Robot assisted modular battery interchanging system
First Claim
1. A portable exchange robot for exchanging a modular battery unit from a modular battery in a vehicle, said modular battery comprising one or more modular battery units, said robot comprising:
- a microprocessor;
a battery tray configured to hold at least one of said modular battery units;
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 wireless communication system operable to be in electrical communication with said modular battery dispensary and said vehicle; and
a memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said memory storing instructions that cause;
(i) positioning said robot under a depleted modular battery unit in said vehicle based, at least in part, on (a) an identity of said vehicle, (b) a distribution map of the modular battery unit or units, including said depleted modular battery unit, in said vehicle relative to a vehicle reference point, and (c) an identity of said depleted modular battery unit to be exchanged;
(ii) unloading said depleted modular battery unit from said modular battery in said vehicle, said instructions for unloading said depleted modular battery unit comprising;
(A) raising said battery tray to engage said depleted modular battery unit;
(B) monitoring a weight on said battery tray during said raising, said weight sensed by a weight sensor on or proximal to said battery tray;
(C) stopping said raising when said monitored weight reaches a threshold value; and
(D) after said stopping, sending a message to said vehicle that said battery tray has engaged said depleted modular battery unit; and
(iii) returning said depleted modular battery unit to said modular battery dispensary.
1 Assignment
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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
12 Claims
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1. A portable exchange robot for exchanging a modular battery unit from a modular battery in a vehicle, said modular battery comprising one or more modular battery units, said robot comprising:
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a microprocessor; a battery tray configured to hold at least one of said modular battery units; 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 wireless communication system operable to be in electrical communication with said modular battery dispensary and said vehicle; and a memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said memory storing instructions that cause; (i) positioning said robot under a depleted modular battery unit in said vehicle based, at least in part, on (a) an identity of said vehicle, (b) a distribution map of the modular battery unit or units, including said depleted modular battery unit, in said vehicle relative to a vehicle reference point, and (c) an identity of said depleted modular battery unit to be exchanged; (ii) unloading said depleted modular battery unit from said modular battery in said vehicle, said instructions for unloading said depleted modular battery unit comprising; (A) raising said battery tray to engage said depleted modular battery unit; (B) monitoring a weight on said battery tray during said raising, said weight sensed by a weight sensor on or proximal to said battery tray; (C) stopping said raising when said monitored weight reaches a threshold value; and (D) after said stopping, sending a message to said vehicle that said battery tray has engaged said depleted modular battery unit; and (iii) returning said depleted modular battery unit to said modular battery dispensary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification