METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A CONTAINER OF INPUT ENERGY FOR A DRIVE MOTOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20120240387A1
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Lombarte, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,957,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/592.1
• 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 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0472 from below
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4221 with battery type recognition
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 : Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

A method for replacing a container of input energy for a drive motor of a motor vehicle including at least one iteration of a phase including the following: recognizing the type of container to be deposited; making, if needed, at least one tool suitable for the container type; using the at least one tool to take down the container; depositing the container; and using the at least one tool to mount a new container. The making at least one tool suitable for the container type includes dismantling, on the at least one tool, a first device for activating and deactivating a first mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle and mounting, on the at least one tool, a second device for activating and deactivating a second mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A replacement method for replacing a container of input energy that powers a drive motor of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one iteration of a phase comprising:

recognizing a type of container to be removed;

adapting, if necessary, at least one tool to suit the type of container;

using the at least one tool to unfix the container;

removing the container;

using the at least one tool to refit a new container; and

wherein the adapting at least one tool to suit the type of container comprises unfixing, from the at least one tool, a first device that activates and deactivates a first means for locking the container to the motor vehicle, and fitting, to the at least one tool, a second device that activates and deactivates a second means for locking the container to the motor vehicle.

11. The replacement method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the phase comprises:

recognizing a type of motor vehicle; and

bringing the motor vehicle into position with respect to the ground on which it is resting.

12. The replacement method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bringing the motor vehicle into position with respect to the ground on which it is resting comprises activating a device that exerts mechanical actions on the vehicle at stringers or jacking points.

13. The replacement method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the devices that activate and deactivate the means of locking the container to the motor vehicle are mounted on at least one manipulator robot.

14. A support for recording computer-readable data and on which there is recorded a non-transitory computer program containing computer program code means for implementing the replacement method as claimed in claim 10.

15. A replacement system for replacing a container of input energy for powering a drive motor of a motor vehicle, comprising hardware means and software means for implementing the replacement method as claimed in claim 10.

16. The replacement system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hardware means comprises at least one manipulator robot including an interface for fixing a device that activates and deactivates the means for locking the container.

17. The replacement system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hardware means comprises a recognition means for recognizing a type of motor vehicle and/or the type of container.

18. A replacement station for replacing a container of input energy that powers a drive motor of a motor vehicle, comprising a replacement system as claimed in claim 15.