Battery exchange apparatus

• US 6,498,457 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tsuboi, Masaharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US09/577,563
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 320/110
• US Class Current: 320/110
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• 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: B60S 5/06 Supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/55 power-driven at crank shafts parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• 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 battery exchange apparatus having a structure which allows a battery to be easily taken in or out of the battery exchange apparatus and to provide a small-size battery exchange apparatus suitable to be used in an indoor facility. The battery exchange apparatus has a plurality of slots, and batteries inserted in the slots are charged by chargers. The battery thus charged is rented to a user in accordance with instructions. Upon rental of the battery, a battery lock provided on a retaining mechanism is released, and the battery projects forwardly more than an adjacent battery not to be rented. The slot holding the battery includes a first interior section, innermost in the slot for securing the battery, and a second interior section that is wider than the first interior section. The second interior section allows a user to easily hold the end portion of the battery. Further, the battery itself has a palm-size cross-sectional shape, allowing a user to easily hold the battery.

Claims

1. A battery exchange apparatus for containing a battery, and a charger for charging said battery, comprising:

a containing portion having an interior depth greater than a length of said battery to be completely contained therein, the containing portion including;

a first interior section extending inwardly from a predetermined depth within the containing portion to an interior end of the containing portion, the first interior section being adapted for receiving and securing an end of said battery for connecting to said charger; and

a second interior section extending outwardly from said predetermined depth to an outside face of said containing portion, wherein said second interior section has a cross sectional area sufficiently larger than a cross sectional area of the first interior section, for allowing an opposite end of said battery extending outwardly into said second interior section to be readily grasped for insertion and removal into said containing portion.

2. The battery exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of containing portions are arranged in groups in both a vertical and a horizontal direction;

and

a door is provided commonly to each group of said containing portions arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction.

3. The battery exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of containing portions are arranged in groups in both a vertical and a horizontal direction;

and

a door is provided commonly to each group of said plurality of containing portions arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction.

4. A chargeable battery used for a battery exchange apparatus capable of exchanging an exhausted battery for an already charged battery, said chargeable battery being composed of a plurality of battery cells contained in a battery pack, comprising:

said battery pack being graspable by hand, and having a length shorter than a depth of a containing portion of said battery exchange apparatus so that said battery pack may be contained completely within a containing portion;

said battery pack having a parting plane running lengthwise along a surface of said battery pack facing upward when a front end of said battery pack is inserted into said battery charger; and

said battery pack having an engagement hole disposed on said parting plane of said surface facing upward for engaging with a locking means of said battery exchange apparatus when said battery pack is moved into and out of said containing portion.

5. The chargeable battery according to claim 4, wherein said chargeable battery has a pair of terminals connected to said battery cells;

and said pair of terminals are disposed on said front end of said battery pack in such a manner as to be symmetrical with respect to said parting plane.

6. The chargeable battery according to claim 5, wherein a second engagement hole is formed in a surface opposed to a surface in which said engagement hole is formed;

and said engagement hole and said second engagement hole are set to be fitted to an adapter for supplying power to equipment which uses said battery as a power source.

7. The chargeable battery according to claim 5, wherein projecting stripes extending in the longitudinal direction of said battery pack are formed on a first surface opposed to a second surface in which said engagement hole is formed in such a manner as to be symmetrical with respect to said parting plane.

8. The chargeable battery according to claim 4, wherein a second engagement hole is formed in a surface opposed to a surface in which said engagement hole is formed;

and said engagement hole and said second engagement hole are set to be fitted to an adapter for supplying power to equipment which uses said battery as a power source.

9. The chargeable battery according to claim 4, wherein projecting stripes extending in the longitudinal direction of said battery pack are formed on a surface opposed to said surface facing upward in which said engagement hole is formed.

10. The chargeable battery according to claim 9, wherein a design seal is positioned between said projecting stripes symmetrically formed.

11. The chargeable battery according to claim 10, wherein said design seal is a seal informing that a battery is recyclable.