WO2019033721A1

WO2019033721A1 - Bolt locking method, swappable battery pack instillation system, and installation method

Info

Publication number: WO2019033721A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/075976
Authority: WO
Inventors: 曹建航; 李楠; 林海岩
Original assignee: 上海蔚来汽车有限公司
Priority date: 2017-08-17
Filing date: 2018-02-09
Publication date: 2019-02-21
Also published as: CN109396812A; CN109396812B; TW201912460A; TWI746794B

Abstract

Disclosed are a bolt locking method, a swappable battery pack installation system, and an installation method. The bolt locking method comprises: sequentially fastening bolts in diagonal pairs; dividing the tightening process into a pre-tightening stage and a stepped-tightening stage; in every stepped-tightening stage, sequentially fastening bolts also in diagonal pairs; during each stage, monitoring and analyzing in real time the tightening torque and angle; if the fastening conditions are not met, the bolt tightening is unlocked, and the tightening process is restarted.

Description

Bolt locking method, electric battery pack installation system and installation method

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of new energy vehicle quick-change technology; in particular, the invention relates to a bolt locking method, and further relates to a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system and a mounting method.

Background technique

New energy vehicles are characterized by low noise, high energy efficiency, and no mobile exhaust emissions.

The energy supply of new energy vehicles can be divided into two modes: plug-in and power-on. The charging time of the plug-in car is too long. Compared with the current fueling or refueling of traditional energy vehicles, the convenience of obtaining energy is far from meeting the needs of people. The power-exchange mode can generally complete the power-changing process in a few minutes, even if Compared with conventional energy vehicles, its convenience is not inferior. From this perspective, the prospect of the power exchange model is even broader.

In the fast-changing of new energy vehicles, the bolting efficiency and reliability are high. In the traditional manufacturing field, the manual operation of the bolt locking, the operation of the hand-held power tool and the simple mechanical operation cannot meet the requirements.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved bolt locking method.

It is an object of other aspects of the present invention to provide an improved new energy vehicle battery pack installation system and method of installation.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a first aspect of the invention provides a bolt locking method, wherein the method comprises:

Step A: Rotate the bolts in turn according to the diagonal rule, respectively screw the predetermined number of turns for each bolt or make the inflection point of the torque, whichever comes first. If it is screwed to the predetermined number of turns, proceed to the step. B, if the torque first inflection point, then proceed to step C;

Step B: judging whether the torque has an inflection point, if yes, go to step D, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step C: determining whether the number of turns of the screw is within the first error tolerance range, if yes, proceed to step D, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step D: continue to screw the bolts according to the predetermined number of steps N. In each step, the bolts are sequentially screwed according to the diagonal rule and it is judged whether the angle of the bolt rotation after each predetermined torque is screwed is allowed in the second error. Within the range, yes, proceed to step E, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step E: determining whether the angle of the bolt rotation from the inflection point to the final torque is within the third error tolerance range, if yes, proceed to step F, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step F: Rotate the bolts to the final torque in turn according to the diagonal rule, and determine whether the angle of the screw is within the fourth error tolerance range and whether the torque change is within the fifth error tolerance range. End the screw bolt, otherwise repeat step F, until the predetermined number of times M is repeated, then proceed to step G;

Step G: Unlock all the bolts and return to step A.

Optionally, in the method as described above, in the step A, the predetermined number of turns is the number of engagement times of the bolt and the nut.

Optionally, in the method as described above, the first error tolerance range is the predetermined number of turns ± 2 turns.

Alternatively, in the method as described above, in step D, the predetermined torque that is screwed in each step is 1/N of the final torque.

Optionally, in the method as described above, in step D, the predetermined number of steps N is 2 to 4.

Optionally, in the method as described above, in step D, the predetermined number of steps N is 3, the second error tolerance range is 4±2°, and, in step E, the first The three error tolerances are 12 ± 2°.

Alternatively, in the method as described above, in steps A and B, if the value of the torque exceeds the torque required when the bolt and nut threads are idling, it is determined that an inflection point occurs.

