Patent Application
20230242002
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a vehicle battery swap technology, and in particular, to a battery swap platform, a battery swap station, and a battery swap method.
With the development of automobile technology, new energy vehicles have become the mainstream development trend of automobile industry. A battery swap station is an automated apparatus for swapping a battery for an electric vehicle.
As shown in
The parking platform 11 is configured to park a vehicle, the wheel alignment mechanism 13 is configured to position the vehicle at a designated position of the parking platform 11, the vehicle hoister 12 is configured to lift the vehicle parked on the parking platform 11 to a set height, and the rail guided vehicle 14 is configured to implement horizontal transport of a battery, vertical lifting of the battery, and a battery mounting/dismounting operation.
In the prior art, since the rail guided vehicle 14 directly travels on the parking platform 11, when the battery mounting/dismounting operation is performed for the vehicle on the parking platform 11, the vehicle hoister 12 must substantially lift the vehicle, leaving a moving space for the rail guided vehicle 14. As a result, a driver and a passenger have to leave the vehicle when the battery is being swapped for the vehicle. This not only increases the total time taken for vehicle battery swap, but also brings a poor battery swap experience to the vehicle owner, and there is also a risk of falling while the vehicle is being substantially lifted.
Furthermore, in the prior art, the battery is completely exposed in a visible range during conveying, which is easy to cause the risks of a collision to personnel and the battery being contaminated by intrusion of foreign objects, posing a potential safety hazard.
In view of the foregoing problems, the disclosure provides a battery swap platform, a battery swap station, and a battery swap method, to overcome or at least partially solve the foregoing problems.
A first aspect of the disclosure provides a battery swap platform, including:
Optionally, the opening and closing mechanism includes one of a bidirectional door opening structure and a unilateral door opening structure.
Optionally, the opening and closing mechanism includes one of a single-layer compartment door structure and a multi-layer linkage layered door structure.
Optionally, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is capable of being lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism to switch between an operating state and a non-operating state, wherein when the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is in the operating state, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is capable of extending out of the accommodating mechanism through the opening, and when the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is in the non-operating state, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is entirely received in the accommodating mechanism.
Optionally, when the opening and closing mechanism closes the opening of the accommodating mechanism, the vehicle is enabled to enter or leave the parking mechanism.
Optionally, the parking mechanism further includes a wheel alignment device configured to position wheels of the vehicle, such that the vehicle is parked on the parking mechanism.
Optionally, the battery swap platform further includes a vehicle hoisting mechanism, which is arranged in the accommodating mechanism and which is configured to slightly lift the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism, to cause the vehicle to be arranged horizontally.
Optionally, the battery swap platform further includes a vehicle hoisting mechanism, which is arranged on the parking mechanism and which is configured to slightly lift the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism, to cause the vehicle to be arranged horizontally.
Optionally, the vehicle hoisting mechanism causes the vehicle to be arranged horizontally by slightly lifting the wheel alignment device.
Optionally, the vehicle hoisting mechanism includes one of a scissor lift, a lead screw hoister, and a hydraulic jack hoister.
Optionally, the parking mechanism includes a first parking sub-mechanism and a second parking sub-mechanism, and the accommodating mechanism is naturally formed by the first parking sub-mechanism and the second parking sub-mechanism that are arranged separately from each other.
Optionally, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism includes a rail guided vehicle.
A second aspect of the disclosure provides a battery swap station, including:
Optionally, the battery storage mechanism includes two battery storage racks and a lifting device arranged between the two battery storage racks.
Optionally, the battery storage rack includes a plurality of battery compartments arranged in a stacked manner, and the lifting device can be lifted or lowered in a vertical direction of the battery storage rack so as to be docked with one of the plurality of battery compartments.
Optionally, the battery swap station further includes charging devices which are respectively arranged in the battery compartments and are configured to be electrically connected to batteries stored in the battery compartments for charging.
Optionally, the battery storage mechanism includes a plurality of battery storage racks arranged side-by-side on a single side of the lifting device, and the lifting device can move in a horizontal direction of the battery storage racks so as to be docked with one of the plurality of battery storage racks.
A third aspect of the disclosure provides a battery swap method applied to the battery swap platform according to the first aspect, the method including: controlling the opening and closing mechanism to close the opening of the accommodating mechanism, to enable the vehicle to enter the parking mechanism; controlling the opening and closing mechanism to open the opening of the accommodating mechanism after the vehicle is parked on the parking mechanism; controlling the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism to switch from a non-operating state to an operating state so as to extend out of the accommodating mechanism through the opening, to perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle; controlling the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism to switch from the operating state to the non-operating state so as to be completely received in the accommodating mechanism after the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism completes the battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle; and controlling the opening and closing mechanism to close the opening of the accommodating mechanism, to enable the vehicle to leave the parking mechanism.
