Swappable Battery Interface for Rapid Vehicle Energy Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for powering electric vehicles using rechargeable batteries are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, particularly for commercial use and long-distance operations, where battery ranges are short and recharging is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of battery-swapping fueling stations that allow for quick, efficient, and cost-effective swapping of spent batteries with fully charged ones, using a cloud-based control system and adaptive battery interfaces to support various vehicle types and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional rechargeable battery systems are used in electric vehicles, then battery power can be stored and reused, but recharging is time-consuming and reduces vehicle availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery pack as a separate, removable component from the vehicle system. The battery can be taken out and replaced independently without recharging the vehicle itself, allowing rapid swapping of depleted batteries with charged ones, thus eliminating long recharging wait times while maintaining energy storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a battery swapping model where depleted batteries are discarded from the vehicle and replaced with charged batteries. The discarded batteries are then recovered, recharged, and reused in the system, creating a continuous cycle that eliminates vehicle downtime while maintaining energy storage and reuse
2Length of moving object
If battery range is extended for long-distance operations, then vehicle operational distance increases, but battery weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total battery capacity needed for long-distance travel into multiple separate battery packs. Instead of using one large, heavy battery, the vehicle uses multiple smaller battery packs that can be individually swapped, achieving extended range without the weight penalty of a single large battery
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic battery configuration where multiple battery packs can be combined or swapped based on operational needs. The vehicle can operate with different battery configurations depending on range requirements, optimizing the weight-range tradeoff by using only the necessary battery capacity for each mission
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple battery configurations are supported for different vehicle types, then system versatility increases, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal battery interface design that can accommodate different vehicle types and battery configurations through a standardized connection system. The same basic interface architecture serves multiple functions across different vehicle applications, reducing overall system complexity despite increased versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic configuration capabilities where the battery interface can adapt its connection parameters and communication protocols based on the detected vehicle type and battery configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows a single interface design to handle multiple configurations without requiring separate hardwired solutions for each vehicle type
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for battery-vehicle interface solutions for supporting use of swappable batteries in electric vehicles. A swappable battery may include a power delivery subsystem configured to deliver power to an electric vehicle when the swappable battery is coupled to the electric vehicle, and a power control circuit configure to control operation of the swappable battery. The electric vehicle may correspondingly include a power distribution subsystem configured to receive power from a swappable battery when the swappable battery is coupled to the electric vehicle, and a power control circuit configure to control use of the swappable battery when it is connected to the electric vehicle. The swappable battery may connect to the electric vehicle via a battery interface. The battery interface may include one or more connections for facilitating interactions between the swappable battery and the electric vehicle during operation of the swappable battery in the electric vehicle.