Robot assisted modular battery interchanging system
AssigneeAmple, Inc.
InventorKhaled Hassounah
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and apparatus for a robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. A semi-autonomous portable robot is programmed to interchange depleted rechargeable batteries disposed in an electric or hybrid vehicle. Portable battery pod dispenses batteries to semi-autonomous portable robot for swap. Semi-autonomous portable robot uses navigational sensors to transport battery to predetermined position at the battery interchange location. Battery disposition and configuration data are wirelessly communicated by battery pod to semi-autonomous portable robot. Battery pod is also in electrical communication with vehicle for timely latching and unlatching of battery modules.
Claims12
A portable exchange robot for exchanging a modular battery unit from a modular battery in a vehicle, said modular battery comprising one or more modular battery units, said robot comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- a battery tray configured to hold at least one of said modular battery units;
- a lift in mechanical communication with said battery tray, said lift to raise and lower said battery tray;
- a motor in mechanical communication with said lift and in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said motor to raise and lower said lift;
- a plurality of wheels that propel said portable exchange robot;
- a navigation system in electrical communication with said microprocessor and at least one of said plurality of wheels to drive the dispensary robot between a modular battery dispensary and a vehicle;
- a wireless communication system operable to be in electrical communication with said modular battery dispensary and said vehicle;
- and
- a memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said memory storing instructions that cause:
- (i) positioning said robot under a depleted modular battery unit in said vehicle based, at least in part, on (a) an identity of said vehicle, (b) a distribution map of the modular battery unit or units, including said depleted modular battery unit, in said vehicle relative to a vehicle reference point, and (c) an identity of said depleted modular battery unit to be exchanged;
- (ii) unloading said depleted modular battery unit from said modular battery in said vehicle, said instructions for unloading said depleted modular battery unit comprising:
- (A) raising said battery tray to engage said depleted modular battery unit;
- (B) monitoring a weight on said battery tray during said raising, said weight sensed by a weight sensor on or proximal to said battery tray;
- (C) stopping said raising when said monitored weight reaches a threshold value;
- and
- (D) after said stopping, sending a message to said vehicle that said battery tray has engaged said depleted modular battery unit;
- and
- (iii) returning said depleted modular battery unit to said modular battery dispensary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.