CN116353404A

CN116353404A - Locking mechanism and bracket assembly comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN116353404A
Application number: CN202211701784.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张建平; 于新瑞; 仇丹梁
Original assignee: Aulton New Energy Automotive Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Aulton New Energy Automotive Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2022-12-28
Publication date: 2023-06-30
Also published as: WO2024140612A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a locking mechanism and a bracket assembly comprising the same. The locking mechanism is used for locking or unlocking the battery pack on a bracket of the electric automobile and comprises a locking unit arranged on the bracket; the locking unit can be switched between a locking state and an unlocking state, and is provided with a limiting part, and the limiting part is used for being matched with a matching part on the battery pack so as to limit the battery pack to move along the vertical direction relative to the bracket. This locking mechanism can be after the battery package gets into the bracket, cooperates the matching part on the battery package through its locking unit's spacing portion to switch to locking state, fixed battery package position relative bracket has restricted the rocking of battery package relative bracket along vertical direction, has improved the security of locking, avoids the locking inefficacy.

Description

Locking mechanism and bracket assembly comprising same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of vehicle battery replacement, in particular to a locking mechanism and a bracket assembly comprising the same.

Background

The conventional battery setting modes of the electric automobile are generally divided into a fixed type and a replaceable type, wherein the fixed type battery is generally fixed on the vehicle, and the vehicle is directly used as a charging object during charging. The replaceable battery is generally fixed on the bracket of the vehicle in a movable mounting manner, and the battery can be taken down to be independently replaced or charged, and is mounted on the vehicle after the replaced battery is charged.

In the prior art, a battery pack locking mechanism is arranged on a bracket to lock and connect the battery pack on the bracket, and when an electric vehicle runs on an uneven road surface due to large volume and heavy weight of the battery, the battery pack is easy to shake in the vertical direction relative to the bracket, the existing locking mechanism cannot restrict the battery pack from shaking in the vertical direction, and then the locking failure is caused.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to overcome the defect that in the prior art, a battery pack is easy to shake relative to a bracket along the vertical direction to cause locking failure, and provides a locking mechanism and a bracket assembly comprising the same.

The invention solves the technical problems by the following technical scheme:

a locking mechanism for locking or unlocking a battery pack to a bracket of an electric vehicle, the locking mechanism including a locking unit provided to the bracket;

the locking unit can be switched between a locking state and an unlocking state, and is provided with a limiting part, and the limiting part is used for being matched with a matching part on the battery pack so as to limit the battery pack to move along the vertical direction relative to the bracket.

This locking mechanism can be after the battery package gets into the bracket, cooperates the matching part on the battery package through its locking unit's spacing portion to switch to locking state, fixed battery package position relative bracket has restricted the rocking of battery package relative bracket along vertical direction, has improved the security of locking, avoids the locking inefficacy.

Preferably, the locking unit includes a locking block, the limiting part is formed on the locking block, and the locking block is in lateral contact with the matching part of the battery pack through the limiting part;

when the locking unit is switched to a locking state, the limiting part of the locking block is used for limiting the battery pack to be separated from the bracket along the vertical direction.

Through above-mentioned structure setting, set up the latch segment in bracket department, contact with the battery package side through spacing portion on the latch segment for the relative bracket of battery package positional relationship can be in fixedly, avoids the relative bracket of battery package to break away from along vertical direction, especially in the vehicle jolting process, avoids the battery package to drop at the relative bracket of jolting.

Preferably, the limiting part is a limiting groove, and the limiting groove is provided with a bevel part, a plane part and a bevel part which are sequentially and continuously arranged.

Through above-mentioned structure setting, carry out the gomphosis through recess and battery package's side, improve fixed effect. The three faces of recess that are the angle setting laminate with battery package surface respectively and realize fixedly, carry out the butt to the matching part from upper and lower two directions, form cladding effect to the matching part, improved the spacing reliability of locking.

Preferably, the opening angle of the limiting groove ranges from 90 degrees to 150 degrees.

Through the structure setting, ensure that the opening angle of recess is in reasonable within range, and opening angle is greater than 90 can ensure recess and battery package surface laminating smoothly, and opening angle is less than 150 can improve the firm degree of recess fixed battery package.

Preferably, the bottom edge of the locking block is arc-shaped.

The bottom edge of the locking block is arc-shaped, so that the smooth degree of the movement of the locking block can be prevented from being influenced by friction or friction generated at the bottom of the locking block relative to the bracket in the process that the locking block is switched between the locking state and the unlocking state in a movement mode.

Through the structure, the reliability and success rate of switching the locking block between the locking state and the unlocking state can be improved.

Preferably, the bottom of the locking block is also formed with an abutting part, and the abutting part is provided with two inclined planes which are arranged in an angle.

Through the structure setting, set up two inclined planes that are the angle in the bottom of latch segment, through the mode that other parts contacted with the inclined plane of latch segment, realize spacing to the latch segment for the latch segment can keep moving in the scope of locking state and unblock state.

Preferably, the locking unit further comprises a buffer structure, wherein the buffer structure is arranged on the bracket and located below the locking block, and the buffer structure is in contact with the locking block when the locking block is switched to a locking state so as to buffer and support the locking block.

Through the structure, the bottom of the locking block is contacted and limited through the flexible buffer structure, and abnormal sound, part abrasion or structural damage caused by rigid collision with the bracket in the limiting process of the locking block can be avoided.

Simultaneously, through making the latch segment and buffer structure flexible contact when locking state for buffer structure can be through self compression effect latch segment, makes the latch segment can not receive the position removal of unblock state under the exogenic condition.

Preferably, when the battery pack is placed on the bracket, the battery pack contacts with the contact surface of the locking block and drives the locking block to switch to a locking state.

Through the structure, the locking block is switched to the locking state by utilizing the contact of the battery pack and the locking block, and the locking block is driven to be switched to the locking state by utilizing the acting force of the battery pack placed on the bracket, so that the locking process is simple and reliable. And, need not to set up extra mechanism drive latch segment and switch to locking state for the structure of whole locking mechanism is simpler.

Preferably, the locking block is rotatably connected to the bracket through a turnover shaft, and the turnover shaft is far away from the battery pack relative to the limiting part.

Through the structure, the battery pack can drive the locking block to overturn relative to the bracket when acting on the limiting part, so that the locking block is switched to a locking state.

Preferably, the center of gravity of the locking block is far away from the battery pack relative to the overturning shaft, and the center of gravity of the locking block is higher than the overturning shaft.

Through the structure setting, realize utilizing the latch segment outwards (namely keeping away from the orientation of battery package) under self gravity effect upset to switch to the purpose of unblock state, make the latch segment automatic switch to the unblock state when the battery package does not act on the latch segment, need not extra mechanism and drives, simple structure reliability is high.

Preferably, a torsion spring is arranged on the turnover shaft and is used for driving the locking block to turn to an unlocking state when the locking block is not subjected to external force.

Through the structure, the torsional spring acts on the locking block to drive the locking block to turn over to the unlocking state when the battery pack does not act on the locking block, the automatic resetting purpose of the locking block is realized, and the structure is simple and reliable.

Preferably, an elastic piece is further arranged at the bottom of the locking piece, one end of the elastic piece acts on the locking piece in the vertical direction, and the locking piece is used for driving the locking piece to turn to an unlocking state when the locking piece is not subjected to external force.

Through the structure, the spring acts on the locking block to drive the locking block to turn over to the unlocking state when the battery pack does not act on the locking block, thereby realizing the automatic resetting purpose of the locking block, and having simple and reliable structure.

Preferably, the locking mechanism further comprises a lock tongue, and the lock tongue can move relative to the locking unit and approaches and abuts against the locking unit when the locking unit is in a locking state so as to lock the locking unit in the locking state.

Through the structure, the lock tongue is abutted to the locking unit to maintain the locking state, so that the locking unit is prevented from being switched to the unlocking state by mistake due to the action of unexpected factors, the reliability of locking the battery pack is improved, and the locking device is effectively adapted to scenes such as bumpy running of a vehicle.

Preferably, the lock tongue comprises a lock tongue body and a limiting piece, wherein the lock tongue body moves along a linear direction relative to the locking unit and contacts with the locking unit to lock the locking unit in a locking state, and the limiting piece is used for limiting the travel of the lock tongue body along the horizontal direction.

Through the structure, the limiting piece is utilized to limit the moving range of the lock tongue body, and when the lock tongue body moves towards the locking unit, the lock tongue body can be prevented from being too close to the locking unit to cause the locking unit to be blocked with the lock tongue body.

Preferably, the lock tongue body is formed with an abutting surface, and the abutting surface is an inclined surface.

Through the structure setting, the lock tongue body limits the locking unit in a bevel contact mode, forms a limiting mode similar to mortise and tenon connection, and effectively avoids the locking unit to overcome the limiting of the lock tongue body and switch to an unlocking state.

Preferably, the limiting piece is connected to the lock tongue body and located above the lock tongue body, and when the lock tongue body moves towards the direction close to the locking unit, the limiting piece can contact with the locking unit and limit displacement of the lock tongue body.

Through above-mentioned structure setting, through setting up the locating part on the spring bolt body, the touching through the locating part for locking unit limits the range of motion of spring bolt body, simple structure is reliable.

Preferably, an included angle between a direction of the force transmitted by the locking unit to the lock tongue and a moving direction of the lock tongue away from the locking unit is greater than or equal to 75 degrees.

Through the structure setting, a more preferable structure setting scheme is provided for under the circumstances that the locking unit receives great external force, can't make the spring bolt remove the restriction to the locking unit through transmitting the external force to the spring bolt.

Preferably, the locking mechanism further comprises a reset piece, wherein one end of the reset piece is connected with the lock tongue, and applies a force moving towards the locking unit to the lock tongue.

Through the structure, the reset piece is arranged to apply the acting force of the lock tongue close to the locking unit, so that the reliability of locking is improved, and the locking unit is prevented from being switched to an unlocking state due to unexpected factors.

Preferably, the reset piece is a spring, one end of the spring is fixed on the bracket, and the other end of the spring is connected with the lock tongue.

Through the structure, the spring is utilized to act on the acting force of the spring to drive the spring to move towards the direction close to the locking unit, so that the situation that the battery pack falls off relative to the bracket due to unlocking is avoided.

