System for replacing an accessory from a vehicle

Abstract

System for coupling (100) to a vehicle (700) provided inferiorly with a hooking / unhooking assembly (901), comprising: - a platform (200) that identifies a resting surface P; - an engagement assembly (300), movable at least along a working direction (Z), perpendicular to the resting surface P, between an inactive position and an active position, in which the engagement assembly (300) enters into contact with the hooking / unhooking assembly (901), wherein the engagement assembly (300) is shaped so that, passing from the inactive position to the active position, it transmits to the hooking / unhooking assembly (901) a force directed parallel to the resting surface P; and comprising an alignment assembly (400) arranged to allow a relative displacement in a direction parallel to the resting surface P between the engagement assembly (300) and the hooking / unhooking assembly (901), and to allow a pre-established alignment on the resting surface P between the engagement assembly (300) and the hooking / unhooking assembly (901).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] System for replacing an accessory from a vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for replacing an accessory from a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for coupling to a vehicle.

[0004] In the course of this discussion, reference will be made to the motor vehicle sector; however, the present invention can be easily and very intuitively used in other sectors and for a multiplicity of objects on which to bring about the aforesaid coupling.

[0005] In the motor vehicle sector, systems are known to operate in various ways on the vehicle itself, limiting direct human intervention and facilitating the interventions to be carried out on the vehicle.

[0006] To carry out these operations, systems are often designed and prepared that provide for the positioning of the vehicle on a platform, so as to expose the parts on which to operate; subsequently, an operating assembly is activated, typically comprising a movable arm, arranged to approach the vehicle and to carry out a pre-established action.

[0007] An example of such a procedure can be observed in the operations involving accessories, preferably removable ones, located in the lower part of the vehicle.

[0008] In particular, an example of this procedure can be observed in the operations for the removal and replacement of accessories: in this case, the operating assembly is arranged so as to approach a part of the vehicle, for example the lower part, to perform in a first step the removal of an accessory and, subsequently, the insertion of a new or, in any case, different accessory. In this case, the operating assembly can also be referred to as the "engagement assembly".

[0009] However, the systems and the relative engagement assemblies introduced above have obvious limits from the point of view of the alignment between the engagement assembly and the vehicle from which the component must be removed and on which the new component must be positioned.

[0010] Systems comprising platforms for positioning the vehicle and engagement assemblies are known in the state of the art, in which the system for adjusting the positioning of the vehicle with respect to the engagement assembly can be significantly improved for the purposes of the subsequent operations to be performed.

[0011] Given a forward movement direction of the vehicle on the platform, the platforms of known art comprise means arranged to lock the vehicle in a pre-established fixed position and, therefore, to prevent its displacement both in the forward movement direction and parallel to the horizontal plane identified by the platform. The known means operates, for example, through physical blocks, such as depressions in the structure or tyre locking projections.

[0012] Once locked, the vehicle cannot move forward and cannot be moved in the plane identified by the platform.

[0013] The engagement assembly is arranged to move in a vertical direction until it reaches the height at which the contact between the same engagement assembly and the vehicle is obtained: at this height either the accessory to be replaced, located on the vehicle, is hooked or the new accessory, previously loaded on the engagement assembly, is positioned.

[0014] Both operations require that the interaction between the engagement assembly and the vehicle takes place at the appropriate hooking / unhooking assemblies.

[0015] By hooking / unhooking assembly is understood to mean a combination between a retracting portion and an exiting portion, in the plurality of possible complementary geometries, which cooperate to carry out the required operation.

[0016] According to this system, the alignment between the vehicle and the engagement assembly is achieved by locking the vehicle in a certain position, so that the engagement assembly, moving vertically, meets at the end of its trajectory the sites for hooking to the vehicle or the accessory to be removed from the vehicle. The trajectory of the engagement assembly and the positioning of the means for locking the vehicle on the platform are preset and fixed; in other words, they are not varied from time to time for each operation.

[0017] However, when the vehicle is locked on the platform, the hooking sites of the vehicle are not always perfectly aligned with the engagement assembly; in other words, the trajectory followed by the engagement assembly does not always intercept the vehicle exactly at the hooking site.

[0018] Often, for example, this alignment is not perfectly successful due to possible structural variability between vehicles of different models, due to an imperfect calibration of the trajectory followed by the engagement assembly, due to the presence of structural defects of the components involved in the operation intended for hooking the accessory or for hooking to the vehicle, due to the presence of acceptable and admitted tolerances in the production processes for each of the aforesaid components and / or due to a combination of said causes with other factors that can be easily understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0019] Consequently, at the interface with the assembly for hooking the accessory or for hooking to the vehicle, the engagement assembly generates unwanted stresses; in some cases such unwanted stresses at the interface generate wear phenomena that damage the accessory and / or the hooking assembly and / or the engagement assembly, in particular at the hooking sites. Additionally, such unwanted stresses at the interface may cause the formation of surface and structural defects of the hooking sites. Still further, such unwanted stresses at the interface, if repeated over time, inevitably lead to the breakage of the hooking sites.

[0020] An imperfect alignment between the engagement assembly and the accessory and / or between the engagement assembly and the vehicle represents a non-negligible criticality and, therefore, a significant limitation for the correct execution of each of the following operations: loading the accessory on the engagement assembly, hooking the accessory moved by the engagement assembly, hooking the accessory to the vehicle and unhooking the accessory from the vehicle.

[0021] Therefore, the obvious limitation of the state-of-the-art systems is structural fragility or, in other words, the predisposition to wear and breakage of the elements that make up the hooking / unhooking sites.

[0022] Another obvious limitation of state-of-the-art systems is that they are functionally rigid, not very adaptable to variable elements and not very versatile for different types of vehicles and accessories.

[0023] The object of the present invention is to offer a system that overcomes the obvious limits of the state-of-the-art systems.

[0024] In particular, the object of the present invention is to offer a coupling system capable of improving the state-of-the-art systems from the point of view of the alignment between the engagement assembly and the accessory and between the accessory and the vehicle.

[0025] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows of one embodiment of the invention in question, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended figures, in which:

[0026] - figure 1 shows an embodiment of the coupling system, comprising an alignment assembly for a vehicle;

[0027] - figure 2 shows a top view of the coupling system of figure 1 , in which the vehicle is positioned at the alignment assembly;

[0028] - figure 3 shows an embodiment of an alignment element comprised in the alignment assembly of figures 1 and 2;

[0029] - figure 4A shows an engagement assembly comprised in the coupling system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an inactive position;

[0030] - figure 4B shows an engagement assembly comprised in the coupling system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an active position; - figure 5A shows an isometric view of a centring element comprised in the engagement assembly of figures 4A and 4B;

[0031] - figure 5B shows the centring assembly of figure 5A in section;

[0032] - figure 6 shows an example of an accessory, comprising hooking structures;

[0033] - figure 7A shows a detail of a hooking structure comprised in the accessory of figure 6;

[0034] - figure 7B shows a section of the hooking structure of figure 7A;

[0035] - figure 8 shows an embodiment of a hooking / unhooking assembly;

[0036] - figures 9A-C show a sequence for approaching an engagement assembly from the inactive position to the active position, for hooking an accessory positioned on a vehicle and for removing said accessory from the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is positioned at the alignment elements and wherein the vehicle is represented in a simplified manner by the tyres and the hooking / unhooking assembly inferiorly constrained to the frame of the vehicle, which is not represented.

[0037] - Figures 10A-D show a detail of the hooking / unhooking assembly during a sequence of steps for unhooking an accessory constrained to a vehicle and for unhooking the accessory from the vehicle.

[0038] The object of the present invention is a versatile and highly efficient system for coupling (100) to a vehicle (700).

[0039] In this description, the term coupling means the achievement of the correct interfacing between components which, due to their three- dimensional shape, are at least partially complementary and which must correctly come into contact in order to perform a specific function. The correct interfacing between the aforesaid components is the result of one or more alignment steps.

[0040] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention is advantageously employable in the operations for removing or unhooking an accessory (500) from the vehicle (700) and in the operations for hooking the accessory (500), the same as or different from the previous one, to the vehicle (700).

[0041] The term accessory will be used, within this description, to indicate any component designed to be affixed to, removed and / or replaced from a vehicle. The term accessory can, therefore, be easily associated with a plurality of components, known to the person skilled in the art, which can be replaced following a malfunction, or due to ordinary or extraordinary maintenance, or due to temporary replacement with other components of the same or different types.

[0042] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention can advantageously be used, in the preferred embodiment, to replace, for example, a rechargeable battery from an electric vehicle.

[0043] The rechargeable battery, in fact, once depleted, can be recharged according to a first mode, known to the industry, by connecting the electric vehicle to a power source; however, this recharging mode requires the user to wait for the time necessary to complete the recharging of the electric battery, without the possibility of using the vehicle, which therefore must be parked near a charging station.

[0044] Alternatively, in a much more convenient way, the electric battery can be removed from the vehicle and replaced with a battery that has previously undergone a recharging process. Recharging does not take place at the same time as parking the vehicle, but beforehand. The depleted battery, once removed, can be recharged and stored in a storage warehouse, waiting for the next use.

[0045] Consequently, and extremely advantageously, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows to considerably shorten the parking times for recharging an electric vehicle having a depleted battery.

[0046] In the course of this discussion, the term accessory (500) will refer to an element, as described above, which can be removed and repositioned on the vehicle (700). Preferably, but not exclusively, the accessory (500) is a rechargeable electric battery.

[0047] The vehicle (700) has one or more hooking / unhooking assemblies (901 ) configured to hook or unhook the accessory (500) of interest. The hooking / unhooking assemblies (901 ) are preferably, but not exclusively, positioned in the lower part of the vehicle (700).

[0048] Vehicle (700), in the course of the present description, is preferably, but not exclusively, understood to mean a motor vehicle; in a very intuitive way, however, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention can be used for the removal and replacement of the accessory (500) on a generic object comprising the aforesaid hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ).

[0049] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention comprises a platform (200); the platform (200) identifies a resting surface (P) for the vehicle (700). The platform (200) is associated with a supporting frame, preferably fixed.

[0050] Preferably, but not exclusively, the resting surface (P) identified by the platform (200) is substantially horizontal.

[0051] The platform (200) is arranged to receive the vehicle (700) restingly on which it is intended to carry out the operations for removing and replacing the accessory (500) from the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ).

[0052] Preferably, in fact, the platform (200) comprises a pair of ramps (202), defining a forward movement direction (X), as depicted in figures 1 and 2.

[0053] To perform the aforesaid operations, in fact, the vehicle (700) is positioned on the platform (200). In particular, the vehicle (700) moves in the forward movement direction (X) identified on the platform (200), until reaching a pre-established position: in the pre-established position, the hooking / unhooking assemblies (901 ) of the vehicle (700) are accessible to a plurality of devices configured to allow removal and / or replacement of the accessory (500); these devices will be defined below. In one embodiment, the platform (200) comprises a pair of tracks (203), arranged along a direction (Y) perpendicular to the forward movement direction (X) and parallel to the resting surface (P).

[0054] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention comprises an alignment assembly (400). Advantageously, the alignment assembly (400) is arranged to allow the alignment between the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) of the vehicle (700) and the devices that allow the removal of the accessory (500) from the vehicle (700) and / or the replacement of the accessory (500) on the vehicle (700).

[0055] In a first embodiment, the alignment assembly (400) comprises one or more alignment elements (206). Such alignment elements (206), in particular, are preferably located at the loading platform (200) of the vehicle (700). Preferably, the alignment elements (206) are located on the platform (200), at the resting surface (P).

[0056] In one embodiment, the alignment assembly (400) comprises a single alignment element (206). In an alternative embodiment, the alignment assembly (400) comprises two or more alignment elements (206). In a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, the alignment assembly (400) comprises a number of alignment elements (206) equal to the number of tyres of the vehicle (700).

[0057] The vehicle (700), in fact, reaches the pre-established position when it positions itself at the alignment elements (206). According to the preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 2, each tyre is positioned at a respective alignment element (206).

[0058] The pre-established position of the vehicle (700) at the alignment elements (206) is correctly reached or, in any case, facilitated by the presence of one or more reference aids (208).

[0059] The reference aids (208) are arranged to signal to the vehicle (700), in particular to the driver thereof, in various ways that the aforesaid pre- established position has been reached. In other words, the vehicle (700) moves in the forward movement direction on the platform (200) until it is signalled by the reference aids (208) that the pre-established position at the alignment elements (206) has been reached, a position in which subsequent operations can be easily performed without obstacles.

[0060] The reference aids (208) may be one or more for each platform (200); for example, a reference aid (208) may be positioned at each alignment element (206). Alternatively, the platform may comprise a single reference aid (208).

[0061] The reference aids (208) can be of various types, depending on the way in which the aforesaid reference is signalled and transmitted to the vehicle (700). For example, but not exclusively, the reference aids (208) are arranged to be easily visible to the vehicle driver (700), in this case representing a visual reference in the vicinity of which the driver stops the forward movement of the vehicle (700); alternatively still, the reference aids (208) can transmit an acoustic signal when the vehicle (700) reaches the pre-established position.

[0062] In the preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, the reference aids (208) delimit three-dimensionally shaped depressions to accommodate a portion of each tyre of the vehicle (700): preferably, in fact, the reference aids (208) are preferably configured to hinder or limit the forward movement of the vehicle (700) in the forward movement direction (X) (Fig. 3).

[0063] Other types of reference aids (208) known in the field can be intuitively adopted.

[0064] The vehicle (700), therefore, after reaching the alignment elements (206) indicated by the reference aids (208), stops its displacement in the forward movement direction (X). In fact, the subsequent operations for removal and / or replacement of the accessory (500) are preferably carried out with the engine off and with the parking brake engaged.

[0065] A first aspect of the coupling system (100) according to the present invention concerns said alignment elements (206), configured in such a way as to allow the displacement of the vehicle (700) parallel to the resting surface P; in fact, at least a portion of the alignment elements (206) is movable parallel to the resting surface (P) of the platform (200). Preferably, the portion of the moving alignment elements (206) is the one in contact with the vehicle (700).

