Apparatus, method and article for redistributing power storage devices, such as batteries, between collection, charging and distribution machines

• US 9,552,682 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Inventors: Luke, Hok-Sum Horace, Taylor, Matthew Whiting
• Primary Examiner(s): Fennema, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, THOMAS H
• Application Number:
  US13/559,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20130030581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 700/288
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/14 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/26 Vehicle weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/427 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/429 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 Temperature of converter or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 : by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 : Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/645 : Type of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 : Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 : by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 : by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/20 : by driver identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 : by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 : by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/52 : drive range estimation, e.g. of estimation of available travel distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 : of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/46 : Heat pumps, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 : relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 : relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 : relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 : using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 : characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 : Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 : involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 : Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 : Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 : Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 : Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 : responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 : responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 : Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 : Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 : using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 : output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 : Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0638 : Organizing or formatting or addressing of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0671 : In-line storage system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 : based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 : based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 : Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 : Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 11/00 : Circuit arrangements for providing service supply to auxiliaries of stations in which electric power is generated, distributed or converted
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 : Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 : Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 : Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• 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 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 : Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

Claims

1. A method of operating a distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:

receiving, by at least one configured distribution management system for portable electrical energy storage devices, information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices;

analyzing, by the at least one configured distribution management system, the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices to determine a physical redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines; and

sending, by the at least one configured distribution management system, information initiating the physical redistribution between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines, wherein the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices indicates a first one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines has a lower inventory of charged portable electrical energy storage devices than a second one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines and wherein the information initiating the physical redistribution includes information to initiate physical redistribution of one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from the second one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines to the first one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending the information includes causing a message to be sent, the message including information identifying a selected one or more of the collection, charging and distribution machines to return a portable electrical energy storage device to according to the physical redistribution.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending, by the at least one configured distribution management system, based on the analyzing the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices, information initiating at least one of;

installation of one or more new collection, charging and distribution machines and removal of one or more existing collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

4. A method of operating a distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:

receiving, by at least one configured distribution management system for portable electrical energy storage devices, information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices;

analyzing, by the at least one configured distribution management system, the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices to determine a physical redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines; and

sending, by the at least one configured distribution management system, information initiating the physical redistribution between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines, wherein the sending the information includes causing a message to be sent, the message including information identifying a selected one or more of the collection, charging and distribution machines to return a portable electrical energy storage device to according to the physical redistribution and the message includes a redeemable incentive to a user to return the portable electrical energy storage device, the redeemable incentive being a credit, provided to the user upon return of the portable electrical energy storage device to the selected one or more collection, charging and distribution machines, for an upgraded or premium portable electrical energy storage device.

5. A method of operating a distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:

receiving, by at least one configured distribution management system for portable electrical energy storage devices, information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices;

analyzing, by the at least one configured distribution management system, the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices to determine a physical redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines; and

sending, by the at least one configured distribution management system, information initiating the physical redistribution between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines, wherein the sending the information includes causing a message to be sent including instructions to redistribute one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from one or more collection, charging and distribution machines having a surplus of charged portable electrical energy storage devices to one or more other selected collection, charging and distribution machines having a deficit of charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

redistributing the one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from the one or more collection, charging and distribution machines having the surplus of charged portable electrical energy storage devices to the one or more other selected collection, charging and distribution machines having the deficit of charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the redistributing includes physically moving one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from the one or more collection, charging and distribution machines having the surplus of charged portable electrical energy storage devices to the one or more other selected collection, charging and distribution machines having the deficit of charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the physically moving is performed by one or more delivery vehicles.

9. A distribution management system for portable electrical energy storage devices, comprising:

at least one processor of the distribution management system;

at least one processor-readable memory of the distribution management system that stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to;

receive information regarding demand for charged portable electrical energy storage devices, the demand being at a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines for portable electrical energy storage devices, wherein the information regarding demand includes information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines;

determine a physical redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines according to at least the received information regarding demand; and

send information initiating the physical redistribution between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines by causing a message to be sent including instructions to redistribute one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from one or more collection, charging and distribution machines having a surplus of charged portable electrical energy storage devices to one or more other selected collection, charging and distribution machines having a deficit of charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

10. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding relative demand for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between different times of day, week or year.

11. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding relative demand of charged portable electrical energy storage devices between geographical locations.

12. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding historic usage patterns of one or more of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

13. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding user vehicle locations.

14. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding portable electrical energy storage device charge capacity.

15. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information regarding demand includes information regarding route information of users of one or more of the charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

16. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to determine the physical redistribution include further instructions to cause the at least one processor to determine the physical redistribution according to a first number of portable electrical energy storage devices currently removably located at a collection, charging and distribution machine of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines to be charged at an accelerated rate relative to at least a second number of portable electrical energy storage devices currently removably located at the collection, charging and distribution machine via energy supplied from at least the second number of portable electrical energy storage devices.

17. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to determine the physical redistribution cause the at least one processor to determine the physical redistribution by analyzing the information regarding demand to increase a likelihood of availability of charged portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines to meet current or predicted demand of charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the selected collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

18. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the message to be sent includes information identifying a selected one or more of the collection, charging and distribution machines to return a portable electrical energy storage device to according to the determined physical redistribution.

19. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the information is sent to one or more collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

20. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the instructions executable by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to send the information to one or more users of one or more portable electrical energy storage devices, the one or more a portable electrical energy storage devices being from one or more of the collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

21. The distribution management system of claim 9 wherein the instructions executable by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to send the information to one or more portable electrical energy storage device transfer services.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by a distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, cause the distribution system to perform:

receiving information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices between a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices;

analyzing the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices to determine a physical redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines; and

sending information initiating the physical redistribution between the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines, wherein the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices indicates a first one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines has a lower inventory of charged portable electrical energy storage devices than a second one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines and wherein the information initiating the physical redistribution includes information to initiate physical redistribution of one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from the second one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines to the first one of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by a distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, further cause the distribution system to perform:

sending, based on the analyzing the information tracking physical exchanges of portable electrical energy storage devices for charged portable electrical energy storage devices, information initiating at least one of;

installation of one or more new collection, charging and distribution machines and removal of one or more existing collection, charging and distribution machines of the plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by the distribution system for portable electrical energy storage devices, further cause the distribution system to perform:

causing a message to be sent, the message including information identifying a selected one or more of the collection, charging and distribution machines to return a portable electrical energy storage device to according to the physical redistribution.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the sending the information includes causing a message to be sent including instructions to redistribute one or more portable electrical energy storage devices from one or more collection, charging and distribution machines having a surplus of charged portable electrical energy storage devices to one or more other selected collection, charging and distribution machines having a deficit of charged portable electrical energy storage devices.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the sending the information includes causing a message to be sent including a redeemable incentive to a user to return a portable electrical energy storage device to a selected one or more collection, charging and distribution machines, the redeemable incentive being a credit, provided to the user upon return of the portable electrical energy storage device to the selected one or more collection, charging and distribution machines, for an upgraded or premium portable electrical energy storage device.