WO2020024866A1 - Battery swapping station and system, and method for swapping battery pack for vehicle - Google Patents

Battery swapping station and system, and method for swapping battery pack for vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020024866A1
WO2020024866A1 PCT/CN2019/097627 CN2019097627W WO2020024866A1 WO 2020024866 A1 WO2020024866 A1 WO 2020024866A1 CN 2019097627 W CN2019097627 W CN 2019097627W WO 2020024866 A1 WO2020024866 A1 WO 2020024866A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
battery pack
battery
twist lock
lock mechanisms
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2019/097627
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yufan JIA
Original Assignee
Jia Yufan
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jia Yufan filed Critical Jia Yufan
Publication of WO2020024866A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020024866A1/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/66—Arrangements of batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/64—Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/80—Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S5/00—Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles
    • B60S5/06—Supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/36—Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to battery swapping stations, battery swapping systems and methods for swapping battery packs of vehicles.
  • the battery-swapping technique can significantly shorten the idling time of the commercial vehicle and provide the accuracy of locating and exchanging the battery pack.
  • the depleted battery packs are collected and charged. Compared to diesel, electricity is a more economical and environment-friendly energy source.
  • a battery swapping station comprising:
  • a charging platform configured to charge battery packs
  • a crane system configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the battery packs, raise and lower the battery packs, move the battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between an electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform, thereby swapping the battery packs between the electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform.
  • the crane system is a bridge crane system or a gantry crane system.
  • the crane system comprises a spreader, the spreader has first male twist lock mechanisms capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
  • the first male twist lock mechanisms comprises a head, a reduction gear box, and a motor, the motor drives the head through the reduction gearbox to rotate to two different positions, the head is locked at one position and unlocked at the other position with the female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
  • the crane system comprises a cantilever and a trolley system, the cantilever is aligned along the transverse direction and configured to move along the longitudinal direction, and the trolley system configured to move along the cantilever thereby moving the spreader along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction to reach any of the battery packs.
  • the trolley system comprises ropes and hoist mechanisms configured to extent and retract the ropes, the ropes are connected to the spreader located below the hoist mechanisms thereby raising and lowering the spreader in a vertical direction.
  • the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms and second male electric connectors, the third male twist lock mechanisms is capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs, the second male electric connectors are capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to charge the battery packs.
  • a battery swapping system comprising:
  • the battery packs comprising a first battery pack carried by the electric or hybrid vehicle, and a second battery pack located on the charging platform.
  • the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck, a bus, or a coach, the electric or hybrid vehicle is capable of having a battery pack accessed from a top of the vehicle by the crane system.
  • a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the battery packs respectively have female twist lock mechanisms.
  • a bottom surface of each of the battery packs has at least one female electric connector that is capable of having a first male electric connector of the vehicle or a second male electric connector of the charging platform inserted therein.
  • the electric or hybrid vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms and at least one first male electric connector
  • the second male twist lock mechanisms are capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs
  • the at least one first male electric connector is capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to discharge the battery packs thereby providing energy for the electric or hybrid vehicle.
  • the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a driver’s cabin and in front of a cargo.
  • the electric or hybrid vehicle is a passenger vehicle having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a passenger cabin.
  • a method for swapping battery packs for vehicle comprising:
  • the battery swapping station comprising a charging platform and a crane system, the charging platform having a first charging spot available for the first battery pack and a second charging spot with a second battery pack located thereon, the crane system being configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the first and second battery packs, to raise and lower the first and second battery packs, and to move the first and second battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between the electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform;
  • the crane system comprises a spreader
  • the spreader comprises first male twist lock mechanisms
  • the vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms
  • each of the first and second battery packs comprises female twist lock mechanisms located on a top surface and a bottom surface of the each of the first and second battery packs, before the raising of the first battery pack from the vehicle by the crane system, the method further comprises:
  • the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms
  • the method further comprises: locking the third male twist lock mechanisms of the charging platform with the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the charging platform with the first battery pack;
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a battery swapping station before a vehicle enters.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a bridge crane system of the battery swapping station.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a cantilever system of the bridge crane system in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a trolley system of the bridge crane system in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a hoist mechanism of the trolley system in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a male twist lock mechanism.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a battery pack.
  • FIG. 8 is another schematic structural view of the battery pack in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a compatible commercial truck with the battery pack.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of the compatible commercial truck in FIG. 9 without the battery pack.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a compatible commercial passenger vehicle without the battery pack.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a charging platform of the battery swapping station.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane system moving a spreader directly above the discharged battery pack in the compatible commercial truck entered in the battery swapping station.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lifting the discharged battery pack.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lowering the discharged battery pack to an available charging spot, the discharged battery pack being locked to the charging platform, and the discharged battery pack being unlocked from the spreader of the bridge crane.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the spreader being lowered to a charged battery pack, the spreader being locked to the charged battery pack, and the charged battery pack being unlocked from the charging platform.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lifting the charged battery pack and moving the charged battery pack directly above a battery spot on the compatible commercial truck.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lowering the charged battery to the compatible commercial truck, the charged battery pack being locked to the compatible commercial truck, and the charged battery pack being unlocked from the spreader of the bridge crane.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the spreader being raised after the charged battery being mounted in the compatible commercial truck.
  • the battery swapping system includes a battery swapping station and a vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle.
  • the vehicle includes a battery pack.
  • the vehicle can be a commercial vehicle, such as a commercial truck, a bus, or a coach. In the commercial truck, the battery pack can be located behind the driver’s cabin and in front of the cargo. In the bus or the coach, the battery pack can be located behind the passenger’s cabin.