In order to achieve the foregoing object, a second aspect of the present invention provides a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, wherein the system includes:

a locking head for sequentially engaging with the bolt of the electric battery pack to complete the tightening of the bolt;

a displacement control module for controlling movement of the locking head to sequentially engage each of the bolts;

Tightening the control module, the tightening control module for controlling the tightening head to perform a tightening action according to the method of any of the preceding first aspects.

Optionally, in the system as described above, the system further comprises:

a load platform for carrying and transporting the battery pack, and the load platform has a lock for positioning the lock head position with the bolt of the battery pack Tight positioning hole;

a lifting device for lifting and lowering the battery pack to match a mounting position on the vehicle; a data collecting device for collecting the tightening head during tightening Torque and angle data;

Lifting the control module, the lift control module is configured to control the lifting height of the lifting device.

In order to achieve the foregoing object, a third aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a battery pack using a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, wherein the method includes the method of any of the foregoing first aspects The method described in the method of tightening a plurality of bolts.

DRAWINGS

The disclosure of the present invention will become more apparent from the drawings. It is to be understood that the appended drawings are not intended to In the picture:

Figure 1 shows, in a schematic plan view, a battery pack with a locking bolt;

Figure 2 shows, in a schematic plan view, a load platform with a locking head;

Figure 3 shows the load platform of Figure 2 in a schematic side view;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the battery pack of Figure 1 placed on the load platform of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the load platform of Figure 2;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a flow chart of a bolt locking method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the respective drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding technical features.

Figure 1 shows, in a schematic plan view, a battery pack with a locking bolt.

The figure shows a square battery pack 1 and two (eight) lock bolts 2 are arranged on each circumferential side of the battery pack 1, and the battery pack 1 will pass through these locks. The bolt 2 is tightened and mounted to the body of the new energy vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the battery pack can be designed in other shapes, and the battery pack can be placed with other numbers of multiple lock bolts at other locations.

In the example of Figure 1, the eight locking bolts 2 are sequentially labeled diagonally as ABCDEFG. The diagonal rule here is a rule of bolt tightening sequence, in which a bolt is first screwed, and then the bolt that is diagonally farthest from the opposite angle is screwed, and then an angle is changed, and the screwing is continued according to this example. After all the bolts are tightened, repeat the above operations for fastening. As shown in Figure 1, A and B, C and D, E and F, G and H, respectively, are in a diagonal relationship and each pair is angled at two.

Figure 2 shows, in a schematic plan view, a load platform with a locking head.

The figure shows a square carrier platform 3 and a locking head 4 is arranged on its load plane for engaging the locking bolts 2 of the battery pack 1 in sequence to complete the tightening of all the bolts step by step. The loading platform 3 also has a locking head positioning hole 6 having the same number and position as that of the bolt on the battery pack of FIG. 1 for positioning the locking head to fit the battery pack locking bolt.

The load platform 3 is used to carry the battery pack 1 for replacement. The locking head 4 can be freely moved to the respective locking head positioning holes 6 in order to engage with the bolt heads of the locking bolts 2, and can be used to sequentially lock or unlock the tightening of all the locking bolts on the battery pack. Below the load platform 3, a lifting device 5 is arranged for lifting the battery pack 1 to fit the mounting position on the new energy vehicle. The carrier platform can be designed in other shapes in alternative embodiments. The number and arrangement position of the lifting devices 5 can also be varied in alternative embodiments.

Figure 3 shows the load platform of Figure 2 in a schematic side view, in which the locking head 4, lifting device 5, etc. of the load platform 3 can be seen from another angle. In addition, it can also be seen that a tightening controller 8, a data collecting device 9, and the like are further disposed at the locking head 4; and a lifting controller 10 or the like is further provided at each of the lifting devices 5. The data acquisition device 9 can be used to collect torque and angle data during tightening of the tightening head. The displacement controller 7 can be used to control the movement of the locking head to a different locking head positioning hole. The tightening controller 8 can be used to control the tightening action of the tightening head. The lift controller 10 can be used to control the lift height of the lift device.

It can be understood that the displacement controller, the tightening controller, the lifting controller and the like described above may be corresponding control modules of the main controller.

