Patent Description:
In the design of the energy storage rack, the bearing capacity and stability of the energy storage rack are important. At present, the energy storage rack is generally composed of vertical columns and horizontal beams. The vertical columns are configured as the main support members since the vertical columns are required to support the weight of the entire battery cluster. However, the vertical columns provided by the related art exhibit insufficient overall strength, and as a result, the energy storage rack provides only low overall strength and exhibits limited bearing capacity and poor stability.

Document <CIT> provides a reinforcement element for a sill of a motor vehicle. The reinforcement element is designed as a two-chamber profile and comprises profile parts which are connected to one another and form hollow chambers, characterized in that the reinforcement element is arranged encapsulated between two sill profiles and consists of the two-chamber profile with an inner and an outer profile part, which are arranged offset from one another in height and each profile part has a straight web in a common vertical center plane xx, to which the parked legs of the profile parts are connected, which are connected to corresponding legs of the sill profiles and which extend in the transverse direction in the profile parts. Reinforcing tubes are arranged, which penetrate the hollow chambers in mutually aligned openings and are firmly connected to the profile parts.

The disclosure aims to provide an energy storage rack. The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention.

The energy storage rack includes vertical columns and horizontal beams connected to each other. The vertical columns and the horizontal beams enclose accommodating cavities for accommodating battery insertion boxes. The vertical column is a hollow column structure formed by a first beam and a second beam butting against each other. The first beam includes a first main body and first connecting plates, the first main body has a first groove, and two sides of the first main body are respectively connected to the first connecting plates. The first connecting plates are located at an opening of the first main body. The second beam includes a second main body and second connecting plates, the second main body has a second groove, and two sides of the second main body are respectively connected to the second connecting plates. The second connecting plates are located at an opening of the second main body. The two second connecting plates are correspondingly connected to the two first connecting plates, and the first groove communicates with the second groove to form a hollow cavity.

For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference may be made to exemplary embodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may be omitted, or in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated, so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the features described herein. In addition, related elements or components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. Further, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate same or like parts throughout the several views.

The technical solutions in the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described clearly and explicitly in conjunction with the drawings in the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. The description proposed herein is just the exemplary embodiments for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that and various modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specifically defined and limited, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only used for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as expressing or implying a relative importance. The term "plurality" is two or more.

In particular, a reference to "the" object or "a" and "an" object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. Unless otherwise defined or described, the terms "connect", "fix" should be broadly interpreted, for example, the term "connect" can be "fixedly connect", "detachably connect", "integrally connect", "electrically connect" or "signal connect". The term "connect" also can be "directly connect" or "indirectly connect via a medium". For the persons skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the abovementioned terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to the specific situation.

Further, in the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that spatially relative terms, such as "above", "below" "inside", "outside" and the like, are described based on orientations illustrated in the figures, but are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the context, it should also be understood that when an element or features is provided "outside" or "inside" of another element(s), it can be directly provided "outside" or "inside" of the other element, or be indirectly provided "outside" or "inside" of the another element(s) by an intermediate element.

In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the disclosure described below can be combined with each other as long as the technical features do not conflict with each other. The following discussion provides various embodiments of the disclosure. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of the application, the various embodiments of the disclosure may be substituted or combined. The disclosure is therefore also to be considered to encompass all possible combinations of the same and/or different embodiments recited. If one embodiment includes A, B, C and another embodiment includes a combination of B and D, then the disclosure shall also be considered to include an embodiment including one or more of all other possible combinations of A, B, C, and D, even though this embodiment may not be explicitly described in the text below. In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the disclosure described below can be combined with each other as long as the technical features do not conflict with each other.

As shown in <FIG>, an energy storage rack provided by the disclosure includes vertical columns <NUM> and horizontal beams <NUM> connected to each other. Specifically, the horizontal beams <NUM> are connected to first connecting plates <NUM>. In a specific embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of vertical columns <NUM> are arranged in a vertical direction, and a plurality of horizontal beams <NUM> are arranged in a horizontal direction. The vertical columns <NUM> and the horizontal beams <NUM> are connected horizontally and vertically to form the energy storage rack. To be specific, two ends of each horizontal beam <NUM> are respectively connected to two vertical columns <NUM>, the vertical columns <NUM> are perpendicular to the horizontal beams <NUM>, and the vertical columns <NUM> and the horizontal beams <NUM> enclose accommodating cavities for accommodating battery insertion boxes. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the energy storage rack further includes inclined beams <NUM>. Two ends of each inclined beam <NUM> are respectively connected to two vertical columns <NUM>, and the inclined beams <NUM> are inclined with respect to the vertical columns <NUM>. The arrangement of the inclined beams <NUM> increases the overall strength of the energy storage rack.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>, the vertical column <NUM> is a hollow column structure form by a first beam <NUM> and a second beam <NUM> butting against each other.

