Robot assisted modular battery interchanging system
First Claim
1. A portable exchange robot for exchanging a battery module in a vehicle, said robot comprising:
- a microprocessor;
a battery tray configured to hold a modular battery unit;
a lift in mechanical communication with said battery tray, said lift to raise and lower said battery tray;
a motor in mechanical communication with said lift and in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said motor to raise and lower said lift;
a plurality of wheels that propel said portable exchange robot;
a navigation system in electrical communication with said microprocessor and at least one of said plurality of wheels to drive the dispensary robot between a modular battery dispensary and a vehicle;
a memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said memory storing instructions for;
positioning said robot under said modular battery in said vehicle;
unloading a depleted battery module from said modular battery in said vehicle, wherein said instructions for unloading said depleted battery further comprise;
raising said battery tray to engage said depleted battery module;
monitoring a weight on said battery tray during said raising, said weight sensed by a weight sensor on or proximal to said battery tray;
stopping said raising when said monitored weight reaches a threshold value; and
after said stopping, sending a message to said vehicle that said battery tray has engaged said depleted battery module; and
returning said depleted battery module to said modular battery dispensary; and
a wireless communication system operable to be in electrical communication with said modular battery dispensary and said vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and apparatus for a robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. A semi-autonomous portable robot is programmed to interchange depleted rechargeable batteries disposed in an electric or hybrid vehicle. Portable battery pod dispenses batteries to semi-autonomous portable robot for swap. Semi-autonomous portable robot uses navigational sensors to transport battery to predetermined position at the battery interchange location. Battery disposition and configuration data are wirelessly communicated by battery pod to semi-autonomous portable robot. Battery pod is also in electrical communication with vehicle for timely latching and unlatching of battery modules.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A portable exchange robot for exchanging a battery module in a vehicle, said robot comprising:
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a microprocessor; a battery tray configured to hold a modular battery unit; a lift in mechanical communication with said battery tray, said lift to raise and lower said battery tray; a motor in mechanical communication with said lift and in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said motor to raise and lower said lift; a plurality of wheels that propel said portable exchange robot; a navigation system in electrical communication with said microprocessor and at least one of said plurality of wheels to drive the dispensary robot between a modular battery dispensary and a vehicle; a memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said memory storing instructions for; positioning said robot under said modular battery in said vehicle; unloading a depleted battery module from said modular battery in said vehicle, wherein said instructions for unloading said depleted battery further comprise; raising said battery tray to engage said depleted battery module; monitoring a weight on said battery tray during said raising, said weight sensed by a weight sensor on or proximal to said battery tray; stopping said raising when said monitored weight reaches a threshold value; and after said stopping, sending a message to said vehicle that said battery tray has engaged said depleted battery module; and returning said depleted battery module to said modular battery dispensary; and a wireless communication system operable to be in electrical communication with said modular battery dispensary and said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification