Battery Swapping System With Inboard Outboard Lifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle battery charging processes are time-consuming, and there is a need for a rapid method to replenish energy for long road trips and address battery malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A battery swapping system that uses inboard and outboard lifts to raise and support the vehicle, allowing for the quick exchange of the battery pack with a fully charged one, facilitated by human operators or automated equipment, and includes a conveyor shuttle for efficient battery transfer and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional charging processes are used for electric vehicles, then battery energy can be replenished, but the process is time-consuming and interrupts travel
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is extracted as a separate removable component from the vehicle. The swapping system removes the depleted battery pack from the vehicle and replaces it with a charged one, separating the energy storage function from the vehicle structure. This allows rapid battery replacement without charging the battery in place, resolving the time-consuming charging problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Battery packs are pre-charged at the swapping station before being installed in vehicles. The system maintains a fleet of charged battery packs ready for immediate installation, so when a vehicle arrives with a depleted battery, a charged replacement is already prepared and can be installed immediately, eliminating waiting time.
2Productivity
If battery swapping system is implemented, then rapid battery replacement is achieved, but device complexity increases due to lifting mechanisms and conveyor systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary equipment (conveyor shuttles, lifting mechanisms) that mediate between the battery storage area and the vehicle. These intermediaries handle the heavy battery packs, transferring them smoothly between storage racks and vehicle installation positions, making the complex swapping process automated and efficient while reducing manual labor complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery swapping is performed, then vehicle mobility is enhanced for long trips, but the swapping infrastructure requires extensive space for battery storage and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The swapping station is designed as a multi-functional facility that can serve multiple vehicles simultaneously. The system includes multiple battery storage racks, conveyor systems, and lifting mechanisms that can handle several battery swap operations in parallel, maximizing the utility of the station space and reducing the area required per vehicle served.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) of an electric vehicle includes. An EESS station is configured to position an electric vehicle in x and y directions. A vehicle lift raises the electric vehicle to a predetermined height. An EESS lift supports and lowers the EESS and replaces the EESS with a differing EESS. The vehicle lift may be an inboard lift and the EESS lift may be an outboard lift. The system may also include one or more rollers configured to guide the electric vehicle. The system may include a horizontal door having at least one tube positioned thereon for guiding the electric vehicle and/or at least one vehicle chock for positioning the electric vehicle in at least one of the x and y directions. The vehicle lift may include lifting arms to engage jack pads of the electric vehicle.