Low-Profile Battery Swap Platform With Side Jacking Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lift-type battery swap stations face issues with space occupation, limited user field of view, and inconvenient vehicle entry due to the presence of lifting columns, which increase the platform height and hinder the battery swap experience.

Innovation Solution

A battery swap platform design featuring retractable jacking devices and positioning mechanisms that reduce the platform height, minimize space occupation, and improve user access, incorporating multi-stage jacking components and centering mechanisms for precise positioning and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lifting columns are used to raise the vehicle, then the vehicle can be lifted for battery swapping, but the platform height increases and occupies space on the upper side, limiting user field of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle lifting capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied on upper side of platform
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving lifting devices from vertical columns to horizontal arrangements on side edges. The lifting devices are positioned along the width direction edges of the platform rather than vertically in the center, transforming the problem from vertical space occupation to horizontal edge placement, thus clearing the upper central space for user visibility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the lifting function from traditional vertical columns and relocates it to side-mounted devices. By separating the lifting mechanism from the central vertical space and placing it on the platform's side edges, the design removes the obstruction to user field of view while preserving the essential vehicle lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If lifting columns are used to raise the vehicle, then the vehicle can be lifted for battery swapping, but the platform height increases making it inconvenient for users to get off the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle lifting capabilityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates lifting devices from vertical columns to horizontal side-mounted positions. This dimensional change allows the platform to remain low to the ground while still providing sufficient lift, as the lifting action occurs laterally rather than vertically from the ground, improving user accessibility.

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

3Reliability

If lifting devices are arranged under wheel positioning devices, then the vehicle can be lifted, but the overall height of the platform increases excessively, hindering vehicle entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle lifting capabilityVSAvoidplatform height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions lifting devices on the side edges of the platform in the width direction rather than underneath in the vertical direction. This lateral arrangement allows lifting functionality while maintaining a low platform profile, as the lifting mechanism extends horizontally from the side rather than vertically from the ground.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lifting function into separate side-mounted devices rather than using a centralized vertical lifting column. This segmentation allows the platform body to remain low while distributing the lifting capability across multiple side-positioned actuators, preventing excessive overall height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4417462A1Battery swap platform and battery charging and swapping station
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • EP4417462A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4417462A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4417462A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of battery charging and swapping, and in particular to a battery swap platform (10) and a battery charging and swapping station. The disclosure aims to solve the problems existing in the lift-type battery charging and swapping station, such as large upper space occupation, limited field of view, and too large platform height. To this end, the battery swap platform (10) of the disclosure comprises: a platform body (11), a first mounting groove (111) and a second mounting groove (112) being formed on and extending in a width direction thereof; a front-wheel positioning device (12) arranged at the first mounting groove (111); a rear-wheel positioning device (13) arranged at the second mounting groove (112); two first jacking devices (14) arranged on two sides of the front-wheel positioning device (12) in the width direction, each device (14) being provided with a retractable first jacking component connected to one end of the front-wheel positioning device (12); and two second jacking devices (15) arranged on two sides of the rear-wheel positioning device (13) in the width direction, each device (15) being provided with a retractable second jacking component connected to one end of the rear-wheel positioning device (13). The disclosure can reduce the space occupied by the jacking devices (14,15), reduce the height of the battery swap platform (10), and improve the user's battery swap experience.