Optionally, after the vehicle is parked on the parking mechanism and before the opening and closing mechanism is controlled to open the opening of the accommodating mechanism, the method further includes controlling the wheel alignment device to position wheels of the vehicle, such that the vehicle is positioned on the parking mechanism.
Optionally, after the vehicle is parked on the parking mechanism and before the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism performs a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle, the method further includes controlling the vehicle hoisting mechanism to slightly lift the vehicle positioned on the parking mechanism, to cause the vehicle to be arranged horizontally.
It can be seen from the foregoing technical solutions that, in the battery swap platform provided in the embodiments of the disclosure, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism is transferred to the accommodating mechanism below the parking mechanism, and the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism to extend out of the accommodating structure, and perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle. After the battery mounting/dismounting operation is completed, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism can be lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism so as to be entirely received in the accommodating mechanism. Therefore, there is no need to reserve an operating space for the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism, so that when the battery mounting/dismounting operation is performed for the vehicle, the vehicle hoisting mechanism only needs to slightly lift the vehicle to a horizontal state, and a driver and a passenger do not need to leave the vehicle, which can improve the battery swap experience of the vehicle owner, reduce the total time taken for the vehicle battery swap operation, and improve the safety of the battery swap operation.
To illustrate the technical solutions in embodiments of the disclosure or in the prior art more clearly, a brief introduction to the drawings required for the embodiments or the prior art will be provided below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely some of the embodiments of the disclosure, and those of ordinary skills in the art would also obtain other drawings according to these drawings.
1: Battery swap platform; 11: Parking platform; 12: Vehicle hoister; 13: Wheel alignment mechanism; 14: Rail guided vehicle; 2: Battery swap platform; 21: Parking mechanism; 21A: First parking sub-mechanism; 21B: Second parking sub-mechanism; 211: Wheel alignment device; 22: Accommodating mechanism; 221: Opening; 23: Opening and closing mechanism; 231, 232: Compartment door; 24: Battery mounting/dismounting mechanism; 25: Vehicle hoisting mechanism; 3: Battery swap station; 31: Electrical room; 32: Control room; 4: Battery storage mechanism; 41A, 41B: Battery storage rack; 411: Battery compartment; 42: Lifting device; 5: Battery docking mechanism; 6: Vehicle
To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of the disclosure, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art shall fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the disclosure.
The specific implementation of the embodiments of the disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the disclosure.
As shown in
The parking mechanism 21 is configured to park a vehicle.
Optionally, the parking mechanism 21 is further provided with a wheel alignment device 211 configured to position wheels of the vehicle, such that the vehicle is stably parked on the parking mechanism 21.
The accommodating mechanism 22 is arranged below the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism 21 and has an opening 211.
In this embodiment, the parking mechanism 21 includes a first parking sub-mechanism 21A and a second parking sub-mechanism 21B, and the accommodating mechanism 22 is naturally formed by the first parking sub-mechanism 21A and the second parking sub-mechanism 21B that are arranged separately from each other.
The opening and closing mechanism 23 is arranged on the accommodating mechanism 22 and can move relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to open or close the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22.
Optionally, the opening and closing mechanism 23 may include at least one compartment door, and the opening and closing mechanism 23 can slide relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to open or close the opening of the accommodating mechanism 22.
Referring to
In another embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism 23 may be designed as a single-layer compartment door structure including a single layer of panel (i.e., the embodiment shown in
In addition, a material of the compartment doors 231, 232 in the opening and closing mechanism 23 is not limited in the disclosure, and the compartment doors may be made of a material with sufficient hardness, or may be designed as soft material doors (e.g., retractable doors and roller shutter doors).
In this embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism 23 opens the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the accommodating mechanism 22 may be in communication with the parking mechanism 21 located above the accommodating mechanism. When the opening and closing mechanism 23 closes the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the accommodating mechanism 22 is separated from the parking mechanism 21 by means of the opening and closing mechanism 23.
The battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 is arranged in the accommodating mechanism 22 and can be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism 22.
Optionally, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 includes a rail guided vehicle.
In this embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism 23 opens the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to extend out of the accommodating mechanism 22 through the opening 221, and perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism 21.
Specifically, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 can be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to switch between an operating state and a non-operating state. When the opening and closing mechanism 23 opens the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to switch to the operating state. In this state, at least a part of the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 can extend out of the accommodating mechanism 22 through the opening 221, so as to perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism 21.
In another embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism 23 closes the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 may be in the non-operating state. In this state, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 is entirely received in the accommodating mechanism 22.
In this embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism 23 closes the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, the vehicle is enabled to enter or leave the parking mechanism 21.
In another embodiment, the battery swap platform 2 further includes a vehicle hoisting mechanism 25.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In another embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism 25 may also cause the vehicle to be arranged horizontally by slightly lifting the wheel alignment device 211.
