FR2696139A1 - Traction battery exchange station for electrically driven automobiles - has chain conveyor delivery system from vertically stacked battery store to battery-changing pit under vehicle platform. - Google Patents

Abstract

Charged batteries, in standard trays, are mounted on vertical conveyors(1) running over pulleys(6) in a storage shed(2), and removed as required on trolleys(9), synchronised with the conveyors. The trolleys form a continuous train carried by a rail track(4) out of the shed into the pit below the exchange platform(3). The driver places the vehicle with one wheel on each of four inset turntables; alignment bars, thrusting against the wheels, then accurately position it. A hydraulic jack(5) lowers the old battery on to a free trolley, and raises the new one into the battery hold, to be secured by motor-driven support hooks. ADVANTAGE - Rapid turn-round, comparable to conventional refuelling at service stations.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for automatically delivering, recharging and interchanging sets of accumulators for electric cars.

 The development of the electric vehicle and its marketing come up against problems of autonomy and time to recharge the batteries. The purpose of the device is to remedy this situation, by means of an automated standard exchange solution, directly on the vehicle in service stations for continuous storage and recharging. The device represented in this description can be designed in many forms, in its storage, supply, models of conveyors, synchronization, transport and handling, transmissions, standards or type of detections, and only represents an option in a non-limiting preferential form.

 The device has the function of providing a passing motorist, in a time at least equivalent to a full of other types of energy used, a standard exchange of his energy reserve with a wide tolerance in the positioning accuracy of his vehicle.

 The device has for another characteristic, by incorporating in standard exchange all the mechanisms of connections and movable electrical contacts, to deliver a controlled assembly without maintenance for the user and to envisage at the level of the construction of the vehicle only the positioning of the points standard lashing fixtures, in the median front-rear axis for a lateral load balance logic.

 FIG. 1 represents the device according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 represents, the device in its part assigned to storage, handling and equipment for mechanical and electrical connections of standard exchanges #.

 Figure 3 shows, the device in its part assigned to the framing of the vehicle and location of the unit to be interchanged.

 Figure 4 shows, the device in its part assigned to the distribution and stowage under the vehicle.

 The device shown in Figure 1 consists of standard electric storage tanks (1), stored in a building (2) on vertical conveyors (6), whose rotation is synchronized with the passage of wagons (9) which circulate on a closed track circuit (4). The two curves of this circuit lead to 11 outside the building (2) under platforms (3) for centering and locating the unit to be replaced (1). By various electrical, hydraulic or electronic contacts, the wagon train undergoes a rotation equivalent to a set (1). the lashing device (5) reattaches the new unit and folds down. The free wagon (9) waits for the next set (1) to be replaced. the same operation occurs at the storage level. Control passages (7) for maintaining the device and replacing the defective elements are arranged between the storage (6). Battery recharging is permanent on wagons as in storage. The batteries are delivered in order of entry and charge level control.

 Figure 2 relates to the device in its storage and supply part of the standard exchanges (i) stowable on the hooks (15), actuated by the reduction motor (16), on the receiver (3) at the level of the chain conveyors (7) and on the receiver (2) to be installed on vehicles using the device. The reservoir (i) with accumulators (28) comprises a male terminal (24) for coupling with a female terminal (27) for the supply of the car engine, on the receiver box (2), the terminal also has its function by the network of cables (14) to indicate on the dashboard of the vehicle the energy level of the accumulators (28). The contactors (21) indicate to the lifting device via the control boxes (19) the correct positioning and the start of lashing.The contactor (22) stops the procedure and indicates by the box (19) to the lifting device its descent through the passage (25) of the wagon (9). The contactor (21) indicates via the cable harness (14) on an instrument panel indicator whether the lashing is correct. The wagons (9) linked together by the adjustable fasteners (II) are moved by the jack (5) on the rails (4) of the closed circuit. A contact (10) orders the control box (19) stowage on the storage receiving plate (3) via the contacts (18), of the elements (1). The wheels (6) of the storage conveyor simultaneously deposit at removal a loaded unit which in contact with the terminals (18) stops the movement of the transmission (12) on the cylinder (29) and indicates the unlocking of the assemblies (1) on the storage supports (3). At the same time, this operation corresponds to the installation on a vehicle of a unit loaded outside the building. The terminals (îo) which also ensure the charging function of the accumulators (28) on the wagon train (9) order this operation only in the case of a discharged element (1) on the wagon (9) and d '' an element (1) loaded at the level of storage. In the case of a very reduced distribution or the elements (i) have time to recharge on the wagons (9), in the other case an exchange will be made at level of another storage conveyor (7) with its units under full load. The contacts (20) charge and control the accumulators (28). The support bars (8) of the receivers (3) drive the chains (7) through the bores (23) of the drive wheels of the conveyor (6). The bearings (13) support this assembly as well as identical idlers in its upper part. The bars (17) self align the assemblies (1) on the wagon (9) and the reception cones (30). The bar code (26) allows the identification of assembly (1) at the time of its distribution and at the moment of its receipt, and may have the function of making it possible to prohibit in the case of theft of a vehicle, the supply of a new set (i), which will have the effect of immobilizing the vehicle.

