Electric vehicle battery service station with telescopic wall body

Abstract

An electric vehicle (EV) battery service station includes a platform configured to receive an electric vehicle and a house attached to the platform, the house including a stationary house wall and a roof attached to the stationary house wall, the roof suspended above the platform. A plurality of retractable walls are attached to the roof, the retractable walls having a raised condition in which the retractable walls are raised to allow the electric vehicle to travel onto or away from the platform, and a lowered condition in which the retractable walls extend to the platform, the fixed house walls, the retractable walls, the roof, and the platform define an electric vehicle service room. One or more motors are in mechanical communication with the retractable wall to transition the retractable wall between a raised state and a lowered state.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application No. 63 / 383,772, filed on November 15, 2022, entitled "Electric Vehicle Battery Service Station With Retractable Walls", which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application generally relates to service stations, namely battery service stations for electric vehicles (EVs). Background Art

[0004] In order to replenish energy to a depleted battery in an electric vehicle, the depleted battery can be recharged or replaced with a charged battery. Replacing a depleted battery with a charged battery is similar to refueling a conventional vehicle's fuel tank. Although conventional vehicles can access the infrastructure of traditional fueling (e.g., gasoline) stations, a similar infrastructure for battery replacement in electric vehicles is not yet available. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The exemplary embodiments described herein have innovative features, where no single feature is indispensable or solely responsible for their desired attributes. The following description and drawings detail certain illustrative implementations of the present disclosure, which show several exemplary ways in which the various principles of the present disclosure can be implemented. However, the illustrative examples are not an exhaustive list of the many possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some advantageous features will now be outlined. When considered in conjunction with the drawings, other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, and the drawings are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a mobile electric vehicle (EV) battery service station, which includes: a platform configured to receive an electric vehicle; a house attached to the platform, the house including a fixed house wall and a roof supported by the fixed house wall, the roof being suspended above the platform; a plurality of retractable walls attached to the roof, the retractable walls having a raised state and a lowered state, in the raised state, the retractable walls are raised to allow the electric vehicle to drive onto or off the platform, and in the lowered state, the retractable walls extend to the platform such that the fixed house wall, the retractable walls, the roof and the platform define an electric vehicle repair room; and one or more motors in mechanical communication with the retractable walls to convert the retractable walls between the raised state and the lowered state.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the fixed house wall is a first fixed house wall, the house includes a second fixed house wall attached to the roof, and the platform is located between the first fixed house wall and the second fixed house wall. In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a first ramp attached to a first side of the platform; and a second ramp attached to a second side of the platform, the first ramp and the second ramp being aligned along an axis. In one or more embodiments, the one or more motors are wall motors, the platform is configured to telescopically collapse between an extended state and a retracted state, and one or more platform motors are in mechanical communication with the platform to convert the platform between the extended state and the retracted state.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the fixed house wall defines an electric vehicle service station equipment room. In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a battery charging rack located in the electric vehicle service station equipment room.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a controller in electrical communication with the motor, the controller being configured to generate a first motor control signal that causes the motor to transition the retractable wall between a raised state and a lowered state; and a processor in electrical communication with the controller, the processor being configured to generate a processor control signal in response to one or more input signals, wherein the controller generates the motor control signal in response to receiving the processor control signal. In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes one or more sensors configured to detect the position of the electric vehicle relative to the electric vehicle service station, wherein the processor is configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, the processor being configured to generate a first processor control signal when the processor determines, using the output signal from the sensor, that the electric vehicle is approaching the platform, and in response to receiving the first processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the lowered state to the raised state.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the processor is configured to generate a second processor control signal when the output signal indicates that the electric vehicle is on the platform and below the roof, and in response to receiving the second processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the raised state to the lowered state. In one or more embodiments, the processor is configured to generate a third processor control signal after one or more depleted batteries in the electric vehicle have been replaced with one or more charged batteries, and in response to receiving the third processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the lowered state to the raised state.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the sensor includes a camera and / or a weight sensor. In one or more embodiments, the processor and the controller are located in the equipment room of the electric vehicle service station.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a house wall extender attached to the top of the fixed house wall and attached to the roof, the house wall extender having dimensions configured to increase the height of the roof compared to when the roof is attached to the top of the fixed house wall. In one or more embodiments, the mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the retractable wall to the platform when the retractable wall is in the lowered state.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an array of electric vehicle battery service stations, comprising: a plurality of platforms, each platform being configured to receive a respective electric vehicle for a respective electric vehicle service station; a housing attached to the platform, the housing including a plurality of fixed housing walls and a roof attached to the fixed housing walls, the roof being suspended above the platform, wherein each platform is located between a respective pair of fixed housing walls; a plurality of pairs of retractable walls attached to the roof, each pair of retractable walls being aligned with a respective platform, each pair of retractable walls having a respective raised state and a respective lowered state, the respective raised state being for allowing a respective electric vehicle to drive onto or off the respective platform, and in the lowered state, the respective pair of retractable walls extending to the respective platform such that the respective pair of fixed housing walls, the respective pair of retractable walls, the roof and the respective platform define a respective electric vehicle repair room; and respective one or more motors in mechanical communication with each pair of retractable walls to transition the respective pair of fixed housing walls between the respective raised state and the respective lowered state.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the fixed housing walls include a first outer housing wall and a second outer housing wall and one or more interior housing walls, each interior housing wall being located between adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms. In one or more embodiments, each interior wall defines a respective electric vehicle service station equipment room, which includes shared equipment for adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms. In one or more embodiments, the shared equipment further includes: a controller in electrical communication with respective motors of a plurality of pairs of retractable walls for adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms; and a processor in electrical communication with the controller, the processor being configured to generate processor control signals in response to one or more input signals.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an electric vehicle battery service station matrix including a plurality of arrays of electric vehicle service stations, each array of electric vehicle service stations including a plurality of platforms, each platform being configured to receive a respective electric vehicle of a respective electric vehicle service station; a housing attached to the platform, the housing including a plurality of fixed housing walls and a roof attached to the fixed housing walls, the roof being suspended above the platform, wherein each platform is located between a respective pair of fixed housing walls; a plurality of pairs of retractable walls attached to the roof, each pair of retractable walls being aligned with a respective platform, each pair of retractable walls having a respective raised state and a respective lowered state, the respective raised state being for allowing the respective electric vehicle to drive onto or off of the respective platform, and in the lowered state, the respective pair of retractable walls extending to the respective platform such that the respective pair of fixed housing walls, the respective pair of retractable walls, the roof, and the respective platform define a respective electric vehicle repair room; and a respective one or more motors in mechanical communication with each pair of retractable walls to transition the respective pair of fixed housing walls between the respective raised state and the respective lowered state. The arrays of electric vehicle service stations are arranged such that a first electric vehicle service station in each array of electric vehicle service stations is arranged about a first central axis, and a second electric vehicle service station in each array of electric vehicle service stations is arranged about a second central axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To more fully understand the nature and advantages of the concepts disclosed herein, reference is made to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric vehicle service station in a first state according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is in a second state according to one embodiment Figure 1 of the electric vehicle service station shown.

[0019] Figure 3A is in a third state according to one embodiment Figure 1 of the electric vehicle service station shown.

[0020] Figure 3B is in a fourth state according to one embodiment Figure 1 of the electric vehicle service station shown.

[0021] Figure 4 is when one of the retractable walls is transitioning between a retracted state and a lowered state Figure 1Side view of the electric vehicle service station shown

[0022] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is the front view of the electric vehicle service station according to one embodiment Figure 1 shown, where the retractable wall is in the retracted state

[0023] Figure 6A is a perspective view of the electric vehicle service station in the first state according to another embodiment

[0024] Figure 6B is in the second state according to one embodiment Figure 6A Side view of the electric vehicle service station shown

[0025] Figures 7A to 7C is the front view of the electric vehicle service station according to one embodiment, where the retractable wall is in the retracted state

[0026] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electric vehicle service station in the first state according to another embodiment

[0027] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an array of electric vehicle service stations according to one embodiment

[0028] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a matrix of electric vehicle service stations according to one embodiment

[0029] Figure 11 is according to one embodiment Figure 2 Detail view of the area in

[0030] Figure 12 Shows an exemplary locking mechanism according to one embodiment Detailed Description

[0031] The mobile electric vehicle service station can be deployed at any location as needed to replace the battery of the electric vehicle. For example, the electric vehicle service station can be deployed in a parking lot, by the roadside or at another location. The mobile electric vehicle service station can be transported between one location and another location, including being placed as needed

[0032] The mobile electric vehicle service station includes a platform on which the electric vehicle can drive to receive battery replacement service. The described mobile service station can be transported, towed or lifted into place on a wheeled platform, or can be assembled at the location most suitable for the application

[0033] The platform may include ramps at either or both ends to facilitate the real-time entry and exit of electric vehicles to and from the service station, especially in cases where other charging or service infrastructure is placed beneath the vehicle being serviced to provide some vertical clearance. A housing is attached to the platform and includes at least one housing wall and a roof attached to the housing wall. Two or more retractable walls are attached to the roof. The retractable walls can be raised to allow an electric vehicle to drive onto or off the platform and can be lowered during the servicing of the electric vehicle. In the lowered state, the retractable walls, the housing wall, the roof, and the platform surround the electric vehicle and define an electric vehicle repair room. An electric vehicle service station equipment room may be defined in one of the housing walls to store or preserve equipment to support battery replacement services. Examples of equipment include battery charging racks, controllers, processors, network interfaces, and / or one or more motors for the retractable walls. In one example, the matrix of battery module rack placement positions as shown and described below is suitable for placing and manipulating one or more battery modules that will be replaced into or out of an electric vehicle, charged or repaired on the rack, or prepared for movement outside the service station on its own.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric vehicle service station 10 in a first state according to one embodiment. The service station 10 includes a housing 100 and a platform 110 attached to the housing 100. The service station 10 can be mobile and formed of modular components / structures.

[0035] The housing 100 includes at least one fixed wall 120 (e.g., at least one housing wall) and a roof 130 attached to the wall 120. The wall 120 and the roof 130 can be integrally formed as a single structure. Alternatively, the wall 120 and the roof 130 can be separate components attached together, for example, by screws, bolts, rivets, interlocking structures, and / or adhesives.

