Battery Exchange Station Tire Positioning for Rapid Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles require frequent battery charging or swapping, with traditional charging methods taking at least 30 minutes and requiring additional infrastructure for efficient battery swapping.
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 position indicators to guide vehicles, enabling rapid battery exchange by a service robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional charging methods are used, then infrastructure requirements are reduced, but service time increases to at least 30 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into removable battery packs that can be independently exchanged. The vehicle contains a battery cavity that accepts standardized battery packs, allowing the battery subsystem to be separated from the vehicle body for rapid replacement without charging the entire vehicle system.
Solution Approach 2:
A service robot acts as an intermediary between the battery packs and the vehicle. The robot autonomously retrieves battery packs from storage, positions them, and performs the exchange operation, mediating the complex infrastructure requirements while maintaining rapid service time.
2Productivity
If battery swapping is implemented, then service time is reduced to minutes, but additional infrastructure and technology are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The service robot performs the battery exchange operation autonomously without human intervention. The system self-services by automatically navigating to the vehicle, retrieving the depleted battery pack, and installing the charged battery pack, reducing the need for manual labor and simplifying operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The service station infrastructure is designed with universal battery pack storage and exchange capabilities that can serve multiple vehicles simultaneously. The standardized battery cavity and pack design allow the same infrastructure to service different vehicle models, reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the service platform size is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different vehicle dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The service platform incorporates adjustable length and width dimensions that can be dynamically modified based on the specific vehicle being serviced. The platform uses motorized extension and retraction mechanisms to adapt its size, allowing the same platform to accommodate various vehicle dimensions without requiring multiple fixed-size platforms.
4Measurement precision
If manual vehicle positioning is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical positioning process is replaced with an automated optical detection system. Lasers project reference lines onto the ground, and cameras capture images to digitally process and determine the vehicle's position, substituting mechanical measurement tools with optical and computational systems for higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to the driver through displayed images showing the vehicle's position relative to the target position. This feedback loop allows the driver to make precise adjustments to achieve accurate positioning, with the system continuously monitoring and updating the position display.
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
The system allows for quick and efficient battery exchange, reducing service time and enhancing operational efficiency by automating the vehicle positioning and battery swapping process.
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.