WO2011001073A1

WO2011001073A1 - Removable container exchange device for electric vehicle electric battery, associated removable container, associated electric vehicle and associated removable container exchange station

Info

Publication number: WO2011001073A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/051298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yves Quemeneur
Original assignee: Yves Quemeneur
Priority date: 2009-07-02
Filing date: 2010-06-24
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: WO2011001067A2; FR2947503B1; FR2947503A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable container exchange device for the electric battery of an electric vehicle, capable of removing a used removable container (24), placed in a housing (23) of an electric vehicle (19), and of introducing into said housing (23) an unused removable container (27), stored in a housing (27a) of a removable container storage tower (21), characterized in that said device comprises a frame (1), a platform (16) capable of sequentially accepting removable containers (24), means for moving the platform (16) in space, means for locating the platform (16) with respect to the housing in the electric vehicle, and a control unit capable of moving the platform (16) in order to position it and keep it in a retracted position, a storage position, a recovery position, and a position for introducing a removable container (24). The invention also relates to a removable container, an electric vehicle, and a removable container exchange station which are associated with the exchange device.

Description

REMOVABLE CONTAINER EXCHANGE DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE ELECTRIC BATTERY, ASSOCIATED REMOVABLE CONTAINER, ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC VEHICLE, AND REMOVABLE CONTAINER EXCHANGE STATION THEREFOR

The present invention relates to the field of electric vehicles and more particularly electric vehicle batteries.

More particularly, the invention relates to a removable container exchange device for an electric vehicle electric battery, on such a removable container, on an electric vehicle comprising such a removable container and on a station for the exchange of such removable containers.

Electric vehicle electric batteries presently have two shortcomings that have limited the development of the use of electric vehicles, despite the environmental and economic advantages they present.

The first of these is the time needed to recharge an empty battery, which is several hours, while it is only a few minutes for a fuel tank.

The second fault is the power density or volume of the electric batteries, which remains low compared to that of a fuel tank. This greatly limits the autonomy of the electric vehicle, that is to say the distance it can travel with an initially full electric battery.

To overcome this lack of autonomy, it has been proposed to dispose one or more electric batteries in a removable container which is in turn assembled from detachably in a housing provided in an electric car so as to supply electricity to the electric vehicle, as disclosed in US patent application US5301765 A.

When the electric battery (s) are empty, the removable container may be replaced by another removable container, containing one or more recharged batteries, at service stations provided for this purpose along the roads or in built-up areas.

Such an exchange is long and tedious because of the large weight of the removable container and requires the manual intervention of the user. This can be dangerous for the user because he has to handle a heavy load.

This manipulation is also made particularly difficult by the change of attitude of the car caused by the transfer of the removable container.

The Applicant has sought a solution to these various problems and offers a removable container exchange device for a quick exchange and does not require the manipulation of the removable container by the user, thus ensuring its safety.

The removable container exchange device according to the present invention also has the advantage of taking into account the change of attitude of the vehicle during the transfer of a removable container.

The present invention therefore relates to a removable container exchange device for an electric vehicle electric battery, able to remove a used removable container, placed in a housing of an electric vehicle, and to introduce into said housing a non removable container. used, stored in a dwelling a removable container storage tower, characterized in that it comprises:

a building;

a plate carried by the frame, having a sliding portion and a fixed portion, and adapted to receive sequentially the removable container used removed from the vehicle, and the unused removable container to be introduced into the vehicle;

means for moving the tray in space; - Means for locating the tray relative to the housing of the electric vehicle; and

a computer which is connected to the tray locating means so that the latter are able to communicate to the computer the position of the plate relative to the housing of the electric vehicle, and connected to the tray moving means so that they are able to be controlled by the computer to position and hold the tray in a retracted position, in which the removable container used can be removed from the housing to be placed on the tray, a storage position, in which the removable container used can transferred from the tray to a housing of the storage tower, a retrieval position, in which an unused removable container can be transferred from a storage tower housing to the tray, and an insertion position, in which the Removable container not used can be introduced into the housing of the electric vehicle.

The direction / axis of introduction of the container into the housing from the tray or the direction / axis of withdrawal of the container from the housing to the tray corresponds, in the application, to the direction / axis of transfer of the container between the tray and the housing, when the exchange device is in position relative to the vehicle to transfer a container between the tray and the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the plate has a longitudinal direction, this direction / axis corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the plate.

The tray locating means may comprise at least one pair of laser targets, wherein the or each pair of laser targets is constituted by a laser target forward carried by the front end of the fixed portion and a rear laser target carried by the rear portion of the fixed part, each laser target having a reference point, said reference points of the front laser target and the rear laser target constituting the or each pair defining a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate.

The front laser target (s) may be able to pass a laser beam touching them, and the rear laser target (s) may be able to block a laser beam from touching them.

The tray moving means may comprise a linkage arm carried by the frame and carrying the plate, which connecting arm is adapted, on the control of the computer, to move, by its displacement, the plate in translation and in rotation respectively following the vertical axis and the transverse axis of the removable container exchange device.

The link arm may comprise means arranged to rotate the plate about the vertical axis of the plate and the transverse axis of the plate. The displacement of the plate along the longitudinal axis of the removable container exchange device can be obtained by moving the frame, in particular by translation of a single piece of the frame along the longitudinal axis or by pivoting the frame about the axis cross section of the removable container exchange device.

The sliding portion of the tray may be adapted to extend on command of the computer.

According to a first particular embodiment, the plate comprises at least one rack extending on the upper face of the sliding portion of the plate.

According to a second particular embodiment, the plate carries, on one of its longitudinal sides, a tube extending along the length of the plate and having a slot, in which tube passes a chain forming a loop and connected to two geared motors. , each geared motor being able to move the chain in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the plate, a thrust piston being disposed in the tube and secured to the chain so as to translate inside the tube, the thrust piston having a push arm extending outside the tube through the slot so as to be selectively connected to a removable container.

The present invention also relates to a removable container for electric vehicle electric battery, intended to be received, in the use position, in a housing of an electric vehicle or, in a storage position, in a housing of a tower of storage, and arranged to cooperate with the removable container exchange device as defined above, the removable container being characterized in that it comprises: a box adapted to receive one or more electric batteries;

electrical connection means arranged to connect, in the use position, to electrical connection means carried by the housing of the electric vehicle to supply electrical energy to the electric vehicle, and also arranged to connect, in position of storage, electrical connection means carried by the housing of the storage tower to charge the removable battery (s) received in the removable container; and means for moving said removable container autonomously.

According to a particular embodiment, in which the removable container is arranged to cooperate with the removable container exchange device according to the first particular embodiment described above, said autonomous displacement means of the removable container comprise one or more wheels. toothed adapted to mesh one or more racks disposed in the housing of the electric vehicle, the rack or racks and a rack or racks disposed in the housing of the storage tower, which toothed wheels being adapted to be rotated by a geared motor powered by the battery (s) received in said removable container and controlled by the computer.

According to another particular embodiment, in which the removable container is arranged to cooperate with the removable container exchange device according to the second particular embodiment described above, said autonomous displacement means of the removable container comprise suitable wheels. to roll in the housing and on the tray, a slot made on the face side of the removable container corresponding to the side of the tray where is placed the tube, which slot opens on the front of the removable container facing outwardly of the housing, and a locking member adapted to block the push arm when the latter is received in said slot of the removable container.

The present invention also relates to an electric vehicle, comprising a housing arranged to receive a removable container as described above, said electric vehicle being adapted to cooperate with a removable container exchange device as described above, characterized in that it comprises means capable of cooperating with the plate locating means of the removable container exchange device, said cooperation means including in particular at least one laser emitter capable of emitting a laser beam whose direction is parallel in the longitudinal direction of the housing of the electric vehicle, the laser emitter (s) being positioned relative to the housing so that, in the removable container exchange position, the laser beam (s) pass through the reference points of the laser targets front and rear.

The present invention also relates to a removable container exchange station as described above, characterized in that it comprises:

a removable container exchange device as described above;

a storage tower capable of storing one or more removable containers mentioned above;

- A positioning means of an electric vehicle as described above, this means being in particular constituted by a gutter adapted to receive the front or rear wheels of the electric vehicle. The removable container exchange station may include:

a rail disposed in a trench made in the ground along the longitudinal axis of the removable container exchange device, and adapted to support and guide the frame;

a bar carrying a rack adapted to cooperate with the frame so as to allow the translational drive of the frame along the longitudinal axis of the removable container exchange device.