Figure 4 shows, in a schematic plan view, the battery pack 1 of Figure 1 placed on the carrier platform 3 of Figure 2 . In this figure, the locking head can already be fitted to a locking bolt 2 for tightening the locking bolt.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a block diagram of a control system of the carrier platform of Fig. 2. As can be seen from the figure, the main controller can be communicatively coupled to the data acquisition device, the displacement controller, the tightening controller, and the respective lift controllers. Specifically, the main controller raises the load platform by controlling the lifting controller, so that the electric battery pack matches the installation position on the new energy vehicle; the main controller controls the displacement controller to sequentially enter the locking head positioning holes of each locking head. And control the tightening controller to tighten the bolts. The data acquisition device can detect and collect the torque and angle data during the tightening process of the tightening head. During the tightening process, the main controller can read the data collected by the data acquisition device and analyze it in real time.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a flow chart of a bolt locking method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows the steps of the method in a simple form.

According to Figure 6, after the tightening bolts are tightened, in step A, the bolts are screwed in turn according to the diagonal rule, and each bolt is screwed a predetermined number of turns or the torque is inflection point (first come) The first step is to proceed to step B if it is first screwed to the predetermined number of turns, and to step C if the torque first occurs.

In this step A, the predetermined number of turns may be the number of turns of the bolt and the nut, or may be understood as the number of turns of the bolt and nut threads that are idling relative to each other. In this step A, if the value of the torque exceeds the torque required when the bolt and nut threads are idling, it can be determined that the aforementioned bite or idling is completed, and an inflection point occurs. This step can be seen as a pre-tightening phase for each locking bolt and, if the conditions are met, a subsequent step-by-step tightening phase.

In step B, it is judged whether or not the torque has an inflection point, and it is before the step D, otherwise it proceeds to step G. In this step B, if the value of the torque exceeds the torque required when the bolt and nut threads are idling, it can be determined that an inflection point has occurred. If there is no inflection point after the predetermined number of turns, there may be problems such as the thread slip of the bolt or nut, the misalignment of the bolt and the nut, and the long bolt. Therefore, the corresponding remedial measures can be considered, for example, after replacing the bolt. Then restart the tightening operation.

In step C, it is determined whether the number of turns of the screw is within the first error allowable range, if yes, proceed to step D, otherwise proceed to step G. In an alternative embodiment, the first error tolerance range herein may be set to a predetermined number of turns ± 2 turns. Other optional ranges are not excluded in other embodiments. If the torque has not been screwed to the predetermined number of turns after the inflection point, there may be problems such as insufficient bolt length, thread of the bolt or nut, tilting of the bolt in the nut, etc., and the corresponding remedial measures may be considered. For example, replace the bolts and restart the tightening operation.

As can be seen from the above, steps B and C are used to determine whether the pre-tightening phase has been successfully completed. If yes, proceed to step D for the next step of the tightening phase.

In step D, the bolts can be further rotated by a predetermined number of steps N. In each step, the bolts can be sequentially screwed according to the diagonal rule and the angle at which the bolt is rotated after each predetermined torque is judged is second. Within the error tolerance range, yes, proceed to step E, otherwise proceed to step G. In this step D, the value of the predetermined number of steps N may be set according to specific needs, such as but not limited to 2 to 4, and the like. In alternative embodiments, the predetermined torques that are screwed in each step may be equal, 1/N of the final torque, respectively. It should be understood that in an alternative embodiment, the torque that is spun each time in the predetermined number of steps N of the step screwing may be different values from each other. In a specific embodiment, in the step D, the predetermined number of steps may be 3, and the second error allowable range may be, for example, 4±2°.

In step E, it is judged whether the angle from the inflection point to the final torque bolt rotation is within the third error tolerance range, and if yes, proceed to step F, otherwise proceed to step G. In this step E, the third error tolerance range may be 12 ± 2°.

In step F, each bolt can be sequentially screwed to the final torque according to the diagonal rule, and it is judged whether the angle of the screwing is within the fourth error tolerance range and whether the torque change that is screwed is within the fifth error tolerance range. Then, the screw is finished, otherwise step F is repeated until the predetermined number of times M is repeated, and then the process proceeds to step G. This step F is used as a tightening confirmation to check whether the bolts are loosened by the influence of other bolts after the segment tightening, and if they are loose, they are tightened again.