Preferably, the spring is detachably connected with the lock tongue through a hook at the tail end.

Through above-mentioned structure setting, the change of the spring of being convenient for improves the maintainability of whole locking mechanism.

Preferably, the locking mechanism further comprises a push rod or a screw nut mechanism connected with the lock tongue, and the push rod or the screw nut mechanism is used for inputting an external force to the lock tongue so as to drive the lock tongue to move in a direction away from the locking unit.

Through the structure, a preferable structural scheme is provided, the push rod or the screw nut mechanism is utilized to drive the lock tongue to move, and the reliability is high.

Preferably, the locking block moves horizontally relative to the bracket toward or away from the battery pack.

Through the structure, the moving track of the locking block is simple, the structural design and maintenance are convenient, and the reliability of locking or unlocking the battery pack can be improved.

Preferably, the locking block realizes horizontal movement relative to the bracket in a mode of connecting a push rod or a screw nut mechanism, a horizontally extending guide rail is arranged on the bracket, and the locking block is arranged on the guide rail.

Through the structure, a preferable structural scheme is provided, and the locking block of the push rod or screw nut mechanism is utilized to move along the linear direction, so that the reliability is high.

A bracket assembly comprising a bracket and a locking mechanism as described above.

This bracket assembly adopts foretell locking mechanism, and locking mechanism can cooperate through the spacing portion of its locking unit to the matching portion on the battery package after the battery package gets into the bracket to switch to locking state, the position of fixed battery package relative bracket makes the battery package unable the departure bracket any more, makes bracket assembly realize the purpose of quick fixed battery package.

Preferably, the locking mechanism is disposed on a bottom plate of the bracket.

Through above-mentioned structure setting, with locking mechanism setting on the bottom plate of bracket for the battery package passes through locking mechanism direct and is connected fixedly with the bottom plate of bracket, and in the vehicle driving process, the inertia force of battery package directly acts on the bottom plate of bracket, can avoid the local atress to lead to the structure impaired.

Preferably, the number of the locking mechanisms is plural, and the locking units of the plurality of locking mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the bracket in the width direction.

Through the structure setting, increase the locking mechanism quantity on the bracket, improve the fixed effect of bracket assembly to the battery package. The plurality of locking mechanisms are uniformly distributed on the bracket, so that the bracket is more reliably connected with the battery pack.

Preferably, the locking units of the plurality of locking mechanisms are disposed close to the electrical connection plugs of the bracket.

Through the structure, the battery pack is reliably fixed at the position close to the electric connecting plug through the locking mechanism, so that the electric connection between the battery pack and the bracket is reliable and stable.

Preferably, the back plate of the bracket is fixed on the side surface of the chassis girder of the electric automobile.

Through the structure, the bracket is reliably connected with the electric automobile, and deformation of the bracket in the long-term use process is avoided.

Preferably, the cross beam of the bracket is fixed on the lower surface of the chassis girder of the electric automobile.

Through the structure, the bracket is reliably connected with the electric automobile, and deformation of the bracket in the long-term use process is avoided

The invention has the positive progress effects that:

in locking mechanism and contain its bracket assembly, after the battery package gets into the bracket, cooperates the matching part on the battery package through its locking unit's spacing portion to switch to locking state, fixed battery package position relative bracket has restricted the rocking of battery package relative bracket along vertical direction, has improved the security of locking, avoids the locking inefficacy.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram (a) of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial enlarged view of a portion a in fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a usage state of the bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged view of a portion B in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a combination relationship between a bracket and a battery pack according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a portion C in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view (one) of a locking unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view (two) of a locking unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view (iii) illustrating a state of the locking unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view (fourth) of a locking unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship of the bracket, the fork and the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between a pallet and a fork according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a partial enlarged view of a portion D in fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structural view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the invention (ii).

Fig. 16 is a partial enlarged view of a portion E in fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural view of a locking block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a locking method of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an unlocking method of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the invention.

Reference numerals illustrate:

bracket 10

Electric connection plug mount 102

Cross beam 103

Locking unit 1

Locking block 11

Limit part 111

Bottom edge 112

Abutment 113

The turning shaft 114

Buffer structure 12

Bolt 2

Bolt body 21

Abutment surface 211

Limiting piece 22

Stop 23

Reset piece 3

Driving medium 4

Battery pack 30

Matching section 301

Fork 40

Detailed Description

The invention is further illustrated by means of the following examples, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the present invention provides a bracket assembly mounted on an electric vehicle, and specifically includes a bracket 10 and a locking mechanism. Wherein locking mechanisms are used to lock or unlock the battery pack 30 to the bracket 10, the locking mechanisms comprise a plurality of locking units 1 distributed on the bottom plate of the bracket 10. The locking units 1 can be switched between a locking state and an unlocking state, specifically, each locking unit 1 is provided with a limiting part 111 (see fig. 2), and the limiting parts 111 are used for being matched with the matching parts 301 on the side face of the battery pack 30 (see fig. 5), so that the purpose of clamping connection is achieved, the battery pack 30 is limited to move relative to the bracket 10 in the vertical direction, and the battery pack 30 cannot be separated from the bracket assembly in the vertical direction when the locking unit 1 is in the locking state.