To better illustrate the subject of the present invention, particular embodiments will be described below with reference to the appended drawing.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is an overview of the removable container exchange device for an electric vehicle electric battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the components of the link arm of the device shown in Figure 1; FIG. 3 is an overall view of the removable container exchange device for electric vehicle electric battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a view of the AA sectional removable container exchange station of Figure 1, showing the removable container exchange device in use, a removable container. being being introduced into an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that the removable container exchange device for an electric battery according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 1 comprising two vertical beams 2 a whose upper parts are connected by a horizontal beam 2b. In this embodiment of the invention, the horizontal beam 2b is connected to the upper portions of the vertical beams 2a in a fixed manner by means of any suitable connection, for example by screws.

A reference (X, Y, Z) associated with the removable container exchange device is defined, the X axis, the axis

Y and the Z axis respectively corresponding to the transverse, longitudinal and vertical directions of the removable container exchange device.

The lower part of each vertical beam 2a has a groove 2c passing through the lower part from one side, the longitudinal directions of the grooves

2c being aligned along the axis Y. A wheel 3 is mounted in each groove 2c via an axis 4 so as to be rotatable about this axis 4. Each wheel 3 comes to rest on a lower rail 5 disposed in a trench 6 practiced in the ground.

The inner faces of each groove 2c extend so as to allow the guide of the associated vertical beam 2a on the lower rail 5.

A through hole 2d is made along the axis

Y in each upper part of the vertical beams 2a. A 2nd through hole is made in the horizontal beam 2b also along the Y axis. The horizontal beam 2b is joined to the vertical beams 2a so that the through holes 2d, 2e are aligned. This alignment of the through holes 2d, 2e allows a bar carrying a rack 7 to pass through the upper portions of the vertical beams 2a and the horizontal beam 2e.

A geared motor 8 is mounted integral with the horizontal beam 2b. The geared motor 8 is arranged in such a way that its output shaft 8a rotates a toothed wheel 9 meshing with the rack 7. The connection between the output shaft 8a and the toothed wheel 9 can be done via a angular gear in the case where the axis of the output shaft 8a is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel 9, as in the case shown in Figure 1.

Thus, the frame 1 is able to move in translation along the axis Y, by the rotation of the toothed wheel 9, while driving on and being guided by the lower rail 5.

In addition, it can be seen in Figure 1 that each vertical beam 2a is hollow in a major part of it and has a vertical opening 2f.

Each vertical beam 2a contains a worm 10 driven in rotation along the Z axis by a geared motor 11.

The removable container exchange device also comprises a link arm 12, shown in FIG.

Figure 2 in exploded view, which is positioned between the two vertical beams 2a, as can be seen in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, it can be seen that link arm 12 includes a block central 12a, of rectangular shape, whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the Y axis.

The central block 12a comprises, on each longitudinal end face thereof, a T-shaped connecting element 12b, the upper bar of the T extending along the longitudinal axis X.

The link arm 12 further comprises two lateral blocks 12c disposed on each side of the central block 12a. Each lateral block 12c consists of a hollow parallelepiped box whose facing face, in the assembled position of the connecting arm 12, of the longitudinal end face of the central block 12a, has an opening 12d allowing the connecting element 12b to be received in the lateral block 12c.

A horizontal lumen 12e is made on two opposite sides of the hollow box so that each end of the upper bar of the T formed by the connecting member 12b protrudes out of the hollow box through a light 12e.

Part 12f projects outwardly from the face opposite to the face of the hollow box in which the opening 12d is made. A threaded through hole 12g is made, along the Z axis, in each portion 12f of each side block 12c.

In addition, a geared motor 13 is connected to the connecting block 12 so as to be integral with the latter. The output shaft 13a of the gearmotor 13 drives a drive shaft 14 in rotation along the vertical axis W, which drive shaft 14 extends through an orifice 12h, made on the upper face of the central block 12a, to protrude out of the latter.

The transmission of the rotation of the output shaft 13a to the drive shaft 14 is effected by via a bevel gear in the case where these two shafts are not parallel, as in the case shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the connecting arm 12 supports a plate 16 intended to receive an empty electric battery extracted from an electric vehicle and to introduce an electric battery charged into said vehicle. electric.

A mark (U, V, W) associated with the plate 16 and with the link arm 12 is defined, the U axis and the V axis respectively corresponding to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the plate 16, the W axis being perpendicular to the plane generated by the U axis and the V axis.

When the connecting arm 12 is in position mounted on the frame 1, the projecting portion 12f of each side block 12c is received in the corresponding hollow vertical beam 12a, and the worm 10 passes through the threaded through hole 12g of way to form with the latter a screw-nut connection. Thus, the rotation of the worm screw 10, controlled by the geared motor 11, makes it possible to move the lateral block 12c along the vertical axis Z.

The lateral blocks 12c are movable independently of each other without risking a break of the connecting arm 12. Indeed, the connecting element 12c can move in the light 12e, which allows the lateral blocks 12c not to be found at the same height, and this in a certain limit which remains low in view of the size of the frame 1.

It can also be seen that a support block 15 is disposed on the upper face of the link arm 12 and is secured to the drive shaft 14, for example by means of a key connection (not shown). In this way, the rotation of the tree drive 14, controlled by the geared motor 13, causes the rotation of the support block 15 along the axis W.

The plate 16 is connected to the support block 15 so as to be pivotable relative thereto, via an axis (not shown) rotatable in the support block 15 and passing through two through holes made in two ears 16e carried by the plate 16. This axis is made integral with the ears 16e.

One of the ears 16e carries a toothed sector 16f which meshes with a pinion driven in rotation by a geared motor 15a. The plate 16 can thus pivot relative to the support block 15 along the axis V, this pivoting being controlled by a geared motor 15a.

The plate 16 can also rotate 360 degrees along the axis W by its connection to the support block 15.

The plate 16 is rectangular in shape and consists of a fixed part 16b and a sliding part 16a supported on the fixed part 16b by bearings. The sliding portion 16a has at least one rack 17 on its upper face.

A pinion 16c is rotated by a geared motor 16d integral with the fixed portion 16b, and meshes with a rack 16g carried by the lower face of the sliding portion 16a. Thus, the rotation of the pinion 16c drives in translation the sliding portion 16a which then slides relative to the fixed part 16b so as to extend out of the latter.

Alternatively, a linear motor is arranged on the fixed part 16b so as to slide on the rollers the movable part 16a relative to the fixed part 16b. In this case, it is not necessary to gearmotor 16d and the pinion 16c and the movable portion 16a does not carry rack on its underside.

The front end of the fixed part 16b carries a laser target before 18a and the rear end of the fixed part 16b carries a rear laser target 18b, these laser targets 18a, 18b being connected to the fixed part 16b so as to allow the sliding part 16a to slide on the fixed part 16b and to leave a space allowing the passage of a removable container for electric battery 24 according to the invention.

The laser target before 18a is semi-transparent so as to pass a laser beam. The rear laser target 18b is opaque so as not to let a laser beam pass.

Each laser target 18a, 18b has a reference point 18c and the laser targets 18a, 18b are arranged such that the line B connecting said reference points 18c is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plate 16 and at a known distance from the bottom of the board 16.

Laser targets are connected to a calculator

(not shown) so as to be able to communicate to the latter the coordinates of the point of impact of a laser beam striking them.

The computer is able to control the various geared motors 8, 11, 13 and 15a, thus controlling the displacement of the plate 16 in the space. The computer is also able to control the geared motor 16d so as to control the displacement of the sliding portion 16a.

It can therefore be seen that, due to the structure of the removable container exchange device according to the present invention, the plate 16 can be moved along four axes: Displacement in translation along the Y axis corresponding to the displacement of the frame 1 controlled by the geared motor 8;

• rotation along the axis W, controlled by the geared motor 13;

• rotation along the axis V, controlled by the geared motor 15a.

• rotation along the axis U, by the independent displacement of the lateral blocks 12c.

The fact that a trench 6 is practiced in the ground allows the plate 16 to come to the ground level.

Referring now to Figure 4, showing a removable container exchange station according to the present invention, it can be seen that when the electric battery, received in a removable container for electric battery according to the invention, is empty and it is necessary to replace it with a charged electric battery, the driver comes to place the electric car 19 according to the present invention in a position where the rear wheels 20 of the car 19 are received in a gutter 21 provided for this purpose .

A movable flap 22 may be placed in front of the gutter 21 so as to be deployed in a position allowing the rear wheels 20 to be locked when they are placed in the gutter 21. Thus, the electric car 19 can not move during the replacement of the removable container for electric battery according to the present invention.

Stops 28 are also provided to prevent a vehicle from impinging on the removable container exchange device. The electric car 19 according to the present invention comprises a housing 23 located in the rear part of the vehicle 19. This housing 23 is adapted to receive, on its lower surface, a removable container for electric battery 24 according to the present invention, and comprises in particular electrical connection means (not shown) necessary for an electrical connection between the electric vehicle 19 and the removable container 24.

The housing 23 also comprises at least one rack (not shown) on its lower surface, and the longitudinal direction of the housing 23 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the electric car 19.

A door 25 is connected to the electric vehicle 19 so as to close and open the housing 23. The door 25 is, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, connected to the electric vehicle 19 by a hinge so as to open or close the housing 23 by pivoting about the axis of the hinge.

The removable container for electric battery 24 according to the present invention has the shape of a parallelepiped box and is adapted to receive one or more electric batteries known in the art. The container 24 has means for electrically connecting the container 24 to the electrical connection means of the housing 23, the battery or batteries received in the removable container 24 being electrically connected to the electrical connection means of the container 24.

Thus, when the removable container 24 is in the position of use in the housing 23, the electric battery or batteries received in the removable container 24 are electrically connected to the electric vehicle 19 of to provide the latter with the electrical energy necessary for its operation.

The removable container 24 also carries one or more toothed wheels (not shown) which engage the rack or racks of the housing 23 and are rotated by a geared motor (not shown) supplied with electricity by the electric battery or batteries received in the removable container. 24. This geared motor is controlled by a radio signal emitted by the computer.

The electric vehicle 19 according to the invention also comprises at least one laser emitter 26 capable of emitting a laser beam whose direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 23. The laser emitter 26 is positioned relative to the housing 23 so that that the laser beam passes through the two reference points of the front and rear laser targets 18a, 18b when the plate 16 is in a removable container exchange position, in which the lower surface of the housing 23 is in the extension of the plate 16 so that the rack or racks of the housing 23 and the rack or racks 17 of the plate 16 are aligned.

The computer detects, for example by a contact sensor on the gutter, the arrival of the electric car 19 in the removable container exchange position, the rear wheels 19 in the gutter 21, blocked if necessary by the movable flap 22. The computer then causes the removable container exchange device described above to be placed in a reference position, in which it is located horizontally at an average height and in the axis perpendicular to the gutter. 21.

The front and rear laser targets 18a, 18b then communicate to the computer information, for example For example, the intensity allows the laser to calculate the coordinates of the laser beam impact points on the front and rear laser targets 18a, 18b and to determine distances from the reference point.

An example of a series of operations performed by the computer to position the plate 16 in the container removal position, from the reference position, is: the computer calculates the coordinates v _a and v _b , along the axis V, of the impact points on the laser targets respectively before 18a and rear 18b;

The computer controls the geared motor 8 so as to move the frame 1 by the distance d1 = (v _a + v _b ) / 2, so that the points of impact lie on each side of the plane comprising the line B and generated by the axes U and W, and at the same distance from this plane along the axis V;

The computer calculates the angle α between the axis U of the plate 16 and the projection of the laser beam on the plane generated by the axes U and V;

The computer controls the geared motor 13 to turn the plate 16 of the angle α along the axis W, the laser beam then belonging to the plane generated by the axes U and W;

The computer calculates the angle β between the laser beam and the U axis of the plate 16;

The computer controls the geared motor 15a so as to rotate the angle β between the plate 16 along the axis V so that the laser beam and the axis U are parallel, the points of impact on the laser targets 18a , 18b then being at the same distance along the Z axis; The computer calculates the distance d2, along the Z axis, between the impact points and the reference points of the laser targets 18a, 18b;

The computer controls the electric geared motors 11 so as to vertically move the plate 16 by the distance d2, the points of impact of the laser beam on the front and rear laser targets 18a, 18b then corresponding to the reference points of said laser targets 18a, 18b.

