Device for the combined renting of electrically driven vehicles, especially scooters, and the exchange and recharging of the vehicle batteries

• US 6,371,230 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1998
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alberto Ciarla, Fabio Lenci
• Original Assignee: Alberto Ciarla, Fabio Lenci
• Inventors: Lenci, Fabio, Ciarla, Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US09/077,102
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 414/786, 414/390, 414/398, 414/351, 414/281, 414/282, 414/809, 414/808, 320/2, 320/109, 320/128
• 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 2001/0477 from the back
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/006 dispensed for the electrical charging of other devices than vehicles
• 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: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a device for renting electrically driven vehicles and for exchanging and recharging the vehicle batteries (5), comprising a box-shaped structure (1) with the means for accommodating the vehicles and the mechanical devices (80) for removing and fitting the batteries (5) from and into the vehicle, besides a device (20) for housing and placing the batteries (5) into a number of recharging spaces (13), and conveyors (160, 180) for opening and closing the various doors (14, 9) and, at the same time, locking the vehicle (2) inside its housing (3), and, lastly, the electrical and electronic connections (60, 130, 230) between the batteries and the mains (220 V) and between the housings and the vehicles.

Claims

1. An automated rental system for battery powered scooters comprising in combination,

a scooter receptacle housing means for receiving at least one scooter thereinto into a working relationship for servicing a rental transaction therein and delivering rental scooters therefrom,

battery servicing means within the housing for processing batteries of scooters returned from a rental transaction to ready the scooters for a further rental transaction, and

computerized control means operable for automated monitoring, commanding and controlling both vehicle renting and battery servicing operations for scooter rentals and returns.

2. The rental system of claim 1 further comprising mating electrical connection means in the scooters and the receptacle housing means for transmission of scooter operating data into the computerized control means.

3. The rental system of claim 2 further comprising battery charge monitoring means in the computerized control system.

4. The rental system of claim 3 further comprising battery exchange means in the scooter receptacle housing operable to remove discharged batteries from the scooters and replacing them with charged batteries.

5. The rental system of claim 4 further comprising battery charging means in the scooter receptacle housing, and computer monitored means for charging batteries removed from rented scooters readying them for replacement as needed.

6. The rental system of claim 3 further comprising means for recharging batteries located in a scooter in said working relationship in response to the computer control means.

7. The rental system of claim 1 wherein said receptacle housing further comprises compartmented structure for receiving a plurality of scooters into said working relationship.

8. The rental system of claim 1 further comprising a motor powered conveyor system located in said scooter receptacle housing for transporting a plurality of battery storage containers over a path for receiving batteries for scooters and depositing batteries in scooters, and battery replacement means controlled by said computerized control means for removing and replacing scooter batteries automatically into the conveyor system.

9. The rental system of claim 1 wherein said scooter receptacle housing further comprises an access door to be opened in response to entry of a scooter.

10. An automated rental system for battery powered scooters, comprising in combination,

a scooter receptacle housing for receiving at least one scooter thereinto a working relationship for servicing a rental transaction and delivering rental scooters,

battery servicing means within the housing for processing batteries of scooters returned from a rental transaction to ready the scooters for a further rental transaction,

computerized control means operable for automated monitoring, commanding and controlling both vehicle renting and battery servicing operations for scooter rentals and returns,

mating electrical connection means in the scooters and receptacles for transmission of scooter operating data into computerized control means, and

a movable platform for positioning a scooter into position for mating the electrical connection means in the scooters and receptacles.

11. An automated rental system for battery powered scooters, comprising in combination,

a scooter receptacle housing for receiving at least one scooter thereinto into a working relationship for servicing a rental transaction and delivering rental scooters,

battery servicing means within the housing for processing batteries of scooters returned from a rental transaction to ready the scooters for a further rental transaction,

computerized control means operable for automated monitoring, commanding and controlling both vehicle renting and battery servicing operations for scooter rentals and returns,

a motor powered conveyor system located in said scooter receptacle housing for transporting a plurality of battery storage containers over a path for receiving batteries for scooters and depositing batteries in scooters, and battery replacement means controlled by said computerized control means for removing and replacing scooter batteries automatically into the conveyor system, and electrical connection means connected to a main supply line for charging batteries in the battery storage containers as they are transported over said path.

12. An automated rental system for battery powered scooters, comprising in combination,

a scooter receptacle housing for receiving at least one scooter thereinto into a working relationship for servicing a rental transaction and delivering rental scooters,

battery servicing means within the housing for processing batteries of scooters returned from a rental transaction to ready the scooters for a further rental transaction, and

computerized control means operable for automated monitoring, commanding and controlling both vehicle renting and battery servicing operations for scooter rentals and returns,

a motor powered conveyor system located in said scooter receptacle housing for transporting a plurality of battery storage containers over a path for receiving batteries for scooters and depositing batteries in scooters, and battery replacement means controlled by said computerized control means for removing and replacing scooter batteries automatically into the conveyor system, and

a piston operated battery gripping mechanism for transporting a battery between said battery storage containers and said scooters.