Patent Description:
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. For example, published document <CIT> discloses a battery swap platform and a battery swap station for electrical vehicles, wherein the battery swap platform is configured to park a vehicle thereon and is provided with a battery swap mechanism thereon for performing a battery swap for the vehicle. Published documents <CIT> and <CIT> each disclose another battery swap platform or system having a battery swap platform for parking a vehicle thereon and a battery swap mechanism arranged in the platform, respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, an existing battery swap platform <NUM> is mainly composed of a parking platform <NUM>, a vehicle hoister <NUM>, a wheel alignment mechanism <NUM>, and a rail guided vehicle (RGV) <NUM>.

The parking platform <NUM> is configured to park a vehicle, the wheel alignment mechanism <NUM> is configured to position the vehicle at a designated position of the parking platform <NUM>, the vehicle hoister <NUM> is configured to lift the vehicle parked on the parking platform <NUM> to a set height, and the rail guided vehicle <NUM> 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 <NUM> directly travels on the parking platform <NUM>, when the battery mounting/dismounting operation is performed for the vehicle on the parking platform <NUM>, the vehicle hoister <NUM> must substantially lift the vehicle, leaving a moving space for the rail guided vehicle <NUM>. 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 invention provides a battery swap platform, a battery swap station, and a battery swap method as defined in the appended set of claims, to overcome or at least partially solve the foregoing problems.

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.

<NUM>: Battery swap platform; <NUM>: Parking platform; <NUM>: Vehicle hoister; <NUM>: Wheel alignment mechanism; <NUM>: Rail guided vehicle; <NUM>: Battery swap platform; <NUM>: Parking mechanism; 21A: First parking sub-mechanism; 21B: Second parking sub-mechanism; <NUM>: Wheel alignment device; <NUM>: Accommodating mechanism; <NUM>: Opening; <NUM>: Opening and closing mechanism; <NUM>, <NUM>: Compartment door; <NUM>: Battery mounting/dismounting mechanism; <NUM>: Vehicle hoisting mechanism; <NUM>: Battery swap station; <NUM>: Electrical room; <NUM>: Control room; <NUM>: Battery storage mechanism; 41A, 41B: Battery storage rack; <NUM>: Battery compartment; <NUM>: Lifting device; <NUM>: Battery docking mechanism; <NUM>: 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.

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 <FIG> and <FIG>, the first embodiment of the disclosure provides a battery swap platform <NUM>, which mainly includes a parking mechanism <NUM>, an accommodating mechanism <NUM>, an opening and closing mechanism <NUM>, and a battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM>.

The parking mechanism <NUM> is configured to park a vehicle.

Optionally, the parking mechanism <NUM> is further provided with a wheel alignment device <NUM> configured to position wheels of the vehicle, such that the vehicle is stably parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>.

The accommodating mechanism <NUM> is arranged below the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism <NUM> and has an opening <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the parking mechanism <NUM> includes a first parking sub-mechanism 21A and a second parking sub-mechanism 21B, and the accommodating mechanism <NUM> 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 <NUM> is arranged on the accommodating mechanism <NUM> and can move relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to open or close the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

Optionally, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> may include at least one compartment door, and the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> can slide relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to open or close the opening of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> may have a bidirectional door opening structure formed by two compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM>, or may be designed as a unilateral door opening structure.

In another embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> may be designed as a single-layer compartment door structure including a single layer of panel (i.e., the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), or the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> may be designed as a multi-layer linkage compartment door structure including multiple layers of panels (i.e., the embodiment shown in <FIG>). The single-layer compartment door structure is simple in design, which can reduce manufacturing costs, while the design of the multi-layer linkage compartment door structure can reduce the space occupied by the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> when in an open state.

In addition, a material of the compartment doors <NUM>, <NUM> in the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> 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 <NUM> opens the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the accommodating mechanism <NUM> may be in communication with the parking mechanism <NUM> located above the accommodating mechanism. When the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> closes the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the accommodating mechanism <NUM> is separated from the parking mechanism <NUM> by means of the opening and closing mechanism <NUM>.

The battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> is arranged in the accommodating mechanism <NUM> and can be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

Optionally, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> includes a rail guided vehicle.

In this embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> opens the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to extend out of the accommodating mechanism <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, and perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>.

Specifically, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> can be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to switch between an operating state and a non-operating state. When the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> opens the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to switch to the operating state. In this state, at least a part of the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> can extend out of the accommodating mechanism <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, so as to perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In another embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> closes the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> may be in the non-operating state. In this state, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> is entirely received in the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

In this embodiment, when the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> closes the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the vehicle is enabled to enter or leave the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the battery swap platform <NUM> further includes a vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> is arranged in the accommodating mechanism <NUM> and can be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> closes the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> is entirely received in the accommodating mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> opens the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> can be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to extend out of the accommodating mechanism <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, and slightly lift the vehicle <NUM> parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>, to cause the vehicle <NUM> to be arranged horizontally.

