Modular shareable battery system

A base unit for a vehicle battery system, the base unit comprising:

• a housing installable and securable in an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in place of a vehicle battery;
• positive and negative electrical terminals to connect the housing to an electrical system of the ICE vehicle;
• a first compartment configured to removably secure a modular replaceable battery, the first compartment comprising:
• an electrical connector within the first compartment to electrically connect to a compatible electrical connector of the modular replaceable battery when the modular replaceable battery is inserted into the first compartment;
• and
• an alignment mechanism to operatively orient the modular replaceable battery within the first compartment and to align the electrical connector of the modular replaceable battery with the electrical connector of the first compartment;
• a second compartment configured to secure a secondary battery, wherein the secondary battery comprises at least one of:
• a chemical battery to provide power to at least a subset of electronic systems of the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is at least one of removed from the base unit or discharged;
• or
• a super capacitor to enable starting of the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is at least one of removed or discharged;
• electrical connections configured to electrically connect the modular replaceable battery and the secondary battery to the electrical system of the ICE vehicle;
• and
• a start-disable switch to selectively enable or disable the secondary battery from being able to start the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is removed from the base unit.

A battery set comprising a modular replaceable battery for an internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicle battery system and an associated secondary battery,

• the modular replaceable battery comprising:
• a housing configured to be removably securable within a compartment configured within a base unit, the base unit permanently mountable in place of a standard vehicle battery;
• one or more battery cells within the housing configured as a battery pack capable of operating an ICE powered vehicle;
• an electrical connector within the housing and configured to establish electrical connections with a corresponding electrical connector in the compartment when the modular replaceable battery is removably inserted into the compartment;
• an alignment component incorporated into the compartment, the alignment component ensuring correct orientation and secure positioning when a form-fit modular replaceable battery is removably secured in the compartment;
• and
• a communication system configured to communicate information about the modular replaceable battery to the base unit, wherein the information includes at least one of a feature, a state, a characteristic or an identity of the modular replaceable battery, and
• wherein
• the base unit further comprises a start-disable switch to selectively enable or disable the secondary battery from being able to start the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is removed from the base unit.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle battery system, the method comprising:

• forming a base unit installable and securable in an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in place of a vehicle battery;
• forming a bay within the base unit to removably secure a modular replaceable battery, the bay comprising:
• an electrical connector within the bay to electrically connect to a compatible electrical connector of the modular replaceable battery when the modular replaceable battery is inserted into a form-fit compatible bay;
• and
• an alignment mechanism to operatively orient the modular replaceable battery within the bay;
• installing a secondary battery within the base unit and configuring the secondary battery to provide power to at least a subset of electronic systems of the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is at least one of removed from the base unit or discharged;
• installing a start-disable switch to selectively enable or disable the secondary battery from being able to start the ICE vehicle when the modular replaceable battery is removed from the base unit;
• and
• implementing a current limiting component within the base unit configured to any one of limit charging current to the modular replaceable battery when the modular replaceable battery is in a depleted state to at least one of:
• protect an alternator of the ICE vehicle from a current draw and power output exceeding a predetermined operating limit of the alternator, or
• protect the modular replaceable battery by limiting the charging current to within a predefined operating limit of the modular replaceable battery.