  • the battery pack can be accessed from a top of the vehicle by a crane system.
  • the crane system can be a bridge crane system or a gantry crane system. The crane system is capable of exchanging the battery pack on the vehicle in a short time, such as less than one minute, providing a faster way to replenish the electric energy on the vehicle.
  • the battery pack that is on the vehicle before the vehicle enter the battery swapping station is referred to as the “discharged” battery pack
  • the battery pack that is on the vehicle after the vehicle leaves the battery swapping station is referred to as “charged” battery pack.
  • the direction that is along the vehicle passage of the battery swapping station is referred to as the “X” direction
  • the direction perpendicular to the vehicle passage of the battery swapping station is referred to as the “Y” direction.
  • the X direction is along the entry direction of the station for the vehicle. This method of naming is for illustrative purpose only.
  • the station 100 includes a building structure and a bridge crane system 101 supported by the building structure.
  • the bridge crane system 101 is configured to move the battery packs 103.
  • the station 100 defines a vehicle passage therein to have the vehicle travels along the vehicle passage.
  • the station 100 includes a charging platform 102 that is placed on a side of the vehicle passage.
  • the charging platform 102 is configured to charge the battery packs 103.
  • an embodiment of a bridge crane system 101 includes a cantilever 201 and a trolley system 202.
  • the cantilever 201 rests on rails supported by the building structure of the battery swapping station 100.
  • the trolley system 202 rests on rails of the cantilever 201.
  • the cantilever 201 provides movement in the X direction, and the trolley system 202 provides movement in the Y direction.
  • the bridge crane system 101 can be replaced by the gantry crane system that rests on rails on the floor.
  • the bridge crane system or gantry crane system is guided by a computer vision system having a camera thereby reaching any of the battery packs 103.
  • the bridge crane system or gantry crane system is operated manually.
  • an embodiment of the cantilever 201 has a horizontal beam 303, first motors 301 and first wheels 302.
  • the first wheels 302 are in contact with the rails supported by the building structure.
  • the first motors 301 drive the first wheels 302 to achieve movement of the bridge crane system 101 in the X direction.
  • an embodiment of the trolley system 202 has second wheels 402 that rests on the rails on top of the cantilever 201.
  • the trolley system 202 also has second motors 403 that drive the second wheels 402 to achieve movement in the Y direction.
  • the trolley system 202 also has hoist mechanisms 401 that can extent and retract ropes thereof.
  • the hoist mechanisms 401 are located above the cantilever 201.
  • the bridge crane system 101 also has a spreader 404 located below the cantilever 201, and particularly right below the hoist mechanisms 401.
  • the ropes are connected to the spreader 404.
  • the spreader 404 has first male twist lock mechanisms 405 that is configured to make mechanical connections to the battery packs 102.
  • an embodiment of the hoist mechanism 401 has a third motor 601, a gear box 602, a drum 603, the rope 604, a horizontal fixed pulley 605, a vertical fixed pulley 606, a mobile pulley 607, and a lead screw 608.
  • the third motor 601 drives the drum 603 and the lead screw 608 via the gear box 602.
  • the position of the mobile pulley 607 is driven by the lead screw 608.
  • the rope 604 is guided through the mobile pulley 607, the horizontal fixed pulley 605, and the vertical fixed pulley 606 and finally connected to the spreader 304 in FIG. 4.
  • the mobile pulley 607 can feed the rope 604 in a way that no matter how much rope 604 is left on the drum 603, the rope 604 always exist the hoist mechanism 401 at the position of the vertical fixed pulley 606.
  • the number of fixed pulleys can be reduced by changing the orientation of the hoist mechanism 401.
  • an embodiment of the first male twist lock mechanism 405 has a head 703, a reduction gear box 702, and a fourth motor 701.
  • the fourth motor 701 drives the reduction gearbox 702, which drives the head 703 to rotate.
  • the head 703 is in a “locked” position, and the head 703 can rotate 90 degrees to be in the “unlocked” position.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show different views of an embodiment of the battery pack 103.
  • the battery pack 103 has female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the top and bottom surfaces.
  • the first male twist lock mechanism 405 in FIG. 6 can be inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 at its “unlocked” position and the head 703 can rotate 90 degrees to be in the “locked” position to establish a mechanical connection with the battery pack 103.
  • the battery pack 103 also has a female electric connector 503 on the bottom surface.
  • the battery pack 103 also has a ventilation channel such as a vent 502 which is configured to manage the internal temperature of the battery pack 103.
  • excessive heat is generated by the batteries in the battery pack 103 while the battery pack 103 is being charged or while the battery pack 103 is providing power to the electric or hybrid vehicle, thus a thermal management system can remove that excessive heat from the battery pack 103 through the vent 502.
  • an embodiment of a compatible electric truck 104 has the battery pack 103 attached to and is capable of being removed from a body of the electric truck 104.
  • the battery pack 103 is placed on a discharging spot behind the driver’s cabin and in front of the cargo.
  • the discharging spot is configured to having the battery pack mounted thereon and discharged to provide electric power to the truck 104.
  • the truck 104 has second male twist lock mechanisms 801 having the same structure with the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404.
  • the truck 104 also has a first male electric connector 802.
  • the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 can be inserted to the female twist locks 501 on the battery pack 103 to mechanically connect the battery pack 103 to the truck 104, and the first male electric connector 802 can be inserted to the female electric connector 503 on the battery pack 103 to establish a electric power connection between the battery pack 103 and the truck 104.
