Multi-Motor Latch Assembly
First Claim
1. A method for securing and releasing a battery pack from a battery bay of an at least partially electric vehicle, the battery bay including multiple latching units each separately controllable and having a latch configured to couple to the battery pack, the method comprising:
- actuating each of the latching units to rotate its respective latch to engage or disengage with the battery pack;
measuring a position of each respective latch of the latching units; and
individually controlling each of the latching units based on the position of its respective latch to synchronize the positions of all latches.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for securing and releasing a battery pack from a battery bay of an at least partially electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery bay includes multiple latching units each separately controllable and have a latch configured to couple to the battery pack. The method includes actuating each of the latching units to rotate its respective latch to engage or disengage with the battery pack. The method includes measuring a position of each respective latch of the latching units; and individually controlling each of the latching units based on the position of its respective latch to synchronize the positions of all latches.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for securing and releasing a battery pack from a battery bay of an at least partially electric vehicle, the battery bay including multiple latching units each separately controllable and having a latch configured to couple to the battery pack, the method comprising:
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actuating each of the latching units to rotate its respective latch to engage or disengage with the battery pack; measuring a position of each respective latch of the latching units; and individually controlling each of the latching units based on the position of its respective latch to synchronize the positions of all latches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for supporting a battery pack, comprising:
multiple latching units each separately controllable and having a latch configured to couple to the battery pack, wherein; a respective latch of each latching unit is configured to rotate so as to engage or disengage with the battery pack; and each latching unit is configured for actuation based on a position of its respective latch to synchronize the positions of all latches. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A latching unit for supporting a battery pack, the latching unit comprising:
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a motor having a rotatable shaft; a worm gear coupled to the rotatable shaft; a gear coupled with the worm gear, wherein the gear is a partial gear; a push rod coupled with the gear at a first end of the push rod; a latch including two arms, wherein a joint of the two arms is coupled with the push rod at a second end of the push rod, a first arm of the two arms is rotatably pivoted, and a second arm of the two arms is shaped as a hook to engage a striker of the battery pack; a rotation sensor configured to detect a position of the motor; one or more bolts each configured to stop the rotation of the gear at a respective limit position; one or more limit switches each configured to detect a position of the gear at one of the respective limit positions; and a plunger configured to preload the battery pack by applying downward force on the battery pack when the battery pack is fully engaged. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for supporting a battery pack, the apparatus comprising:
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a worm gear coupled with a motor; a gear coupled with the worm gear, wherein the gear is a partial gear; a push rod coupled with the gear; and a latch including two arms, wherein a joint of the two arms is coupled with the push rod, a first arm of the two arms is rotatably pivoted, and a second arm of the two arms is shaped as a hook to engage a striker of the battery pack.
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Specification