Reciprocal method and apparatus for transferring vehicle batteries

• US 4,342,533 A
• Filed: 12/14/1979
• Issued: 08/03/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dale R. Hane
• Original Assignee: Dale R. Hane
• Inventors: Hane, Dale R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/103,617
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 414/400, 414/395, 414/373, 414/390, 414/396, 414/398, 414/585, 180/68.5, 104/34, 105/50, 105/51
• US Class Current: 414/396
• 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: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable 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

Apparatus and the method for transferring heavy elongated batteries into and out of an electrically powered vehicle. Elongated loading stations are positioned in aligned relationship with an elongated battery chamber which extends completely through a vehicle. A battery in a first loading station is pushed into the chamber in the vehicle causing a battery in that chamber to be pushed into the other loading station.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transferring an associated vehicle battery from an associated vehicle having an elongated battery chamber which extends between two extremities of the vehicle which comprises:

a loading station which includes first means for carrying an associated battery;

means for urging said means for carrying toward an associated vehicle, said means for urging comprising cooperating rack and pinion gears;

an unloading station which includes second means for carrying an associated battery;

means for connecting and for mounting said loading and unloading stations for movement with respect to the associated vehicle in a direction which is generally transverse to the axis of the battery chamber thereof; and

said means for connecting comprises a cross member which extends intermediate said loading and unloading stations.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1:

further including a plurality of additional loading stations and each of said loading stations is carried on a pair of tracks for movement in a direction which is generally transverse to the axis of the battery chamber of the associated vehicle.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2:

further including a plurality of additional unloading stations and each of said unloading stations is carried on a pair of tracks for movement in a direction which is generally transverse to the axis of the battery chamber of the associated vehicle.