The locking mechanism can cooperate with the matching part 301 on the battery pack 30 through the limiting parts 111 of the locking units 1 arranged on the bracket 10 after the battery pack 30 enters the bracket 10 so as to switch to a locking state, fix the position of the battery pack 30 relative to the bracket 10, further limit the shaking amplitude of the battery pack 30 relative to the bracket 10 along the vertical direction, improve the locking safety and avoid the locking failure.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the number of locking mechanisms is six, wherein two locking mechanisms are arranged on each of two sides in the length direction of the bracket 10, so that the bracket 10 and the battery pack 30 are more reliably connected. The remaining two locking mechanisms are disposed near the electrical connection plug of the bracket 10, as shown in fig. 1, and the two locking mechanisms are distributed on the left and right sides of the electrical connection plug mounting seat 102, that is, in the middle area of the bracket, and the battery pack 30 is reliably fixed at a position near the electrical connection plug by the locking mechanisms, so that the electrical connection between the battery pack 30 and the bracket 10 is reliably and stably.

In this embodiment, each locking mechanism is connected to the bottom plate of the bracket 10, and the locking mechanism is disposed on the bottom plate of the bracket 10, so that the battery pack 30 is directly connected and fixed with the bottom plate of the bracket 10 through the locking mechanism, and in the running process of the vehicle, the inertia force of the battery pack 30 directly acts on the bottom plate of the bracket 10, so that the structural damage caused by local stress can be avoided. In this embodiment, the bracket 10 has cross members 103 intersecting with each other in a longitudinal direction to form a bottom plate, however, in other embodiments, a plate such as a steel plate may be used to form the bottom plate of the bracket 10.

In this embodiment, a preferable structural implementation of the locking mechanism is provided, so that the locking mechanism is simple in structure, few in driving parts, low in maintenance difficulty and reliable in locking.

As shown in fig. 2 in particular, the locking units 1 include locking blocks 11 movable with respect to the bracket 10, and a stopper 111 for restricting the movement of the battery pack 30 is formed on a side surface of the locking blocks 11, and the locking blocks 11 restrict upward displacement of the battery pack 30 by the way that the stopper 111 thereof is in side contact with the mating part 301 of the battery pack 30.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, when the locking unit 1 is switched to the locked state shown in fig. 7, the stopper 111 of the locking block 11 can restrict the battery pack 30 from being separated from the bracket 10 in the vertical direction, so that the battery pack 30 is reliably connected with respect to the bracket 10.

As shown in fig. 7, the limiting portion 111 is a limiting groove, and the matching portion 301 on the battery pack 30 is a limiting protrusion, so that the purpose of firm connection is achieved by the engagement of the limiting groove and the limiting protrusion on the side surface of the battery pack 30, and the fixing effect is improved. Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting portion 111 may also be a limiting protrusion, and the matching portion 301 on the battery pack 30 is a limiting groove.

In addition, the limiting groove in the embodiment has three continuous planes, namely a slope part, a plane part and a slope part which are arranged continuously. The three surfaces which are arranged in an angle mode are respectively attached to the surface of the battery pack 30 to achieve fixation, the matching parts are abutted from the upper direction and the lower direction, a coating effect is formed on the matching parts 301, and the reliability of locking limit is improved. In other embodiments, the shape of the limiting groove may be V-shaped or U-shaped, so that the two surfaces of the groove that are angled or disposed opposite to each other are attached to the surface of the battery pack 30 to achieve fixation. The above-mentioned recess structure arrangement schemes, compared with other fixing methods, have more reliable fixing effect, and can avoid the battery pack 30 from falling off along the vertical direction relative to the bracket 10, especially avoid the battery pack 30 falling off relative to the bracket 10 when jolting in the vehicle jolting process.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 7-9, the opening angle of the limiting groove is 90 ° to ensure that the opening angle of the groove is within a reasonable range. In other embodiments, the groove opening angle range of the limiting groove may be set between 90 ° and 150 °. Wherein, the smooth fitting of the groove and the surface of the battery pack 30 can be ensured by making the opening angle larger than 90 degrees, and the firmness of fixing the battery pack 30 by the groove can be improved by making the opening angle smaller than 150 degrees.

As shown in fig. 7, in the present embodiment, the bottom of the lock block 11 is used to make contact with the bracket 10, and therefore, by setting the bottom edge 112 of the lock block 11 to be arc-shaped, and by making the bottom edge 112 of the lock block 11 arc-shaped, it is possible to avoid that the bottom of the lock block 11 is rubbed or rubbed against the bracket 10 to affect the smoothness of the movement of the lock block 11 during the process of switching the lock block 11 between the locked state and the unlocked state by the movement manner. Moreover, the structure can improve the reliability and success rate of switching the locking block 11 between the locking state and the unlocking state.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7 and 17, two abutting portions 113 are further formed at the bottom of the lock block 11, and the two abutting portions 113 have two inclined surfaces disposed at an angle, and by disposing the two inclined surfaces disposed at an angle at the bottom of the lock block 11, the lock block 11 is limited by contacting the inclined surfaces of the lock block 11 with other members, so that the lock block 11 can be moved within a range of a locked state and an unlocked state.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the buffer structure 12 is provided on the surface of the bracket 10, and the abutting portion 113 on the side close to the battery pack 30 (i.e., the abutting portion 113 on the right side in fig. 7) can make elastic contact with the buffer structure 12 at the time of switching the lock block 11 to the locked state at the bottom of the lock block 11, and buffer and support the lock block 11 by the compression deformation of the buffer structure 12. Through setting up flexible buffer structure 12 and touching and spacing the bottom of latch segment 11, can avoid producing abnormal sound, part wearing and tearing or the structural damage that rigid collision led to latch segment 11 spacing in-process.

In this embodiment, the buffer structure 12 also acts as an elastic member to apply an acting force to the lock block 11 at the same time, specifically, when the lock block 11 is in a locked state, the lower surface of the lock block 11 flexibly contacts with the buffer structure 12 and presses the buffer structure 12 to implement deformation compression, so that the buffer structure 12 can generate a reaction force through self compression and act on the lock block 11, so that the lock block 11 can move towards an unlocked state without receiving an external force. Of course, in other embodiments, for the purpose of enabling the lock block 11 to move toward the unlocked state without external force, an elastic member may be additionally provided to contact the lower surface of the lock block 11 on the basis of the buffer structure 12, so that the lock block 11 can move toward the unlocked state without external force. Thus, in other embodiments, these additional resilient members, other than cushioning structure 12, may be configured as coil springs or the like to provide a relatively high spring-back force over a relatively small compression range.

Specifically, the buffer structure 12 in this embodiment is a rubber pad, so that the buffer structure 12 also has the rebound function of the elastic member.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, the locking block 11 of the locking unit 1 is in an unlocked state, and when the battery pack 30 is placed on the bracket 10 from top to bottom, the matching portion 301 located on the side of the battery pack 30 contacts the limiting portion 111 of the locking block 11, transmitting downward force, and driving the locking block 11 to switch to a locked state. The scheme for driving the locking block 11 to be switched to the locking state is that the locking block 11 is switched to the locking state by utilizing the contact of the battery pack 30 and the locking block 11, and the locking process is simple and reliable by utilizing the acting force of the battery pack 30 placed on the bracket 10 to drive the locking block 11 to be switched to the locking state. And, need not to set up extra mechanism drive latch segment 11 and switch to the locking state for the structure of whole locking mechanism is simpler. Specifically, in order to facilitate the use of the placement of the battery pack 30, the locking block 11 is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the locking block 11 in this embodiment is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state by performing the overturning motion. Meanwhile, the motion trail of the overturning motion is clearer and clearer, and the reliability of state switching of the locking block 11 can be improved. Of course, in other embodiments, the locking block 11 may be switched between the locked and unlocked states by linear movement, or in particular by horizontal movement.

In this embodiment, the locking block 11 is rotatably connected to the bottom plate of the bracket 10 through the turning shaft 114, as shown in fig. 7, the turning shaft 114 is far away from the battery pack 30 relative to the limiting portion 111, so that the locking block 11 can be driven to turn over relative to the bracket 10 when the battery pack 30 acts on the limiting portion 111, so that the locking block 11 is switched to the locking state.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the center of gravity of the lock block 11 is further away from the battery pack 30 with respect to the tilting shaft 114, and the center of gravity of the lock block 11 is higher than the tilting shaft 114. Through the above-mentioned structure setting, under no exogenic action, realize utilizing latch segment 11 outwards (namely the direction of keeping away from battery package 30) under self gravity effect upset to switch to the purpose of unblock state. As shown in fig. 8 and 9, if the battery pack 30 is lifted up from the bracket 10 under the condition of fig. 8, the locking block 11 can be turned outwards under the action of its own weight as indicated by the arrow in fig. 9, and is automatically switched to the unlocking condition, so that the battery pack 30 is put in again. This structural arrangement makes the lock block 11 automatically switch to the unlock state when the battery pack 30 does not act on the lock block 11, and does not require an additional mechanism for driving, and has a simple structure and high reliability.

Of course, in other embodiments, other arrangements may be used to automatically switch the locking block 11 to the unlocked state when the battery pack 30 is removed from the bracket 10. For example, a torsion spring may be provided on the tilting shaft 114, by which the lock block 11 is acted on, so that the lock block 11 is flipped to an unlocked state when not subjected to an external force. The structural schemes can also realize the automatic resetting purpose of the locking block 11, and the bracket assembly can also have a simple and reliable structure.

In this embodiment, besides the function of the center of gravity of the turning shaft 114, the buffer structure 12 can also help the locking block 11 switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, specifically, as shown in fig. 7, when the locking block 11 is in the locked state, the bottom edge 112 of the locking block 11 and one of the abutting portions 113 of the locking block 11 are pressed against the surface of the buffer structure 12, at this time, the buffer structure 12 is compressed and generates a force on the locking block 11, and when the battery is taken out, the force of the buffer structure 12 on the locking block 11 can help the locking block 11 switch to the unlocked state. In other embodiments, other elastic parts such as springs may act on the locking block 11 to apply an acting force to the locking block 11 when the locking block 11 is in the locked state, so as to drive the locking block 11 to rapidly switch to the unlocked state without being affected by the gravity of the battery pack 30.

