tightly in the middle position of each roller set. Obviously, the number of roller sets is not limited to two sets; for example, it can be more than two sets. The arrangement of the roller sets is also not limited to the above-described arrangement.

[0052] The walking module 201 also includes a walking motor 201C, and the wheel set connected to the walking motor 201C is the driving wheel set 201B, while the wheel set not connected to the walking motor is the driven wheel set 201A. As a preferred example, motors are installed on the two front sides of the walking module 201 in the longitudinal direction. In the working state, the driving wheel set and the driven wheel set of the walking module respectively clamp the walking guide rail in the middle, and the driving motor drives the driving wheel set to move the charging host mounting platform 2 back and forth along the walking guide rail 101.

[0053] The charging host mounting platform 2 also includes a positioning module 203 located on the top surface of the platform body 200 and a communication and power supply module 202 arranged on top of the positioning module 203. When the positioning module 203 is locked to the parking fixing beam 403 of the charging base station 4, the communication and power supply module 202 connects with the communication and power supply module on the parking fixing beam of the charging base station to obtain power and communicate. The positioning module 203 is a clamping mechanism that uses a lead screw to drive the telescopic clamping mechanism to tighten the parking fixing beam 403, thereby locking the charging host mounting platform 2 to the charging base station 4.

[0054] The platform body 200 can house devices such as a rechargeable battery, a processor, and a memory. When the charging host mounting platform 2 is not powered on the charging base station 4, the rechargeable battery provides power for operations such as walking on the guide rail, sending and receiving commands and information, obstacle detection, obstacle avoidance control, and positioning. The memory can store computer programs for various operations or processes of the charging host mounting platform 2, such as rail-mounted walking, power supply, communication, mounting and unmounting the charging host, and locking the charging base station. The processor executes the computer programs stored in the memory to perform the corresponding processing.

[0055] In addition, the charging host mounting platform 2 also includes a push-and-retract module 205 and a walking track 206 disposed at the bottom of the platform body 200. Furthermore, a limiting component 204, which is a movable mechanism, is provided at the end of the push-and-retract module 205 facing away from the charging base station. As a preferred example, the limiting component 204 in this invention is a spring-loaded structure; however, other limiting mechanisms can obviously also be used.

[0056] Furthermore, the limiting component 204 matches the positioning component of the charging host 3. When the limiting component 204 opens (the pin pops out in a way that protrudes to both sides), it pushes the positioning component 303 of the charging host 3 outward and locks it, so that the push-and-retract module 205 and the charging host 3 are locked together. As the push-and-retract module 205 continues to push from the charging host mounting platform 2 to the charging base station 4 (or retract from the charging base station 4 to the charging host mounting platform 2) while locking the charging host 3, the charging host 3 can be released from the locked state with the charging host mounting platform 2 (or with the charging base station 4). And when the charging host mounting platform 2 and the charging base station 4 are locked, the traveling track 206 and the locking track 402 of the charging base station 4 are connected to form a horizontal track, so that the push-and-retract module 205 can move the charging host 3 between the charging host mounting platform 2 and the charging base station 4.

[0057] When it is time to release the locking state between the push-and-retract module 205 and the charging host 3, the limiting component 204 is released and the positioning component 303 of the charging host is retracted inward along the longitudinal direction, so that the limiting component 204 is released from the locking with the positioning component 303 of the charging host 3.

[0058] In addition, the charging host mounting platform 2 also includes a charging base station location identifier 207 and an obstacle detector 208 mounted on the outer periphery of the platform body 200. The base station location identifier 207 can be positioned on the side of the platform body 200 facing the charging base station. The base station location identifier 207 identifies the QR code on the charging base station side to determine the location of the charging base station, thereby performing a positioning operation between the charging host mounting platform 2 and the base station. When the charging host mounting platform 2 moves on the guide rail, the base station location identifier 207 performs coarse positioning with the charging base station to assist in its own positioning on the track, and performs preliminary relative positioning with the target charging base station. The obstacle detector 208 can be a sensing device installed on the outer surface of the platform body. The sensing device can be, for example, a camera, a distance sensor, etc. As a preferred approach, for example, the obstacle detector 208 can be arranged on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the platform body (parallel to the travel guide rail 101 in the mounted state) and near the outer edge of the bottom surface of the platform body, so as to perform environmental sensing and obstacle avoidance control when the platform moves on track by means of the sensing results of the sensing components.