As shown in <FIG>, in another embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> may also be arranged on the parking mechanism <NUM>, to slightly lift the vehicle <NUM> parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>, so as to cause the vehicle <NUM> to be arranged horizontally.

In another embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> may also cause the vehicle to be arranged horizontally by slightly lifting the wheel alignment device <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> 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 <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery swap station <NUM> according to this embodiment of the disclosure mainly includes the battery swap platform <NUM> described in the first embodiment, a battery storage mechanism <NUM>, and a battery docking structure <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the battery swap platform <NUM> is configured to mount or dismount a battery on or from a vehicle <NUM>, the battery storage mechanism <NUM> is configured to store the battery, and the battery docking mechanism <NUM> connects the battery swap platform <NUM> to the battery storage mechanism <NUM> and is configured to convey the battery between the battery swap platform <NUM> and the battery storage mechanism <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the battery storage mechanism <NUM> may include two battery storage racks 41A, 41B and a lifting device <NUM> arranged between the two battery storage racks 41A, 41B.

Optionally, each of the battery storage racks 41A, 41B includes a plurality of battery compartments <NUM> arranged in a stacked manner, and the lifting device <NUM> 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 <NUM>.

Optionally, a plurality of battery storage racks 41A, 41B may also be arranged side-by-side on a single side of the lifting device <NUM>, and the lifting device <NUM> 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 <NUM>, so that the lifting device <NUM> 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 <NUM>.

The battery docking mechanism <NUM> may be implemented by means of various structural designs. For example, the battery docking mechanism <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> may further include charging devices (not shown) which are respectively arranged in the battery compartments <NUM> and are configured to be electrically connected to batteries stored in the battery compartments <NUM> for charging.

Referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the battery swap station <NUM> may be further provided with an electrical room <NUM> and a control room <NUM>. The electrical room <NUM> is responsible for charging control and management of each charging device, and the control room <NUM> is responsible for motion logic control of each component in the entire battery swap station <NUM>.

<FIG> shows main steps of a battery swap method according to the third embodiment of the disclosure. The battery swap method provided according to the embodiment of the disclosure is applied to the battery swap platform <NUM> described in the first embodiment, and mainly includes the following steps.

According to the invention, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> is arranged in the accommodating mechanism <NUM> and is taken for description.

In step S91, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> of the battery swap platform <NUM> is controlled to close the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, to enable the vehicle <NUM> to enter and be parked on the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a wheel alignment device <NUM> may be used to position wheels of the vehicle <NUM>, such that the vehicle <NUM> is positioned at a designated position of the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In step S92, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> of the battery swap platform <NUM> is controlled to open the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM> after the vehicle <NUM> is positioned on the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In step S93, the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> is controlled to be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, so as to slightly lift the vehicle <NUM> on the parking mechanism <NUM>, to cause the vehicle <NUM> to be arranged horizontally (in a state shown in <FIG>).

In step S94, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> is controlled to be lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to switch from a non-operating state to an operating state so as to extend out of the accommodating mechanism <NUM> through the opening <NUM> after the vehicle reaches the arranged horizontally state, and to perform a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle <NUM> (in a state shown in <FIG>).

In step S95, the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism <NUM> is first controlled to be lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM> to switch from the operating state to the non-operating state after the battery mounting/dismounting operation is completed for the vehicle <NUM>, and then the vehicle hoisting mechanism <NUM> is controlled to be lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, so that the vehicle <NUM> is lowered back to the parking mechanism <NUM>.

In step S96, the opening and closing mechanism <NUM> is controlled to close the opening <NUM> of the accommodating mechanism <NUM>, to enable the vehicle <NUM> to leave the parking mechanism <NUM>.

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.

Claim 1:
A battery swap platform (<NUM>), comprising:
a parking mechanism (<NUM>) configured to park a vehicle (<NUM>);
an accommodating mechanism (<NUM>), which is arranged below the vehicle (<NUM>) parked on the parking mechanism (<NUM>), and which has an opening (<NUM>);
an opening and closing mechanism (<NUM>) arranged on the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>) and capable of moving relative to the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>) to open or close the opening (<NUM>) of the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>);
a battery mounting/dismounting mechanism (<NUM>) ; and
a vehicle hoisting mechanism (<NUM>) configured to slightly lift the vehicle (<NUM>) parked on the parking mechanism (<NUM>), to cause the vehicle (<NUM>) to be arranged horizontally,
wherein when the opening and closing mechanism (<NUM>) opens the opening (<NUM>) of the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>), the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism (<NUM>) is capable of being lifted relative to the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>) to extend out of the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>) through the opening (<NUM>), and performing a battery mounting/dismounting operation for the vehicle (<NUM>),
wherein both the battery mounting/dismounting mechanism (<NUM>) and the vehicle hoisting mechanism (<NUM>) are arranged in the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>) and configured to be lifted or lowered relative to the accommodating mechanism (<NUM>).