[0036] The roof 130 extends over and / or is suspended above at least a portion of the platform 110. A plurality of retractable walls 140 are attached to the roof 130. The retractable walls 140 are configured to transition between a retracted state as shown in Figure 1 and a lowered state as shown in Figure 2 . Three retractable walls 140 are attached to the roof 130 such that when the retractable walls 140 are in the lowered state, the electric vehicle 150 is covered and / or surrounded by the retractable walls 140, the roof 130, and the housing wall 120. Only two retractable walls 140 are shown in the perspective view of Figure 1 . Alternatively, the retractable walls 140 can be referred to as retractable doors.

[0037] When the retractable wall 140 is in the retracted state, an electric vehicle (EV) 150 can drive onto the platform 110 to receive electric vehicle battery service. The electric vehicle battery service can include replacing one or more depleted (or partially depleted) batteries in the electric vehicle 150 with one or more charged batteries. The electric vehicle battery service can include adding one or more batteries to and / or removing one or more batteries from the electric vehicle 150. Additionally, one or more batteries can be added to and / or removed from the charging stations or racks in the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0038] The platform 110 includes a first ramp 161 and a second ramp 162 for the electric vehicle 150, which are respectively for driving onto the platform 110 and driving off the platform 110. The ramps 161, 162 are located on opposite sides (e.g., a first side and a second side) of the platform 110 and are arranged along the central axis 190 ( Figure 1 ). The platform 110 can optionally be converted between an extended state ( Figure 1 ) and a retracted state ( Figure 3A ). A first platform motor 171 and a second platform motor 172 can be mechanically coupled to the platform 110 to convert the platform 110 between the extended state and the retracted state. The platform 110 can include a telescoping mechanism to extend and retract the platform 110.

[0039] The dimensions of the electric vehicle service station 10 are designed to receive an electric vehicle such as the electric vehicle 150. For example, the platform 110, the wall 120, and the roof 130 have a length measured with respect to a first axis 181 (or with respect to an axis parallel to the first axis 181), which is greater than the length of the electric vehicle 150. Additionally, the platform 110, the wall 120, and the roof 130 have a width measured with respect to a second axis 182 (or with respect to an axis parallel to the second axis 182), which is greater than the width of the electric vehicle 150. The first axis 181 and the second axis 182 are orthogonal to each other. The roof 130 is positioned such that when the electric vehicle 150 is located on the platform 110, the bottom of the roof 130 is above the top of the electric vehicle 150.

[0040] Figure 2Perspective view of an electric vehicle service station 10 in a second state according to an embodiment. In the second state, the retractable wall 140 is in a lowered state and the platform 110 is in an extended state. The retractable wall 140 includes a plurality of longitudinal segments 200 that can be slidably engaged with each other to convert the retractable wall 140 between a retracted state and a lowered state (e.g., in a telescoping manner). Each longitudinal segment 200 extends the length of the corresponding retractable wall 140. For example, the longitudinal segments 200 in the retractable wall 141 extend along the length of the retractable wall 141 measured with respect to the second axis 182 (or with respect to an axis parallel to the second axis 182). Similarly, the longitudinal segments 200 in the retractable wall 142 extend along the length of the retractable wall 142 measured with respect to the first axis 181 (or with respect to an axis parallel to the first axis 181). The longitudinal segments 200 in the retractable wall 143 extend along the length of the retractable wall 143 measured with respect to the second axis 182 (or with respect to an axis parallel to the second axis 182).

[0041] In the lowered state, the retractable wall 140 (e.g., retractable walls 141 - 143) covers and / or encloses the electric vehicle 150. The retractable wall 140 thus serves as a telescoping or retractable electric vehicle cover. The retractable wall 140, the roof 130, and the house wall 120 define an electric vehicle repair room 210. The electric vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle 150) remains in the electric vehicle repair room and is protected and / or covered by the retractable electric vehicle cover, which can improve safety by forming a physical barrier to prevent pedestrians, children, or animals from entering during the repair of the electric vehicle. Therefore, due to the retractable wall design of the present invention, the environment is protected from weather and accidental or intentional interference during the repair or battery charging process.

[0042] The electric vehicle service station 10 may include one or more sensors to detect whether an electric vehicle is located on the platform 110 and / or in a position to be serviced. For example, a weight sensor 220 ( Figure 1 ) may be located on or within the platform 110. The weight sensor 220 may be positioned to detect when the electric vehicle 150 is located below the roof 130 and between the retractable wall 140 and the house wall 120 such that when the retractable wall 140 is in the lowered state, the electric vehicle 150 will be in the electric vehicle repair room 210. The weight sensor 220 also detects when the electric vehicle 150 has driven off the weight sensor 220, e.g., when the electric vehicle 150 is traveling towards the second ramp 162 to leave the electric vehicle service station 10 after repair.

[0043] One or more additional weight sensors may be located on the first ramp 161, the second ramp 162, and / or other portions of the platform 110 (e.g., between the weight sensor 220 and the first ramp 161 and / or between the weight sensor 220 and the second ramp 162) to track the position of the electric vehicle 150 as it travels onto and / or off of the platform 110.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the electric vehicle service station 10 may include one or more optical sensors to detect the presence, position, and / or movement of the electric vehicle 150. For example, the optical sensor may include a camera 230 that can detect the presence, position, and / or movement of the electric vehicle 150. Additionally or alternatively, the optical sensor may include a light detector and a light source (e.g., a laser), such as in a lidar system, to detect the presence, position, and / or movement of the electric vehicle 150.

[0045] Additional sensors such as radar may be used to detect the presence, position, and / or movement of the electric vehicle 150.