[0059] In summary, because the charging host mounting platform can move along the guide rails above each parking space and between charging base stations in the parking lot, the charging host can not only act as a mobile charging pile, moving between charging base stations and charging itself when idle, but also respond to vehicle charging requests at different parking spaces by supplying power to vehicles at different charging base stations corresponding to different target parking spaces. Therefore, the car charging equipment of the present invention has high mobility, effectively reducing the charging host-to-parking-space ratio while improving the charging station search efficiency and convenience for new energy vehicles, and increasing the utilization rate of the charging host.

[0060] [Structure of the charging host of the present invention]

[0061] The structure of the charging host is described below with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. The charging host 3 includes a positioning component 303, which is located on the top of the charging host and faces away from the charging base station in the lateral direction (the direction perpendicular to the travel guide rail in the mounted state). As a preferred example, it adopts a latch structure that matches the limiting component 204, but obviously it is not limited to this, and other interlocking structures that match the limiting component 204 can also be used. The positioning component 303 is operable to cooperate with the limiting component 204 of the charging host mounting platform 2. When the limiting component 204 is opened (extended outward), it pushes the positioning component 303 outward, so that the positioning component 303 locks with the limiting component 204, thereby locking the push-and-retract module 205 and the charging host 3; and when the limiting component 204 is released and retracted, it unlocks from the positioning component 303, so that the charging host and the locking rail on the charging host mounting platform 2 or the charging base station are locked. The positioning component of the charging host and the limiting component of the charging host mounting platform cooperate with each other to form a locking and fixing between the charging host and the push-and-receive module, the locking track on the charging base station, and the charging host mounting platform.

[0062] The charging host 3 also includes: two sets of walking modules 302 installed on its left and right sides, which enable the charging host to move on the walking track, allowing the charging host to run back and forth between the mounting platform and the charging base station; a moving plug module 301 that connects electrically with the stationary plug module on the charging base station, drawing AC power from the grid side of the charging base station to power the charging host; and simultaneously providing the charging base station with power converted by the charging host, which is then used to charge the vehicle via the charging cable and charging gun. As a preferred example, the moving plug module and the stationary plug module can adopt a pin structure, with some pins connected to signal lines. Thus, when the moving plug module and the stationary plug module are connected to each other, multiple signal lines of the charging gun are connected to the charging host, enabling functions such as reading and feedback of various states of the new energy vehicle.

[0063] In addition, the charging host includes core AC / DC conversion modules, billing modules, communication modules, safety switches, and other modules.

[0064] In summary, the scheduling of overhead rails can provide orderly power to multiple parking spaces through queuing. When the number of charging stations does not match the existing charging demand, the number of charging stations can be dynamically increased or decreased in a flexible and convenient manner to meet the charging demand, thereby achieving a dynamic balance between charging operator revenue, charging demand, and cost reduction.

[0065] Furthermore, in the car charging equipment / system of the present invention, when a car owner places a charging request, an idle charging host can be automatically transported to the designated parking space (target parking space) to charge the car. After being fully charged, the charging host can autonomously leave the current parking space to provide services to other car owners, thereby solving the parking space occupation problem.

[0066] Meanwhile, with the full coverage of the parking lot via the elevated rail system, it is possible to make mixed parking of gasoline and electric vehicles possible within the parking lot at a controllable cost. Furthermore, as new energy vehicles gradually replace gasoline vehicles, charging stations can be added flexibly and conveniently to meet the needs of more car owners without additional infrastructure investment.