It should be understood that after this step, it can be determined whether the final torque and angle of the bolt are normal, and if it is normal, the tightening operation of each bolt is completed.

Through the step tightening of step D and step E and the tightening confirmation of step F and real-time data analysis, the reliability of bolt tightening can be effectively ensured, and problems such as leakage, poor bolts, and misalignment can be prevented.

In step G, unlock all the bolts and return to step A. According to the previous step B, step C, step D, step E and step F, it can be understood that if any one of the steps is abnormal, the bolt needs to be unlocked, and then the tightening operation of the locking bolt is restarted from the beginning.

A specific example will be described below in conjunction with the flow chart of the battery pack, the loading platform, the control system block diagram and the control method of FIGS. 1 to 6.

In this specific example, the main controller lifts the load platform by controlling the lift controller so that the battery pack is matched with the installation position on the electric vehicle, and then the main controller starts tightening the bolt A by controlling the tightening controller. During the tightening process, the main controller reads the data collected by the data acquisition device in real time and analyzes it. The bolt A data must meet the following conditions:

1 The 12-turn tightening torque value of the data is less than 2N·m, of which 12 turns are assumed. The specific value is determined by the number of laps of the bolt and the nut, and the error is within 2 turns; 2N·m is the assumed value. The specific value is the torque required for the bolt and nut threads to idling.

After 212 laps, the torque has an inflection point, and the data starts to rise. When the torque has an inflection point, stop tightening the bolt A. The displacement controller controls the tightening head to move to the bolt B. Tighten the bolt B to the inflection point of the torque, and sequentially perform the locking bolt CDEFGH. The same operation; continue to tighten the bolt H, when the final torque is 1/3, stop tightening the bolt H, the displacement controller controls the tightening head to move to the bolt G, tighten the bolt G to reach 1/3 of the final torque, and then lock the lock The bolt FEDCBA performs the same operation; continue to tighten the bolt A, when the final torque is 2/3, stop tightening the bolt A, the displacement controller controls the tightening head to move to the bolt B, and tighten the bolt B to reach 2/3 of the final torque, in turn Perform the same operation on the locking bolt CDEFGH; continue to tighten the bolt H, when the final torque is reached, stop tightening the bolt H, the displacement controller controls the tightening head to move to the bolt G, tighten the bolt G to reach the final torque, and then the locking bolt FEDCBA Perform the same operation; continue to tighten the bolt A. When the final torque is reached, stop tightening the bolt A. The displacement controller controls the tightening head to move to the bolt B, tightening B to achieve a final torque bolt, the locking bolt CDEFGH sequentially perform the same operation.

3 The main controller processes and analyzes the curve of each locking bolt in the step. The angular rotation needs to be less than 2°, and the torque change corresponding to the angle change is less than 5N·m, otherwise the step needs to be repeated. The number of repetitions of this step must not exceed 3 times, of which 2° is the assumed value, the specific value varies according to different bolt types and materials; 5N·m is assumed, the specific value varies according to different bolt types and materials; 3 times As assuming the value, the specific value varies depending on the bolt type and material.

The main controller processes and analyzes the collected data. The following conditions are met for each locking bolt from the inflection point to the final torque process data:

4 From the inflection point to the final torque turning angle is 12°, the allowable error is 4°, where 12° is the assumed value, the specific value varies according to different bolt types and materials; 4° is the assumed value, the specific value is according to different bolts Model and material have changed.

5 Each tightening 1/3 of the final torque, the angle is rotated by 4°, the allowable error is 2°, wherein 4° is the assumed value, the specific value varies according to different bolt types and materials; 2° is the assumed value, the specific value is different Bolt models and materials have changed.

The main controller processes and analyzes the entire process data. The process data of 8 bolts meets the above 12345 conditions, and the tightening is successful. If the process data of 8 bolts does not meet the above 12345 conditions, all bolts need to be unlocked. Re-record the data according to the above process and re-record the data until the process data of the 8 bolts meets the above 12345 conditions.

