Vehicle Battery Switching and Clamp Design for Fast Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of replacing vehicle batteries is difficult, cumbersome, and time-consuming due to the need for tools, rusted components, and confined spaces, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles, where batteries are integral to the vehicle's functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle battery management system with non-permanent electrical connections, spring-biased clamps, and a battery power control unit that monitors battery conditions and automatically switches connections to maintain a threshold voltage, facilitating easy battery replacement and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard battery hold down mechanism with nuts and locknuts is used to securely hold the battery, then the battery is securely secured, but battery replacement requires tools and becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is divided into multiple independent battery units (first vehicle battery, second vehicle battery, third vehicle battery) with independent electrical connections. Each battery can be individually monitored and switched, allowing one battery to be replaced without affecting the others, thus reducing replacement time while maintaining security through the hold-down mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple batteries based on their monitored conditions. The electrically operated switches can transition between open and closed positions to redirect current flow, enabling automatic battery replacement without manual intervention and reducing the time required for battery replacement while maintaining secure connections.
2Reliability
If multiple batteries are used in a battery group to maintain power supply, then continuous power is ensured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each battery in the group serves multiple functions: they can all connect to the internal vehicle wiring harness independently, each has its own monitoring capability, and any battery can serve as a backup for others. The switches and conductors are designed to work with any battery in the group, providing universal functionality that manages complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management control unit continuously monitors the condition of each battery and provides feedback to determine when to switch between batteries. This automated feedback mechanism manages the complexity of multiple batteries by using sensors and control logic to automatically monitor voltage, current, and other parameters, ensuring continuous power supply without requiring complex manual management.
3Ease of operation
If non-permanent electrical connections are used for each battery, then easy battery replacement is enabled, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes preliminary electrical connections between each battery and the internal vehicle wiring harness through switches and conductors before replacement is needed. The hold-down mechanism pre-secures the battery in position, and the electrical connections are pre-configured so that when a battery needs replacement, the switch can be opened and the battery removed without requiring complex disconnection procedures, maintaining both ease of replacement and connection reliability.
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 simplifies battery replacement by enabling tool-free, secure, and efficient battery swapping, while ensuring continuous power supply through automated power management, particularly beneficial for electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring-biased clamp including a first electrically conductive portion, wherein the first spring-biased clamp is configured to engage a protruding positive terminal of each vehicle battery
Implementation Method 2
the first spring-biased clamp is configured to engage a protruding positive terminal of each vehicle battery
Implementation Method 3
the first one or more electrical conductors forming a non-permanent engagement with the electrical terminals of the first vehicle battery to electrically connect the first vehicle battery
Implementation Method 4
a first electrically operated switch in electrical communication with the first one or more electrical conductors and a second electrically operated switch in electrical communication with the second one or more electrical conductors
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle battery power supply monitoring and management systems and methods for use with replaceable and rechargeable batteries, which includes a battery case configured to mount each battery on a substrate that includes ports for receiving the electrical terminal of each battery and facilitating an electrical connection between each battery and an internal vehicle wiring harness, among other things, and is further configured to facilitate the sequential usage of each battery from a plurality of batteries secured within a vehicle based on a measurement of the condition of the battery, and facilitate the speed, ease and convenience in the removal and replacement of secured batteries.