As shown in fig. 7, the locking mechanism in this embodiment further includes a lock tongue 2, where the lock tongue 2 can move relative to the lock block 11 of the locking unit 1, and approaches and abuts against another abutting portion 113 (i.e., the abutting portion 113 located on the left side in fig. 7) of the lock block 11 when the lock block 11 is in the locked state, so as to keep the lock block 11 of the locking unit 1 locked in the locked state. Through the above structure setting, the mode that spring bolt 2 through the butt in locking unit 1 is in order to maintain the locking state, avoids latch segment 11 to be switched to the unblock state by mistake because of unexpected factor effect, improves the reliability to battery package 30 locking, effectively adapts to scene such as vehicle jolt and go.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the lock tongue 2 includes a lock tongue body 21 and a limiting member 22. Wherein, the latch bolt body 21 moves back and forth along the straight line direction of level relative latch bolt 11 to contact with the portion 113 that supports of latch bolt 11 in order to lock latch bolt 11 in the locking state, and locating part 22 sets up at the top of latch bolt body 21 for the stroke of limiting latch bolt body 21 along the horizontal direction removes, through utilizing locating part 22 to limit the travel range of latch bolt body 21, be used for limiting the stroke that latch bolt body 21 moved towards latch bolt 11 promptly, can avoid latch bolt body 21 too to be close to latch bolt 11 and lead to the emergence of the condition such as latch bolt body 21 card dead with latch bolt body 11.

As shown in fig. 18, an abutment surface 211 is formed on a surface of the tongue body 21 facing the lock block 11, and the abutment surface 211 is an inclined surface for maintaining contact with the lock block 11 when the lock block 11 is in the locked state. The displacement of the locking block 11 is limited by the lock tongue body 21 in a bevel contact mode, so that a limiting mode similar to mortise and tenon connection is formed, and the locking unit 1 is effectively prevented from being switched to an unlocking state by overcoming the limit of the lock tongue body 21.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, after the latch bolt body 21 abuts against the lock block 11, the abutting direction of the latch bolt body 21 against the lock block 11 is perpendicular to the abutting surface 211.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the included angle between the direction X of the force transmitted by the locking block 11 to the locking block body 21 and the movement direction Y of the locking block body 21 away from the locking block 11 is about 80 °, at this time, the force transmitted by the locking block 11 to the locking block body 21 will generate a larger friction force, preventing the locking block body 21 from moving in the direction away from the locking block 11, so that the locking unit 1 cannot be released from the restriction on the locking unit 1 by transmitting the force to the locking unit 2 in the case that the locking unit 1 is subjected to a larger external force.

In other embodiments, the angle between the direction X of the force transmitted by the lock block 11 to the lock tongue body 21 and the movement direction Y of the lock tongue body 21 away from the lock block 11 may be set to be 75 ° or more.

As shown in fig. 2 and 11, the locking mechanism further includes a reset member 3, one end of the reset member 3 is connected to the lock tongue body 21, and applies an acting force to the lock tongue body 21, which moves towards a direction approaching to the locking block 11, so that the reliability of locking is improved by setting the reset member 3 to apply the acting force to the lock tongue body 21 approaching to the locking unit 1, and the locking unit is prevented from being switched to an unlocking state due to unexpected factors. Specifically, the reset member 3 in this embodiment adopts a spring, one end of the spring is fixed on the bracket of the bracket 10, and the other end of the spring is connected to the lock tongue 2, so as to drive the lock tongue body 21 to move horizontally and reset, and maintain the purpose of locking the locking block 11 in the locking state. As can be seen from fig. 2, the spring in this embodiment is detachably connected with the lock tongue 2 through the hook at the end, and this structural arrangement scheme can facilitate replacement of the spring and improve maintainability of the whole locking mechanism.

When the battery pack 30 is to be removed from the bracket 10 or when the battery pack 30 is to be placed on the bracket 10, it is necessary to move the latch bolt body 21 away from the latch 11, and then the latch 11 can be switched to the unlocked state by gravity, elastic force, or the like.

Therefore, the lock tongue body 21 in the present embodiment can be driven by an external force to move in a direction away from the locking block 11, so as to achieve the purpose of controllable unlocking by using the external force.

In other embodiments, a cylinder, a push rod, a screw nut, or other mechanism may be provided, and the lock block 11 may be connected to the lock bolt body 21 through the cylinder, the push rod, or the screw nut, or other mechanism, so as to input the external force to the lock bolt 2, so that the lock block 11 may be switched to the unlocked state.