In combination with the above description, an aspect of the present invention also provides a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, which may include a lock head, a displacement control module, and a tightening control module (or the displacement controller of FIG. 5 and Tightening the controller), wherein the locking head is used to sequentially engage with the bolt of the battery pack to complete the tightening of the bolt; the displacement control module is used for controlling the movement of the locking head to sequentially fit the bolts; and tightening the control module Performing a tightening action according to the method of any of the foregoing embodiments for controlling the tightening head

As shown in Figures 1 through 5, the system can also include a load platform, a lifting device, a data acquisition device, and a lift control module (or a lift controller as in Figure 5). The load platform can be used to carry and transport the battery pack, and the load platform can have a lock head positioning hole for positioning the lock head position to engage with the bolt of the battery pack. The lifting device can be used to lift and replace the battery pack so that it fits into the installation location on the new energy vehicle. The data acquisition device can be used to collect torque and angle data of the tightening head during tightening. The lift control module can be used to control the lift height of the lift device. The main controller is communicatively coupled with the data acquisition device, the lift control module, the displacement control module, the tightening control module, etc., and they may be distributed or integrated with the main controller.

Further, another aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a replacement battery pack using a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, the method may include tightening a plurality of bolts by a method according to any of the foregoing embodiments. step.

A person skilled in the art can understand that the new energy vehicle battery pack installation system provided in these aspects and the method for installing the battery pack using the new energy vehicle battery pack installation system have the advantages corresponding to the foregoing methods. The corresponding advantageous effects can be achieved.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. Within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A bolt locking method, characterized in that the method comprises:

Step A: Rotate the bolts in turn according to the diagonal rule, respectively screw the predetermined number of turns for each bolt or make the inflection point of the torque, whichever comes first. If it is screwed to the predetermined number of turns, proceed to the step. B, if the torque first inflection point, then proceed to step C;

Step B: judging whether the torque has an inflection point, if yes, go to step D, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step C: determining whether the number of turns of the screw is within the first error tolerance range, if yes, proceed to step D, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step D: continue to screw the bolts according to the predetermined number of steps N. In each step, the bolts are sequentially screwed according to the diagonal rule and it is judged whether the angle of the bolt rotation after each predetermined torque is screwed is allowed in the second error. Within the range, yes, proceed to step E, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step E: determining whether the angle of the bolt rotation from the inflection point to the final torque is within the third error tolerance range, if yes, proceed to step F, otherwise proceed to step G;

Step F: Rotate the bolts to the final torque in turn according to the diagonal rule, and determine whether the angle of the screw is within the fourth error tolerance range and whether the torque change is within the fifth error tolerance range. End the screw bolt, otherwise repeat step F, until the predetermined number of times M is repeated, then proceed to step G;

Step G: Unlock all the bolts and return to step A.
The method of claim 1, wherein in the step A, the predetermined number of turns is the number of engagements of the bolt and the nut.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first error tolerance range is said predetermined number of turns ± 2 turns.
The method of claim 1, wherein in step D, the predetermined torque that is screwed in each step is 1/N of the final torque.
The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step D, the predetermined number of steps N is 2 to 4.
The method according to claim 5, wherein in step D, said predetermined number of steps N is 3, said second error allowable range is 4 ± 2°, and, in step E, said third error The allowable range is 12±2°.
The method of claim 1, wherein in steps A and B, if the value of the torque exceeds a torque required when the bolt and nut threads are idling, it is determined that an inflection point occurs.
A new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, characterized in that the system comprises:

a locking head for sequentially engaging with the bolt of the electric battery pack to complete the tightening of the bolt;

a displacement control module for controlling movement of the locking head to sequentially engage each of the bolts;

The tightening control module is used to control the tightening head to perform a tightening action according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.
The system of claim 8 wherein said system further comprises:

a load platform for carrying and transporting the battery pack, and the load platform has a lock for positioning the lock head position with the bolt of the battery pack Tight positioning hole;

a lifting device for lifting and lowering the battery pack to match a mounting position on the automobile;

a data acquisition device for collecting torque and angle data of the tightening head during tightening;

Lifting the control module, the lift control module is configured to control the lifting height of the lifting device.
A method of installing a replacement battery pack using a new energy vehicle battery pack installation system, the method comprising the step of tightening a plurality of bolts by the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.