Battery rental system and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A battery rental system wherein batteries are supplied for use in rental vehicles, comprising:
- a battery supply device holding a plurality of batteries each accommodated in a locked state in a corresponding battery receptacle, for charging said batteries, and for unlocking and supplying a desired one of said batteries;
a user discriminating device for discerning users who shall use said batteries;
a selecting device for selecting from among usable batteries;
a rental return control device for controlling said battery supply device, said user discrimination device, and said selection device, and performing rental and return processing of said batteries;
a user management device for managing use condition of users who use said batteries;
a plurality of battery receptacles each of said receptacles including a locking mechanism for accommodating a single battery therein in said locked state; and
means for unlocking said locking mechanism and releasing the battery from said locked state, for permitting a user to grasp and pull said batteries out of said receptacles.
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Abstract
After confirmation that a user is an authorized user by bringing a user certification into proximity to a user discriminating device, following the guidance of a touch panel display device, a battery is selected, and the battery, for which a lock thereof is unlocked, is taken out from a battery supply device. Thereafter, the battery is installed in a two electric wheeled vehicle in a parking apparatus, and the two wheeled electric vehicle is unlocked and used.
102 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A battery rental system wherein batteries are supplied for use in rental vehicles, comprising:
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a battery supply device holding a plurality of batteries each accommodated in a locked state in a corresponding battery receptacle, for charging said batteries, and for unlocking and supplying a desired one of said batteries;
a user discriminating device for discerning users who shall use said batteries;
a selecting device for selecting from among usable batteries;
a rental return control device for controlling said battery supply device, said user discrimination device, and said selection device, and performing rental and return processing of said batteries;
a user management device for managing use condition of users who use said batteries;
a plurality of battery receptacles each of said receptacles including a locking mechanism for accommodating a single battery therein in said locked state; and
means for unlocking said locking mechanism and releasing the battery from said locked state, for permitting a user to grasp and pull said batteries out of said receptacles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A battery supply device wherein batteries are supplied for use in rental vehicles the battery supply device having a receptacle for accommodating therein a rentable battery, a charge circuit for charging the battery accommodated in said receptacle, and comprising a lock mechanism for locking the battery accommodated in said receptacle, said lock mechanism comprising:
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a claw member for engaging said battery;
a holder for retractably supporting said claw member against the battery;
a resilient member for projecting said claw member toward a side of said battery, whereby said claw member engages a projection disposed on the side of said battery; and
a stop means having a retractable stop member for maintaining the projected state of said claw member by engagement of said stop member with a portion of said holder, wherein when said battery is inserted into said receptacle, said claw member retracts while opposing the elastic force of said resilient member, and wherein when said battery is pulled out from said receptacle by a user, said holder is moved angularly by said projection, thereby inclining said claw member to permit removal of said battery. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A battery supply device wherein batteries are supplied for use in plural rental vehicles, comprising:
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a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle accommodating a rentable battery therein in a locked state, each of said receptacles comprising;
a charging circuit for charging the battery accommodated in the receptacle;
a lock mechanism for locking the battery accommodated in the receptacle;
means for unlocking said lock mechanism and releasing said battery from said locked state, for permitting a user to grasp and pull said battery out of the receptacle;
a charge detection means for detecting a charge state of the battery accommodated in the receptacle; and
an availability detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the battery in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification