DEVICE FOR REPLACING A BATTERY THAT POWERS A MOTOR THAT DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20120251281A1
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ampere SAS
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Mulato, Gilles
• Granted Patent: US 9,428,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/589
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0472 from below
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• 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: 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: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A tool box device for locking and/or unlocking a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle, including a support housing, a movement transmission system including at least one gear box and at least one transmission shaft, connected to at least one system for engaging a battery locking/unlocking mechanism.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A toolbox device for enacting locking and/or unlocking of a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle, comprising:

a support unit; and

a movement transmission system comprising at least one relay gearbox and at least one transmission shaft, connected to at least one battery locking/unlocking mechanism grasping system.

19. The toolbox device as claimed in the claim 18, further comprising at least one motor and an interface for electrical connection thereof

20. The toolbox device as claimed in claim 18, further comprising at least one interface for connection with an external motor so that movement can be transmitted from the external motor to the at least one grasping system.

21. The toolbox device as claimed in the claim 20, wherein the interface for connection with an external motor comprises a connecting unit and an internal relay gearbox.

22. The toolbox device as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an interface for handling the toolbox device.

23. The toolbox device as claimed in claim 18, comprising two motors.

24. The toolbox device as claimed in claim 19, comprising four grasping systems positioned in corners of a substantially rectangular support unit, the at least one motor being positioned in a central region of the support unit.

25. The toolbox device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the support unit comprises a cavity configured to fit into a ball end of a lifting system for lifting the toolbox device.

26. A system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a toolbox device as claimed in claim 18; and

a lifting device for lifting the toolbox device, allowing the toolbox device to be moved vertically.

27. The system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein the lifting device further comprises a movement system that comprises a means for moving horizontally along a rail to bring the toolbox device under the battery of a motor vehicle, the lifting device comprising a means for moving the toolbox device vertically to bring the toolbox device into contact with the battery to unlock the toolbox device.

28. The system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle as claimed in the claim 27, wherein the lifting device is a robot and the toolbox device comprises a handle via which the robot can handle the toolbox device.

29. The system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 26, further comprising car bearer bars associated with the toolbox device to improve stability and precision of positioning against the motor vehicle to carry out the locking and unlocking of the battery thereof.

30. The replacement system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the lifting system comprises a ball end configured to reference the toolbox device with respect to the battery.

31. A station for replacing a battery that powers a motor that drives a motor vehicle, comprising a system for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 26.

32. A method for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle, comprising:

positioning a toolbox device as claimed in claim 18 under the battery of a motor vehicle;

lifting the toolbox device vertically until the toolbox device connects with the battery;

actuating the toolbox device to unlock the battery from the motor vehicle;

lowering the toolbox device bearing the unlocked battery;

taking the unlocked battery away.

33. The method for replacing a battery as claimed in claim 32, wherein the actuating the toolbox device is preceded by rotating the toolbox device, positioning the support unit in a plane parallel to the bottom plane of the battery.

34. The method for replacing a battery of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 32, further comprising:

positioning a toolbox device bearing a battery under the motor vehicle;

lifting the toolbox device vertically until the battery is positioned in its housing provided within the motor vehicle;

actuating the toolbox device to lock the battery to the motor vehicle;

taking the toolbox device away.