EXCHANGEABLE BATTERIES AND STATIONS FOR CHARGING BATTERIES FOR USE BY ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• US 20180244167A1
• Filed: 03/21/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Inventors: Penilla, Angel A., Penilla, Albert S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,086,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/111 for controlling multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/119 Icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/592 Data transfer involving external databases
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• 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 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 : involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 : involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 : Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 : Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• 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 50/256 : Carrying devices, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 : Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/502 : Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

An electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The electric vehicle having a receptacle slot integrated in the electric vehicle. The receptacle slot provides an electrical connection for providing power to the electric motor. A battery having an elongated form factor, where a first end of the elongated form factor includes a handle and a second end of the elongated form factor includes a connection for interfacing with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot of the vehicle, when the battery is slid into the receptacle slot for electrical engagement. The battery is configured to store and supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle and the battery is replaceable by sliding the battery out of the receptacle slot and sliding in another battery into the receptacle slot to further supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle with said another battery. The battery and said another battery each have a respective handle that is accessible for enabling hand-removal and hand-insertion of said battery and said another battery out of and into the receptacle slot. A computer on-board the electric vehicle is interfaced with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot to obtain a level of charge of the battery present in the receptacle slot. A battery level indicator of the electric vehicle provides information regarding the level of charge of the battery in the receptacle slot. A system for storing and charging batteries usable by the electric vehicle is further provided. In some examples, the batteries are additionally or alternatively recharged using green sources, such as wind or solar.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising,

an electric motor;

a receptacle slot integrated in the electric vehicle, the receptacle slot providing an electrical connection for providing power to the electric motor;

a battery having an elongated form factor, where a first end of the elongated form factor includes a handle and a second end of the elongated form factor includes a connection for interfacing with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot of the vehicle when the battery is slid into the receptacle slot for electrical engagement;

the battery configured to store and supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle;

the battery is replaceable by sliding the battery out of the receptacle slot and sliding in another battery into the receptacle slot to further supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle with said another battery;

wherein the battery and said another battery each have a respective handle that is accessible for enabling hand-removal and hand-insertion of said battery and said another battery out of and into the receptacle slot;

a computer on-board the electric vehicle, the computer is interfaced with the electrical connection of the receptacle slot to obtain a level of charge of the battery present in the receptacle slot; and

a battery level indicator of the electric vehicle, the battery level indicator provides information regarding the level of charge of the battery in the receptacle slot.

2. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is one of a two-wheel vehicle, or a three-wheel vehicle, or a four-wheel vehicle, or a motorcycle, or a car, or a truck, or a pickup, or a utility car, or a delivery vehicle, or an industrial vehicle.

3. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the connection for interfacing with the electrical connection is one of a direct contact between conductors or wireless charge interface.

4. The electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising,

an energy recovery system for capturing energy from braking functions of the electric vehicle, the energy recovery system configured to replenish at least some charge of the battery during use of the electric vehicle.

5. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery has a memory that stores data that comprises the level of charge, the computer of the electric vehicle is configured to interface with a portable device that enables remote communication with the electric vehicle to access information regarding the level of charge.

6. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is a two-wheel vehicle having the receptacle slot disposed substantially between a front wheel and a rear wheel and below a seat location of said two-wheel vehicle.

7. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is a two-wheel vehicle having the receptacle slot disposed behind a front wheel of the two-wheel vehicle, below a seat location of the two-wheel vehicle, such that the receptacle slot is one of a plurality of receptacle slots, and each of the receptacle slots is integrated as a compartment of the two-wheel vehicle.

8. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is a two-wheel vehicle and the receptacle slot is defined as a compartment in the two-wheel vehicle, the battery has one of a tubular form factor, a rectangular form factor, or a cylinder form factor or an.

9. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is a four-wheel vehicle and the receptacle slot is one of a plurality of receptacle slots formed as compartments of the four-wheel vehicle.

10. The electric vehicle of claim 9, wherein at least two slots of the plurality of receptacle slots are arranged side-by-side, such that the battery and another battery are individually and selectively hand-insertable into and hand-removable out of respective ones of the receptacle slots.

11. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the elongated form factor has a tubular form extending from the first end and the second end.

12. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured for exchange at a kiosk station, the kiosk station is configured to hold one or more batteries for exchange with the battery, the kiosk station is configured to recharge the batteries.

13. The electric vehicle of claim 12, wherein the kiosk station is connected to electric power from one or more of a power grid, or a solar power system, or a wind power system, or a fossil fuel system, or a combination of two or more thereof.

14. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is a commuter vehicle having access to one or more kiosk stations for exchanging said battery for a recharged battery, wherein a mobile application is used for communicating with the kiosk stations for determining availability of batteries for exchange.

15. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured for use in powering other appliances other than the electric vehicle, the other appliances include one or more of home appliances, or mobile appliances, or recreational appliances, or general lighting equipment, or emergency lighting equipment, or charging power sources, or combinations of two or more thereof.

16. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery is recharged in a carrier or a kiosk station, the charging of the battery is configured to occur upon receiving instructions to begin charging or during a period of a day where power costs are lower due to demand for power in a location where the charging is to occur.

17. A system for storing and charging batteries usable in electric vehicles, the batteries being exchangeable, comprising,

a processing server that communicates with a plurality of kiosk stations having one or more batteries available for use by the electric vehicles, each of the plurality of kiosk stations includes a computer;

a database being accessible by the processing server, the database stores and provides access to data regarding the plurality of kiosk stations and batteries located at respective ones of the plurality of kiosks;

wherein each kiosk station has a plurality of receptacles configured for hand-insertion of batteries into the receptacles and hand-removal of batteries out of the receptacles, wherein at least one of the receptacles of at least one kiosk station provides for charging of a battery when disposed in the at least one of the receptacles;

wherein the computer of each kiosk station is configured to release one or more of the batteries for hand-removal and hand-insertion.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein batteries include tracking identifiers, the tracking identifiers being used to track a current location of batteries when in kiosk stations or at least a last used kiosk station for particular batteries.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing server is configured to receive reservations of batteries via an application accessed by user device, the reservation enables confirmation that one or more reserved batteries will be held available at the kiosk station when the electric vehicle arrives at the kiosk station or for a limited period of time before a reservation is caused to expire.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing server generates notifications to be sent to user devices regarding battery availability or discounts, or processes data for rendering one or more of status of batteries in the kiosk stations, or processes data to determine nearby kiosk stations relative to a geo-location, or processes data to identify deals provided at certain kiosk stations, or processes data to make reservations for reserving batteries at a particular kiosk station, or processes data to identify gifts available at particular kiosk stations, or processes data to identify loyalty points for past use of batteries, or processes data to render a history of use of batteries, or processes data to determine a carbon footprint from use of the batteries, or combinations of two or more thereof.