Semi-automatic station for exchanging the traction battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle

A method allowing an operator to remove a discharged traction battery from an electric or hybrid vehicle and to put it on charge, the method comprising:

• a step of access by the vehicle to lifting means allowing raising or lowering of said vehicle, said lifting means being arranged in a pit;
• a step of immobilizing the vehicle on the vehicle-lifting means in a reference position in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in a reference position in relation to the transverse direction of the vehicle;
• a step of lowering the vehicle by the lifting means so as to bring the vehicle into cooperation with the means for immobilizing the vehicle in a reference position in relation to the vertical direction;
• a step of raising, by lifting means, the means for unlocking the discharged battery;
• a step of unlocking the discharged battery by the unlocking means;
• the method further comprising:
• a step of lowering, by the lifting means, to a height substantially level with the top of the pit, the means for unlocking the discharged battery when said unlocking means are supporting said battery;
• a step of transporting the discharged battery using handling means by the operator between the top of the pit and a charging zone.

A method allowing an operator to install a recharged traction battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle, the method comprising:

• a step of transporting the recharged battery WO between a charging zone and a pit in which lifting means are arranged allowing raising and lowering of the vehicle;
• a step of raising, by the lifting means also arranged in the pit:
• the means for locking the recharged battery, these means also being arranged in the pit;
• and
• said battery;
• a step of locking the recharged battery by the locking means;
• a step of lowering the locking means by the lifting means;
• a step of raising the vehicle by the lifting means so as to release the vehicle from the means for immobilizing said vehicle in a reference position in relation to the vertical direction;
• a step of evacuation by the vehicle from the lifting means;
• wherein the step of transporting the battery is carried out using handling means by the operator so as to transport the battery substantially above the pit.