[0066] In this way, if the vehicle undergoes a certain amount of stress, directed parallel to the resting surface P, the alignment elements (206) allow a certain displacement of the vehicle on the resting surface P. It follows that the vehicle (700) can be moved on the resting surface (P), without the driver actively participating in the aforesaid movement.

[0067] In detail, each alignment element (206) comprises components configured to allow such displacement of the vehicle (700) parallel to the resting surface (P).

[0068] In a first embodiment, each alignment element (206) comprises two overlapping components, in particular, a lower component (270) and an upper component (280).

[0069] The lower component (270) is constrained to the platform (200); further, the lower component (270) may be constrained or integral to the supporting frame of the platform (200).

[0070] Preferably, the upper component (280) is movable with respect to the lower component (270). In particular, the upper component (280) is movable parallel to the resting surface (P).

[0071] The relative movement of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270) occurs by sliding. Preferably, the sliding of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270) occurs through a sliding element, at least partially interposed between the aforesaid upper and lower components (280,270). Preferably, the sliding element is a low friction system. Non-exclusive examples of sliding elements are lubricants, Teflon lubricant or ball bearings.

[0072] In a second embodiment, the lower component (270) and the upper component (280) have a substantially plate-like configuration; by substantially plate-like configuration it is meant that for each of the upper component (280) and the lower component (270) it is possible to identify an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of lateral flanks, wherein the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is smaller than the distance between the lateral flanks.

[0073] In the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated in figure 3, the lower component (270) and the upper component (280) are plates slidable between them on the resting surface (P).

[0074] In said preferred embodiment of the alignment elements (206) according to the present invention, between the lower component (270) and the upper component (280) it is also possible to identify a space (GAP1 ): in other words, the lower component (270) and the upper component (280) are shaped in such a way that, once superimposed or, in any case, juxtaposed, the upper component (280) is smaller than the lower component (270): this difference in dimensions translates into the presence of the space (GAP1 ) between the lower component (270) and the upper component (280). The greater the area affected by the space (GAP1 ), the more the upper component (280) can slide in the resting surface (P) with respect to the lower component (270).

[0075] Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the space (GAP1 ) and the sliding elements between the lower component (270) and the upper component (280), the upper component (280) can slide on the lower component, within the space (GAP1 ).

[0076] Advantageously, therefore, the vehicle (700), with parking brake engaged and positioned in such a way that each tyre is arranged on the respective alignment element (206), is movable in the resting surface (P) when it is subjected to a stress in a direction parallel to the resting surface (P). In particular, the vehicle (700) is free to move with respect to the supporting frame or the resting surface (P) of the platform (200) in response to a stress having at least one component in a direction parallel to the resting surface (P). The movement of the vehicle (700) occurs as a result of the sliding of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270) of each alignment element (206), said movement occurring within a range of mobility identified by the space (GAP1 ).

[0077] Intuitively, alignment elements (206) configured differently and positioned differently with respect to the vehicle (700) are not excluded, as long as they allow the vehicle (700) itself to describe the above introduced trajectory parallel to the resting surface (P).

[0078] Further, each alignment element (206) may comprise one or more hooks (207); the hooks (207) are arranged to operate between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the hooks (207) are arranged to prevent the relative displacement between the upper component (280) and the lower component (270), therefore in this configuration the vehicle (700) will be in a fixed position with respect to the supporting frame of the platform (200). In the second configuration, the hooks (207) are arranged to allow the relative displacement between the upper component (280) and the lower component (270) and, consequently, to allow the relative displacement between the vehicle (700) and the platform (200): the vehicle (700) is no longer constrained in a fixed position with respect to the supporting frame and, therefore, with respect to the resting surface (P) identified by the platform (200), but is free to move in the resting surface (P) with a range of movement identified or, in other words, established by the space (GAP1 ).

[0079] For example, if the hooks (207) are removed by an operator, the vehicle (700) is free to move parallel to the resting surface (P), via the alignment elements (206).

[0080] In still other words, the hooks (207) in the first configuration prevent the upper component (280) from sliding with respect to the lower component (270) in the surface (P); conversely, the hooks (207) allow the relative movement of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270) in the surface (P). The hook (207) therefore represents the constraint element to the relative movement of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270); once the constraint to the relative sliding has been removed, the upper component (280) is free to move with respect to the lower component (270).

[0081] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention further comprises an engagement assembly (300), arranged to come into contact with the accessory (500) to be hooked or unhooked from the vehicle (700).

[0082] In other words, the engagement assembly (300) is arranged to perform a displacement having at least one component in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface (P): said direction perpendicular to the resting surface (P) is called working direction (Z).

[0083] In particular, the engagement assembly (300) is movable between an active position and an inactive position. In the active position, the engagement assembly (300) is arranged to come into contact with the accessory (500) and, in particular, with some components comprised in the accessory (500) which will be illustrated later.

[0084] Conversely, in the inactive position, the engagement assembly (300) does not come into contact with the accessory (500). In other words, by moving at least in the working direction (Z), the engagement assembly (300) is arranged to reach the active position from the inactive position, and vice versa.

[0085] The engagement assembly (300) in a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated in figures 4A and 4B, comprises a movement system (313) and a loading tray (316).

[0086] The loading tray (316) is arranged to come into resting contact with the accessory (500) to be unhooked from and / or hooked to the vehicle (700).

[0087] The movement system (313) is constrained to the loading tray (316); the movement system (313) is arranged to move the loading tray (316) in a direction parallel to the resting surface (P); furthermore, the movement system (313) is arranged to move the loading tray (316) in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface (P), along the working direction (Z); alternatively still, the movement system (313) is arranged to move the loading tray (316) both parallelly and perpendicularly to the resting surface (P)-

[0088] For example, but not exclusively, the movement system (313) is a hydraulic piston, an electric piston or an electric motor.

[0089] In the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of figures 4A and 4B, the loading tray (316) is movable in the working direction (Z) between the inactive position and the active position through movement means of the type known to the sector, connected to the movement system (313); preferably, but not exclusively, the loading tray (316) is comprised in a lifting table connected to said movement means and configured to allow the loading tray (316) to pass from the inactive position to the active position, following the working direction (Z), preferably perpendicular to the surface (P)-

[0090] The lifting table comprising the loading tray (316), in other words, is configured to be moved, by the movement means connected to the movement system (313) along the working direction (Z).

[0091] The engagement assembly (300) further comprises one or more centring elements (314), preferably, but not exclusively, positioned at the loading tray (316).

[0092] The second aspect of the coupling system (100) according to the present invention is in fact the centring elements (314) located at the engagement assembly (300).

[0093] Each centring element (314) comprises a support (319) and a pin (318); the support (319) is preferably constrained to the loading tray (316), while the pin (318) is configured to move parallel to the resting surface (P). In other words, a sliding element (317) is at least partially interposed between the support (319) and the pin (318) and arranged to allow the sliding of the pin (318) with respect to the support (319). In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in figures 5A and 5B, the support (319) is a containment ring and the pin (318) has a main direction of extension away from the loading tray (316); the pin (318), moreover, is at least partially delimited by a surface inclined with respect to the working direction (Z), also called contact surface; preferably, but not exclusively, the contact surface of the pin (318) is conical in shape.

[0094] The sliding element (317) is a low friction system of the type known to the sector; preferably, but not exclusively, the sliding element (317) is a ball bearing or a low-friction element.

[0095] Thanks to the at least partial interposition of the sliding element (317) between the pin (318) and the support (319), the pin (318) is movable in a direction parallel to the resting surface (P).

[0096] The support (319) is also arranged and configured to limit the sliding movement of the pin (318): the support (319) can assume various shapes and can be constrained to the loading tray (316) by fixing means of the type known to the sector.

[0097] In other words, between the pin (318) and the support (319) it is possible to identify a space (GAP2), which allows the pin (318) to slide with respect to support (319) within a range identified by the space (GAP2). The presence of this space (GAP2) allows a sliding parallel to the resting surface (P) or, in any case, to the plane identified by the loading tray (316) of the pin (318) with respect to the support (319).

[0098] Advantageously, thanks to the centring elements (314) and the components thereof, the engagement assembly (300) can very versatilely hook different accessories (500), having respective attachment structures (600), shaped in various ways.

[0099] Advantageously, thanks to the centring elements (314), the operation for hooking an accessory (500) is less rigid than the state-of-the-art systems; advantageously, the hooking of the accessory (500) can be ended with a greater probability of success and avoiding or considerably reducing phenomena of wear and breakage at the interface with the accessory (500). Thanks to the space (GAP2) and the centring elements (314) thus configured, it is advantageously possible to overcome any positioning tolerances of the attachment structures (600) present at the accessory (500).

[0100] Inevitably, several production batches of accessories (500) have in fact attachment structures (600) that are positioned differently within tolerances considered admissible by the manufacturers. Advantageously, the centring elements (314) that provide for the space (GAP2) and which, therefore, define a range of movement within the space (GAP2) allow to overcome said tolerances, allowing to correctly complete the hooking of accessories (500) having said differences in the hooking structures (600).

[0101] In conclusion, the engagement assembly (300) is arranged to hook and position an accessory (500), both when removing the accessory from the vehicle (700), and when positioning the accessory (500) on the vehicle.

[0102] According to a third aspect of the coupling system (100) according to the present invention, the accessory (500), in fact, comprises the aforesaid attachment structures (600), said attachment structures (600) being arranged to engage the pin (318) of the centring element (314); in particular, the attachment structures (600) have an at least partially complementary configuration with respect to the pin (318) of the centring element (314).

[0103] The attachment structures (600) may assume various spatial configurations. Preferably, but not exclusively, the attachment structures (600) comprise at least one seat configured so as to engage at least a portion, preferably an upper portion, of the pin (318). An example of accessory (500) comprising a plurality of attachment structures (600) is illustrated in figure 6.

[0104] Thus, each pin (318) is arranged to be removably engaged, according to various solutions known in the art, by a respective attachment structure (600) with which it interfaces during the operations for removing and replacing the accessory (500). Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the attachment structure (600).

[0105] Preferably, but not exclusively, each attachment structure (600) at the accessory (500) has a base portion (601 ) and a main body (602), having a prevalent extension away from the base portion (601 ). The base portion is constrained to the accessory (500).

[0106] The main body (602) delimits, inferiorly, an attachment cavity (603): said attachment cavity (603) is configured so that it is at least partially complementary with respect to the pin (318), in such a way as to allow said pin (318) to be inserted at least partially inside the attachment cavity (603).

[0107] Each attachment structure (600) also comprises, in the preferred embodiment, two retractable teeth (610) connected to a spring system exerting an elastic force and arranged to exit and re-enter a respective hole, obtained from the main body (602).

[0108] In detail, the retractable teeth (610) are operating between a first and a second configuration.

[0109] In the first configuration, also called the extended configuration, the retractable teeth (610) protrude or partially protrude with respect to the main body (602) of the attachment structure (600) (Fig. 7A,7B,10A).

[0110] In the second configuration, also called the retracted configuration, the retractable teeth (610) are retracted, i.e. internally positioned, with respect to the main body (602) of the attachment structure (600); in other words, in the first configuration, the retractable teeth (610) do not protrude from the main body (602) (Fig. 10B)

[0111] The passage from the first to the second configuration takes place as a result of a force having a direction at least partially parallel to the elastic force of the spring system and opposite to said elastic force. Conversely, the passage from the second to the first configuration preferably takes place as a result of the elastic force exerted by the spring system itself.

[0112] Different configurations of the attachment structures (600) can be intuitively employed. The coupling system (100) according to the present invention further comprises a hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), configured to engage at least partially the attachment structures (600) of the accessory (500).

[0113] The fourth aspect of the coupling system (100) according to the present invention is in fact a hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), constrained to the vehicle (700).

[0114] Preferably, but not exclusively, the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) is positioned at a portion of the vehicle (700).

[0115] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ).

[0116] Each hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) comprises at least one unlocking element (902) connected to actuator elements (905) arranged to move said unlocking element (902); the actuator elements (905) are for example, but not exclusively, stepper motors of the type known to the sector.

[0117] Each unlocking element (902) preferably comprises at least one sleeve (605), shaped in such a way as to engage at least partially an attachment structure (600) at the retractable teeth (610): the sleeve, in fact, has an internal cavity configured in such a way as to allow at least partial insertion of the attachment structure (600).

[0118] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention, thanks to the plurality of components described, advantageously allows to facilitate and optimize the operations for hooking, removal and, therefore, replacement of the accessory (500) from the vehicle (700).

[0119] With reference to figures 9A, 9B and 9C, the operation for unhooking the accessory (500) positioned on the vehicle (700) is taken into consideration.

[0120] The vehicle is initially positioned so that each tyre is arranged at a hooking element (206) of the hooking assembly (400); then, the pins (207) are brought from the first to the second configuration, preferably by removal of said pins (207) by an operator and allowing the movement of the vehicle (700) parallel to the resting surface (P) within the range of movement defined by the space (GAP1 ).

[0121] The engagement assembly (300) is moved in the direction of the accessory (500) that must be unhooked from the vehicle (700); the movement system (313) is configured to move the loading tray (316) along the direction (Y), preferably along the tracks (203), and to position said loading tray (316) below the vehicle (700), near the accessory (500) (Fig. 9A).

[0122] Once said position is reached, the lifting table comprising the loading tray (316) having the centring elements (314) is moved perpendicularly to the resting surface (P) or, in other words, in the working direction (Z), towards the accessory (500) hooked to the vehicle (700) (Fig. 9B).

[0123] In figures 10A-10C, a sequence for unhooking the accessory (500) from the vehicle (700) is illustrated in detail.

[0124] In the working configuration, the retractable teeth (610) are in the first configuration or extended configuration, i.e. protruding from the main body (602), in such a way as to constrain the accessory (500) to a frame element (340) of the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), in turn integral with the vehicle (700).

[0125] In this configuration, the accessory (500) is rigidly constrained to the vehicle (700) and cannot be moved in the working direction (Z) (Fig10A).