  • an embodiment of a compatible electric or hybrid passenger vehicle 105 has a battery pack 103 attached to a body of the passenger vehicle 105.
  • the battery pack 103 can be placed on a discharging spot behind the passenger’s cabin.
  • the locking mechanism and electric connection are the same as that on the truck 104.
  • an embodiment of the charging platform 102 has third male twist lock mechanisms 901 and second male electric connectors 902.
  • the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 can be mechanically connect the battery pack 103 to the charging platform 102, and the second male electric connector 902 can connect to the female electric connector 503 on the battery pack to establish electric connection.
  • the structure of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 can be the same as that of the first and second male twist lock mechanisms 405, 801.
  • the structure of the second male electric connectors 902 can be the same as that of the first male electric connectors 802.
  • the charging platform 102 charge the battery packs 103 and monitor the status of each battery pack 103.
  • the locking mechanism and electric connection of the charging platform 102 are the same as that on the truck 104.
  • the vehicle is a compatible electric truck 104.
  • the bridge crane system moves the spreader 304 directly above the discharged battery pack 103 that is on the truck 104.
  • the spreader 404 is lowered to the discharged battery pack 103, the spreader 404 is locked to the discharged battery pack 103, and the discharged battery pack 103 is unlocked from the truck 104.
  • the spreader 404 is lowered to the top surface of the discharged battery pack 103 with the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501.
  • the heads 703 on the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404 turn from the “unlocked” position to the “locked” position.
  • the heads 703 on the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 of the truck 104 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position.
  • the discharged battery pack 103 is now mechanically unconnected from the truck 104 and mechanically connected to the spreader 404.
  • the discharged battery pack 103 is lifted by the bridge crane system 101.
  • the discharged battery pack 103 is lifted high enough so that the bottom surface of the discharged battery pack 103 is higher than the highest point on the truck 104 for safety concerns.
  • the bridge crane system 101 moves the discharged battery pack 103 directly above an available charging spot on the charging platform 102.
  • the discharged battery pack 103 is lowered to the available charging spot on the charging platform 102.
  • the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform 102 are inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the bottom surface of the discharged battery pack 103, and the second male electric connector 902 on the charging platform 102 is inserted to the female electric connector 503 on the discharged battery pack 103.
  • the heads 703 of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform turn from the “unlocked” to the “locked” position
  • the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position.
  • the discharged battery pack 103 is mechanically and electrically connected to the charging platform 102 while mechanically unconnected from the spreader 404.
  • the spreader 404 is raised so that the lowest point on the spreader 404 is higher than the top surface of the battery packs 103 on the charging platform 102.
  • the bridge crane system 101 moves the spreader 404 directly above a charged battery pack 103 located on another charging spot of the charging platform 102.
  • the spreader 404 is lowered to the top surface of the charged battery pack 103 while the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404 are inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the top surface of the charged battery pack 103.
  • the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “unlocked” position to “locked” position.
  • the heads 703 of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform 102 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position.
  • the charged battery pack 103 is now mechanically connected to the spreader 404 while mechanically and electrically disconnected from the charging platform 102.
  • the charged battery 103 is raised by the bridge crane system 101 so that the bottom surface of the charged battery pack 103 is higher than the highest point of the truck 104. Referring to FIGs. 17 to 19, the bridge crane system 101 then moves the charged battery pack 103 directly above the battery spot of the truck 104.
  • the charged battery pack 103 is lowered to the battery spot of the truck 104 while the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 on the truck 104 are inserted to the female twist locks 501 on the bottom surface of the charged battery pack 103, and the first male electric connector 802 on the truck is inserted to the female electric connector 503 of the charged battery pack 103. Then the heads 703 of the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 on the truck 104 turn from the “unlocked” position to the “locked” position, and the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position.
  • the charged battery pack 103 is now mechanically and electrically connected to the truck 104 while mechanically disconnected from the spreader 404.
  • the spreader 404 is then raised so that the lowest point of the spreader 404 is higher than the highest points of the truck 104 currently in the station 100 and the upcoming truck 104.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A battery swapping station and a method for swapping battery packs (103). The battery swapping station includes a charging platform (102) configured to charge battery packs (103), and a crane system (101) configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the battery packs (103), raise and lower the battery packs (103), move the battery packs (103) along longitudinal and transverse directions between an electric or hybrid vehicle (105) and the charging platform (102), thereby swapping the battery packs (103) between the electric or hybrid vehicle (105) and the charging platform (102).

Description

BATTERY SWAPPING STATION AND SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SWAPPING BATTERY PACK FOR VEHICLE FIELD
The present disclosure relates to battery swapping stations, battery swapping systems and methods for swapping battery packs of vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Current electric or hybrid commercial vehicles such as electric trucks store the electric power in battery packs. The battery packs are mounted inside the electric vehicles and need to be charged by an external charging port while the vehicles remain idle. The charging time is much longer than the time of refueling, wasting the drivers’ time and reducing the efficiency. A viable solution is to swap the discharged battery pack with a fully charged one.
As an autonomous process, the battery-swapping technique can significantly shorten the idling time of the commercial vehicle and provide the accuracy of locating and exchanging the battery pack. The depleted battery packs are collected and charged. Compared to diesel, electricity is a more economical and environment-friendly energy source.
SUMMARY
What is needed, therefore, is to provide a battery swapping station, a battery swapping system and a method for swapping a battery pack of a vehicle.
