Storage battery charging station for electric vehicles

• US 5,574,354 A
• Filed: 03/17/1995
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Institute For Home Economics of Japan Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Institute For Home Economics of Japan Incorporated
• Inventors: Kohchi, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US08/406,160
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/15, 320/18, 320/35, 320/46, 414/222, 414/223, 414/224, 414/238, 414/251, 414/285, 414/672, 104/34
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• 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

A large number of vehicular batteries are charged while riding on gondolas, which go upon down and around in a space-saving tall tower. Charging electricity is distributed along the path of Gondola carriages. One or more recharged batteries are removed from the Gondolas which become ready to accept spent batteries, The gondola can be enlarged to accommodate even a battery-loaded vehicle.

Claims

1. An assembly for storing and recharging batteries comprising:

a plurality of carriages having respective support surfaces of a configuration to each support a battery;

conveyor means connected to the carriages to translate the carriages across a predetermined path of travel during storage;

connector means provided on each of the carriages for electrically connecting the batteries to recharge them;

power means for providing a source of electricity to said connector means as the conveyor means translates the carriages during storage; and

means for collecting and processing any gases and heat produced during the recharging of the batteries.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the power means includes a pair of distributors extending along the predetermined path of travel.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means rotates the carriages in a path having a vertical axis.

4. An assembly for storing and recharging batteries comprising:

a plurality of carriages having respective support surfaces of a configuration to support batteries;

conveyor means connected to the carriages to translate the carriages across a predetermined path of travel during storage, including support rods which pivotally support each carriage;

connector means provided on each of the carriages for electrically connecting the batteries to recharge them; and

power means for providing a source of electricity to each connector means as the conveyor means translates the carriages during storage, including a pair of contact members on each support rod and a pair of distributors extending along the predetermined path of travel and respectively contacting a contact member.

5. The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the conveyor means rotates the carriages in a path having a vertical axis.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the support rods are hollow and power lead lines extend through the support rods to connect the batteries with the power means.

6. A vehicular battery charging station comprising:

an enclosed tower structure having doors at ground level for receiving or delivering batteries therethrough;

two pairs of rotors located inside said structure, one at a top end and the other at a bottom end of said structure, said rotors having horizontal shafts thereof journaled to said structure;

driving means for rotating at least one of said shafts;

a pair of conveyor means installed over said top and bottom rotors and circling around said rotors;

a plurality of rods disposed transversely over said pair of conveyor means and attached to said conveyor means;

a carriage suspended from each of said rods and free to swing around associated rod, each of said carriages having the capacity of receiving batteries thereon;

a power source of electricity for charging said batteries;

distributing means of electricity from said power source to said carriages, said distributing means disposed alongside the path of said carriage rods and supplying electricity either continuously or intermittently during rotation of said conveyor means; and

means provided on each of said carriages for electrically connecting said electricity distributing means with terminal posts on said batteries.

7. The vehicular battery charging station as defined in claim 6, wherein said bottom rotors are located beneath the ground level.

8. The vehicular battery charging station as defined in claim 6, wherein said distributing means of electricity includes a pair of continuous belts disposed outward and alongside the path of said carriage rods and maintaining contact therewith.

10. The vehicular battery charging station as defined in claim 6, wherein the rods are hollow and the means provided on each of said carriages for electrically connecting include power lead lines extending through the support rods to connect with terminal posts on said batteries.

11. The vehicular battery charging station as defined in claim 6, wherein the distributing means is continuously supplying electricity during rotation of said conveyor means.