[0126] During the operation for removing the accessory (500) from the vehicle (700), the loading tray (316) is moved in the working direction (Z) closer to the accessory (500) constrained to the vehicle (700), until the pin (318) of the centring element (314), in a pre-established position, comes into contact with the main body (602) at the attachment cavity (603).

[0127] Once the established position has been reached, the actuator elements (905) of the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) are activated, in such a way as to move the unhooking element (902) closer to the frame element (340) and, therefore, closer to the accessory (500). During the movement of the unhooking element (902) the retractable teeth (610) of the attachment structures (600), due to the force exerted by the respective sleeve (605) of the unhooking element (902), re-enter into the respective hole (Fig. 10B), until reaching the second configuration or retracted configuration: in this way, the battery is no longer constrained to the hooking / unhooking element (901 ) and can be removed from the frame element (340). (Fig. 10C)

[0128] At the end of the unhooking sequence described above, the accessory (500), positioned on the loading tray (316), is removed from the vehicle (700) and can be moved by the movement system (313) away from said vehicle (700) (Fig. 9C). For example, the removed accessory (500) can now be moved very conveniently towards a storage warehouse or towards different stations.

[0129] Opposite considerations can be easily understood by the person skilled in the art and are applicable to operations for hooking the accessory (500) to the vehicle (700).

[0130] During the operation for removing or hooking the accessory (500), the pins (318) of the centring elements (314) are free to slide within the range identified by the space (GAP2): advantageously, the pins (318) of the centring elements (314) are configured to fit as best as possible and effortlessly within the respective attachment structure (600).

[0131] In other words, when the centring element (314) is not perfectly aligned with the attachment structure (600), at the time of contact between the loading tray (316) and the accessory, the pin (318) is subjected to a force directed parallel to the resting surface (P): this force causes the sliding in a direction parallel to the movable surface (P) of the pin (318), so as to be engaged correctly and without forcing by the respective attachment structure (600).

[0132] Advantageously, therefore, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows the engagement assembly (300) to load the accessory (500) avoiding unwanted stresses on the centring elements (314) and on the attachment structures (600).

[0133] Advantageously, therefore, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows to strongly limit the phenomena of wear and breakage that can affect the centring elements (314) and the attachment elements (600) when repeating the described operations.

[0134] Furthermore, during the operation for removing or hooking the accessory (500), the vehicle (700) is movable in the resting surface (P), thanks to the alignment elements (206): advantageously, thanks to the presence of the alignment elements (206) with the upper component (208) sliding with respect to the lower component (207) within the range identified by the space (GAP1 ), it is possible to further precisely adjust the position of the vehicle (700) with respect to the accessory (500) and the alignment assembly (300), in such a way as to align said components.

[0135] In particular, the alignment assembly (400), thanks to the sliding of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270) of each alignment element (206), is arranged to allow the relative displacement in the direction parallel to the resting surface (P) in order to bring about the hooking of the accessory (500). This relative displacement is achieved between the engagement assembly (300) and the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), in order to obtain the alignment condition, without forcing the components involved.

[0136] Again, in other words, the engagement assembly (300) is shaped in such a way as to transmit to the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) a force directed parallel to the resting surface (P): this force, causing the displacement, within the range identified by the space (GAP1 ), of the vehicle (700) on the resting surface (P) causes an engagement with effortless coupling of the centring element (314) and the attachment structure (600) by the hooking / unhooking means (901 ).

[0137] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention comprises, in a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, both the alignment elements (206) with the upper component (280) movable on the resting surface (P), and the centring elements (314) with the pin (318) movable with respect to the resting surface (P); in an alternative embodiment, however, the alignment assembly (400) comprises only one of the alignment elements (206) and the centring elements (314).

[0138] Advantageously, therefore, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows to limit the phenomena of wear and breakage also at the level of the hooking / unhooking assemblies (902), when the engagement assembly (300) is in the active position.

[0139] As stated in the introductory part, the accessory (500) is preferably a rechargeable battery (500), arranged to be positioned on the vehicle (700) thanks to the coupling system (100).

[0140] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention can advantageously be used, in the preferred embodiment, to replace the rechargeable battery (500) of an electric vehicle (700).

[0141] The coupling system (100) according to the present invention can be advantageously placed inside a rechargeable battery replacement system (500), comprising:

[0142] - the platform (200) for positioning the vehicle (700);

[0143] - a storage warehouse for charged batteries (500) and / or depleted batteries (500);

[0144] - the engagement assembly (300), further movable on the tracks (230) connecting to a storage warehouse and arranged to hook and remove the depleted battery (500) from the vehicle (700), store said depleted battery (500) in the storage warehouse, hook a new battery (500), charge, and move the charged battery (500) until reaching the active position and, then, hook the charged battery (500) on the vehicle (700);

[0145] - the alignment assembly (400), in the variants described in the previous paragraphs, arranged to mend any constructive tolerances and to finely adjust the alignment and, therefore, to allow the smooth performance of the operations for hooking and removing the battery (500). The system can advantageously be adapted for different types of accessories (500).