[0046] When the electric vehicle service station 10 is not in operation (e.g., outside of business hours), the electric vehicle service station 10 may also be placed in a second state to restrict access to the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0047] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the electric vehicle service station 10 in a third state according to one embodiment. In the third state, the retractable wall 140 is in a retracted state, and the platform 110 is in a collapsed state. In the collapsed state, the length of the platform 110 measured about the first axis 181 is less than the length of the platform 110 in the extended state. Thus, the ramps 161, 162 are positioned closer to each other (e.g., as measured about the first axis 181) when the platform 110 is in the collapsed state compared to when the platform 110 is in the extended state. The platform 110 may be telescoped between the extended state and the collapsed state. The collapsed state provides a smaller footprint for the electric vehicle service station 10, which can be advantageous for transporting the electric vehicle service station 10 to a given site (e.g., a parking lot or a roadside). The smaller footprint may also be advantageous when the electric vehicle service station 10 is deployed in a relatively small space and / or to increase the number of electric vehicle service stations that can be placed in a given area (e.g., reduce the number density of electric vehicle service stations).

[0048] As an additional or alternative embodiment, the first ramp 161 and the second ramp 162 may be pivotally inwardly about respective pivot axes 301, 302 to reduce the footprint of the electric vehicle service station 10. For example, the first ramp 161 and the second ramp 162 may be pivoted such that they extend upwardly in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the first axis 181 and the second axis 182. In another example, the first ramp 161 and the second ramp 162 may be pivoted such that the respective top surfaces 311, 312 of the ramps 161, 162 are positioned adjacent to or in physical contact with the platform 110, in which case the top surfaces 311, 312 are substantially parallel to the top surface 320 of the platform 110.

[0049] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the electric vehicle service station 10 in a fourth state according to one embodiment. In the fourth state, the retractable wall 140 is in the lowered state and the platform 110 is in the retracted state. The electric vehicle service station 10 may be in the fourth state when being transported to a given location (such as a parking lot or a roadside). The electric vehicle service station 10 may also be in the fourth state when being deployed in a relatively small space and when an electric vehicle is being repaired or when the electric vehicle service station 10 is not in operation (e.g., outside business hours) to restrict the use of the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0050] Figure 4 is a side view of the electric vehicle service station 10 when one of the retractable walls (e.g., the retractable wall 141) is transitioning between the retracted state and the lowered state. The house wall 120 is transparent in this figure to show additional features of the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0051] The house wall 120 is hollow to provide the electric vehicle service station equipment room 500. The controller 510, the processor 520, one or more motors 530 (e.g., wall motors) and the network interface 540 are located in the electric vehicle service station equipment room 500. The controller 510 is in electrical communication with the processor 520, the motors 530 and the network interface 540. The controller 510 is configured to send control signals to the motors 530 that cause the motors 530 to transition the retractable wall 140 from the lowered state to the retracted state or from the retracted state to the lowered state. For example, the motor 530 may rotate in a first direction to transition the retractable wall 140 from the lowered state to the retracted state, and the motor 530 may rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction to transition the retractable wall 140 from the retracted state to the lowered state. The motor 530 is mechanically coupled to each retractable wall 140 (e.g., the retractable walls 141 - 143) via a chain 532 and a pulley 534, for example.

[0052] The controller 510 may also be in electrical communication with motors 171, 172( Figure 1 , FIG. 3). For example, the controller 510 may send control signals to motors 171, 172 that cause motors 171, 172 to transition the platform 110 from an extended state to a retracted state or from a retracted state to an extended state.

[0053] The processor 520 is in electrical communication with the sensors 550. The sensors 550 may include weight sensors (e.g., weight sensor 220), optical sensors (e.g., camera 230 and / or camera 552), and / or other sensors as described herein. The sensors 550 may generate output signals that can be used and / or interpreted by the processor 520 to detect the presence, location, and / or movement of the electric vehicle 150.

[0054] For example, the processor 520 may determine from the output signals of the camera 552 and / or another sensor 550 that an electric vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle 150) is approaching the electric vehicle service station 10. In response to determining that the electric vehicle is approaching the electric vehicle service station 10, the processor 520 may send a first control signal to the controller 510. In response to the first output signal, the controller 510 may send a second control signal to the motor 530 that causes the retractable wall 140 to transition from a lowered state to a retracted state. Next, the processor 520 may determine from the output signals of the camera 230, the weight sensor 220, and / or another sensor 550 that the electric vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle 150) has traveled onto the platform 110 and is in a position below the roof 130. In response to determining that the electric vehicle has traveled onto the platform 110 and is in a position below the roof 130, the processor 520 may send a third control signal to the controller 510. In response to the third control signal, the controller 510 may send a fourth control signal to the motor 530 that causes the retractable wall 140 to transition from a retracted state to a lowered state. After the retractable wall 140 is in the lowered state, the processor 520 may send one or more control signals that cause one or more discharged batteries in the electric vehicle to be replaced with one or more charged batteries 560 from the battery charging rack 562 in the equipment room 500 of the electric vehicle service station. After the batteries have been replaced, the processor 520 may send a fifth control signal to the controller 510. In response to the fifth control signal, the controller 510 may send a sixth control signal to the motor 530 that causes the retractable wall 140 to transition from a lowered state to a retracted state.

[0055] The battery replacement robot can be used to replace discharged and charged batteries. Additional details of exemplary battery replacement robots and / or electric vehicle service stations are described in U.S. Application No. 18 / 317,985, entitled "Configurable Vehicle Lift and Service Station," filed on May 16, 2023, and / or U.S. Application No. 18 / 318,001, entitled "Battery-Exchange System and Service Station," filed on May 16, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] The processor 520 can also generate output control signals that cause the controller 510 to transition the platform 110 from an extended state to a retracted state or from a retracted state to an extended state.

[0057] The network interface 540 can include a wireless communication link (e.g., an antenna and a modem) that can allow the controller 510 and / or the processor 520 to communicate with external devices and / or servers. For example, the network interface 540 can wirelessly couple the electric vehicle service station 10 to a local area network or a wide area network that can be directly or indirectly coupled to the Internet, a virtual private network, or another network. Additionally or alternatively, the network interface 540 can include a wired communication link (e.g., a wired communication port and a modem) that can allow the controller 510 and / or the processor 520 to communicate with external devices and / or servers.

[0058] In one embodiment, the network interface 540 can receive one or more data signals related to an electric vehicle service request from a server and / or from the electric vehicle. The data signals can include details about the number of batteries to be replaced on the electric vehicle, credits and / or debits to a user account, and / or the location of the electric vehicle. The processor 520 can use the location of the electric vehicle (e.g., the GPS coordinates of the electric vehicle) to determine when the electric vehicle is approaching the electric vehicle service station 10 (e.g., as a supplement or alternative to the output signals from the camera 552 and / or another sensor 550, as described above).

[0059] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a front view of the electric vehicle service station 10 with the wall 140 in a retracted state according to one embodiment. The roof 130 can be modularly attached to the house wall 120 to allow for changing the roof height. The modular house wall extender 570 can be attached to the top of the house wall 120, as Figure 5B shown. The roof 130 can be attached to the house wall extender 570 ( Figure 5B) to increase the height of the roof 130 compared to when the roof 130 is attached to the house wall 120. Increasing the height of the roof 130 increases the height of the electric vehicle maintenance room 210 to allow taller electric vehicles (such as trucks) to use and enter the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0060] The height of the modular building wall extender 570 may be set to provide a target height for the roof 130 and a corresponding target height for the electric vehicle maintenance room 210. In some embodiments, a plurality of building wall extenders 570 having different heights may be provided to switch between different target heights for the roof 130 and the corresponding target heights for the electric vehicle maintenance room 210.

[0061] In other embodiments, the building wall 120 may telescope up and down to provide a variable roof height.

[0062] In some embodiments, the retractable wall 140 in the extended state may be locked to the platform 110, for example, to increase security during use and / or to prevent theft or vandalism (eg, when the electric vehicle service station is not in use).

[0063] For example, the bottom of one or more of the retractable walls 140 may include a latching mechanism (e.g., a striker 1110), such as Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 According to an embodiment Figure 2 Detailed view of area 1100 in the platform 110. The impact member 1110 is configured to mechanically engage a striker slot 1120 defined in the platform 110. The striker slot 1120 may have a length that can receive the impact member 1110 regardless of the extended / retracted state of the platform 110. When the impact member 1110 is in the impact member slot 1120, one or more motors 1130 may cause the latch in the slot 1120 to mechanically engage the impact member 1110 to lock the retractable wall 140 in the extended state. The motor 1130 may also cause the latch in the impact member slot 1120 to mechanically disengage the impact member 1110 to unlock the retractable wall 140. For example, in the event that the motor 1130 is inoperative or unresponsive, the emergency release button or rod 1140 may unlock the retractable wall.

[0064] In other embodiments, the striker slot 1120 may be located in the bottom of the retractable wall 140 , and the striker 1110 may be located on the platform 110 .

[0065] The exemplary striker 1110 and latch 1200 are Figure 12As shown. The striker 1110 is locked when the motor 1130 laterally moves the latch 1200 within the frame of the striker 1110. The striker 1110 is unlocked when the motor 1130 laterally moves the latch 1200 away from the frame 1112 of the striker 1110, as shown.

[0066] Figure 6A is a perspective view of an electric vehicle service station 60 in a first state according to another embodiment. The electric vehicle service station 60 is the same as the electric vehicle service station 10, except that the housing 100 of the electric vehicle service station 60 includes a first housing wall 621 and a second housing wall 622 instead of a single housing wall 120. The first housing wall 621 is the same as the housing wall 120. Thus, both housing walls 621, 120 include an electric vehicle service station equipment room 500( Figure 4 ). The electric vehicle service station 60 can be configured to be in the same state as the electric vehicle service station 10. The service station 60 can be mobile and formed of modular components / structures.

[0067] The first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622 are spaced apart such that the platform 100 is located between the first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622 and / or is attached to the first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622. The first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622 are attached to the roof 130 and / or are integrally formed with the roof 130. In addition, the first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622 are fixed.

[0068] As measured with respect to the second axis 182, the second housing wall 622 has a width that is thinner than that of the first housing wall 621. The roof 130 is attached to the first housing wall 621 and the second housing wall 622 and / or is integrally formed with the first housing wall and the second housing wall.