In this embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism 25 may be a scissor lift, a lead screw hoister, a hydraulic jack hoister, etc., and the disclosure is not limited thereto. Other mechanical arrangements that can be used to lift the vehicle are applicable, which will not be limited in the disclosure.
The second embodiment of the disclosure provides a battery swap station 3.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the battery swap platform 2 is configured to mount or dismount a battery on or from a vehicle 6, the battery storage mechanism 4 is configured to store the battery, and the battery docking mechanism 5 connects the battery swap platform 2 to the battery storage mechanism 4 and is configured to convey the battery between the battery swap platform 2 and the battery storage mechanism 4.
In this embodiment, the battery storage mechanism 4 may include two battery storage racks 41A, 41B and a lifting device 42 arranged between the two battery storage racks 41A, 41B.
Optionally, each of the battery storage racks 41A, 41B includes a plurality of battery compartments 411 arranged in a stacked manner, and the lifting device 42 can be lifted or lowered in a vertical direction of the battery storage racks 41A, 41B so as to be docked with one of the plurality of battery compartments 411.
Optionally, a plurality of battery storage racks 41A, 41B may also be arranged side-by-side on a single side of the lifting device 42, and the lifting device 42 can move in a horizontal direction of the battery storage racks 41A, 41B so as to be docked with one of the plurality of battery storage racks 41A, 41B.
For example, a guide rail may be installed below the lifting device 42, so that the lifting device 42 can move along the guide rail between the plurality of battery storage racks 41A, 41B arranged side-by-side, thereby increasing the capacity of the battery compartment 411.
The battery docking mechanism 5 may be implemented by means of various structural designs. For example, the battery docking mechanism 5 may be a conveying mechanism such as a roller conveying line, a chain conveying line and a belt conveying line, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery docking mechanism 5 may also be presented by means of a guide rail cooperating with a docking vehicle, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the battery swap station 3 may further include charging devices (not shown) which are respectively arranged in the battery compartments 411 and are configured to be electrically connected to batteries stored in the battery compartments 411 for charging.
Referring to
In this embodiment, an example in which the vehicle hoisting mechanism 25 is arranged in the accommodating mechanism 22 is taken for description.
In step S91, the opening and closing mechanism 23 of the battery swap platform 2 is controlled to close the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, to enable the vehicle 6 to enter and be parked on the parking mechanism 21.
In this embodiment, a wheel alignment device 211 may be used to position wheels of the vehicle 6, such that the vehicle 6 is positioned at a designated position of the parking mechanism 21.
In step S92, the opening and closing mechanism 23 of the battery swap platform 11 is controlled to open the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22 after the vehicle 6 is positioned on the parking mechanism 21.
In step S93, the vehicle hoisting mechanism 25 is controlled to be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism 22, so as to slightly lift the vehicle 6 on the parking mechanism 21, to cause the vehicle 6 to be arranged horizontally (in a state shown in
In step S94, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 is controlled to be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to switch from a non-operating state to an operating state so as to extend out of the accommodating mechanism 22 through the opening 221 after the vehicle reaches the arranged horizontally state, and to perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle 6 (in a state shown in
In step S95, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism 24 is first controlled to be lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism 22 to switch from the operating state to the non-operating state after the battery mounting/dismounting operation is completed for the vehicle 6, and then the vehicle hoisting mechanism 25 is controlled to be lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism 22, so that the vehicle 6 is lowered back to the parking mechanism 21.
In step S96, the opening and closing mechanism 23 is controlled to close the opening 221 of the accommodating mechanism 22, to enable the vehicle 6 to leave the parking mechanism 21.
In summary, in the battery swap platform provided in the embodiments of the disclosure, the accommodating mechanism is arranged below the parking mechanism to transfer the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism to below the parking mechanism. When the accommodating mechanism is in the closed state, the vehicle is enabled to enter or leave the parking mechanism. When the vehicle is parked on the parking mechanism, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism can extend out of the accommodating mechanism by opening the accommodating mechanism, and perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle. In this way, in the disclosure, there is no need to reserve a moving space for the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism on a parking mechanism (the parking platform), so that during the battery mounting/dismounting operation, the vehicle only needs to be slightly lifted, so that the vehicle is in a horizontally arranged state. Therefore, battery swap can be completed without the need for a driver and a passenger to leave the vehicle, which can improve battery swap experience of the vehicle owner. Compared with the prior art in which it is required to substantially lift the vehicle to a preset height, the embodiments of the disclosure can significantly reduce a risk of accidental falling of the vehicle, improve safety of battery swap operation, and reduce the total time taken for vehicle battery swap.
Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely used for illustrating rather than limiting the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure. Although the disclosure has been illustrated in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features therein may be equivalently substituted, but these modifications or substitutions do not make the essence of corresponding technical solutions depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202010596061.4 | Jun 2020 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2021/095155 | 5/21/2021 | WO |
