Power supply assembly for motorized vehicles

• US 7,431,109 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Inventors: Kosco, James M., Goodell, Mark A., Jones, Colburn L.
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/960,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20050161276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/68.5, 180/907, 180/908
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• 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: B62K 5/025 power-driven
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 Motorized wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/908 Motor vehicles with short wheelbase

Abstract

A power supply assembly is provided for a vehicle, such as a Personalized Motorized Vehicle (PMV), including a detachable mounting assembly therefor which facilitates the ease of attachment of a Power Supply Unit (PSU) to a main structural frame of the vehicle, provides a positive electrical and structural connection therebetween, and integrates the power supply assembly with the external geometry of the vehicle to provide an aesthetically pleasing external appearance. The power supply assembly includes a pair of PSUs. A segment of one PSU unit overlaps a segment of another PSU unit and another segment of one PSU overlaps a portion of the main structural frame. Electrical connectors are disposed in combination with the overlapping housing segments for electrically coupling the PSUs and at least one PSU to the vehicle. The power supply, assembly, furthermore includes a retention subassembly for structurally connecting each PSU to the main structural frame.

Claims

1. A power supply for a vehicle, the vehicle having a main structural frame for mounting one or more electrical components, the power supply assembly comprising:

at least one pair of power supply units disposed in combination with the main structural frame, each unit having a housing structure, a segment of one power supply unit overlapping a segment of another power supply unit, and another segment of one power supply unit overlapping a portion of said main structural frame;

electrical connectors disposed in combination with the overlapping housing segments for electrically coupling the power supply units;

a retention subassembly comprising

a base support for accepting at least one of the power supply units and having retention wall structures for in-plane retention of the power supply unit,

said housing structure of at least one power supply unit comprising an aperture; and

a latching mechanism engaging said aperture for vertically retaining the power supply unit in the base support;

the latching mechanism comprising

a cylindrical sleeve mounted to the main structural support and having a central bore extending the length of the cylindrical sleeve, the central bore having internal grooves defining first and second detent positions;

a pin disposed within the central bore, said pin having an outboard end, a tapered inboard end aligned with said aperture, and a ball catch disposed therebetween; and

a handle pivotally connected to and displacing the pin into and out of engagement with the housing aperture;

said ball catch aligning with and engaging said internal grooves in response to a displacement of said pin, said first detent position corresponding to a disengaged position of said latching mechanism and said second detent position corresponding to an engaged position of said latching mechanism.

2. The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical port for connecting said pair of power supply units to an external power source for recharging.

3. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein each of the housing structures comprises a handle recess and an installation handle mounting to the housing structure, said installation handle extending across the handle recess in the respective housing structure for installing and removing the power supply unit from the respective base support.

4. A vehicle comprising:

a front wheel disposed in combination with a steering column;

a pair of aft wheels;

a main structural frame having a forward frame portion for mounting said steering column, an aft frame portion for mounting said aft wheels, side supports for structurally interconnecting said forward and aft frame portions, and at least one cross member for structurally interconnecting said side supports;

a seat support stanchion mounted to a cross member of said main structural frame;

a system for distributing power to one or more electrical components;

a power supply assembly disposed in combination with the cross member of said main structural frame and delivering power to said power distribution system, said assembly comprising a pair of juxtaposed power supply units, each unit having a housing structure, one of the power supply housing structures having a first segment overlapping a portion of a second power supply unit and a portion of at least one of the power supply units having a second segment overlapping a portion of the frame;

a retention subassembly for vertically retaining each of the power supply units comprising

a base support for accepting a power supply unit and having retention wall structures for in-plane retention of the power supply unit,

each of said housing structures including an aperture, and

a latching mechanism engaging said aperture, the latching mechanism comprising

a cylindrical sleeve mounting to the main structural support and having a central bore extending the length of the cylindrical sleeve, the central bore having internal grooves defining first and second detent positions;

a pin disposed within the central bore, said pin having an outboard end pivotally mounted to said handle, a tapered inboard end aligned with said aperture, and a ball catch disposed therebetween; and

a handle pivotally connecting to and displacing the pin into and out of engagement with the housing aperture;

said ball catch aligning with and engaging said internal grooves in response to a displacement of said pin, said first detent-position corresponding to a disengaged position of said latching mechanism and said second detent position corresponding to an engaged position of said latching mechanism.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said power supply assembly is disposed forward of said seat support stanchion.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said pair of power supply units further comprise an electrical port for connecting said pair of power supply units to an external power source for recharging.

7. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the first overlapping segment extends from a central portion of the one housing and the portion of the second power supply portion is formed asa recess for accepting the first overlapping segment, the first overlapping segment and the recess portion being in vertical alignment for vertically retaining the second power supply housing when the housing structures are mated together;

wherein the one power supply unit is electrically connected to the second power supply unit through electrical connections contained in the first overlapping segment and the recess in the second housing structures; and

wherein the second power supply unit is electrically connected to the vehicle through electrical connectors contained in a second overlapping segment on one of the housings.