The first beam <NUM> includes a first main body <NUM> and the first connecting plates <NUM>, the first main body <NUM> has a first groove <NUM>, and two sides of the first main body <NUM> are respectively connected to the first connecting plates <NUM>. To be specific, the two first connecting plates <NUM> are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first main body <NUM> and are located at an opening of the first groove <NUM>. The first connecting plates <NUM> are respectively connected to end portions of the first main body <NUM>, so that the first beam <NUM> as a whole has substantially a "<IMG>" shape, wherein the shape of "<IMG>" is similar to "π".

The second beam <NUM> includes a second main body <NUM> and second connecting plates <NUM>, the second main body <NUM> has a second groove <NUM>, and two sides of the second main body <NUM> are respectively connected to the second connecting plates <NUM>. The two second connecting plates <NUM> are correspondingly connected to the two first connecting plates <NUM>, the first groove <NUM> communicates with the second groove <NUM> to form a hollow cavity, and the hollow cavity is the hollow part of the hollow column structure. In directions in which the first connecting plates <NUM> are away from the first main body <NUM>, a length of each second connecting plate <NUM> is less than a length of each first connecting plate <NUM>. To be specific, the two second connecting plates <NUM> are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the second main body <NUM> and are located at an opening of the second groove <NUM>. The second connecting plates <NUM> are respectively connected to end portions of the second main body <NUM>, so that the second beam <NUM> as a whole has substantially a "<IMG>" shape, wherein the shape of "<IMG>" is similar to "π".

In the energy storage rack provided by the disclosure, the first beam <NUM> is fixedly connected to the second beam <NUM> through the first connecting plates <NUM> and the second connecting plates <NUM>. This connection manner is simple and may be conveniently implemented, such that the assembly efficiency of the vertical column is improved. Further, since a larger connection area is provided between the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, the connection strength between the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, the mechanical strength of the vertical column <NUM> formed by the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, as well as the overall strength of the energy storage rack are all ensured.

Further, as the first groove <NUM> communicates with the second groove <NUM> to form a cavity in the middle of the vertical column <NUM>, on the one hand, the overall weight of the vertical column <NUM> is effectively reduced in a condition that the overall strength of the vertical column <NUM> is ensured. On the other hand, the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> are made to have a multi-folded structure, which is beneficial to the mechanical strength of the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, such that the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased. The multi-folded structure refers to a folded structure with three, four, or more folds.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, one end of each first connecting plate <NUM> away from the first main body <NUM> is provided with a reinforcement folded edge <NUM>. To be specific, the reinforcement folded edge <NUM> is perpendicular to the first connecting plate <NUM>.

Through the arrangement of the reinforcement folded edge <NUM>, the number of folded edges of the first beam <NUM> is increased, such that the first beam <NUM> has more folded edge structures, and the mechanical strength of the first beam <NUM> is further improved. As such, the vertical column <NUM> formed by the first beam <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased. Besides, through the arrangement of the reinforcement folded edge <NUM>, the part of the vertical column <NUM> in contact with the battery insertion box <NUM> has no sharp corners. Therefore, the vertical column <NUM> is prevented from scratching the battery insertion box <NUM>, and the reliability in use of the battery insertion box is thus ensured.

In another specific embodiment of the disclosure, one end of the first connecting plate away from the first main body is bent towards the surface of the first connecting plate to form a folded edge. The plate surface of the folded edge is attached to the plate surface of the first connecting plate, and the folded edge is parallel to the first connecting plate. Through the arrangement of the folded edge, the part of the vertical column in contact with the battery insertion box has no sharp corners. Therefore, the vertical column is prevented from scratching the battery insertion box, and the reliability in use of the battery insertion box is thus ensured.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the first beam <NUM> is a beam formed by bending a sheet metal piece, and/or the second beam <NUM> is a beam formed by bending a sheet metal piece. That is, each of the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is an integral structure made by an integral molding process.

The manufacturing process of bending and forming is simple, processing and manufacturing may be conveniently performed, and favorable production efficiency is provided, so that the manufacturing costs of the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> may be lowered, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased. Further, both the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> are integral structures, so the overall strength of the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is ensured, and that the overall strength of the vertical column <NUM> formed by the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is ensured. As such, the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use, such that the reliability in use of the energy storage rack as a whole is improved.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, each first connecting plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of nuts <NUM>, and each first connecting plate <NUM> is provided with through holes (not shown) corresponding to the threaded holes of the nuts <NUM>.

One end of a screw sequentially passes through the horizontal beam <NUM> and the through hole and is screwed to the nut <NUM>, and the other end of the screw interferes with the horizontal beam <NUM>. That is, the horizontal beam <NUM> is fixed to the vertical column <NUM> through the matching between the screw and the nut <NUM>. The connection between the nut <NUM> and the screw is simple and exhibits high connection strength, such that the fixing strength between the horizontal beam <NUM> and the vertical column <NUM> is improved. Therefore, the overall strength of the energy storage rack is ensured, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the second connecting plates <NUM> extend to the nut <NUM>. In a specific embodiment of the disclosure, the length of each second connecting plate <NUM> is less than the length of each first connecting plate <NUM>, so that each second connecting plate <NUM> does not interfere with the nut <NUM>. In addition, each second connecting plate is also provided with an avoiding groove corresponding to the nut.

The extension of each second connecting plate <NUM> to the nut <NUM> leads to an increase in the thickness of the position corresponding to the first connecting plate <NUM>, so that the nuts <NUM> are stably and securely fixed onto the first beam <NUM>. As such, the fixing strength between the horizontal beam <NUM> and the vertical column <NUM> established based on the fixed connection between the screws and the nuts <NUM> is thereby ensured. Therefore, the overall strength of the energy storage rack is ensured, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, a depth D1 of the first groove <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> times a depth D2 of the second groove <NUM>. In a specific embodiment of the disclosure, the depth D1 of the first groove <NUM> is the same as the depth D2 of the second groove <NUM>.

By reasonably configuring the depth of the first groove <NUM> and the depth of the second groove <NUM>, the strength of the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is ensured. As such, the overall strength of the vertical column <NUM> formed by the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is ensured, and the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the first beam <NUM> is provided with a plurality of functional holes <NUM>, and/or the second beam <NUM> is provided with a plurality of functional holes <NUM>.

The functional holes <NUM> include but not limited to weight-reducing holes, copper row holes, wire-passing holes, etc. In the case of ensuring the overall strength of the column <NUM>, the weight-reducing holes are disposed on the second beam and are located on the bottom of the second groove. The arrangement of the weight-reducing holes may reduce the weight of the vertical column <NUM>, thereby reducing the overall weight of the energy storage rack and facilitating the transportation of the energy storage rack. The copper row holes are arranged on the first beam and are located on the side wall of the first groove, and the copper row holes are configured to allow copper rows to pass through conveniently. The wire-passing holes are arranged on the first beam and are located on the side wall of the first groove. A wire may be routed inside the vertical column <NUM> through the wire-passing holes, which facilitates the wiring of the wire. Further, when the inner wall of each vertical column <NUM> needs to be sprayed with plastic, the inner wall of the vertical column <NUM> may be sprayed with plastic through the functional holes <NUM>, so that the inner wall of the vertical column <NUM> may be conveniently sprayed with plastic.

In the disclosure, the shape of the functional holes may be circular, oblong, oval, etc., which are not listed herein one by one. The functional holes may be placed at any position of the vertical columns according to the needs, and a person having ordinary skill in the art may select the shape and arrangement positions of the functional holes according to needs.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the vertical column <NUM> further includes a reinforcement beam <NUM>.

The reinforcement beam <NUM> is supported between the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, and the reinforcement beam <NUM> is fixedly connected to the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>. That is, the reinforcement beam <NUM> is arranged in the hollow cavity of the vertical column <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a specific embodiment of the disclosure, one reinforcement beam <NUM> is arranged in the vertical column <NUM>, and the reinforcement beam <NUM> is arranged in a length direction L1 of the vertical column <NUM>. To be specific, a length of the reinforcement beam <NUM> is the same as a length of the vertical column <NUM>, so that the reinforcement beam <NUM> may effectively provide support for the vertical column <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of reinforcement beams <NUM> are arranged in the vertical column <NUM>, the plurality of reinforcement beams <NUM> are arranged in the length direction L1 of the vertical column <NUM>, and the plurality of reinforcement beams <NUM> are arranged in the vertical column <NUM> at equal intervals. The overall weight of the energy storage rack may be effectively reduced while the reinforcement beam <NUM> may effectively support the vertical column <NUM>.

The reinforcement beam <NUM> provides a supporting force for the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, so that the impact resistance capability of the vertical column <NUM> is improved. As such, the overall strength of the vertical column is improved, and the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

Several embodiments of the reinforcement beam <NUM> are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the reinforcement beam <NUM> includes a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM>, and a third plate <NUM> connected in sequence.