In this embodiment, a relatively simple, more automated linkage is provided, as shown in fig. 12, by the downward movement of the forks 40 carrying the battery packs 30 relative to the pallet 10 to place the battery packs 30 on the pallet 10. In this embodiment, the fork 40 for carrying the battery pack 30 generates an external force to drive the latch bolt body 21 to move, and the latch 11 can be switched to the unlocked state during the process of carrying the battery pack 30 by the fork 40, so that the movement of carrying the battery pack 30 can be smoothly performed.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, the locking mechanism further includes a transmission member 4 connected to the lock tongue 2, where the transmission member 4 is configured to transmit an external force generated by the fork 40 to the lock tongue 2, so as to drive the lock tongue body 21 to move horizontally. The structure of the driving member 4 is shown in fig. 13-16, and the driving member 4 in this embodiment contacts the front end 40b and the side end 40a of the fork 40, so that the driving member 4 is driven to move by the placing action of the fork 40, and further drives the latch body 21 of the latch 2 to move. The spring bolt 2 is driven to move by utilizing the acting force generated by the contact with the front end and the side end of the fork 40, so that the structure is simple and reliable, and the switching of the unlocking state can be matched with the action of taking the discharge cell bag 30 by the fork 40.

In order to avoid excessive movement of the fork 40 driving the latch 2, as shown in fig. 8, a stopper 23 may be disposed at the rear side of the latch body 21 to limit the latch body 21, i.e. limit the travel of the latch body moving away from the battery pack.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 14, the two sets of locking units 1 are distributed on the side of the bracket 10 in this embodiment, and the corresponding driving members 4 of the locking units 1 are contacted with the side ends 40a of the fork 40 to drive the latch bolt body 21 to move. Specifically, when the fork 40 moves down or extends forward, the side end 40a of the fork 40 contacts the end of the driving member 4 and drives the driving member 4 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 14, so that the lock tongue body 21 moves synchronously to unlock the lock block 11, and the lock block 11 is switched to the unlock state under the action of gravity or elastic force of the lock block 11. In order to facilitate driving the transmission piece to move, further, a protruding part with a guide inclined plane can be arranged at the side end of the fork, and in the process that the fork extends forwards, the protruding part acts on the transmission piece, so that the transmission piece moves along the guide inclined plane to drive the lock tongue body to be far away from the locking block.

As shown in fig. 15 and 16, two sets of locking units 1 are further distributed on the rear portion of the bracket 10 in this embodiment, and the driving members 4 corresponding to these locking units 1 are contacted with the front end 40b of the fork 40 to drive the latch bolt body 21 to move. Specifically, when the fork 40 moves down or extends forward, the front end 40b of the fork 40 contacts the end of the driving member 4 and drives the driving member 4 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 16, so that the lock tongue body 21 moves synchronously to unlock the lock block 11, and the lock block 11 is switched to the unlock state under the action of gravity or elastic force of the lock block 11.

As can be seen from fig. 14 and 16, in this embodiment, the moving direction of the driving member 4 and the latch body 21 corresponding to the front end 40b or the side end 40a of the fork 40 is consistent with the pushing direction of the fork 40 to the driving member 4, and both are horizontal movement, so that the moving direction of the driving member 4 driving the latch 2 is consistent with the horizontally extending or extending direction of the fork 40, so as to simplify the structure of the driving member 4, and facilitate production, manufacture and maintenance.

The embodiment also provides a locking method of the battery pack 30, as shown in fig. 19, where the locking method of the battery pack 30 uses the locking mechanism to lock the battery pack 30, and the locking method of the battery pack 30 specifically includes the following steps:

s11, the battery pack 30 transporting mechanism is controlled to transport the battery pack 30 to the upper side of the bracket 10 (see fig. 12).

And S12, controlling a battery pack 30 conveying mechanism to place the battery pack 30 on the bracket 10, and switching the locking unit 1 of the locking mechanism to a locking state.

S13, the locking unit is controlled to lock the locking unit 1 in the locked state (see fig. 7).

According to the locking method of the battery pack 30, when the battery pack 30 is placed on the bracket 10, the battery pack 30 is reliably locked by switching the locking unit 1 of the locking mechanism to the locking state, so that shaking of the battery pack 30 relative to the bracket 10 in the vertical direction is limited, the safety of locking is improved, and locking failure is avoided.

Specifically, in the specific embodiment of the present embodiment, the locking unit is the lock tongue 2, specifically the lock tongue body 21, and the lock tongue body 21 unlocks and locks the lock block 11 of the lock mechanism by the fork 40 of the carrying mechanism for carrying the battery pack 30.

The step S12 further specifically includes: the battery pack 30 switches the locking unit 1 to the locked state by applying the gravity of the battery pack 30 to the locking unit 1 (see fig. 10 and 11).

Through the arrangement of the flow steps, the gravity in the process of placing the battery pack 30 relative to the bracket 10 is utilized to drive the locking unit to switch to a locking state, so that the self-locking purpose is realized, and the locking flow of the battery pack 30 is simpler and more reliable.

In addition, this embodiment also provides a method for unlocking the battery pack 30, as shown in fig. 20, the method for unlocking the battery pack 30 uses the locking mechanism to unlock the battery pack 30, and the method for locking the battery pack 30 specifically includes the following steps:

s21, the control tongue 2 releases the lock of the locking unit 1 of the locking mechanism (see fig. 8).

S22, controlling the battery pack 30 conveying mechanism to lift the battery pack 30 relative to the bracket 10, so that the locking unit 1 is switched to an unlocking state. (see FIG. 9)

S23, controlling a battery pack 30 conveying mechanism to take out the battery pack 30 from the upper side of the bracket 10.