[0146] Advantageously, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows to remove and hook an accessory (500) to a vehicle (700), preferably a battery to an electric vehicle, precisely and without generating stresses at the interface.

[0147] Advantageously, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows to remove and hook an accessory (500) to a vehicle (700), preferably a battery to an electric vehicle, in a versatile way, allowing to perform the removal and hooking process on different types of vehicle (700), having different hooking / unhooking assemblies (901 ), and with a wide variety of accessories (500) having different attachment structures (600).

[0148] Finally, advantageously, the coupling system (100) according to the present invention allows a battery to be removed and hooked up to an electric vehicle, quickly, avoiding the long waiting times for recharging the battery by means of a recharging column of known art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for coupling (100) to a vehicle (700) provided inferiorly with a hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), comprising:- a platform (200) that identifies a resting surface P;- an engagement assembly (300), movable at least along a working direction (Z), perpendicular to the resting surface P, between an inactive position and an active position, in which the engagement assembly (300) enters into contact with the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), wherein the engagement assembly (300) is shaped so that, passing from the inactive position to the active position, it transmits to the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ) a force directed parallel to the resting surface P; characterised in that it comprises an alignment assembly (400) arranged to allow a relative displacement in a direction parallel to the resting surface P between the engagement assembly (300) and the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ), and to allow a pre-established alignment on the resting surface P between the engagement assembly (300) and the hooking / unhooking assembly (901 ).

2. The coupling system according to claim 1 , wherein the platform (200) is associated with a supporting frame.

3. The coupling system according to claim 1 , wherein the alignment assembly (400) comprises one or more alignment elements (206), located at the platform (200) and is configured to allow a displacement in a direction parallel to the resting surface P of the alignment elements (206) with respect to the frame.

4. The coupling system according to claim 3, wherein the alignment elements (206) comprise one lower component (270) and one upper component (280), wherein the lower component (270) is constrained to the frame and wherein the upper component (280) is movable with respect to the lower component on the resting surface (P).

5. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the alignment elements (206) comprise a sliding element at least partially comprised between the lower component (270) and the upper component (280).

6. The coupling system according to claim 5, wherein the sliding element is a low friction system.

7. The coupling system according to claim 6, wherein the sliding element comprises ball bearings.

8. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower component (270) and the upper component (280) have an overall plate-like configuration.

9. The coupling system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein each coupling element (400) comprises at least one hook (207) operating between:- a first configuration, in which it constrains the movement of the upper component (280) with respect to the lower component (270); and- a second configuration, in which the upper component (280) is slidable with respect to the lower component (270).

10. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (200) comprises one or more reference aids (208) arranged to constrain the vehicle to the alignment elements (206).11 . The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement assembly (300) comprises at least one centring element (314) comprising:- at least one pin (318) provided with a contact surface inclined with respect to the working direction (Z);- a support (319) associated with the pin (318); wherein the alignment assembly (400) is configured to allow a displacement of the pin (318) with respect to the support (319) in a direction parallel to the resting surface P.

12. The coupling system according to claim 11 , comprising a sliding element (317) at least partially interposed between the pin (318) and the support(319).

13. The coupling system according to claim 12, wherein the sliding element (317) is a low friction system.

14. The coupling system according to claim 13, wherein the sliding element (317) comprises ball bearings.

15. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface of the pin (318) defines an end portion with a conical shape.

16. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement assembly (300) comprises a loading tray (316) and a movement system (313), constrained to the loading tray (316), and configured to move the loading tray (316) at least partially in the working direction (Z).

17. The coupling system according to claim 16, wherein the loading tray (316) comprises above the at least one centring element (314).

18. The coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement system (313) is movable at least partially in a direction parallel to the work surface (P).

19. The coupling system according to at least one of claims 1 1 to 18, wherein the alignment assembly (300) comprises one or more attachment structures (600) comprising:- a main body (602) delimiting an attachment cavity (603), said cavity being shaped to engage at least partially the pin (318) of a centring element (314);- retractable teeth (610) connected by a spring system exerting an elastic force and operating between a first configuration, in which they protrude or partially protrude with respect to the main body (602), and a second configuration in which they are retracted or internally positioned with respect to the main body (602).

20. The coupling system according to claim 19, wherein:- the passage between first and second configuration takes place as a result of a force having a direction at least partially parallel to the elastic force ofthe spring system and opposite direction; and- wherein the passage between second and first configuration takes place as a result of the elastic force exerted by the spring system.

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