The first plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM> are located on a same side of the second plate <NUM>, the first plate <NUM> is connected to the first beam <NUM>, and the third plate <NUM> is connected to the second beam <NUM>. To be specific, the first plate <NUM> is connected to a bottom wall of the first groove <NUM>, and the third plate <NUM> is connected to a bottom wall of the second groove <NUM>. In a specific embodiment of the disclosure, a plate surface of the first plate <NUM> is attached to a bottom surface of the first groove <NUM>, and a plate surface of the third plate <NUM> is attached to a bottom surface of the second groove <NUM>.

The reinforcement beam <NUM> of the abovementioned structure has a "C" shape as a whole. The first plate <NUM> ensures the connection area between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the first beam <NUM>, and the third plate <NUM> ensures the connection area between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, such that the connection strength between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> is ensured. The second plate <NUM> provides a supporting force for the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, so that the reinforcement beam <NUM> effectively provides support for the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>. As such, the impact resistance capability of the vertical column <NUM> is enhanced, the overall strength of the vertical column is improved, and the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the reinforcement beam <NUM> has a plurality of third grooves <NUM>, and opening directions of two adjacent third grooves <NUM> are opposite. In a specific embodiment of the disclosure, the reinforcement beam <NUM> includes a plurality of vertical plates <NUM> and a plurality of horizontal plates <NUM>, and the horizontal plates <NUM> and the vertical plates <NUM> are arranged in an alternating manner. Two vertical plates <NUM> and one horizontal plate <NUM> enclose one third groove <NUM>. A part of the horizontal plates <NUM> are attached to the bottom surface of the first groove <NUM>, and another part of the horizontal plates <NUM> are attached to the bottom surface of the second groove <NUM>. The plurality of vertical plates <NUM> are supported between the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>.

The reinforcement beam <NUM> of the abovementioned structure has a square wave shape as a whole, so that a plurality of connection surfaces are provided between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>. Therefore, the connection area between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the first beam <NUM> and the connection area between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> are increased, so as to ensure the connection strength between the reinforcement beam <NUM> and the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>. In addition, multiple parts of the reinforcement beam <NUM> provide supporting forces for the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>, so that the reinforcement beam <NUM> effectively supports the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM>. As such, the impact resistance capability of the vertical column <NUM> is enhanced, the overall strength of the vertical column is improved, and the vertical column <NUM> may not be easily broken, may not be easily deformed, and exhibits good reliability in use. Therefore, the overall reliability in use of the energy storage rack is improved, the probability of damage to the energy storage rack is reduced, the service life of the product is prolonged, and the market competitiveness of the product is increased.

A person having ordinary skill in the art should understand that, in addition to the abovementioned shapes, the reinforcement beam may also be I-shaped, Z-shaped, mouth-shaped, etc., which are not listed herein one by one.

Note that in the description of the disclosure, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Note that in the description of the disclosure, unless clearly specified and defined otherwise,.

Note that in the description of the disclosure, unless clearly specified and defined otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "connecting" should be understood in a broad sense. The term "plurality" refers to one or more than one unless specifically defined otherwise. For a person having ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the abovementioned terms in the disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

Claim 1:
An energy storage rack, comprising vertical columns (<NUM>) and horizontal beams (<NUM>) connected to each other, wherein the vertical columns (<NUM>) and the horizontal beams (<NUM>) enclose accommodating cavities for accommodating battery insertion boxes, wherein:
each vertical column (<NUM>) is a hollow column structure formed by a first beam (<NUM>) and a second beam (<NUM>) butting against each other;
the first beam (<NUM>) comprises a first main body (<NUM>) and first connecting plates (<NUM>), the first main body (<NUM>) has a first groove (<NUM>), two sides of the first main body (<NUM>) are respectively connected to the first connecting plates (<NUM>), and the first connecting plates (<NUM>) are located at an opening of the first main body (<NUM>); and
the second beam (<NUM>) comprises a second main body (<NUM>) and second connecting plates (<NUM>), the second main body (<NUM>) has a second groove (<NUM>), two sides of the second main body (<NUM>) are respectively connected to the second connecting plates (<NUM>), the second connecting plates (<NUM>) are located at an opening of the second main body (<NUM>), the two second connecting plates (<NUM>) are correspondingly connected to the two first connecting plates (<NUM>), and the first groove (<NUM>) communicates with the second groove (<NUM>) to form a hollow cavity.