Battery pack installation and storage system for electric vehicles

• US 5,301,765 A
• Filed: 05/14/1993
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lennart H. Swanson
• Original Assignee: Lennart H. Swanson
• Inventors: Swanson, Lennart H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLISH, PETER C
• Application Number:
  US08/061,012
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 180/298, 180/65.1, 296/26, 224/281, 224/42.43, 224/42.44, 414/462, 414/522, 108/143, 105/50, 105/51, 104/34
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• 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 2001/0411 Arrangement in the front part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0466 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0483 from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0494 with arrangements for sliding
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/00 Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• 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: 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

Abstract

Apparatus for use in association with an electric vehicle including an electric motor and a vehicle body having a storage compartment to facilitate interchange of battery packs in the storage compartment. The apparatus includes a movable frame for receiving a battery pack having electrical fittings. The frame is movable to a position where the electrical fittings of the battery pack engage electrical fittings leading to the electric motor.

Claims

1. Apparatus in combination with an electric vehicle having an electric motor, a vehicle body having a storage compartment and a storage compartment cover movable between an open position and a closed position, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

mounting means positioned within said storage compartment and including a telescoping frame having a plurality of relatively movable frame elements, one of said frame elements having a bottom support movable relative to said vehicle between a first position and a second position, said mounting means for receiving and supporting a selectively removable battery pack having electrical connectors at an end of said battery pack;

electrical contact means connected to said vehicle body at a predetermined location on said vehicle body in substantial alignment with said electrical connectors when the frame element bottom support is in either said first position or said second position and operatively associated with said electric motor, said electrical contact means and said electrical connectors comprising a plurality of tapered, matingly engageable male and female electrical fittings, and said predetermined location being on a generally vertical wall partially defining said storage compartment;

transport means for selectively transporting said frame element bottom support between said first position and said second position relative to said vehicle with said frame element bottom support moving along a predetermined substantially horizontal path of movement, said electrical contact means being so located relative to said mounting means as to engage with the electrical connectors of said battery pack supported by said frame element bottom support when said frame element bottom support is in said first position and said frame element bottom support is closely adjacent to said generally vertical wall and disengaged therefrom to allow removal of the battery pack from said mounting means when said mounting means has been moved to said second position by said transport means, said transport means including actuator means operatively associated with said frame elements to selectively extend and telescope said frame elements and move said frame element bottom support between said first and second positions, said frame element bottom support when in said second position being uncovered by said storage compartment cover when said storage compartment cover is in open position to permit ready overhead access to said battery pack supported by said frame element bottom support and lifting of said battery pack therefrom; and

lock means cooperable with said mounting means for selectively locking said frame against movement relative to said vehicle when said frame element bottom support is in said first position to maintain engagement between the electrical connectors and electrical contact means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrical contact means includes a male electrical fitting and a female electrical fitting and wherein said battery pack electrical connectors comprise a female electrical fitting and a male electrical fitting.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuator means includes a rotatable screw element threadedly connected to at least one of said frame elements.