Angled Screw Tool for Compact EV Battery Swapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual battery swapping in new energy vehicle battery swap stations is inefficient and not suitable for industrial applications, necessitating an automated solution for rapid and efficient battery swapping.

Innovation Solution

A screwing tool with an electric motor, speed reducer, and crossed-axis gearing mechanism, arranged at an angle, is integrated into a vehicle battery swap device to facilitate compact design and high-torque output, enabling efficient battery swapping operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional screwing tool with electric motor and speed reducer arranged along the axis is used, then the structure is simple, but the overall length is long and occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging the electric motor and speed reducer at an angle (specifically 90 degrees) relative to the screwing head axis rather than along the same axis. This spatial reconfiguration reduces the overall length and space occupation of the tool while maintaining all necessary functional components, directly resolving the contradiction between compact size and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If a small-sized electric motor is used to reduce size, then the overall tool size is reduced, but the torque output is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool sizeVSAvoidtorque output
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dimensionality change by positioning the electric motor and speed reducer perpendicular to the screwing head axis. This angular arrangement allows a compact, small-sized motor to generate sufficient torque by optimizing the mechanical advantage through the angled transmission path, thereby achieving both reduced size and adequate torque output simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If manual battery swapping is used, then the equipment complexity is low, but the swapping efficiency is low and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswapping efficiencyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through the automated screwing tool that performs battery swapping operations autonomously. The tool integrates the electric motor, speed reducer, and screwing head into a self-contained system that can automatically secure and release batteries without manual intervention, thereby dramatically improving swapping efficiency while the modular design keeps equipment complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compact screwing tool design reduces the overall length and space requirements, enhances torque output with a small-sized electric motor, and improves the efficiency of battery swapping operations in new energy vehicle battery swap stations.

Implementation Method 1

the crossed-axis gearing mechanism is a bevel gear mechanism, the first member is a first bevel gear, the second member is a second bevel gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBevel gear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

the crossed-axis gearing mechanism is a worm and worm gear mechanism, a worm gear in the worm and worm gear mechanism is connected to the screwing head, and a worm in the worm and worm gear mechanism is connected to the speed reducer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm and worm gear mechanism: Worm Drive

Implementation Method 3

the screwing tool is further provided with a biasing member which biases the screwing head and the first member in opposite directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

the biasing member is a coil spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoil spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3736089B1Twisting tool and automobile battery swap device comprising same
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 NIO ANHUI HLDG CO LTD
  • EP3736089B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed are a screwing tool and a vehicle battery swap device comprising same. The screwing tool comprises an electric motor (1), a speed reducer (2), and a screwing head (3), wherein the electric motor (1) is connected to the speed reducer (2), the electric motor (1) drives the screwing head (3) by means of the speed reducer (2), and the electric motor (1) and the speed reducer (2) are arranged at an angle with respect to an axis of the screwing head (3).