A battery swapping station comprising:
a charging platform configured to charge battery packs; and
a crane system configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the battery packs, raise and lower the battery packs, move the battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between an electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform, thereby swapping the battery packs between the electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform.
In an embodiment, the crane system is a bridge crane system or a gantry crane system.
In an embodiment, the crane system comprises a spreader, the spreader has first male twist lock mechanisms capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
In an embodiment, the first male twist lock mechanisms comprises a head, a reduction gear box, and a motor, the motor drives the head through the reduction gearbox to rotate to two different positions, the head is locked at one position and unlocked at the other position with the female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
In an embodiment, the crane system comprises a cantilever and a trolley system, the cantilever is aligned along the transverse direction and configured to move along the longitudinal direction, and the trolley system configured to move along the cantilever thereby moving the spreader along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction to reach any of the battery packs.
In an embodiment, the trolley system comprises ropes and hoist mechanisms configured to extent and retract the ropes, the ropes are connected to the spreader located below the hoist mechanisms thereby raising and lowering the spreader in a vertical direction.
In an embodiment, the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms and second male electric connectors, the third male twist lock mechanisms is capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs, the second male electric connectors are capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to charge the battery packs.
A battery swapping system comprising:
the battery swapping station;
the electric or hybrid vehicle; and
the battery packs comprising a first battery pack carried by the electric or hybrid vehicle, and a second battery pack located on the charging platform.
In an embodiment, the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck, a bus, or a coach, the electric or hybrid vehicle is capable of having a battery pack accessed from a top of the vehicle by the crane system.
In an embodiment, a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the battery packs respectively have female twist lock mechanisms.
In an embodiment, a bottom surface of each of the battery packs has at least one female electric connector that is capable of having a first male electric connector of the vehicle or a second male electric connector of the charging platform inserted therein.
In an embodiment, the electric or hybrid vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms and at least one first male electric connector, the second male twist lock mechanisms are capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs, the at least one first male electric connector is capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to discharge the battery packs thereby providing energy for the electric or hybrid vehicle.
In an embodiment, the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a driver’s cabin and in front of a cargo.
In an embodiment, the electric or hybrid vehicle is a passenger vehicle having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a passenger cabin.
A method for swapping battery packs for vehicle, the method comprising:
driving an electric or hybrid vehicle carrying a first battery pack into a battery swapping station, the battery swapping station comprising a charging platform and a crane system, the charging platform having a first charging spot available for the first battery pack and a second charging spot with a second battery pack located thereon, the crane system being configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the first and second battery packs, to raise and lower the first and second battery packs, and to move the first and second battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between the electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform;
raising the first battery pack from the vehicle by the crane system;
moving the first battery pack above the first charging spot by the crane system;
lowering the first battery pack to reach the first charging spot by the crane system;
raising the second battery pack from the second charging spot by the crane system;
moving the second battery pack above the vehicle by the crane system; and
lowering the second battery pack to reach the vehicle by the crane system.
In an embodiment, the crane system comprises a spreader, the spreader comprises first male twist lock mechanisms, the vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms, each of the first and second battery packs comprises female twist lock mechanisms located on a top surface and a bottom surface of the each of the first and second battery packs, before the raising of the first battery pack from the vehicle by the crane system, the method further comprises:
moving the spreader above the first battery pack and aligning with the first battery pack;
lowering the spreader to the top surface of the first battery pack;
locking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader with the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the crane system with the first battery pack carried by the vehicle; and
unlocking the second male twist lock mechanisms of the vehicle from the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically disconnecting the first battery pack from the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms,
after the lowering of the first battery pack to reach the first charging spot and before the raising of the second battery pack from the second charging spot, the method further comprises: locking the third male twist lock mechanisms of the charging platform with the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the charging platform with the first battery pack;
unlocking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader from the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically disconnecting the crane system from the first battery pack located on the first charging spot;
raising the spreader from the first battery pack located on the first charging spot;
moving the spreader above the second battery pack located on the second charging spot and aligning with the second battery pack;
lowering the spreader to the top surface of the second battery pack;
locking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader with the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the second battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the crane system with the second battery pack on the second charging spot; and
unlocking the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the second battery pack from the third male twist lock mechanisms of the charging platform thereby mechanically disconnecting the second battery pack from the second charging spot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Implementations are described by way of example only with reference to the attached figures.
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a battery swapping station before a vehicle enters.
FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a bridge crane system of the battery swapping station.
FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a cantilever system of the bridge crane system in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a trolley system of the bridge crane system in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a hoist mechanism of the trolley system in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a male twist lock mechanism.
FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a battery pack.
FIG. 8 is another schematic structural view of the battery pack in FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a compatible commercial truck with the battery pack.
FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of the compatible commercial truck in FIG. 9 without the battery pack.
FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a compatible commercial passenger vehicle without the battery pack.
FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a charging platform of the battery swapping station.
FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane system moving a spreader directly above the discharged battery pack in the compatible commercial truck entered in the battery swapping station.
FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lifting the discharged battery pack.
FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lowering the discharged battery pack to an available charging spot, the discharged battery pack being locked to the charging platform, and the discharged battery pack being unlocked from the spreader of the bridge crane.
FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the spreader being lowered to a charged battery pack, the spreader being locked to the charged battery pack, and the charged battery pack being unlocked from the charging platform.
FIG. 17 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lifting the charged battery pack and moving the charged battery pack directly above a battery spot on the compatible commercial truck.
FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the bridge crane lowering the charged battery to the compatible commercial truck, the charged battery pack being locked to the compatible commercial truck, and the charged battery pack being unlocked from the spreader of the bridge crane.
FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the spreader being raised after the charged battery being mounted in the compatible commercial truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A detailed description with the above drawings is made to further illustrate the present disclosure.
The articles “a” , “an” , and “the” used in this disclosure include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.
Embodiments of a battery swapping system are disclosed. The battery swapping system includes a battery swapping station and a vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes a battery pack. The vehicle can be a commercial vehicle, such as a commercial truck, a bus, or a coach. In the commercial truck, the battery pack can be located behind the driver’s cabin and in front of the cargo. In the bus or the coach, the battery pack can be located behind the passenger’s cabin. The battery pack can be accessed from a top of the vehicle by a crane system. The crane system can be a bridge crane system or a gantry crane system. The crane system is capable of exchanging the battery pack on the vehicle in a short time, such as less than one minute, providing a faster way to replenish the electric energy on the vehicle.
In the following embodiments, the battery pack that is on the vehicle before the vehicle enter the battery swapping station is referred to as the “discharged” battery pack, and the battery pack that is on the vehicle after the vehicle leaves the battery swapping station is referred to as “charged” battery pack. The direction that is along the vehicle passage of the battery swapping station is referred to as the “X” direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle passage of the battery swapping station is referred to as the “Y” direction. In some embodiments, the X direction is along the entry direction of the station for the vehicle. This method of naming is for illustrative purpose only.
Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the battery swapping station 100 before the vehicle enters the station 100 is shown. The station 100 includes a building structure and a bridge crane system 101 supported by the building structure. The bridge crane system 101 is configured to move the battery packs 103. The station 100 defines a vehicle passage therein to have the vehicle travels along the vehicle passage. The station 100 includes a charging platform 102 that is placed on a side of the vehicle passage. The charging platform 102 is configured to charge the battery packs 103.
Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a bridge crane system 101 includes a cantilever 201 and a trolley system 202. The cantilever 201 rests on rails supported by the building structure of the battery swapping station 100. The trolley system 202 rests on rails of the  cantilever 201. The cantilever 201 provides movement in the X direction, and the trolley system 202 provides movement in the Y direction. In other embodiments, the bridge crane system 101 can be replaced by the gantry crane system that rests on rails on the floor. In some embodiments, the bridge crane system or gantry crane system is guided by a computer vision system having a camera thereby reaching any of the battery packs 103. In other embodiments, the bridge crane system or gantry crane system is operated manually.
Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the cantilever 201 has a horizontal beam 303, first motors 301 and first wheels 302. The first wheels 302 are in contact with the rails supported by the building structure. The first motors 301 drive the first wheels 302 to achieve movement of the bridge crane system 101 in the X direction.
Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the trolley system 202 has second wheels 402 that rests on the rails on top of the cantilever 201. The trolley system 202 also has second motors 403 that drive the second wheels 402 to achieve movement in the Y direction. The trolley system 202 also has hoist mechanisms 401 that can extent and retract ropes thereof. The hoist mechanisms 401 are located above the cantilever 201. The bridge crane system 101 also has a spreader 404 located below the cantilever 201, and particularly right below the hoist mechanisms 401. The ropes are connected to the spreader 404. The spreader 404 has first male twist lock mechanisms 405 that is configured to make mechanical connections to the battery packs 102.
Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the hoist mechanism 401 has a third motor 601, a gear box 602, a drum 603, the rope 604, a horizontal fixed pulley 605, a vertical fixed pulley 606, a mobile pulley 607, and a lead screw 608. The third motor 601 drives the drum 603 and the lead screw 608 via the gear box 602. The position of the mobile pulley 607 is driven by the lead screw 608. The rope 604 is guided through the mobile pulley 607, the horizontal fixed pulley 605, and the vertical fixed pulley 606 and finally connected to the spreader 304 in FIG. 4. The mobile pulley 607 can feed the rope 604 in a way that no matter how much rope 604 is left on the drum 603, the rope 604 always exist the hoist mechanism 401 at the position of the vertical fixed pulley 606. In other embodiments, the number of fixed pulleys can be reduced by changing the orientation of the hoist mechanism 401.
Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the first male twist lock mechanism 405 has a head 703, a reduction gear box 702, and a fourth motor 701. The fourth motor 701 drives the reduction gearbox 702, which drives the head 703 to rotate. In FIG. 6, the head 703 is in a “locked” position, and the head 703 can rotate 90 degrees to be in the “unlocked” position.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show different views of an embodiment of the battery pack 103. In this  embodiment, the battery pack 103 has female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the top and bottom surfaces. The first male twist lock mechanism 405 in FIG. 6 can be inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 at its “unlocked” position and the head 703 can rotate 90 degrees to be in the “locked” position to establish a mechanical connection with the battery pack 103. The battery pack 103 also has a female electric connector 503 on the bottom surface. The battery pack 103 also has a ventilation channel such as a vent 502 which is configured to manage the internal temperature of the battery pack 103. In some embodiments, excessive heat is generated by the batteries in the battery pack 103 while the battery pack 103 is being charged or while the battery pack 103 is providing power to the electric or hybrid vehicle, thus a thermal management system can remove that excessive heat from the battery pack 103 through the vent 502.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an embodiment of a compatible electric truck 104 has the battery pack 103 attached to and is capable of being removed from a body of the electric truck 104. The battery pack 103 is placed on a discharging spot behind the driver’s cabin and in front of the cargo. The discharging spot is configured to having the battery pack mounted thereon and discharged to provide electric power to the truck 104. The truck 104 has second male twist lock mechanisms 801 having the same structure with the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404. The truck 104 also has a first male electric connector 802. After a battery pack 103 is placed on the discharging spot of the truck 104, the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 can be inserted to the female twist locks 501 on the battery pack 103 to mechanically connect the battery pack 103 to the truck 104, and the first male electric connector 802 can be inserted to the female electric connector 503 on the battery pack 103 to establish a electric power connection between the battery pack 103 and the truck 104.
