Automated Energy Container Replacement via Vehicle Self-Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy container replacement stations for motor vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid vehicles, are not reliable and robust due to the complexity and number of sensors and electronic means required, making them difficult to operate and deploy with minimal technological skill.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for replacing energy containers that involves positioning the vehicle relative to the ground using locking means to cancel connection constraints, allowing a pallet to take up vertical forces, and utilizing hardware and software positioning means to ensure precise and stable replacement, maintaining the vehicle's attitude during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors and electronic means are used for automatic battery exchange, then the exchange process can be automated, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's drive motor automatically positions the vehicle relative to the ground and the replacement system without requiring external sensors or electronic control systems. The vehicle serves itself for positioning, eliminating the need for complex sensing and control infrastructure at the replacement station.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is extracted from the replacement station and transferred to the vehicle's own drive motor. This removes the need for sensors and electronic means at the station, simplifying the system while maintaining automation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If locking means are used to cancel connection constraints, then the vehicle attitude remains stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A removable element acts as an intermediary between the locking means and the vehicle. This element temporarily absorbs vertical forces during the battery exchange process, protecting the vehicle's attitude without requiring a complex permanent locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system uses a removable element that can be dynamically inserted and removed as needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to provide stability only when required (during battery exchange) while remaining simple otherwise.
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 solution simplifies and stabilizes the energy container replacement process, enhancing safety, reliability, and repeatability by maintaining the vehicle's attitude and optimizing the replacement process, making it easier to deploy and operate with reduced technological skill.
Implementation Method 1
The locking means for taking up vertical forces comprises the rotation of a removable element, able to take up the vertical forces exerted by actuators, so that the attitude of the motor vehicle is not modified.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for replacing an energy container supplying power to a driving engine of an automobile resting on the ground and including a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, the replacement method including a first step of positioning the automobile relative to the ground without any action from the driving engine of the automobile, characterised in that said method includes a step of releasing the linking restraints linking the energy container to the automobile.