[0069] The electric vehicle service station 60 includes two retractable walls 140 (only one retractable wall 140 is visible in this perspective view). The retractable walls 140 extend parallel to each other and parallel to the second axis 182. One retractable wall 140 is located at the entrance of the electric vehicle service station 60, and the other retractable wall 140 is located at the exit of the electric vehicle service station 60. In this figure, the retractable walls 140 are in a retracted state and the platform 110 is in a retracted state. The retractable walls 140 can alternatively be referred to as retractable doors.

[0070] Figure 6B is a side view of the electric vehicle service station 60 in a second state according to one embodiment. In the second state, the two retractable walls 140 (only one retractable wall 140 is visible in this side view) are in a lowered state.

[0071] Figures 7A to 7C is a front view of the electric vehicle service station 60 with the wall 140 in the retracted state according to one embodiment. The roof 130 can be modularly attached to the house walls 621, 622 to allow for a variable roof height to be achieved in the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The first house wall extender 570 and the second house wall extender 770 are respectively attached to the first house wall 621 and the second house wall 622 to set the height of the roof 130. The length / height of the first house wall extender 570 and the second house wall extender 770 can be changed to customize the height of the roof 130 and the corresponding height of the electric vehicle repair room 210.

[0072] Figure 7B and Figure 7C are examples of house wall extenders 570 with different heights.

[0073] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electric vehicle service station 80 in a first state according to another embodiment. The electric vehicle service station 80 is the same as the electric vehicle service station 60, except that in the electric vehicle service station 80, the first house wall 821 and the second house wall 822 have the same or substantially the same width (as measured with respect to the second axis 182), while in the electric vehicle service station 60, the first house wall 621 is wider than the second house wall 622 as measured with respect to the second axis 182. The wider second house wall 822 can be used for storing additional components. For example, both the first house wall 821 and the second house wall 822 can include corresponding electric vehicle service station equipment rooms 500. The equal (or substantially equal) widths of the first house wall 821 and the second house wall 822 can also improve the aesthetic characteristics of the electric vehicle service station 80 compared to the electric vehicle service station 60. The electric vehicle service station 80 can be configured to be in the same state as the electric vehicle service station 10.

[0074] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an array 90 of electric vehicle service stations according to one embodiment. The array includes a plurality of electric vehicle service stations 900A - D (collectively, electric vehicle service stations 900). Each electric vehicle service station 900 can be the same as the electric vehicle service station 80 or the electric vehicle service station 60. The array 90 can include additional or fewer electric vehicle service stations 900.

[0075] In the array 90, each electric vehicle service station shares at least one building wall with an adjacent electric vehicle service station. For example, electric vehicle service stations 900A and 900B share a common interior building wall 911, electric vehicle service stations 900B and 900C share a common interior building wall 912, and electric vehicle service stations 900C and 900D share a common interior building wall 913. The first electric vehicle service station 900A and the last electric vehicle service station 900D have respective exterior building walls 914, 915 that are not shared with adjacent electric vehicle service stations.

[0076] In one embodiment, each shared interior building wall 911 - 913 has a corresponding electric vehicle service station equipment room 921 - 923, which can be the same as the electric vehicle service station equipment room 500. Each electric vehicle service station equipment room can be shared by the respective adjacent electric vehicle service stations. For example, the common / shared electric vehicle service station equipment room 921 can be shared by electric vehicle service stations 900A and 900B, the common / shared electric vehicle service station equipment room 922 can be shared by electric vehicle service stations 900B and 900C, and the common / shared electric vehicle service station equipment room 923 can be shared by electric vehicle service stations 900C and 900D. This configuration allows devices such as a controller (e.g., controller 510), a processor (e.g., processor 520), a network interface (e.g., network interface 540), a charged battery (e.g., charged battery 560), and / or a battery charging rack (e.g., battery charging rack 562) in each common / shared electric vehicle service station equipment room to be shared by adjacent electric vehicle service stations. Each electric vehicle service station 900 preferably has its own motor to drive a respective pair of retractable walls 140 (in Figure 9 which, for each electric vehicle service station 900, only one retractable wall 140 is visible).

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the exterior building walls 914, 915 can include a corresponding electric vehicle service station equipment room, which can be the same as the electric vehicle service station equipment room 500.

[0078] The array 90 includes a building 930, which includes common interior building walls 911 - 913, exterior building walls 914, 915, and a roof 940. The interior building walls 911 - 913, exterior building walls 914, 915, and / or the roof 940 can be attached together and / or integrally formed together.

[0079] Each platform 110 extends along respective central axes 950A-D (collectively, central axis 950) that are parallel to one another. The first and second retractable walls 140 of each electric vehicle service station 900 are aligned and / or centered with respect to the respective central axis 950. The central axis 950 may be an axis of symmetry for each electric vehicle service station 900. Each electric vehicle service station 900 is aligned and / or centered with respect to the respective central axis 950.

[0080] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an electric vehicle service station matrix 1000 that includes a plurality of arrays 90 of electric vehicle service stations 900. The arrays 90 are arranged such that the first electric vehicle service station 900A of each array 90 is aligned and / or centered with respect to a first central axis 950A, the second electric vehicle service station 900B of each array 90 is aligned and / or centered with respect to a second central axis 950B, the third electric vehicle service station 900C of each array 90 is aligned and / or centered with respect to a third central axis 950C, and the fourth electric vehicle service station 900D of each array 90 is aligned and / or centered with respect to a fourth central axis 950D.