Referring to FIG. 11, an embodiment of a compatible electric or hybrid passenger vehicle 105 has a battery pack 103 attached to a body of the passenger vehicle 105. In this embodiment, the battery pack 103 can be placed on a discharging spot behind the passenger’s cabin. The locking mechanism and electric connection are the same as that on the truck 104.
Referring to FIG. 12, an embodiment of the charging platform 102 has third male twist lock mechanisms 901 and second male electric connectors 902. After battery packs 103 are placed on the charging platform, the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 can be mechanically connect the battery pack 103 to the charging platform 102, and the second male electric connector 902 can connect to the female electric connector 503 on the battery pack to establish electric connection. The structure of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 can be the same as that of the first and second male  twist lock mechanisms  405, 801. The structure of the second  male electric connectors 902 can be the same as that of the first male electric connectors 802. The charging platform 102 charge the battery packs 103 and monitor the status of each battery pack 103. The locking mechanism and electric connection of the charging platform 102 are the same as that on the truck 104.
An embodiment of a battery swapping method is provided. In this embodiment, the vehicle is a compatible electric truck 104. Referring to FIG. 13, after the truck 104 enters the station 100 along the X direction, the bridge crane system moves the spreader 304 directly above the discharged battery pack 103 that is on the truck 104. Then, the spreader 404 is lowered to the discharged battery pack 103, the spreader 404 is locked to the discharged battery pack 103, and the discharged battery pack 103 is unlocked from the truck 104. Specifically, the spreader 404 is lowered to the top surface of the discharged battery pack 103 with the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501. First, the heads 703 on the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404 turn from the “unlocked” position to the “locked” position. Then, the heads 703 on the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 of the truck 104 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position. The discharged battery pack 103 is now mechanically unconnected from the truck 104 and mechanically connected to the spreader 404. Referring to FIG. 14, the discharged battery pack 103 is lifted by the bridge crane system 101. The discharged battery pack 103 is lifted high enough so that the bottom surface of the discharged battery pack 103 is higher than the highest point on the truck 104 for safety concerns. Then, the bridge crane system 101 moves the discharged battery pack 103 directly above an available charging spot on the charging platform 102. Referring to FIG. 15, the discharged battery pack 103 is lowered to the available charging spot on the charging platform 102. At the same time, the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform 102 are inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the bottom surface of the discharged battery pack 103, and the second male electric connector 902 on the charging platform 102 is inserted to the female electric connector 503 on the discharged battery pack 103. Then, the heads 703 of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform turn from the “unlocked” to the “locked” position, and the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position. The discharged battery pack 103 is mechanically and electrically connected to the charging platform 102 while mechanically unconnected from the spreader 404.
Then the spreader 404 is raised so that the lowest point on the spreader 404 is higher than the top surface of the battery packs 103 on the charging platform 102. The bridge crane  system 101 moves the spreader 404 directly above a charged battery pack 103 located on another charging spot of the charging platform 102. Referring to FIG. 16, the spreader 404 is lowered to the top surface of the charged battery pack 103 while the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 of the spreader 404 are inserted to the female twist lock mechanisms 501 on the top surface of the charged battery pack 103. Then the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “unlocked” position to “locked” position. Then the heads 703 of the third male twist lock mechanisms 901 on the charging platform 102 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position. The charged battery pack 103 is now mechanically connected to the spreader 404 while mechanically and electrically disconnected from the charging platform 102. Then, the charged battery 103 is raised by the bridge crane system 101 so that the bottom surface of the charged battery pack 103 is higher than the highest point of the truck 104. Referring to FIGs. 17 to 19, the bridge crane system 101 then moves the charged battery pack 103 directly above the battery spot of the truck 104. The charged battery pack 103 is lowered to the battery spot of the truck 104 while the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 on the truck 104 are inserted to the female twist locks 501 on the bottom surface of the charged battery pack 103, and the first male electric connector 802 on the truck is inserted to the female electric connector 503 of the charged battery pack 103. Then the heads 703 of the second male twist lock mechanisms 801 on the truck 104 turn from the “unlocked” position to the “locked” position, and the heads 703 of the first male twist lock mechanisms 405 on the spreader 404 turn from the “locked” position to the “unlocked” position. The charged battery pack 103 is now mechanically and electrically connected to the truck 104 while mechanically disconnected from the spreader 404. The spreader 404 is then raised so that the lowest point of the spreader 404 is higher than the highest points of the truck 104 currently in the station 100 and the upcoming truck 104.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art (s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein) , readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the  present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s) .
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of examples, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art (s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (18)

  1. A battery swapping station comprising:
    a charging platform configured to charge battery packs; and
    a crane system configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the battery packs, raise and lower the battery packs, move the battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between an electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform, thereby swapping the battery packs between the electric or hybrid vehicle and the charging platform.
