Battery Swapping Network Redistributes Charged Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adoption of zero tail pipe emission vehicles is hindered by the high cost of secondary batteries and limited driving range, as well as the long recharging time, particularly in densely populated cities with limited financial resources.

Innovation Solution

A distribution system of collection, charging, and distribution machines that maintain a stock of fully charged electrical power storage devices, allowing for easy swapping and redistribution to ensure availability, using a management system to analyze demand and redistribute devices between locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If secondary batteries are used in electric vehicles, then zero tail pipe emission is achieved, but high cost and limited driving range occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetail pipe emissionVSAvoidcost of secondary batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into multiple removable secondary batteries that can be independently exchanged. This allows the vehicle to use smaller, cheaper batteries individually while collectively providing sufficient energy capacity, reducing the overall cost burden of the battery system while maintaining zero emission operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter from single long-duration charging to multiple short-duration exchanges. By enabling rapid battery swapping, the effective driving range is extended through sequential battery changes rather than relying on single large-capacity expensive batteries, making the system more cost-effective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If secondary batteries are used in electric vehicles, then zero tail pipe emission is achieved, but long recharging time occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetail pipe emissionVSAvoidrecharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Batteries are pre-charged at centralized stations before being installed in vehicles. The recharging action is performed in advance at dedicated facilities with appropriate charging infrastructure, separating the charging process from the vehicle operation and eliminating downtime during battery exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging function is extracted from the vehicle and relocated to external centralized charging stations. This allows the vehicle to simply exchange batteries without any onboard charging equipment or time-consuming charging processes, dramatically reducing the time loss associated with recharging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If collection, charging and distribution machines are deployed, then consistent supply of charged batteries is ensured, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply of charged batteriesVSAvoiddistribution system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection, charging and distribution machines serve multiple functions: they collect used batteries from vehicles, charge them using standardized interfaces, and redistribute charged batteries back to vehicles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifies the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable battery supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated battery management where machines autonomously track battery locations, monitor charge levels, and initiate redistribution operations. The standardized communication protocols enable machines to self-coordinate without complex centralized control, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2737600B1Apparatus, method and article for redistributing power storage devices, such as batteries, between collection, charging and distribution machines
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 GOGORO
  • EP2737600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.