Carrier for exchangeable batteries for use by electric vehicles

• US 9,597,973 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Inventors: Penilla, Angel A., Penilla, Albert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US15/191,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20160303990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 320/109
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/111 for controlling multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/119 Icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/592 Data transfer involving external databases
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• 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: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 : involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 : involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 : Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 : Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• 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 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• 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 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 50/256 : Carrying devices, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 : Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/502 : Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

Battery carriers that provide replaceable and exchangeable batteries and systems are provided. One example battery carrier is for batteries used in electric vehicles. The battery carrier includes a housing having a plurality of slots, and each of the slots is configured to receive a battery that is configured for hand-insertion and hand-removal from the battery carrier. Each slot and each battery has a form factor that is dimensioned to at least partially fit within ones of the slots. A plurality of electrical connectors is also provided. Each electrical connector is disposed inside respective ones of the slots and each electrical connector is configured to mate with an electrical connector of the battery when present in a slot of the plurality of slots and each electrical connector is configured to provide power transfer between a power source to which the battery carrier is connected and a battery when present in one of the slots. Further provided is electronics integrated with the battery carrier. The electronics include communications logic for connecting to a network and logic for communicating with batteries when present in slots of the battery carrier to identify a level of charge. The communications logic is configured to communicate with a server that obtains information regarding the level of charge of batteries present in the battery carrier. The server is configured to process requests from user accounts to find batteries having availability for use by an electric vehicle. The server is configured to enable reservation for at least one battery of the battery carrier via a user account.

Claims

1. A system for managing a supply of batteries for powering an electric vehicle, comprising:

(a) a battery carrier for holding a plurality of batteries, the battery carrier being connectable to a power source, the plurality of batteries being rechargeable and being replaceable into and out of the battery carrier, the battery carrier including,

(i) slots for receiving the plurality of batteries;

(ii) electronics, the electronics including logic for communicating over a network and logic for interfacing with batteries when present in the slots of the battery carrier,

(b) a server that communicates over the network with the electronics of the battery carrier, the server being part of a cloud system that manages access to user accounts, the user accounts being accessible via applications executed on user devices,

the cloud system being configured to collect information regarding batteries in the slots of the battery carrier and information regarding a charge level of said batteries in the slots,

the cloud system is configured to respond to a request from a user account to identify batteries that are available in the battery carrier based on information obtained by the server from the electronics of the battery carrier,

the cloud system being configured to identify the battery carrier and identify availability of batteries of the battery carrier.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is a mobile application and user devices include mobile devices or electronics of the electric vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the request from the user account is in response to a user input or is automatically made based on a detected status of batteries in the electric vehicle needing charge at a particular point in time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is one of a mobile app, a web application, or an application of the electric vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1,

wherein cloud system is configured to receive data regarding operation of the electric vehicle, the operation includes charge level of batteries in the electric vehicle, the data being usable to determine an approximate range of distance achievable using the batteries currently installed in the electric vehicle,

the cloud system is further configured to communicate with a plurality of other battery carriers or kiosks of batteries located in distinct geo-locations,

the cloud system is further configured to identify options for obtaining batteries from one or more of the battery carrier or ones of the plurality of other battery carriers or kiosks of batteries.

6. The system of claim 1, the cloud system is further configured to communicate with a plurality of other battery carriers located in distinct geo-locations,

the cloud system is further configured to identify options for obtaining batteries from one or more of the battery carrier or ones of the plurality of other battery carriers or kiosks of batteries, the options being provided along with information related to one or more of discounts available, gifts available, or loyalty points available.

7. The system of claim 1, the cloud system is further configured to communicate with a plurality of other battery carriers located in distinct geo-locations or kiosks of batteries,

the cloud system is further configured to identify options for obtaining batteries from one or more of the battery carrier or ones of the plurality of other battery carriers or kiosks of batteries, at least one of the options include enabling making a reservation for at least one of the batteries.

8. The system of claim 1, the cloud system is further configured to communicate with a plurality of other battery carriers located in distinct geo-locations,

the cloud system is further configured to identify options for obtaining batteries from one or more of the battery carrier or ones of the plurality of other battery carriers,

wherein the cloud system is configured to communicate route options leading to the identified options from a current geo-location, the route options being associated with a map or a distance, or a reservation option, or a discount option, or combinations of two or more thereof.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each route option having the discount option includes identification of a type of discount in fee, or a discount in goods, or a discount in services or a combination of two or more thereof, and

wherein the electric vehicle is one of a two-wheel vehicle, or a three-wheel vehicle, or a four-wheel vehicle, or a motorcycle, or a car, or a truck, or a pickup, or a utility car, or a delivery vehicle, or an industrial vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery carrier is part of a network of battery carriers or kiosks, wherein each of the battery carriers has a geographic address in a country, or in a particular county, or in a particular state, or in a particular city, or on particular street addresses, or combinations of two or more thereof;

wherein the server is configured to utilize a mapping function to enable access to generate a map that shows locations of select ones of battery carriers and pricing or availability of batteries.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the server enables access or linking to the user account from a mobile application to communicate with a social network, wherein the social network enables posting or making comments and/or likes regarding the battery carrier.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising,

wherein the server is configured to process information regarding use of batteries over a period of time, or a history battery use, or loyalty points available or used, or gifts available or used, or deals of a day, or discounts used or available, or rewards, or history of used batteries, or carbon footprint from using particular batteries, or a travel range or distance provided by one or more batteries, or payment data, or payment history, or account administration, or customization functions, or suggested speeds to conserve energy, or mapping functions, or social networking functions, or traffic information, or combinations of two or more thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery carrier is portable, or is connectable to a home having the power source, or is connectable to a business having the power source, or is connectable to a retail store having the power source.

14. A battery carrier for charging batteries used in electric vehicles, comprising,

a housing including a plurality of slots, each of the slots is configured to receive a battery that is configured for hand-insertion and hand-removal from the battery carrier, wherein each slot, and each battery has a form factor that is dimensioned to at least partially fit within ones of the slots;

and

a plurality of electrical connectors, each electrical connector being disposed inside respective ones of the slots and each electrical connector is configured to mate with an electrical connector of the battery when present in a slot of the plurality of slots and each electrical connector is configured to provide power transfer between a power source to which the battery carrier is connected and a battery when present in one of the slots; and

electronics integrated with the battery carrier, the electronics include communications logic for connecting to a network and logic for communicating with batteries when present in slots of the battery carrier to identify a level of charge, the communications logic is configured to communicate with a server that obtains information regarding the level of charge of batteries present in the battery carrier,

wherein the server is configured to process requests from user accounts to find batteries being available for use by an electric vehicle;

wherein the server is configured to enable reservation for at least one battery of the battery carrier via a user account.

15. The battery carrier of claim 14, wherein the form factor of each of the batteries is one of a substantially tubular shape, or an elongated shape, or rectangular shape, or a bar shape;

wherein the battery makes electrical engagement in the slot when the battery is inserted and seated in the slot, wherein the electrical engagement via the electrical connector is one of direct contact between terminals or wireless charge contact;

wherein the communications logic is via one or more of a non-wireless communication, or a radio communication, or a Wi-Fi™

communication, or a Bluetooth™

communication, or a near field communication (NFC), or a combination of two or more thereof.

16. The battery carrier of claim 14, wherein batteries are for the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle having at least one receptacle slot integrated in the electric vehicle, the at least one receptacle slot providing a connection for providing power to an electric motor of the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle being one of a two-wheel vehicle, or a three-wheel vehicle, or a four-wheel vehicle, or a motorcycle, or a car, or a truck, or a pickup, or a utility car, or a delivery vehicle, or an industrial vehicle.

17. The battery carrier of claim 14,

wherein the server is configured to process or access a plurality of user accounts;

or

wherein the server is configured to process requests from the plurality of user accounts to locate batteries;

or

wherein the battery carrier is configured for exchanging of batteries;

or

wherein a locate function includes a map component that enables presentation of a map showing geographic location and geographic location of one or more of the batteries.

18. The battery carrier of claim 17,

wherein in addition to a price, the server is configured to provide discounts available at particular locations;

wherein the price or discounts at particular locations is changed over time, wherein the change in price or discounts is adjusted dynamically to effect load-balancing of batteries.

19. The battery carrier of claim 14, wherein the battery includes memory for storing information regarding the level of charge of the battery, or data regarding a number of prior charges of the battery, or data indicative of a heath of the battery, or data associated with a radio frequency communication identifier (RFID), or data regarding identification of a kiosk or battery carrier that the battery has been previously present, or a history of charging or exchange, or data from a combination of two or more thereof.

20. The battery carrier of claim 14, further comprising,

a power outlet cable for connecting the battery carrier to a power source.