Battery Exchange Station Platform Alignment for Rapid EV Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles require frequent battery charging or swapping, which is inefficient with traditional charging methods and lacks the necessary infrastructure for rapid battery exchange.
Innovation Solution
A battery-exchange service station equipped with a motorized platform, lasers, light sensors, and a computer system that automatically adjusts the platform size and guides vehicles into position for rapid battery swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional charging methods are used, then battery recharging can be performed with existing infrastructure, but it takes at least 30 minutes to partially recharge the batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery from the vehicle system and replaces it externally through a service robot that removes depleted batteries and installs charged batteries at the vehicle's battery location, enabling rapid exchange without traditional charging time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic battery exchange where the service robot autonomously performs battery removal and installation without requiring manual intervention, achieving rapid battery replacement in minutes
2Productivity
If battery swapping is implemented, then battery exchange can be performed in minutes, but additional infrastructure and technology are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The service platform is designed to accommodate multiple vehicle types and sizes through adjustable dimensions, allowing a single infrastructure to serve diverse electric vehicle models while maintaining rapid battery exchange capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual battery exchange operations with an automated service robot that uses mechanical arms and sensors to autonomously handle battery removal and installation, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining high-speed exchange
3Adaptability or versatility
If the service platform size is fixed, then the station structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate different vehicle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The service platform incorporates motorized adjustment mechanisms that dynamically change the platform's length and width dimensions based on the specific vehicle being serviced, allowing the same infrastructure to adapt to different vehicle sizes without manual reconfiguration
4Manufacturing precision
If manual vehicle positioning is used, then the system is simpler, but the vehicle may not be accurately positioned for battery exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses lasers and light sensors to detect the vehicle's position and provides real-time feedback through visual indicators to guide the driver, creating a closed-loop positioning system that achieves high accuracy without complex automated positioning hardware
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and efficient battery exchange by automatically positioning vehicles and exchanging batteries in minutes, improving the operational efficiency of electric vehicle battery management.
Implementation Method 1
automatically detecting a position of the vehicle's front tires with a plurality of lasers and a plurality of light sensors, each laser located at a predetermined position relative to the target position for the front tires
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a battery-exchange service station includes receiving data corresponding to a vehicle to be serviced; automatically adjusting a size of a service platform according to the vehicle, the service platform disposed over a service cavity configured to receive a service robot; automatically presenting one or more visual indicators to guide the vehicle onto the service platform such that the vehicle's front tires are at a target position; automatically detecting a position of the vehicle's front tires with lasers and light sensors, each laser located at a predetermined position relative to the target position for the front tires; automatically updating at least one of the visual indicator(s) based on a detected position of the vehicle's front tires; and while the detected position is at the target position, automatically exchanging one or more depleted batteries in the vehicle, with the service robot, with one or more charged batteries.