Electric Vehicle Battery Swap Positioning via Conical Self-Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery swap systems for electric vehicles face challenges in achieving precise and economic alignment of vehicles with battery swap stations, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, as they rely heavily on driver precision and complex, costly infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A lifting and automatic positioning system using three piston-type lifting devices with load-bearing balls that self-align and lift the vehicle, ensuring precise positioning through conical-shaped components on the vehicle bottom, allowing for controlled lifting height and accurate alignment of electrical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional alignment methods using lanes and stopping components are used, then vehicle alignment can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs self-alignment through its own suspension system and geometry. The lifting devices simply provide vertical force while the vehicle's conical components and ball joints automatically center the vehicle horizontally, eliminating the need for external alignment infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex alignment infrastructure (lanes, rails, stopping components) from the system. Only simple vertical lifting devices remain, while alignment functionality is extracted and embedded within the vehicle itself through its suspension geometry
2Device complexity
If driver-dependent positioning is used, then the system remains simple, but positioning accuracy is insufficient for automated battery swap
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously achieves precise positioning through its own mechanical properties. The conical components and ball joints create a self-centering mechanism that automatically aligns the vehicle without driver input or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's suspension geometry and component shapes are pre-configured to provide self-alignment. The conical surfaces and ball joints are designed in advance to automatically guide the vehicle into correct position during the lifting process
3Ease of operation
If conventional lifting systems are used, then lifting function is provided, but automatic alignment during lifting is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lifting and alignment functions into a single integrated process. The same lifting devices that provide vertical force also enable horizontal alignment through the interaction of conical components and ball joints, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The conical shapes of the lifting device components and ball joints create curved surfaces that guide alignment. The spherical ball joints within conical housings provide automatic centering through geometric constraints, enabling alignment without flat or rigid contact surfaces
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 enables precise and automatic alignment of electric vehicles during battery swaps, reducing the need for driver intervention and minimizing infrastructure costs by ensuring accurate and efficient battery insertion and removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
three piston type lifting devices that will come out from the floor... The end elements of the three piston type lifting devices are represented by load bearing balls... Components fitted on the vehicle bottom... have a conical shape with little hemispheric volumes... able to perfectly accommodate these balls
Implementation Method 2
Through this geometrical conformation, the vehicle in the raising phase from the ground will be subjected to a self-alignment until the balls of the lifting devices are perfectly housed in the provided spaces
Data Source
AI summary
Lifting and automatic positioning system of an electric vehicle for a battery swap from the bottom including three or more piston type lifting devices and whereby: - it comprises three or more identical elements (1) fixed to the bottom of the chassis, cylindrical but with a surface (2) pointed towards the ground suitably shaped with a little hemispherical housing (3) at the highest midpoint; - the said three or more piston type lifting devices are placed in resting position below the ground level with a top view positioning that is the same as that of the said elements (1) secured to the vehicle and have load bearing balls (7) on the upper extremities, with a diameter just less than said hemispherical housings.