POWER SUPPLY ASSEMBLY FOR MOTORIZED VEHICLES

• US 20090000835A1
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Inventors: JONES, COLBURN L., KOSCO, JAMES M., GOODELL, MARK A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0466 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/86 Carts; Golf carts
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/025 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle having a plurality of wheels and elements, to drive at least one wheel to propel the vehicle is provided with a frame and a power supply assembly for delivering power to the drive elements. The power supply assembly includes a battery and a housing structure surrounding the battery. The power supply assembly is removeably supported on the vehicle frame. A latching mechanism is provided having a pivoting actuator. The actuator moves between a locking position and a release position. The actuator movement displacing a pin disposed in combination with the housing between a locking position, wherein the pin fixedly engages the power supply assembly to the frame, and a release position, wherein the pin disengages and permits the power supply assembly to be removed from the frame.

Claims

1. A vehicle of the type having at least one front wheel disposed in combination with a steering column, a pair of aft wheels, means for driving at least one of the wheels, a main structural frame having a forward frame portion for mounting the front wheel and the steering column, an aft frame portion for mounting the aft wheels, and a central support for structurally interconnecting the forward and aft frame portions, a seat-support mounted to the frame, and a system for distributing power to the driving means, the vehicle comprising:

a power supply assembly for delivering power to said power distribution system, the power supply assembly including a battery and a housing structure surrounding the battery, the power supply assembly removeably supported on the frame; and

a latching assembly comprising

an actuator pivotably supported on the housing, the actuator movable between a locking position and a release position, and

a pin disposed in combination with the housing, the pin engaged by the actuator for movement between a locking position, wherein the pin fixedly engages the frame, and a release position, wherein the pin disengages from the frame and permits the power supply assembly to be removed from the frame.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a handle pivotally mounted on the exterior of the housing, the handle pivoting outboard from the housing to the release position.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the handle is geometrically blended with the housing structure in the locking position.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a recess, and the actuator comprises a handle mounted on the housing, the handle positioned within the recess in the locking position and adapted for removing the power supply assembly from the frame in the release position.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pin comprises a tapered end that aligns with an aperture formed on the frame when the housing is supported on the frame.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pin in the locking position engages the frame to secure the housing to frame.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the pin is mounted within a bore within the housing, the pin having an outboard end projecting from the housing to engage the frame in the locking position.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the actuator comprises a handle pivotally connected to the housing, the pivoted end of the handle displacing the pin so as to move into and out of engagement with the frame.

9. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the pin further comprises a ball catch on a projected end thereof, the pin aligning with and engaging the aperture on the frame and the ball catch engaging the frame to secure the pin to the frame in the locking position.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the ball catch is released from engagement of the frame and the pin is withdrawal from the aperture when the actuator is moved to the release position.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engagement of the pin and the actuator comprises a cam surface defining the locking position, wherein the cam causes the pin to project from the housing in the locking position, and wherein the cam permits to the pin to retract toward the housing in the release position.

12. A vehicle having a plurality of wheels for rolling support of the vehicle, a frame supporting to plurality of wheels, a seat mounted on the frame, means for driving at least one of the wheels for propelling the vehicle, and a system for controlling the distribution of electrical power to drive means, the vehicle comprising

a power supply assembly for delivering electrical power to said power distribution system, the power supply assembly comprising a housing encapsulating a battery therein;

a retention assembly for releasably retaining the power supply assembly on the frame, the retention assembly comprising

an aperture formed on the frame, and

a latching mechanism for selectively engaging the aperture, the latching mechanism comprising

a pin moveably disposed within the housing, the pin having an outboard end aligned with the aperture on the frame when the housing is supported on the frame, and

a handle pivotally connecting to the housing, the pivoting of the handle displacing the pin into and out of engagement with the frame aperture to selectively secure the housing to the frame,

13. The vehicle according to claim 12 wherein power supply assembly further comprises an electrical port for connecting the battery to an external power source for recharging.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the frame further comprises a base support for accepting and positioning the power supply assembly on the frame.

15. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising a ball catch formed on the end of the pin, the ball catch engaging the aperture and retaining the pin therein, and disengaging from the aperture upon pivoting of the handle and displacing the pin away from the frame.

16. A power supply assembly for a vehicle having a frame, the power supply assembly comprising:

first and second housing structures for supporting and retaining first and second battery units, each of the housing structures being mountable on the frame of the vehicle and defining an inner cavity sized to accommodate a power supply unit inserted therein,

the first housing structure including a central portion and a first overlapping portion extending from the central portion, and

the second housing structure having a second overlapping portion formed for accepting the first overlapping portion, the first overlapping portion vertically overlapping the second overlapping portion for vertically retaining one housing structure by means of the other when the housing structures are mated together.

17. The power supply assembly of claim 16 further comprising:

electrical connectors formed on the first and second housing structures, the connectors electrically connected to the first and second battery units supported in the respective housings,

wherein the electrical connectors are formed in the first and second overlapping portions and the first battery unit is electrically connected to the second battery unit through the electrical connectors when the housing structures are mated together.

18. The power supply assembly of claim 17 wherein the second battery unit may be electrically connected to the vehicle through electrical connectors formed on the second housing structure.

19. The power supply assembly of claim 16 wherein the first overlapping portion projects from the body of the first housing assembly.

20. The power supply assembly of claim 19 wherein the second overlapping portion is defined by a recessed portion within the second housing structure, formed to receive and mate with the projection of the first overlapping portion, with the second overlapping portion engaging the first overlapping portion.

21. The power supply assembly of claim 20 wherein the first overlapping portion is positioned vertically above the second overlapping portion when the housing structures are mated together.

22. The power supply assembly of claim 16, further comprising a latching mechanism for releasably retaining the housing structures to the vehicle.

23. The power supply assembly of claim 22 wherein the latching mechanism comprises a moveable pin, the pin moveable between a locking position wherein the pin secures the housing structures to the frame and a release position wherein the pin moves away from the locking position.

24. The power supply assembly of claim 23 wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a pivotably mounted handle, the handle operatively connected to the pin for movement between the locking position and the release position.

25. The power supply assembly of claim 24 wherein the handle is pivotably attached to one of the housing structures.

26. The power supply assembly of claim 25 wherein the handle is retained within a recess within the one housing structure when in the locking position.