  2. The battery swapping station of claim 1, wherein the crane system is a bridge crane system or a gantry crane system.
  3. The battery swapping station of claim 1, wherein the crane system comprises a spreader, the spreader has first male twist lock mechanisms capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
  4. The battery swapping station of claim 3, wherein the first male twist lock mechanisms comprises a head, a reduction gear box, and a motor, the motor drives the head through the reduction gearbox to rotate to two different positions, the head is locked at one position and unlocked at the other position with the female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs.
  5. The battery swapping station of claim 3, wherein the crane system comprises a cantilever and a trolley system, the cantilever is aligned along the transverse direction and configured to move along the longitudinal direction, and the trolley system configured to move along the cantilever thereby moving the spreader along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction to reach any of the battery packs.
  6. The battery swapping station of claim 5, wherein the trolley system comprises ropes and hoist mechanisms configured to extent and retract the ropes, the ropes are connected to the spreader located below the hoist mechanisms thereby raising and lowering the spreader in a vertical direction.
  7. The battery swapping station of claim 1, wherein the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms and second male electric connectors, the third male twist lock mechanisms is capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs, the second male electric connectors are capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to charge the battery packs.
  8. A battery swapping system comprising:
    the battery swapping station of any of claims 1 to 7;
    the electric or hybrid vehicle; and
    the battery packs comprising a first battery pack carried by the electric or hybrid vehicle, and a second battery pack located on the charging platform.
  9. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck, a bus, or a coach, the electric or hybrid vehicle is capable of having a battery pack accessed from a top of the vehicle by the crane system.
  10. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the battery packs respectively have female twist lock mechanisms.
  11. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of each of the battery packs has at least one female electric connector that is capable of having a first male electric connector of the vehicle or a second male electric connector of the charging platform inserted therein.
  12. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein the electric or hybrid vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms and at least one first male electric connector, the second male twist lock mechanisms are capable of mechanically connecting to and disconnecting from female twist lock mechanisms of the battery packs, the at least one first male electric connector is capable of electrically connecting to and disconnecting from female electric connectors of the battery packs, to discharge the battery packs thereby providing energy for the electric or hybrid vehicle.
  13. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein the electric or hybrid vehicle is a commercial truck having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a driver’s cabin and in front of a cargo.
  14. The battery swapping system of claim 8, wherein the electric or hybrid vehicle is a passenger vehicle having a spot for mounting the battery pack, the spot is behind a passenger cabin.
  15. A method for swapping battery packs for vehicle, the method comprising:
    driving an electric or hybrid vehicle carrying a first battery pack into a battery swapping station, the battery swapping station comprising a charging platform and a crane system, the charging platform having a first charging spot available for the first battery pack and a second charging spot with a second battery pack located thereon, the crane system being configured to be mechanically connected with and disconnected from the first and second battery packs, to raise and lower the first and second battery packs, and to move the first and second battery packs along longitudinal and transverse directions between the electric or hybrid vehicle and  the charging platform;
    raising the first battery pack from the vehicle by the crane system;
    moving the first battery pack above the first charging spot by the crane system;
    lowering the first battery pack to reach the first charging spot by the crane system;
    raising the second battery pack from the second charging spot by the crane system;
    moving the second battery pack above the vehicle by the crane system; and
    lowering the second battery pack to reach the vehicle by the crane system.
  16. The method of claim 15, wherein the crane system comprises a spreader, the spreader comprises first male twist lock mechanisms, the vehicle comprises second male twist lock mechanisms, each of the first and second battery packs comprises female twist lock mechanisms located on a top surface and a bottom surface of the each of the first and second battery packs,
    before the raising of the first battery pack from the vehicle by the crane system, the method further comprises:
    moving the spreader above the first battery pack and aligning with the first battery pack;
    lowering the spreader to the top surface of the first battery pack;
    locking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader with the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the crane system with the first battery pack carried by the vehicle; and
    unlocking the second male twist lock mechanisms of the vehicle from the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically disconnecting the first battery pack from the vehicle.
  17. The method of claim 16, wherein the charging platform comprises third male twist lock mechanisms,
    after the lowering of the first battery pack to reach the first charging spot and before the raising of the second battery pack from the second charging spot, the method further comprises:
    locking the third male twist lock mechanisms of the charging platform with the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the charging platform with the first battery pack;
    unlocking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader from the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the first battery pack thereby mechanically disconnecting the crane system from the first battery pack located on the first charging spot;
    raising the spreader from the first battery pack located on the first charging spot;
    moving the spreader above the second battery pack located on the second charging spot and aligning with the second battery pack;
    lowering the spreader to the top surface of the second battery pack;
    locking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader with the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the second battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the crane system with the second battery pack on the second charging spot; and
    unlocking the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the second battery pack from the third male twist lock mechanisms of the charging platform thereby mechanically disconnecting the second battery pack from the second charging spot.
  18. The method of claim 16, wherein after the lowering of the second battery pack to reach the vehicle by the crane system, the method further comprises:
    locking the second male twist lock mechanisms of the vehicle with the female twist lock mechanisms on the bottom surface of the second battery pack thereby mechanically connecting the second battery pack with the vehicle;
    unlocking the first male twist lock mechanisms of the spreader from the female twist lock mechanisms on the top surface of the second battery pack thereby mechanically disconnecting the crane system from the second battery pack carried by the vehicle; and
    raising the spreader from the second battery pack carried by the vehicle.