[0067] To better understand the operation process of the car charging system and car charging equipment of the present invention, the control method is described in detail below.

[0068] [The charging control method for the automobile charging system / automobile charging equipment of the present invention]

[0069] During the charging preparation phase, the vehicle user (hereinafter referred to as the user) parks the vehicle in any available parking space (target parking space) next to the target charging base station (target charging base station), removes the charging gun 407 from the charging terminal 5 and inserts it into the vehicle's charging port. After the charging gun is locked to the vehicle's charging port and charging is ready, the user operates the control program on the user terminal to issue a charging request to the target charging base station.

[0070] The user terminal includes, but is not limited to, in-vehicle infotainment systems and mobile terminals. The charging control program can be a standalone mobile app or mini-program installed on the user terminal. The charging request must include at least the identification information of the target charging base station corresponding to the target parking space where the vehicle to be charged is parked.

[0071] The car charging system of the present invention can receive the charging request through a server, or it can receive the charging request directly through the car charging equipment of the present invention (e.g., the host mounting platform or the idle charging base station corresponding to the target parking space). The following description uses the case where the charging request is received by the server as an example.

[0072] Upon receiving a charging request, the server identifies and locates an available charging host near the target charging base station based on the target charging base station's identification information included in the request. It then dispatches a nearby available charging host mounting platform to transport the host to the target charging base station to perform the charging task. After charging is completed, the charging host mounting platform returns to its initial state and begins processing the next round of charging instructions. Clearly, the functions of dispatching the charging host mounting platform and sending charging instructions are not limited to the server; they can also be performed by any one or a combination of two or more of the following: the charging base station, the charging host, or the charging host mounting platform.

[0073] The charging control method of the automobile charging device / system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Specifically, the charging control method of the present invention includes the following processing steps. When the automobile charging system of the present invention receives a charging request from a user (S901, S902 in Figure 9), it sends a charging instruction to the idle charging host mounting platform to transport the idle charging host to the target charging base station to perform the charging task, thereby initiating the following charging station retrieval process (including steps S710 to S750 in Figure 7).

[0074] First, the idle charging host mounting platform receives a charging instruction to transport the idle charging host to the target charging base station to perform the charging task (charging instruction receiving step S710).

[0075] Then, the charging host mounting platform that receives the charging instruction performs a charging station search process (charging station search step S720), that is, the charging host mounting platform 2 that receives the charging instruction runs to the idle charging host 3 and mounts the charging host 3.

[0076] Specifically, the station finding process in step S720 includes the following sub-processes (steps S810 to S830 in Figure 8). First, the charging host mounting platform leaves the current charging base station in the departure step (S810). This departure step S810 specifically includes the following sub-steps S903 to S904 in Figure 9: the positioning module 203 of the charging host mounting platform 2 retracts (releasing the parking fixing beam 403) to end the locking state with the parking fixing beam 403 of the charging base station 4 (S903); the walking module 201 of the charging host mounting platform 2 drives the charging host mounting platform 2 to move along the walking guide rail 101 to the charging base station 4 where the nearest idle charging host 3 is located (S904). Among them, the relative position of the charging host mounting platform 2 and the charging base station 4 can be calibrated by the base station position identifier 207.

[0077] Next, in step S820, the charging host mounting platform performs a parking process for the charging base station where the idle charging host is located. Specifically, this parking process includes step S905 in Figure 9. In step S905, the charging host mounting platform 2 opens its positioning module 203 to clamp the parking fixing beam 403, thus forming a locked state with the parking fixing beam 403 of the charging base station 4. In this locked state, the communication and power supply module 202 above the positioning module 203 interfaces with the communication and power supply module 404 on the parking fixing beam 403, enabling the charging base station 4 to supply power to the charging host mounting platform 2 and communicate with it.

