AGV Battery Module Swapping for Reduced Charging Downtime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic charging devices for AGVs require the vehicle to be fully charged within the device, resulting in downtime and wasted time as the AGV cannot operate during charging.
Innovation Solution
A battery replacement method and device that allows for quick replacement of the AGV's battery module, using a battery replacement station with a lifting rack, positioning mechanisms, and a battery removal/installation mechanism to position, remove, and install battery modules efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic charging device is used to charge the battery of the AGV, then the battery can be charged, but the AGV cannot work during charging and a lot of time will be wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into replaceable battery modules that can be independently exchanged. The AGV battery compartment is designed to accept quick-swap battery modules, allowing the battery replacement to be performed as a modular operation rather than requiring full charging cycles, thus reducing downtime while maintaining power supply continuity.
2Loss of time
If battery replacement is performed quickly, then downtime is reduced, but positioning and installation precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The battery replacement device performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the battery module in the correct orientation and location before the actual installation. The positioning mechanism pre-aligns the battery module with the AGV battery compartment, ensuring that when the module is inserted, it automatically engages with the correct positioning features, thus achieving both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated positioning mechanism that uses guide rails, positioning pins, and alignment features to automatically ensure precise battery module placement. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for manual alignment while maintaining high positioning precision during quick replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a battery replacement method and a battery replacement device for an AGV. The method comprises the following steps: placing a battery removal/installation mechanism below the AGV; docking the old battery module on the AGV with the battery removal/installation mechanism and releasing a connection between the old battery module and the AGV; detaching the old battery module from the battery module assembly area of the AGV; removing the old battery module from the battery removal/installation mechanism and docking a new battery module with the battery removal/installation mechanism; moving the new battery module relative to the AGV to place the new battery module in the battery module assembly area and establish a connection between the new battery module and the AGV. The device includes a lifting rack, a lifting-rack lifting mechanism and a battery removal/installation mechanism; the lifting-rack lifting mechanism is configured to raise and lower the lifting rack; the battery removal/installation mechanism is configured to dock, when located below the AGV, with a battery module and release or establish a connection between the battery module.