A battery disassembly and repair platform

Abstract

The present invention relates to a platform (1) which is used for the repair or fault diagnosis of electric vehicle batteries and can be lowered and raised, wherein the batteries can be removed, and repairs can be carried out.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A BATTERY DISASSEMBLY AND REPAIR PLATFORM

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a platform which is used for the repair or fault diagnosis of electric vehicle batteries and can be lowered and raised, wherein the batteries can be removed, and repairs can be carried out.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Electric vehicles are becoming more common every day and the battery packs at the heart of electric vehicles need to be safely repaired, removed from the vehicle and even dismantled when necessary. However, the process of removing and repairing electric vehicle battery packs from the vehicle brings serious safety risks due to the high voltage and complex electrochemical structure of the battery packs, as well as mechanical difficulties such as the large volume and weight of the battery packs and the need to rotate the battery packs 180° generally for repair operations. The said risks can be listed as dropping the battery pack during the removal process from the vehicle, occurrence of situations that may threaten occupational health and safety, damaging the battery pack in a way that cannot be reused or repaired, breaking the cooling plate or connectors of the battery pack by hitting the parts under the vehicle during assembly from under the vehicle, electrical leaks and even fire situations. In the state of the art, effective and safe solutions to deal with the said risks are limited. Generally, such risks are eliminated through training at personnel level, but no definitive and permanent measures can be taken.

[0007] Today, for electric vehicle repair operations, the vehicle is usually first lifted onto a lift, a fixture is placed under the lift, and the battery is lowered onto this fixturetogether with the vehicle. After the fixture system takes the entire load of the battery directly on itself, first the electrical connectors of the battery pack and then the vehicle connection bolts are removed. Once all connection interfaces have been disassembled, the lift is lifted up again and the battery remains on the fixture. The said fixture is then removed from underneath the vehicle by means of a wheel mechanism or a forklift. The battery pack is transferred from the removal fixture to the disassembly fixture by means of a forklift. The disassembly fixture is an external system that allows the battery pack to be rotated via the positioner located next to the repair station and the bottom cover to be opened. After the mechanical connections are completed on the disassembly fixture, the battery pack is connected to the positioner rotation mechanism with the disassembly fixture by means of a forklift. After the battery pack is safely rotated in the rotation mechanism, the repair operation starts by opening the bottom cover. As can be seen from the said steps, in the prior art, it is necessary to use more than one apparatus and mechanism and to take separate precautions against possible accidents. It also requires a lot of mechanical subsystem investment in a workshop. For this reason, there is a need for solutions that are faster, practical, safe, take up less space and functionally useful.

[0008] The International patent document no. WO2014204614A1, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a mechanism designed to lift the electric vehicle battery pack. The invention comprises a battery pack lifting mechanism. The mechanism consists of a frame equipped with nut runners arranged according to the battery pack connection arrangement in the vehicle. It also has a lifting mechanism designed to raise and lower the frame with respect to the vehicle. The mechanism comprises a first air bearing between the frame and the lifter, which allows relative movement between these components. In addition, a second air bearing is placed above the frame to facilitate relative movement between the frame and the battery pack.

[0009] Summary of the InventionAn object of the present invention is to realize a platform which ensures the safety of workers and workspaces by minimizing the safety risks that may arise during the disassembly of the battery pack from the vehicle or during repair operations.

[0010] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0011] “A Battery Disassembly and Repair Platform” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

[0012] Figure l is a perspective view of an inventive platform.

[0013] The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0014] 1. Platform

[0015] 2. Frame

[0016] 3. Leg

[0017] 4. Rotator

[0018] 5. Scissor mechanism

[0019] 6. Container

[0020] 7. Drive mechanism

[0021] B: Battery pack

[0022] An inventive platform (1) which enables the removal of battery packs from the vehicle or repair operations to be carried out and ensures the safety of workers and workspaces by minimizing the safety risks that may arise comprises;

[0023] at least one frame (2) which has more than one pins thereon used for indexing to the battery pack (B) in the electric vehicle and enables the indexed battery pack (B) to be separated from the vehicle;at least two legs (3) which are located on two opposite sides of the frame (2) and are positioned at their ends on the frame (2);

[0024] at least two rotators (4) which are located at the connection point of the frame (2) and the leg (3) in a way as to be on the leg (3) and enable the frame (2) to be rotated;

[0025] at least one scissor mechanism (5) wherein the legs (3) are located thereon from their lower ends without the rotator (4) and which is configured to provide the movement of the frame (2) in a vertical direction, including the movement of the frame (2) towards the battery for removal process and the downward movement of the frame (2) for separating the battery from the vehicle after removal process;

[0026] at least one container (6) which is filled with water and enables the battery separated from the vehicle to be drowned therein, when necessary, wherein the scissor mechanism (5) performs the elevator movement therein; and at least one drive mechanism (7) which enables the container (6) to be placed under the vehicle and to be moved away from under the vehicle by providing movement of it.

[0027] The frame (2) included in an inventive platform (1) is located on the legs (3) and is rotated 360 degrees by means of the rotator (4). The frame (2) is moved in a vertical direction by means of the scissor mechanism (5) and is brought closer to the vehicle whose battery is to be removed. The frame (2) has more than one pin used for indexing it to the battery to be removed thereon and attaches to the battery when it is brought closer to the vehicle. The frame (2) is locked to the battery by the locking mechanism that comes out of it after the pin is fitted. The frame (2) is attachable and detachable to the legs (3) and is separated from the legs after the battery is removed and rotated.

[0028] The leg (3) included in an inventive platform (1) is in a detachable structure for the repair of the battery after the battery pack (B) has been removed and rotated. In this way, a suitable environment is created for the repair of the battery.The rotator (4) included in an inventive platform (1) is moved by an electric motor and enables the frame (2) to be rotated 360°. The rotator (4) enables the battery separated from the vehicle to be rotated around its own axis.

[0029] The scissor mechanism (5) included in an inventive platform (1) is located inside the container (6), is used for lowering and raising the frame (2), and is used to enable the frame (2) to be brought closer to the vehicle for the removal of the battery and the removed battery to be moved away from the vehicle. The scissor mechanism (5) is moved by means of an electric motor. Upon raising the scissor mechanism (5), the reference pins located on the frame (2) are enabled to be indexed to the battery. After the battery is manually removed, the scissor mechanism (5) is moved downwards and is moved away from the vehicle for the repair of the battery.

[0030] The container (6) included in an inventive platform (1) has the scissor mechanism (5) thereon and is inserted under the vehicle for the removal of the battery by being moved with the drive mechanism (7). The container (6) contains water within it and enables the battery to be drowned in water in case of an emergency situation occurs in the battery.

[0031] The drive mechanism (7) included in an inventive platform (1) enables the container (6) to be inserted under the vehicle together with the scissor mechanism (5) for the removal and repair of the battery pack. The drive mechanism (7) moves the frame (2) in a way so that it is in a position corresponding to the reference points of the battery pack under the battery pack. In this way, the pins are indexed to the battery by raising the scissor mechanism (5).

[0032] When the inventive platform (1) is desired to be used, it is inserted under the lifted and raised vehicle by means of the drive mechanism (7). The frame (2) is placed under the battery pack by means of the drive mechanism (7) in a positioncorresponding to the reference points of the battery pack. After the frame (2) is placed, it is approached towards the vehicle by the scissor mechanism (5) and the pins are enabled to be properly fitted to the battery. After the battery is manually removed, the scissor mechanism (5) is moved downwards and then the battery is moved away from the vehicle by means of the drive mechanism (7). After the frame (2) is removed from the vehicle, it is rotated 180° with the help of the rotator (3) and the battery pack (B) is brought to the appropriate position so that the bottom cover remains above in the vertical axis. Then, the scissor mechanism (5) is brought to the height where the personnel who will perform the repair operation can work.

[0033] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “A Battery Disassembly and Repair Platform (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A platform (1) which enables the removal of battery packs from the vehicle or repair operations to be carried out and ensures the safety of workers and workspaces by minimizing the safety risks that may arise; characterized by at least one frame (2) which has more than one pins thereon used for indexing to the battery pack (B) in the electric vehicle and enables the indexed battery pack (B) to be separated from the vehicle;at least two legs (3) which are located on two opposite sides of the frame (2) and are positioned at their ends on the frame (2);at least two rotators (4) which are located at the connection point of the frame (2) and the leg (3) in a way as to be on the leg (3) and enable the frame (2) to be rotated;at least one scissor mechanism (5) wherein the legs (3) are located thereon from their lower ends without the rotator (4) and which is configured to provide the movement of the frame (2) in a vertical direction, including the movement of the frame (2) towards the battery for removal process and the downward movement of the frame (2) for separating the battery from the vehicle after removal process;at least one container (6) which is filled with water and enables the battery separated from the vehicle to be drowned therein, when necessary, wherein the scissor mechanism (5) performs the elevator movement therein; and at least one drive mechanism (7) which enables the container (6) to be placed under the vehicle and to be moved away from under the vehicle by providing movement of it.

2. A platform (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the frame (2) which is located on the legs (3) and is rotated 360 degrees by means of the rotator (4).

3. A platform (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the frame (2) which is moved in a vertical direction by means of the scissor mechanism (5) and is brought closer to the vehicle whose battery is to be removed.

4. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the frame (2) which has more than one pin used for indexing it to the battery to be removed thereon and attaches to the battery when it is brought closer to the vehicle.

5. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the frame (2) which is locked to the battery by the locking mechanism that comes out of it after the pin is fitted.

6. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the frame (2) which is attachable and detachable to the legs (3) and is separated from the legs after the battery is removed and rotated.

7. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the leg (3) which is in a detachable structure for the repair of the battery after the battery pack (B) has been removed and rotated.

8. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the rotator (4) which is moved by an electric motor and enables the frame (2) to be rotated 360°.

9. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the scissor mechanism (5) which is located inside the container (6), is used for lowering and raising the frame (2), and is used to enable the frame (2) to be brought closer to the vehicle for the removal of the battery and the removed battery to be moved away from the vehicle.

10. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the scissor mechanism (5) which is moved by means of an electric motor.

11. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the scissor mechanism (5) which enables the reference pins located on the frame (2) to be indexed to the battery upon being raised.

12. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the container (6) which has the scissor mechanism (5) thereon and is inserted under the vehicle for the removal of the battery by being moved with the drive mechanism (7).

13. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the drive mechanism (7) which enables the container (6) to be inserted under the vehicle together with the scissor mechanism (5) for the removal and repair of the battery pack.

14. A platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the drive mechanism (7) which moves the frame (2) in a way so that it is in a position corresponding to the reference points of the battery pack under the battery pack.

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