Method and system for replacing a container of input energy for a drive motor of a motor vehicle

• US 8,957,626 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Lombarte, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, MINH N
• Application Number:
  US13/508,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20120240387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 297/29, 297/39, 295/921, 104/34, 104 48- 50, 320/2, 320/5, 320/109, 414/340, 414/401, 414/281
• US Class Current: 320/104
• 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 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0472 from below
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4221 with battery type recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• 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: 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 : Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

A method for replacing a container of input energy for a drive motor of a motor vehicle including at least one iteration of a phase including the following: recognizing the type of container to be deposited; making, if needed, at least one tool suitable for the container type; using the at least one tool to take down the container; depositing the container; and using the at least one tool to mount a new container. The making at least one tool suitable for the container type includes dismantling, on the at least one tool, a first device for activating and deactivating a first mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle and mounting, on the at least one tool, a second device for activating and deactivating a second mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A replacement method for replacing containers of input energy that power the drive motor of motor vehicles, comprising at least one iteration of a phase comprising:

providing at least one tool including a first device that activates and deactivates a first means for locking a first container to a first motor vehicle, and a second device that activates and deactivates a second means for locking a second container to a second motor vehicle;

recognizing on the first motor vehicle the first container to be removed;

using the first device fitted on the at least one tool to unfix the first container;

removing the first container;

using the device fitted on the at least one tool to refit a new container;

recognizing on the second motor vehicle the second container to be removed;

unfixing, from the at least one tool, the first device and fitting, to the at least one tool, the second device to match the second container;

using the second device fitted on the at least one tool to unfix the second container;

removing the second container; and

using the second device fitted on the at least one tool to refit a new container.

2. The replacement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase comprises:

recognizing a type of motor vehicle; and

bringing the motor vehicle into position with respect to the ground on which it is resting.

3. The replacement method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bringing a motor vehicle into position with respect to the ground on which it is resting comprises activating a device that exerts mechanical actions on the vehicle at stringers or jacking points.

4. The replacement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second devices that activate and deactivate the means of locking the container to a motor vehicle are mounted on at least one manipulator robot.

5. The replacement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means for locking have a first structure, and the second means for locking have a second structure, different from the first structure.

6. The replacement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase is performed automatically.

7. The replacement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase is performed semi-automatically.