Bridge

Abstract

A bridge includes a connection platform, an electrical connector, a wireless communication module and a processing unit. The electrical connector is disposed on the connection platform. The wireless communication module is disposed on the connection platform and is configured to receive wireless signals. The processing unit is configured to: perform a verification procedure on the information contained in the wireless signal; and when the verification procedure on the information is proven to be true, allow the electrical connector to transmit power. In this way, the device equipped with the bridge can be prevented from being damaged due to the poor quality of an unverified external battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bridge, and more particularly to a bridge for connecting to a battery. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid increase in the number of electric devices (e.g., electric tools, appliances, personal portable communication devices, laptops and tablet computers, personal media devices, vehicles, etc.), people are interested in designing battery connection modules. Conventional battery connection modules usually include a battery holder and a battery connector. The shape of the battery holder is usually designed to match a portion of the battery to accommodate this portion of the battery. However, such a battery holder has a large size, and the structural design of the vehicle, charger or charging station equipped with such a battery connection module is also limited by the shape of the battery holder.

[0003] In addition, generally speaking, it is a better operating scenario for vehicles, chargers or charging stations to transfer power with certified batteries. If a vehicle, charger or charging station is connected to a non-original battery, it may be damaged due to the poor quality of the non-original battery, resulting in the vehicle, charger or charging station not being able to operate normally.

[0004] Therefore, how to propose a bridge that can solve the above problems is one of the problems that the industry is eager to invest research and development resources to solve. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge that can solve the above problems.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bridge includes a connection platform, an electrical connector, a wireless communication module and a processing unit. The electrical connector is disposed on the connection platform. The wireless communication module is disposed on the connection platform and is configured to receive a wireless signal. The processing unit is configured to: perform a verification procedure on the information contained in the wireless signal; and when the verification procedure on the information is proven to be true, allow the electrical connector to transmit power.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection platform has a contact surface and a groove recessed by the contact surface. The electrical connector protrudes from the contact surface. The wireless communication module includes an antenna. The antenna is accommodated in the groove.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bridge further includes a protective cover that covers the wireless communication module.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the protection cover is flush with the aforementioned abutting surface of the connecting platform.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the antenna surrounds the electrical connector.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless communication module further includes a matching board connected to the antenna and configured to adjust the communication frequency of the antenna.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bridge further includes a connection detector. The connection detector is disposed on the connection platform and is configured to generate a trigger signal upon being triggered and transmit the trigger signal to the processing unit. The processing unit is further configured to perform a verification procedure on the information upon receiving the trigger signal.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection detector includes a detection switch and an elastic member. The detection switch is disposed on the connection platform. The elastic member covers the detection switch. The detection switch is configured to be triggered by deformation of the elastic member caused by an external force to generate the trigger signal.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection platform has a contact surface, and the electrical connector and the connection detector protrude from the contact surface.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the verification procedure includes at least one of the following steps: determining whether the battery manufacturer data contained in the information meets the predetermined list; determining whether the battery status / health data contained in the information meets the battery status / health standard; determining whether the charging history data contained in the information meets the charging number standard; and, determining whether the battery type data contained in the information meets the subscription plan.

[0016] In summary, in the bridge disclosed in the present invention, the processing unit can perform a verification procedure on the wireless signal received by the wireless communication module from the external battery, and only allow the electrical connector to transmit power to the external battery when the verification procedure for the information is true. In this way, it is possible to avoid the equipment (such as a vehicle, a charger or a charging station) equipped with the bridge from being damaged by the poor quality of an unverified external battery, and it is more conducive to controlling the charging and discharging of the external battery. In addition, the bridge disclosed in the present invention replaces the conventional battery holder for accommodating a portion of the external battery with a connection platform, so the bridge as a whole has a smaller size, which can effectively reduce the restrictions on the structural design of the equipment equipped with the bridge.

[0017] The above description is only used to illustrate the problem to be solved by the present disclosure, the technical means to solve the problem, and the effects produced, etc. The specific details of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following implementation methods and related drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly understood, the accompanying drawings are described as follows:

[0019] Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram illustrating a bridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 To illustrate Figure 2 Another perspective view of the bridge in which the protective cover is separated upward;

[0022] Figure 4 To illustrate Figure 2 Another stereoscopic view of the bridge in FIG.

[0023] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a bridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024]

Explanation of symbols

[0025] 100: Vehicle

[0026] 110: Shell

[0027] 111: Accommodation space

[0028] 200: Bridge

[0029] 210: Connecting Platform

[0030] 211: contact surface

[0031] 212: Groove

[0032] 220:Electrical connector

[0033] 230: Wireless communication module

[0034] 231: Antenna

[0035] 232:Matching plate

[0036] 240: Processing unit

[0037] 250: Protective cover

[0038] 260:Connect to the detector

[0039] 261: Detection switch

[0040] 262: Elastic parts DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will disclose multiple embodiments of the present disclosure with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of clear description, many practical details will be described together in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the present disclosure. In other words, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, these practical details are not necessary. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings, some conventional structures and elements will be depicted in a simple schematic manner in the drawings.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle 100 is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 100 (e.g., a straddle-type vehicle) includes a housing 110 and a bridge 200. The housing 110 has a receiving space 111, and the bridge 200 is disposed in the receiving space 111 of the housing 110. In some embodiments, the receiving space 111 serves as a battery compartment for receiving an external battery, and the bridge 200 is configured to establish an electrical connection between the power system of the vehicle 100 and the battery pack.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 . Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating a bridge 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 To illustrate Figure 2 Another perspective view of the bridge 200 in FIG. 1 , wherein the protective cover 250 is separated upward. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the bridge 200 includes a connection platform 210 and an electrical connector 220. The connection platform 210 has an abutting surface 211. The abutting surface 211 is configured to abut against an external battery (not shown). In other words, the abutting surface 211 can serve as a bearing surface for the external battery. The electrical connector 220 is disposed on the connection platform 210 and protrudes from the abutting surface 211 of the connection platform 210. Therefore, when the external battery abuts against the abutting surface 211 of the connection platform 210, the electrical connector 220 can be plugged into the external battery and electrically connected.

[0044] Compared to a conventional battery holder for accommodating a portion of an external battery, the bridge 200 in this embodiment, which replaces the conventional battery holder with the connection platform 210, can have a smaller overall size, thereby effectively reducing the restrictions on the structural design of the device on which the bridge 200 is installed.

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the bridge 200 further includes a wireless communication module 230. The wireless communication module 230 is disposed on the connection platform 210. Specifically, the connection platform 210 also has a groove 212 recessed by the abutment surface 211. The wireless communication module 230 includes an antenna 231. The antenna 231 is accommodated in the groove 212. Thereby, the wireless communication module 230 can receive a wireless signal (for example, a wireless signal sent by a communication module disposed on an external battery) through the antenna 231. For example, the wireless communication module 230 can be an NFC (Near-field communication) card reader, which can read the information of the NFC module disposed in the external battery.

[0046] In some embodiments, the antenna 231 is annular and surrounds the electrical connector 220. Correspondingly, the groove 212 of the connecting platform 210 is also annular. In this way, no matter in which direction the external battery is connected to the electrical connector 220, the communication module disposed on the external battery can be aligned with a portion of the antenna 231, thereby ensuring the signal strength of the wireless signal received by the antenna 231 from the communication module of the external battery.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the bridge 200 further includes a protective cover 250. The protective cover 250 covers the wireless communication module 230. Specifically, the protective cover 250 covers the antenna 231 of the wireless communication module 230 and is annular, so as to fit and cover the opening of the groove 212 of the connecting platform 210. In this way, the antenna 231 of the wireless communication module 230 can be protected by the protective cover 250, thereby effectively preventing the antenna 231 from being worn by the external battery.

[0048] In some embodiments, the material of the protective cover 250 includes plastic, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the protective cover 250 can be a piece of Mylar, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0049] In some embodiments, the protective cover 250 is flush with the abutting surface 211 of the connecting platform 210. With this structural configuration, the bridge 200 can abut against the external battery at the abutting surface 211 and the protective cover 250 at the same time, so as to improve the stability of the external battery abutting against the bridge 200.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 4 , which is a drawing Figure 2 Another stereoscopic view of the bridge 200 in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the wireless communication module 230 further includes a matching board 232. The matching board 232 is connected to the antenna 231 and is configured to adjust the communication frequency of the antenna 231 through the operation of an internal circuit, so that the wireless communication module 230 meets the predetermined shipping standard.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 5 , which is a functional block diagram of a bridge 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the bridge 200 further includes a processing unit 240. The processing unit 240 can be disposed at any position on the housing 110, and connects the electrical connector 220 and the matching board 232 of the wireless communication module 230. The processing unit 240 is configured to perform a verification procedure on the information contained in the wireless signal. The processing unit 240 is also configured to allow the electrical connector 220 to transmit power when the verification procedure for the information is proven to be true. Conversely, the processing unit 240 is also configured to not allow the electrical connector 220 to transmit power when the verification procedure for the information is proven to be false.

[0052] It can be seen that the processing unit 240 can perform a verification procedure on the wireless signal received by the wireless communication module 230 from the external battery, and only allow the electrical connector 220 to transmit power to the external battery when the verification procedure of the information is proven to be true. In this way, it can prevent the equipment (such as the vehicle 100, the charger or the charging station) equipped with the bridge 200 from being damaged due to the poor quality of the unverified external battery.

[0053] In some embodiments, the verification process includes determining whether the battery manufacturer data included in the message matches a predetermined list. For example, the predetermined list may include the provider of the vehicle 100. If the battery manufacturer data included in the message matches the provider of the vehicle 100, the verification process is true.

[0054] In some embodiments, the verification procedure includes determining whether the battery status / health data included in the information meets the battery status / health standard. In some embodiments, the verification procedure includes determining whether the charging history data included in the information meets the charging number standard. In some embodiments, the verification procedure includes determining whether the battery type data included in the information meets the subscription plan. It should be noted that the verification procedure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0055] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the bridge 200 further includes a connection detector 260. The connection detector 260 is disposed on the connection platform 210 and is configured to generate a trigger signal when triggered. By designing the setting position of the connection detector 260 on the connection platform 210 (for example, the connection detector 260 protrudes from the abutment surface 211), the connection detector 260 can generate a trigger signal when the external battery abuts the abutment surface 211 of the connection platform 210, and the generation of the trigger signal can serve as an indication signal that the bridge 200 is connected to the external battery. After the connection detector 260 generates the trigger signal, it will be transmitted to the processing unit 240. The processing unit 240 is further configured to perform a verification procedure on the information of the wireless signal when the trigger signal is received. In this way, the processing unit 240 can perform the verification procedure only when the bridge 200 is connected to the external battery, thereby reducing the operating burden of the processing unit 240.

[0056] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the connection detector 260 includes a detection switch 261 and an elastic member 262. The detection switch 261 is disposed on the connection platform 210. The elastic member 262 covers the detection switch 261. The detection switch 261 is configured to generate a trigger signal when the elastic member 262 is deformed by the external battery (e.g., squeezed by the external battery). In other words, the detection switch 261 is a contact switch and can generate a trigger signal when receiving a physical contact.

[0057] In some other embodiments, the detection switch 261 connected to the detector 260 may be a non-contact switch. For example, the detection switch 261 may be a reed switch, a light shielding switch, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0058] In some embodiments, the material of the elastic member 262 includes rubber, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0059] In some embodiments, any number of bridges 200 can be connected in series, and these bridges 200 can share the same processing unit 240, so the bridge 200 disclosed in the present invention also has the characteristic of high scalability. In addition to being installed on electric vehicles, the bridge 200 can also be installed in any system using rechargeable batteries, such as charging stations, street lights, generators, uninterruptible power systems, electric tools, etc.

[0060] From the above detailed description of the specific implementation of the present disclosure, it can be clearly seen that in the bridge of the present disclosure, the processing unit can perform a verification procedure on the wireless signal received by the wireless communication module from the external battery, and only allow the electrical connector to transmit power to the external battery when the verification procedure for the information is true. In this way, it is possible to avoid the equipment (such as a vehicle, a charger or a charging station) equipped with the bridge from being damaged by the poor quality of an unverified external battery, which is more conducive to the control of the charging and discharging of the external battery. In addition, the bridge of the present disclosure replaces the conventional battery holder for accommodating a portion of the external battery with a connection platform, so the bridge as a whole has a smaller size, which can effectively reduce the restrictions on the structural design of the equipment equipped with the bridge.

[0061] Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Anyone familiar with this technology can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be based on the scope defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A bridge, characterized in that: Include: a connection platform having an abutment surface configured to abut against an external battery; an electrical connector disposed on the connection platform and configured to be plugged into the external battery; a wireless communication module, disposed on the connection platform and configured to receive a wireless signal; A processing unit configured to: Performing a verification procedure on the information contained in the wireless signal; as well as When the verification procedure for the information is proven to be true, allowing the electrical connector to transmit power; as well as A connection detector protrudes from the abutment surface and is configured to generate a trigger signal when the external battery abuts against the abutment surface and transmit the trigger signal to the processing unit, wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform the verification procedure on the information when receiving the trigger signal.

2. The bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection platform has a groove sunken by the abutting surface, the electrical connector protrudes from the abutting surface, the wireless communication module includes an antenna, and the antenna is accommodated in the groove.

3. The bridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The invention further comprises a protective cover, wherein the protective cover covers the wireless communication module.

4. The bridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The protection cover is flush with the abutting surface of the connecting platform.

5. The bridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The antenna surrounds the electrical connector.

6. The bridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The wireless communication module further includes a matching board connected to the antenna and configured to adjust a communication frequency of the antenna.

7. The bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection detector contains: a detection switch disposed on the connection platform; and an elastic member, covering the detection switch, The detection switch is configured to be triggered by the deformation of the elastic member caused by an external force to generate the trigger signal.

8. The bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector protrudes from the abutting surface.

9. The bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The verification procedure includes at least one of the following steps: Determining whether a battery manufacturer data included in the information matches a predetermined list; Determining whether a battery status / health data included in the information meets a battery status / health standard; Determining whether a charging history data included in the information meets a charging times standard; and It is determined whether battery type data included in the information complies with a subscription plan.

Images