PCT/CN2019/097627 2018-07-31 2019-07-25 Battery swapping station and system, and method for swapping battery pack for vehicle WO2020024866A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201821224819.6U CN208774732U (en) 2018-07-31 2018-07-31 Motor wagon battery altering station
CN201821224819.6 2018-07-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020024866A1 true WO2020024866A1 (en) 2020-02-06

Family

ID=66155708

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2019/097627 WO2020024866A1 (en) 2018-07-31 2019-07-25 Battery swapping station and system, and method for swapping battery pack for vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN208774732U (en)
WO (1) WO2020024866A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023005179A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 上海玖行能源科技有限公司 Mobile battery container of battery swapping system, and battery swapping system

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN208774732U (en) * 2018-07-31 2019-04-23 贾宇凡 Motor wagon battery altering station
CN111094056B (en) * 2019-12-13 2022-07-19 苏州锂智车业科技有限公司 Electric bicycle charging station
CN112810496B (en) * 2021-02-04 2022-08-02 博众精工科技股份有限公司 Power conversion station
CN112937359A (en) * 2021-02-22 2021-06-11 湖南行必达网联科技有限公司 Battery replacing system and battery replacing method for electric vehicle
CN215705798U (en) * 2021-07-22 2022-02-01 上海玖行能源科技有限公司 Battery changing station
CN115056663B (en) * 2022-07-30 2024-06-11 中国建筑第四工程局有限公司 Low-carbon construction site construction electricity supply system
CN115848214A (en) * 2023-02-20 2023-03-28 苏州多能多新能源科技有限公司 Commercial vehicle battery replacement station based on 1500V battery system
CN116901780B (en) * 2023-09-13 2023-12-15 北京玖行智研交通科技有限公司 Lifting mechanism for be used for electric vehicle to trade power station

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1054752A (en) * 1990-03-02 1991-09-25 章大章 Electric antishake device for container's crane
WO2003022725A1 (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-20 Petrus Johannes Albertus Radyn Lifting and transfer device for heavy objects
US20090067967A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Multi-Shifter Inc. Battery-changing vehicle with cantilevered boom
TW201111202A (en) * 2009-09-16 2011-04-01 Mao-Shung Liao System and method for fast replacing power battery of electric vehicle
CN102039876A (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-05-04 廖茂祥 Power battery rapidly changing and installing system and method for electric car
CN201970972U (en) * 2010-10-29 2011-09-14 珠海精确电子制品有限公司 Fast battery replacer for electric buses
CN104724081A (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-24 国家电网公司 Battery swap system for all-electric commercial vehicles
CN107628002A (en) * 2017-09-29 2018-01-26 深圳精智机器有限公司 A kind of intensive electric motor coach electric charging station
CN208774732U (en) * 2018-07-31 2019-04-23 贾宇凡 Motor wagon battery altering station

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1054752A (en) * 1990-03-02 1991-09-25 章大章 Electric antishake device for container's crane
WO2003022725A1 (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-20 Petrus Johannes Albertus Radyn Lifting and transfer device for heavy objects
US20090067967A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Multi-Shifter Inc. Battery-changing vehicle with cantilevered boom
TW201111202A (en) * 2009-09-16 2011-04-01 Mao-Shung Liao System and method for fast replacing power battery of electric vehicle
CN102039876A (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-05-04 廖茂祥 Power battery rapidly changing and installing system and method for electric car
CN201970972U (en) * 2010-10-29 2011-09-14 珠海精确电子制品有限公司 Fast battery replacer for electric buses
CN104724081A (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-24 国家电网公司 Battery swap system for all-electric commercial vehicles
CN107628002A (en) * 2017-09-29 2018-01-26 深圳精智机器有限公司 A kind of intensive electric motor coach electric charging station
CN208774732U (en) * 2018-07-31 2019-04-23 贾宇凡 Motor wagon battery altering station

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023005179A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 上海玖行能源科技有限公司 Mobile battery container of battery swapping system, and battery swapping system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN208774732U (en) 2019-04-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2020024866A1 (en) Battery swapping station and system, and method for swapping battery pack for vehicle
EP3725606A1 (en) Battery charging and swapping station
EP3725605A1 (en) Battery charging and replacement station
US9358895B2 (en) Quick loading and unloading battery system for vehicles
WO2022110482A1 (en) Quick battery swapping system for electric commercial vehicle
CN109703529A (en) A kind of full-automatic electric charging station in two sides of compatible various and its change method for electrically
CN111823946A (en) Pure electric passenger car chassis battery replacing system and battery replacing method
US20140369798A1 (en) Semi-automatic station for exchanging a traction battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle
CN212654232U (en) Electricelectric moves passenger car chassis and trades electric system
CN112824147A (en) Vehicle, upper unit, and control device
CN112776656A (en) Charging and battery replacing system and method
CN114537208A (en) Vehicle battery changing station and battery changing method
CN112319302A (en) Electric commercial vehicle battery replacement system
CN216993968U (en) Vehicle power changing station
US11254224B2 (en) Battery load mechanism for electric LHD mining machine
JP6318933B2 (en) Transport system for automated guided vehicles
CN112297812A (en) Electric commercial vehicle and battery replacing trolley matched with same
CN112277722A (en) High-efficient station that trades of electronic commercial car
CN218085118U (en) Heavy-duty card battery replacement station
CN115489490A (en) Heavy truck power exchanging station
CN111993949B (en) New energy automobile power source rapid turnover system, matched automobile and turnover method
CN215663040U (en) Battery changing station
CN213948199U (en) Quick battery replacement system of electric commercial vehicle
CN112937361A (en) Battery replacement scheme of van-type electric truck
CN220996350U (en) New energy heavy truck power exchange station

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19844751

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 19844751

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1