Modular vehicle system, electric vehicle, and module for connection to an electric vehicle

• US 20170116805A1
• Filed: 11/17/2016
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EnergyBus e.V.
• Original Assignee: EnergyBus e.V.
• Inventors: Neupert, Hannes
• Granted Patent: US 10,445,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 2003/005 Supports or holders associated with means for bike rental
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/00 Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/00 Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles fittings for preventing or indicating use or theft of vehicles in general B60R; general features of locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• 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

Abstract

A modular vehicle system is provided, comprising an electric vehicle, particularly a light electric vehicle, with at least a control device; an on-board power supply system for energy supply of an electric drive unit; an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system for connection of at least one module; and first locking means arranged at the interface. The modular vehicle system further comprising a module, with a module control, configured to communicate with the control device; an electric arrangement;

a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface, for connection of the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system; and second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable between a free position and a locking position. To increase the safety of operating the system, the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface; and the control device is configured to receive the identification signal, to compare the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter, and in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, to send an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system.

Claims

1. A modular vehicle system comprising at least

an electric vehicle, particularly a light electric vehicle, with at least

a control device;

an on-board power supply system for energy supply of an electric drive unit;

an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system for connection of at least one module; and

first locking means arranged at the interface;

the modular vehicle system further comprising a module, with

a module control, configured to communicate with the control device;

an electric arrangement;

a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface, for connection of the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system; and

second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable between a free position and a locking position, and wherein

the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface; and

the control device is configured to receive the identification signal, to compare the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter, and in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, to send an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system.

2. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the second locking means is movable between the free position and the locking position.

3. The module vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein an electrically operable locking drive is arranged at least one of the first and second locking means to move at least one of the locking means between the free position and the locking position.

4. The modular vehicle system according to claim 3, wherein the locking drive is arranged at the at least one connecting element.

5. The modular vehicle system according to claim 3, wherein the module control is connected to the locking drive.

6. The modular vehicle system according to claim 3, wherein in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, an activation signal is sent to the at least one locking drive to lock the connecting element to the interface.

7. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to send a deactivation signal to the at least one switch unit to disconnect the electric arrangement from the on-board power supply system.

8. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the interface and/or the connecting element is formed as plug-in connector.

9. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein a flexible connection means is arranged between the interface and the electric vehicle and/or between the connecting element and the module.

10. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the first or the second locking means is formed as a locking bolt.

11. The modular vehicle system according to claim 10, wherein the second or first locking means is formed as receptacle for the locking bolt.

12. The modular vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic fixing is provided to fix in place and/or position the interface and the connecting element with each other.

13. An electric vehicle, particularly a light electric vehicle, with at least

a control device;

an on-board power supply system for power supply of an electric drive unit;

an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system for connection to a connecting element of a module; and

first locking means, arranged at the interface, formed for engagement with a second locking means, arranged at the connecting element, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable from a free position to a locking position and wherein the control device is configured

to receive an identification signal from a module control of the module;

to compare the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter;

and in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, to send an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system.

14. A module for connection to an electric vehicle, particularly a light electric vehicle, with at least

a module control, configured to communicate with a control device of the electric vehicle;

an electric arrangement for connection to an on-board power supply system of the electric vehicle;

a connecting element, separably connectable to an interface of the electric vehicle; and

second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with first locking means arranged at the interface, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable from a free position to a locking position and wherein

the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface.

15. A method for connecting an electric vehicle, particularly a light electric vehicle, to a module, wherein the electric vehicle comprises at least a control device;

an on-board power supply system;

an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system; and

first locking means, arranged at the interface; and

the module comprises at least a module control, configured to communicate with the control device;

a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface; and

second locking means, arranged at the connecting element which is formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable from a free position to a locking position and wherein

the module control sends an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface;

the control device

receives the identification signal

compares the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter; and

in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, sends an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system.

16. A modular charging system, comprising at least

a charging unit with at least

a control device;

a charging line;

one or more interfaces connected to the charging line for connection to a rechargeable module; and

first locking means arranged at the interface;

wherein the system further comprises

a rechargeable module for connecting to the charging unit with at least

a module control;

an energy storage device;

a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface, for connection of the electric arrangement to the charging line; and

second locking means, arranged at the connecting element and formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable from a free position to a locking position and wherein

the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface; and

the control device is configured to receive the identification signal, to compare the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter, and in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, to send an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the energy storage device with the charging line.