Method for rapid battery exchange in electric vehicles

摘要

A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving.

主权项

1. A battery exchange method comprising the steps of:
disengaging one or more latches of a battery house of a vehicle comprising a first battery as the vehicle moves forward such that the first battery becomes located on an exchange plate and positioned horizontally next to a second battery located on the exchange plate; pushing the first battery over the exchange plate using the second battery; providing charge to the vehicle through a connection between a first and second contact rail of the second battery and a first and second front contact shaft of the vehicle and a connection between a first and second contact rail of the first battery and a first and second rear contact shaft of the vehicle such that the vehicle remains in forward motion as the first and second batteries are exchanged; and reengaging the one or more latches of the battery house once the second battery is in place within the battery house.