Swappable Battery Modules for Electric Vehicle Cargo Beds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle power systems, relying on batteries or hybrid combustion engines and fuel cells, face inefficiencies in power distribution and recharging, particularly in scenarios where extended operation without idling is required, especially for delivery vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a cargo bed equipped with electrical contacts and a system allowing multiple battery modules to be connected in series or parallel, enabling power supplementation from these modules to an electric motor, allowing for extended operation without needing to recharge the primary vehicle battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a vehicle uses a single primary battery for power supply, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot maintain operation during deliveries and pickups without idling
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into a primary vehicle battery and multiple removable module batteries. Each module battery can be independently connected to the vehicle's electrical system through electrical contacts, allowing the vehicle to draw power from multiple sources simultaneously or sequentially, thereby extending operational duration without requiring a single large battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The module batteries serve multiple functions: they can be used to extend vehicle range during deliveries, provide auxiliary power when the vehicle is stationary, and be quickly swapped at delivery locations to maintain continuous operation. The electrical contacts in the vehicle bed are designed to universally accept different module configurations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle idle to recharge the battery during deliveries, then the battery can be recharged, but the vehicle loses productivity during delivery operations
Solution Approach 1:
Module batteries are pre-charged before being loaded onto the vehicle. At delivery locations, fully charged module batteries are swapped with depleted ones, eliminating the need to idle the vehicle for recharging. The electrical contacts enable quick connection and disconnection of module batteries during delivery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service recharging by allowing module batteries to be independently charged at external charging stations or at the vehicle facility before delivery routes. This separates the recharging function from the delivery operation, allowing both to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other.
3Duration of action of moving object
If multiple battery modules are connected to extend operation, then service time is extended, but the electrical connection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into standardized electrical contacts located in the vehicle bed and corresponding contacts on each module battery. This segmentation allows multiple independent connections rather than requiring a complex single-point connection system, enabling flexible configuration of battery modules while maintaining simple, standardized interfaces.
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
This solution enhances energy efficiency by allowing vehicles to maintain operation during deliveries and pickups without idling, optimizing power usage based on scheduled tasks and load requirements, thereby extending service time and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle with a cargo bed equipped with electrical contacts and a system allowing multiple battery modules to be connected in series or parallel, enabling power supplementation from these modules to an electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A number of variations may include a product including: a vehicle having a cargo bed and a plurality of electrical contacts provided in the vehicle bed constructed and arranged to be connected to electrical contacts on a module having a battery. A number of variations may include a method comprising: providing a vehicle having a cargo bed and a plurality of electrical contacts provided in the vehicle bed constructed and arranged to be connected to electrical contacts on a module having a battery, the vehicle including an electric motor for propelling the vehicle; providing at least one module, the module including a module battery and an electrical contact connected to the module battery and constructed and arranged to engage one of the electrical contacts provided in the vehicle bed; charging the module battery and loading the module with the charged module battery on the vehicle bed, and supplying power to the electric motor of the vehicle from the module battery.