[0078] Then, proceeding to step S830, the charging host mounting platform performs the mounting process for the charging host. Specifically, the mounting process in step S830 includes the following sub-steps S906 to S914. First, the push-and-retract module 205 pushes towards the charging base station 4 (S906). The proximity sensor 209 of the charging host mounting platform 2 senses the distance between the push-and-retract module 205 and the charging host 3 (S907) and determines whether a predetermined position has been reached (S908). If the predetermined position is reached, the limiting component 204 opens to lock the charging host 3 and the push-and-retract module 205 (S909), and the push-and-retract module 205, carrying the charging host 3, retracts it from the locking track 402 to the walking track 206 via the walking module 302 (S910).

[0079] The proximity sensor 209 senses the position of the push-and-retract module 205 (S911) and determines whether the push-and-retract module 205 has reached the predetermined position (S912). After determining that the charging host 3 has been received into the predetermined position, the limiting component 204 is released (S913), and the positioning component 303 of the charging host 3 and the limiting component 204 of the charging host mounting platform 2 are locked, so that the charging host 3 and the charging host mounting platform 2 are locked together (S914). Thus, the pile finding process (S720) ends.

[0080] Next, the process proceeds to step S730, where the charging host mounting platform, equipped with the charging host, executes the charging host transportation process to the target charging base station based on the received charging command. This charging host transportation process specifically includes sub-steps S915 to S917.

[0081] First, the positioning module 203 of the charging host mounting platform 2 releases, releasing the locking state with the parking fixing beam 403 (S915). Then, the charging host mounting platform 2, carrying the charging host 3, moves to the target charging base station 4 via the walking module 201 on the walking guide rail 101 (S916). The relative position of the charging host mounting platform 2 with the charging base station 4 is calibrated by the base station position identifier 207. The positioning module 203 clamps the parking fixing beam to form a locking state with the parking fixing beam 403 of the target charging base station (S917).

[0082] Next, the process proceeds to step S740, where the charging host mounting platform 2 unloads the charging host 3 and connects the charging host to the target charging base station. Specifically, step S740 includes the following sub-steps S918 to S927.

[0083] First, the limiting component 204 of the charging host mounting platform 2 opens (S918), locking the charging host 3 with the push-and-retract module 205 (S919). Then, the push-and-retract module 205 pushes the charging host 3 towards the target charging base station 4 (S920), allowing the charging host 3 to travel along the travel track 206 of the charging host mounting platform 2 to the locking track 402 of the charging base station 4. The proximity sensor 209 senses the position of the push-and-retract module 205 (S921) and determines whether a predetermined position has been reached (S922). If it is determined that the charging host 3 has reached the predetermined position, the limiting component 204 releases (S923), the positioning component 303 of the charging host 3 locks with the locking track 402 (S924), and the moving plug module 301 of the charging host 3 forms an electrical connection with the stationary plug module 401 of the charging base station 4 (S925). Thus, the charging host 3 completes a charging protocol handshake with the vehicle through the charging gun 407 (S927).

[0084] Following step S740, the process proceeds to initialization step S750 and charging and billing step S760. In step S750, the charging host mounting platform is initialized to an idle state. This initialization step S750 further includes steps S928 to S932. Specifically, the push-and-retract module 205 retracts towards the charging host mounting platform 2 (S928), the position of the push-and-retract module 205 is sensed (S929), and it is determined whether a predetermined position has been reached (S930). If the predetermined position is reached, the push-and-retract module 205 returns to its initial state (S931), and the state of the charging host mounting platform 2 is changed to an idle state (S932), thus ending the charging station retrieval process.

[0085] In the charging billing step S760, the charging host 3 starts to supply power to the vehicle and bill (S927), at which point the charging control process ends.

[0086] In summary, the technical solution of this invention effectively solves the problem of parking space occupancy exceeding the time limit for new energy vehicles to recharge, improves parking space utilization, and enhances the user's charging experience.