According to the unlocking method of the battery pack 30, before the battery pack 30 is removed from the bracket 10, the locking unit 1 of the locking mechanism is switched to the unlocking state, so that the battery pack 30 can be removed from the bracket 10, the structure is simple and reliable, and the difficulty in removing the battery pack 30 from the bracket 10 is reduced.

Specifically, in step S22 of the method for unlocking the battery pack 30, the battery pack 30 is released from the gravity of the battery pack 30 applied to the locking unit 1, so that the locking unit 1 is switched to the unlocking state, and the locking unit is driven to be switched to the unlocking state by utilizing the way that the gravity acts on the locking unit when the battery pack 30 is lifted relative to the bracket 10, so as to achieve the self-locking purpose, so that the locking process of the battery pack 30 is simpler and more reliable, the unlocking automation degree is high, and no additional driving structure is required.

Further, as shown in fig. 14, in step S21 of the unlocking method of the battery pack 30, the lock tongue 2 is driven by the fork 40 of the battery pack 30 carrying mechanism to move in a direction away from the locking unit 1 to unlock the locking unit 1. By driving the lock tongue 2 to move by using the battery pack 30 carrying mechanism, the locking unit can be switched to the unlocking state, the unlocking automation degree is high, and an additional driving structure is not required.

The present embodiment also provides an electric vehicle, in which the bracket assembly described above is adopted, specifically, the cross member 103 of the bracket 10 is fixed to the lower surface of a chassis girder (not shown) of the electric vehicle. Through the structure, the bracket 10 is reliably connected with the electric automobile, and deformation of the bracket 10 in the long-term use process is avoided. Of course, in other embodiments, if the bracket 10 further has a back plate, the back plate of the bracket 10 may be fixed to a side surface of a chassis girder of the electric vehicle, so as to further enhance the connection tightness of the bracket 10 with the chassis of the electric vehicle.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this is by way of example only, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. Various changes and modifications to these embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, but such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for locking or unlocking a battery pack to a bracket of an electric vehicle, the locking mechanism comprising a locking unit provided to the bracket;

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking unit includes a locking piece, the limit portion is formed on the locking piece, and the locking piece is in side contact with the matching portion of the battery pack through the limit portion;

3. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the limit portion is a limit groove;

the limiting groove is provided with a bevel part, a plane part and a bevel part which are sequentially and continuously arranged;

and/or the opening angle range of the limiting groove is 90-150 degrees.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the bottom edge of the locking block is arcuate;

and/or the bottom of the locking block is also provided with an abutting part, and the abutting part is provided with two inclined planes which are arranged in an angle way.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the locking unit further comprises a buffer structure provided on the bracket below the locking block, the buffer structure contacting the locking block when the locking block is switched to the locked state to buffer and support the locking block.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the locking block is rotatably coupled to the bracket by a tilt shaft, the tilt shaft being remote from the battery pack relative to the limit portion.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the center of gravity of said locking block is remote from said battery pack relative to said roll-over axis and the center of gravity of said locking block is higher than said roll-over axis.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein a torsion spring is provided on the flipping shaft for driving the locking block to flip to the unlocked state when the locking block is not subjected to an external force.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein an elastic member is further provided at a bottom of the locking block, one end of the elastic member acts on the locking block in a vertical direction, and the locking block is configured to drive the locking block to be turned to an unlocked state when the locking block is not subjected to an external force.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a locking tongue movable relative to the locking unit and approaching and abutting the locking unit when the locking unit is in a locked state to lock the locking unit in a locked state.

11. The locking mechanism of claim 10, wherein the locking bolt comprises a bolt body that moves in a linear direction relative to the locking unit and contacts the locking unit to lock the locking unit in a locked state, and a stopper for limiting a travel of the bolt body that moves in a horizontal direction.

12. The locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the stop member is coupled to the latch body and is positioned above the latch body such that the stop member is capable of contacting the locking unit and limiting displacement of the latch body when the latch body is moved in a direction toward the locking unit.

13. The locking mechanism of claim 10, wherein an included angle between a direction of a force transmitted from the locking unit to the locking bolt and a direction of movement of the locking bolt away from the locking unit is 75 ° or more.

14. The locking mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a return member having one end connected to the locking tab and applying a force to the locking tab that moves in the direction of the locking unit.

15. The locking mechanism of claim 14, wherein said return member is a spring, one end of said spring being secured to said bracket, and the other end of said spring being connected to said locking bolt.

16. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein said spring is removably coupled to said locking bolt by a distal hook.

17. The locking mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a push rod or screw nut mechanism coupled to the locking bolt, the push rod or screw nut mechanism configured to input an external force to the locking bolt to move the locking bolt in a direction away from the locking unit.

18. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said locking block moves horizontally with respect to said bracket toward or away from said battery pack.

19. The locking mechanism of claim 18, wherein said locking block is adapted to move horizontally relative to said bracket by means of a push rod or a screw nut mechanism, said bracket having a horizontally extending rail thereon, said locking block being disposed on said rail.

20. A bracket assembly comprising a bracket and a locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The bracket assembly of claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism is disposed on a floor of the bracket.

22. The bracket assembly of claim 20, wherein the number of locking mechanisms is plural, and locking units of the plurality of locking mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the bracket in the width direction.