 Figure 3 shows in a preferred form the receiving platform (3) of vehicles wishing to change their electric accumulators. it consists of four independent circular plates (1) on a support bearing (7). The driver positions the wheels of his vehicle on the plates (1) of large dimensions to compensate for an approximate alignment, relating to his driving or to the different inter-axes of construction.

Brakes (13) synchronized with the other elements of the device release the plates (1) after initiating the exchange procedure.

 The alignment bars (2) frame the vehicle by pressing on the inside of the wheels (11). The jack (5) disengages the two bars (2) of the platform (3) synchronized by the cable (8) and the mobile hauling (10) on a spring (9), up to a contact breaker (14).

Another operating interrupter (14) is installed on the opposite side in safety so as not to exceed the central axis of the plates (1). In contact with the side of the first wheel (11) encountered, the vehicle moves until its four wheels touch the two bars (2), this results in centering in its width relative to the hatch (22) released by the rest closures (12). In contact with the four wheels (11) the bars (2) produce an overpressure in the hydraulic circuit, which has the effect of starting the reduction motor (6) which drives the drive wheel (19) brought into contact with a plate (1 ) support of one of the rear wheels of the vehicle, by the jack (24). te second plate is driven in the same direction of rotation by a free wheel (16) in contact with the two discs, by a pressure of the cylinder (18). The safety valves (17) and (23) regulate the pressure of support of the two driving wheels (19) and (16) free. The rotation of the two rear plates drives the wheels of the vehicle and its movement, in the opposite direction to the rotation of the plates, by the friction of their sides on the framing bars (2). The closings (12) of the hatch (22) for the passage of standard exchanges follow the progress of the vehicle by friction through a light on the plates (1) and the pressure of the bars (2) on the sidewalls of the tires (11) , with limit switch contacts which reverse the rotation of the rear discs (1) at the motor (6). The electronic cells (20) identify the interchangeable units. Several types of electronic identification being available, photoselectric, infrared, laser, the choice of deflectors to be installed on standard exchanges will depend on technical reasons of standardization and cost price. After locating the interchangeable units, brakes (13) block the plates (1) two by two. The lights (4) in the platforms (3) allow the movement of the fixings of the framing bars (2) on the sliding parts (15). The plates (12) are automatically returned to the center of the platform (3) by springs (25) when the pressure of the bars (2) is no longer exerted on the flanks of the wheels (11). The spring (9) also has the function of returning one of the bars (2) to its waiting position, embedded in the platform (3). The choice of friction transmissions to obtain a potential for slip and movement of the jacks (5) compensable by the movement of the pulley (10) on the spring (9), is deliberate for safety reasons.

 FIG. 4 represents the device in its part for removing the standard exchanges discharged, and replacing a unit under full charge. A standard exchange train runs on the rails (5) to supply the framing platforms (4), by movement of the bars (3), disks (i) and plates (2) for closing the passage passage hatches. the interchangeable unit and the securing plate (7) on the lifting cylinder (6) fitted with an anti-revolving guide (9). The cells (8) locate the positioning of the standard exchange electronically and read the computer code of the units. A safety light or automatic barriers can be installed at the level of the platform (4).

 At the current level of technological advancement of electric accumulators, the device is more particularly intended for urban use.

Claims (5)

 1) Automatic service station device for electric vehicles, characterized in that it interchanges standard sets of discharged electric accumulators (1) against recharged units, directly on passing vehicles.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises on its assemblies (1) interchangeable all the equipment and mechanisms of connections and mobile electrical contacts.  3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed so as to accept to deliver assemblies (1) to vehicles with very different wheel centers and to tolerate on platforms (3 ) of framing and identification of standard exchanges (1), an approximate positioning relating to the piloting of the driver.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functions of storage, electric charge, movement of the wagons (9) are synchronized with the distribution at the level of the platforms (3).  5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platforms (3) comprise four independent plates (1) for the alignment of the vehicle.