Battery Charging Connector Rack With Floating Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery swap technologies face challenges such as large device spaces, complex operations, poor reliability, high manufacturing costs, and maintenance difficulties, which hinder the widespread adoption and commercial operation of battery swap systems for new energy vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A battery charging device with a compact structure, featuring a first bracket, a second bracket, a charging terminal unit with a first connector, and a driving unit that allows for horizontal floating and twisting movements, enabling efficient engagement and disengagement of the battery charging interface, thus improving reliability and maintainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional battery swap devices are used, then battery charging function is provided, but device space occupied is large and structure is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice spaceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device is divided into independent modules: first bracket, second bracket, charging terminal unit, and driving unit. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging terminal unit is nested between the first and second brackets, with the second bracket movable relative to the first. The connector is nested within the charging terminal unit structure, allowing multiple components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and minimizing the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If fixed connector positioning is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but engagement reliability is poor due to positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second bracket is designed to move horizontally relative to the first bracket, transforming the rigid fixed-position connector into a dynamic adjustable connector. This movement capability allows the connector to adapt to positioning errors and maintain reliable engagement without requiring overly complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The horizontal position parameter of the second bracket is changed to enable the connector to adjust its location. By varying this positional parameter, the system compensates for manufacturing tolerances and positioning errors, improving engagement reliability without adding complex mechanical adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If manual connector engagement is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but operation complexity increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging operation speedVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driving unit automatically drives the second bracket to move horizontally, enabling the connector to autonomously engage with or disengage from the battery terminal connector. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, improving both operational speed and simplicity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical engagement operation is replaced by an automated driving unit that provides horizontal movement force. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with an automated actuation system increases charging operation speed while maintaining ease of operation through automatic execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If rigid connector connection is used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but adaptability to positioning variations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning adaptabilityVSAvoidconnector positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid fixed-position connector is replaced by a dynamic connector mounted on the movable second bracket. This dynamic structure inherently adapts to positioning variations through its movement capability, eliminating the need for extremely high manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The horizontal position parameter of the connector is made variable through the movable second bracket. This parameter change capability allows the connector to adapt to different positioning scenarios, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while improving positioning adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3761474B1Battery charging device, battery storage frame and battery operation platform
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 NIO ANHUI HLDG CO LTD
  • EP3761474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3761474B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery charging device, a battery storage rack and a battery operation platform. The battery charging device is used to charge a battery in a storage space of the battery storage rack, and comprises: a first bracket installed on the battery storage rack; a charging terminal unit provided with a first connector, one end of the first connector being connected to a power source for supplying electrical energy, and the other end thereof being configured to match a battery terminal connector on the battery for charging the battery after the first connector is engaged with the battery terminal connector; a second bracket arranged adjacent to the first bracket, the charging terminal unit being installed on the second bracket; a driving unit configured to provide a driving force to move the second bracket relative to the first bracket, so as to cause the first connector to engage with or disengage from the battery terminal connector. The invention has many advantages such as compact structure, small footprint, reliable functional operation, good maintainability and low costs.