[0087] While the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, these embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent variations or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rail-mounted vehicle charging device, which is suspended on a guide rail suspended from the ceiling of a parking lot, wherein multiple charging base stations are arranged along the guide rail corresponding to the parking spaces in the parking lot, the vehicle charging device comprising: A charging host mounting platform (2) that can be mounted on a walking guide rail includes a platform body (200) and a limiting component (204), a push-and-retract module (205), and a walking rail (206) disposed at the bottom of the platform body; and The charging host (3) is mounted on the lower part of the charging host mounting platform in a detachable manner, and includes a dynamic plug-in module (301). When the moving plug-in module of the charging host and the static plug-in module of the charging base station are connected and electrically connected, the charging host and the charging base station are electrically connected, so that the charging base station supplies AC power to the charging host and supplies DC power converted by the charging host to the charging gun on the charging base station side.

2. The car charging device according to claim 1, wherein, The main body of the charging host mounting platform includes: a walking module (201), a positioning module (203), and a communication and power supply module (202) arranged on the top of the main body of the platform. Furthermore, the charging host mounting platform also includes a charging base station location identifier (207) and an obstacle detector (208) mounted on the outer periphery of the platform body.

3. The car charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The positioning module of the charging host mounting platform is a clamping mechanism. Furthermore, when the positioning module grips the parking fixing beam of the charging base station, the charging host mounting platform and the charging base station form a locked state. When the positioning module releases the parking fixing beam of the charging base station, the locking state between the charging host mounting platform and the charging base station is released.

4. The car charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The charging unit also includes: A walking module (302) is arranged on top of the charging host; and The positioning component (303) is a movable mechanism and is located on the side of the charging host facing away from the charging base station. The positioning component of the charging host matches the limiting component of the charging host mounting platform. The positioning component is released or locked by opening or releasing the limiting component. When the push-and-retract module and the charging host are to be locked, the limiting component is opened and the positioning component of the charging host is pushed outward in the longitudinal direction until the limiting component and the positioning component of the charging host are locked. When it is time to release the locking state between the push-and-retract module and the charging host, the limiting component is released and the positioning component of the charging host is retracted inward along the longitudinal direction, so that the limiting component is released from locking with the positioning component of the charging host.

5. The car charging device according to claim 4, wherein, The running track of the charging host mounting platform matches the locking track of the charging base station. When the charging host mounting platform is locked to the charging base station, the traveling track of the charging host mounting platform and the locking track of the charging base station are connected to form a horizontal track.

6. A charging base station for a rail-mounted vehicle charging device, comprising: Main frame (400); Arrange the parking fixing beam (403) at the top of the main frame; Communication and power supply module (404) fixed to the parking beam; A locking rail (402) is fixed to the main frame body below the parking beam. The static plug-in module (401) is arranged on the inner side of the lower part of the main frame; and A charging gun terminal (405) is arranged on the lower side of the frame body, and a charging gun (407) is electrically connected to the charging gun terminal via a charging cable (406). Specifically, when the moving plug-in module of the charging host and the static plug-in module of the charging base station are connected and electrically connected, the charging host and the charging base station are electrically connected, enabling the charging base station to supply AC power to the charging host and DC power converted by the charging host to the charging base station.

7. The charging base station according to claim 6, wherein, The locking track is equipped with locking holes, which cooperate with the positioning components of the charging host to lock the charging host and the charging base station.

8. A rail-mounted vehicle charging system, comprising: A frame-type guide rail structure (1) installed on the top of the parking lot includes: a travel guide rail (101) arranged above the parking spaces of the parking lot and suspended through it. An automobile charging device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which can be mounted on a travel rail. The charging base station (4) according to claim 6 or 7; and A charging terminal (5) that can store the charging gun is arranged in accordance with the parking spaces in the parking lot.

9. The vehicle charging system according to claim 8, wherein, The charging terminal includes a charging gun holder (501) fixed thereon for storing the charging gun.

10. The vehicle charging system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The charging terminal can be installed using any of the following methods: ground-mounted, suspended, or wall-mounted.

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