[0081] Each array 90 may include additional or fewer electric vehicle service stations 900. Each array 90 preferably has the same number of electric vehicle service stations 900. The matrix 1000 may include additional or fewer arrays 90.

[0082] The arrays 90 in the matrix 1000 may be spaced apart such that an electric vehicle can drive into an electric vehicle service station 900 in any one of the arrays 90. Alternatively, the arrays 90 may be spaced closely to one another such that an electric vehicle will drive past a "column" of electric vehicle service stations 900 (e.g., the first electric vehicle service station 900A in each array 90) until it reaches the last available electric vehicle service station 900 (e.g., in a given "row" or matrix 90). A processor in one of the electric vehicle service station equipment rooms 921-923 in an array 90 or another processor may execute program instructions that can guide an electric vehicle to an appropriate electric vehicle service station 900 in the column and row matrix 1000.

[0083] The present invention should not be considered limited to the above specific embodiments. Upon reading this disclosure, various modifications, equivalent processes, and many structures to which the present invention is applicable will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The above embodiments can be implemented in a variety of ways. One or more aspects and embodiments related to the execution of a process or method can utilize program instructions executable by a device (e.g., a computer, a processor, or other device) to execute the process or method or to control the execution of the process or method.

[0084] In this regard, various inventive concepts can be embodied as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (or multiple non-transitory computer-readable storage media) encoded with one or more programs (e.g., any suitable type of computer memory, which includes transient or non-transient digital storage units, circuit configurations in a field-programmable gate array or other semiconductor devices, or other tangible computer storage media), and the one or more programs, when executed on one or more computers or other processors, perform a method implementing one or more of the various embodiments described above. When implemented in software (e.g., as an application), the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or set of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers.

[0085] In addition, it should be understood that, by way of non-limiting example, a computer can be implemented in any of a variety of forms (e.g., a rack-mounted computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer). Additionally, a computer can be embedded in a device that is not typically regarded as a computer but has suitable processing capabilities, which includes a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any other suitable mobile or stationary electronic device).

[0086] Furthermore, a computer can have one or more communication devices that can be used to interconnect the computer to one or more other devices and / or systems, such as any suitable form of one or more networks, which includes a local area network or a wide area network (e.g., a corporate network) and an intelligent network (IN) or the Internet. Such networks can be based on any suitable technology, and can operate according to any suitable protocol, and can include a wireless network or a wired network.

[0087] In addition, a computer can have one or more input devices and / or one or more output devices. These devices can be used in particular to present a user interface. Examples of output devices that can be used to provide a visual presentation for output include a printer or a display screen, and examples of output devices that can be used to provide an audible presentation for output include a speaker or other sound generating device. Examples of input devices that can be used for a user interface include a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse, a touchpad, and a digitizing tablet. As another example, a computer can receive input information by voice recognition or in other audible formats.

[0088] One or more non-transitory computer-readable media can be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or more different computers or other processors to implement respective ones of the above aspects. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium can be a non-transitory medium.

[0089] The terms "program", "application", and "software" are used herein in a general sense to refer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executable instructions that can be used to program a computer or other processor to implement the various aspects described above. Additionally, it should be understood that, according to one aspect, when executed, one or more computer programs that perform the methods of the present application need not reside on a single computer or processor, but may be distributed in a modular fashion among a number of different computers or processors to implement the various aspects of the present application.

[0090] Computer-executable instructions can take many forms, such as program modules, to be executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or distributed as needed.

[0091] Furthermore, data structures can be stored in a computer-readable medium in any suitable form. For simplicity of illustration, a data structure may be shown as having fields related by their positions in the data structure. Such a relationship can also be achieved by allocating storage in the computer-readable medium for the fields such that the positions convey the relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanism can be used, including by using pointers, tags, or other mechanisms that establish relationships between the information in the fields of the data structure.

[0092] Accordingly, the present disclosure and claims include new and novel improvements to existing methods and techniques that were previously unknown or not implemented to achieve the useful results described above. Users of the method and system will derive tangible benefits from the functionality now made possible due to the specific modifications described herein, thus affecting the system and its users and their outputs. It is anticipated that, by using the technical components described herein, significantly improved operation can be achieved once the claimed invention is implemented.

[0093] In addition, as noted, some aspects can be embodied as one or more methods. The acts performed as part of the method can be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments can be constructed in which the acts are performed in an order different from that shown, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in the illustrative embodiments.

[0094] The present disclosure thus supports several exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A mobile electric vehicle (EV) battery service station, comprising: A platform configured to receive an electric vehicle; A housing attached to the platform, the housing including a fixed housing wall and a roof supported by the fixed housing wall, the roof being suspended above the platform; A plurality of retractable walls attached to the roof, the retractable walls having a raised state and a lowered state, in the raised state, the retractable walls are raised to allow the electric vehicle to drive onto or off the platform, and in the lowered state, the retractable walls extend to the platform such that the fixed housing wall, the retractable walls, the roof, and the platform define an electric vehicle repair room; and One or more motors in mechanical communication with the retractable walls to transition the retractable walls between the raised state and the lowered state.

2. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed housing wall is a first fixed housing wall, The housing includes a second fixed housing wall attached to the roof, and the platform is located between the first fixed housing wall and the second fixed housing wall.

3. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes: A first ramp attached to a first side of the platform; and A second ramp attached to a second side of the platform, the first ramp and the second ramp being arranged along an axis.

4. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 3, wherein: The one or more motors are wall-mounted motors, The platform is configured to telescopically collapse between an extended state and a retracted state, and One or more platform motors are in mechanical communication with the platform to transition the platform between the extended state and the retracted state.

5. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 1, wherein, The fixed housing wall defines an electric vehicle service station equipment room.

6. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 5, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a battery charging rack located in the electric vehicle service station equipment room.

7. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 5, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes: A controller in electrical communication with the motor, the controller being configured to generate a first motor control signal that causes the motor to transition the retractable walls between the raised state and the lowered state; and A processor in electrical communication with the controller, the processor being configured to generate a processor control signal in response to one or more input signals, wherein the controller generates the motor control signal in response to receiving the processor control signal.

8. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 7, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes one or more sensors configured to detect the position of the electric vehicle relative to the electric vehicle service station, wherein: The processor is configured to receive an output signal from the sensor, The processor is configured to generate a first processor control signal when the processor determines, using the output signal from the sensor, that the electric vehicle is approaching the platform, and In response to receiving the first processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the lowered state to the raised state.

9. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 8, wherein: the processor is configured to generate a second processor control signal when the output signal indicates that the electric vehicle is on the platform and below the roof, and in response to receiving the second processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the raised state to the lowered state.

10. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 9, wherein: the processor is configured to generate a third processor control signal after one or more depleted batteries in the electric vehicle are replaced with one or more charged batteries, and in response to receiving the third processor control signal, the controller causes the motor to transition the retractable wall from the lowered state to the raised state.

11. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 10, wherein, The sensor includes a camera and / or a weight sensor.

12. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 7, wherein, The processor and the controller are located in the equipment room of the electric vehicle service station.

13. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a house wall extender attached to the top of the fixed house wall and attached to the roof, the house wall extender having dimensions configured to increase the height of the roof compared to when the roof is attached to the top of the fixed house wall.

14. The mobile electric vehicle battery service station according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile electric vehicle battery service station further includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the retractable wall to the platform when the retractable wall is in the lowered state.

15. An array of electric vehicle (EV) battery service stations, comprising: a plurality of platforms, each platform being configured to receive a corresponding electric vehicle for a corresponding electric vehicle service station; a house attached to the platform, the house including a plurality of fixed house walls and a roof attached to the fixed house walls, the roof being suspended above the platform, wherein each platform is located between a corresponding pair of fixed house walls; a plurality of pairs of retractable walls attached to the roof, each pair of retractable walls being aligned with a corresponding platform, each pair of retractable walls having a corresponding raised state and a corresponding lowered state, the corresponding raised state allowing the corresponding electric vehicle to drive onto or off the corresponding platform, and in the corresponding lowered state, the corresponding pair of retractable walls extending to the corresponding platform such that the corresponding pair of fixed house walls, the corresponding pair of retractable walls, the roof, and the corresponding platform define a corresponding electric vehicle repair room; and a corresponding one or more motors in mechanical communication with each pair of retractable walls to transition the corresponding pair of fixed house walls between the corresponding raised state and the corresponding lowered state.

16. The electric vehicle battery service station array according to claim 15, wherein, The fixed housing wall includes a first housing outer wall, a second housing outer wall, and one or more housing inner walls, and each housing inner wall is located between adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms.

17. The electric vehicle battery service station array according to claim 16, wherein, Each inner wall defines a corresponding electric vehicle service station equipment room, and the corresponding electric vehicle service station equipment room includes shared equipment for the adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms.

18. The electric vehicle battery service station array according to claim 17, wherein, The shared equipment includes a battery charging rack.

19. The electric vehicle battery service station array according to claim 17, wherein, The shared equipment further includes: A controller that is in electrical communication with the corresponding motors of the multiple pairs of retractable walls for the adjacent electric vehicle repair rooms; and A processor in electrical communication with the controller, the processor being configured to generate a processor control signal in response to one or more input signals.

20. An electric vehicle (EV) battery service station matrix, comprising: A plurality of electric vehicle service station arrays, each electric vehicle service station array including: A plurality of platforms, each platform being configured to receive a corresponding electric vehicle for a corresponding electric vehicle service station; A housing attached to the platform, the housing including a plurality of fixed housing walls and a roof attached to the fixed housing walls, the roof being suspended above the platform, wherein each platform is located between a corresponding pair of fixed housing walls; A plurality of pairs of retractable walls attached to the roof, each pair of retractable walls being aligned with a corresponding platform, each pair of retractable walls having a corresponding raised state and a corresponding lowered state, the corresponding raised state allowing the corresponding electric vehicle to drive onto or off the corresponding platform, and in the corresponding lowered state, the corresponding pair of retractable walls extending to the corresponding platform such that the corresponding pair of fixed housing walls, the corresponding pair of retractable walls, the roof, and the corresponding platform define a corresponding electric vehicle repair room; and A corresponding one or more motors that are in mechanical communication with each pair of retractable walls to convert the corresponding pair of fixed housing walls between the corresponding raised state and the corresponding lowered state, wherein the electric vehicle service station arrays are arranged such that the first electric vehicle service station in each electric vehicle service station array is arranged about a first central axis, and the second electric vehicle service station in each electric vehicle service station array is arranged about a second central axis.

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