Once the plate 16 is in the removable container exchange position, the computer controls the geared motor 16d so as to extend the sliding portion 16a until it comes into contact with the opening end of the housing 23. The rack or racks of the housing 23 and the rack or racks 17 of the plate 16 are then in the extension of each other so as to form continuous racks.

It should be noted that the length of the rack carried by the lower face of the sliding part 16a is equal to the difference allowed between the longest and the shortest overhang of the vehicles, plus a safety distance.

The contact is detected by a contact sensor (not shown) disposed on the sliding portion 16a.

The removable container 24 then moves automatically from the housing to the plate 16, by the rotation of the toothed wheels (not shown) carried by the removable container 24 and meshing with the racks of the housing 23 and the racks of the plate 16.

The container 24 stops when it is entirely on the sliding portion 16a, then the computer controls the geared motor 16d to make return the sliding portion 16a in the fixed portion 16b by sliding.

The computer then causes the plate 16 to return to the reference position and rotates along the axis W, which then corresponds to the Z axis, so as to cause the sliding portion 16b to be directed to a storage tower 27 The storage tower 27 comprises housings 27a, which housings 27a are able to receive the removable container 24 and have electrical connection means making it possible to connect the removable container 24, in which discharged electric batteries are received, to the electrical network in order to to recharge the electric batteries.

The housings 27a comprise in particular racks (not shown) on their lower surfaces.

Since the positions of the housings 27a are fixed in space, the computer knows their coordinates, which can be defined at the calibration of the removable container exchange device when it is installed in the service station, and no laser positioning system is necessary.

The computer moves the plate 16 in space, by rotation of the plate 16 and translations of the frame 1 and the connecting arm 12, to bring it into a position where the rack or racks 17 of the movable part 16a are located in the extension of the rack or racks of a housing 27a which was previously determined by the computer as empty.

The sliding part 16a of the plate 16 is then made to extend to come into contact with the housing 27a so that the rack or racks of the housing 27a and the rack or racks 17 of the sliding part 16a are in the extension of each other so as to form one or more continuous racks.

The removable container 24 then moves automatically from the plate 16 to the housing 27a until it comes to the storage position, in which the electrical connection means of the removable container 24 come to connect to the electrical connection means of the housing 27a in order to recharge the or the electric batteries discharged from the removable container 24.

The computer then moves the removable container exchange device to bring it to a retrieval position of a removable container 24, containing one or more charged batteries, located in another housing 27a, and causes this removable container 24 to come on the plate 16 in a manner similar to that described above for the transfer of a removable container 24 containing one or more batteries discharged from the plate 16 to a housing 27a.

The computer then rotates the plate 16 about the axis W so as to cause the sliding portion 16a to be on the car side of the removable container removal / introduction device.

The computer then performs the same operations described above for the positioning of the plate 16 for the removal of a removable container from a vehicle 19. Alternatively, the computer maintains the coordinates of the plate 16 in the space when is in the removal position of the removable container, and controls the electric geared motors 8, 11, 13 and 15a to position the plate 16 in the correct position.

When the plate 16 is in the position of introduction of removable container, with the sliding portion 16a extending to come into contact with the electric vehicle 19, the removable container 24 moves automatically to be placed in the housing 23, the electrical connection means of the removable container 24 connecting to the electrical connection means of the housing 23 to supply electricity to the electric vehicle 19.

Once the removable container 24 is in this position of use, the door 25 closes the housing and, where appropriate, the movable flap 22 is retracted into the ground to release the rear wheels 20 of the electric vehicle 19.

The electric vehicle 19 has been equipped with a new removable container for electric battery for the electric vehicle 19 to operate.

The electric vehicle 19 is furthermore capable of continuously transmitting the laser beam or beams so that the computer can determine any displacement of the housing 23 with respect to the plate 16 when a removable container is transferred from the housing 23 to the plate 16 or vice versa .

Indeed, the removable container 24 has a certain weight and its removal from the housing 23 may cause a gradual change of attitude of the housing 23, an elevation of the housing 23 in the case of removal of a removable container. Similarly, the housing 23 decreases progressively as a removable container 24 is introduced into it.

The computer can therefore calculate in real time the deviation of the laser beam from the reference points 18c and control the displacement of the plate 16 so as to maintain the different racks in a position such that they are aligned to allow the transfer of the container removable 24. It is understood that the housing 23 can be located in the front part of the electric vehicle 19, in which case the laser transmitter or 26 are at the front and it is the front wheels of the vehicle that the driver comes to place in the gutter 21.

In another embodiment not shown, the fixed part 16b comprises a pair of targets before 18a and a pair of rear targets 18b, the targets of a pair of targets being spaced in the transverse direction of the plate 16. This embodiment allows to take into account the lack of horizontality of the lower surface of the housing 23 of the electric vehicle 19.

In this case, the electric vehicle 19 is equipped with two laser emitters 26 which emit two parallel laser beams and are arranged in such a way that, in the removable container exchange position of the removable container exchange device, the points d The impact of each emitted laser beam corresponds to the reference points of each laser target 18a, 18b.

The computer then performs the same steps as before, by calculating the different angles and distances from the coordinates of the four points of impact of the two laser beams on the four laser targets 18a, 18b.

However, before carrying out these various calculation operations, the computer firstly determines whether the vehicle is horizontal, by calculating the angle Y between the axis V and the direction connecting each point of impact of the vehicles. laser beams on two laser targets belonging to the same pair of laser targets, which angle Y corresponds to the horizontal defect of the lower surface of the housing 23. In fact, if this angle γ is not zero, this means that the coordinates , following the axis W, of the two points of impact on the laser targets 18a or 18b, are different.

In the case where the vehicle is not horizontal, the computer controls each gear motor 11 so as to move each lateral block 12c independently of one another to rotate the plate 16 of the angle Y relative to to the X axis, so as to bring the four laser beam impact point on the four laser targets 18a, 18b to correspond to the four reference points of the latter. Preferably, the geared motor 11 corresponding to the side block 12c which is to be mounted is controlled, rather than the one corresponding to the lateral block 12c which is to descend.

This makes it possible to position the plate 16 in the extension of the lower surface of the housing 23 so that the racks of the housing 23 and the racks 17 of the plate 16 are aligned.

It is also possible, instead of using a connecting arm 12 as described above, which can be inclined with respect to the Y axis, to use a connecting arm made in one piece. The lateral blocks of such a connecting arm are then secured to the central block, which does not allow independent movement of the two side blocks without risk of rupture of the connecting arm. This connecting arm has the advantage of greater simplicity of construction, the connecting elements and the horizontal lights being omitted.

In such a case, the lack of horizontality of the lower surface of the housing 23 is corrected, not by the removable container exchange device according to the present invention, but by mounting the gutter 21 on two vertical cylinders spaced following Y direction, to lift one or other of the ends of the gutter 19, or both ends. Thus, the computer determines, as mentioned above, the angle Y between the axis V and the direction connecting each point of impact of the laser beams on two laser targets belonging to the same pair of laser targets, then controls the cylinders to rotate the gutter of this angle γ.

It should be noted that the gutter with jacks can be used together with a link arm 12 as described above, namely a connecting arm which can be inclined relative to the Y axis by displacement of the side blocks 12c independently one of the other.

Referring now to Figure 3, it can be seen that there is shown another embodiment of the removable container exchange device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment described above. in that the frame 1 does not rest on a lower rail 5, but on a mobile carriage of known type and not shown.

Thus, the upper parts of the beams 2a do not have through holes 2d and the upper beam 2b does not have a through hole 2e, since it is not expected to have a bar carrying a rack 7. Indeed, the displacement of the frame 1 is done by a rack and pinion system, but by the movement of the movable carriage.

Nevertheless, it is necessary that the plate 16 can move at least a small distance along the Y axis so that it can be placed in the container exchange position when the carriage is attached.

For this purpose, the beams 2a are assembled to the movable carriage by means of fixed bearings 2g so that they can pivot along the axis X. The upper beam 2b is assembled to the upper parts beams 2a so as to form, with the beams 2a and the movable carriage, a deformable parallelogram. Thus, the computer controls the pivoting of the beams 2a to move the plate 16 along the Y axis by means of a toothed sector 2h, integral with one of the beams 2a, rotated by a geared motor 2i.

The plate 16 is therefore also movable along 4 axes in this embodiment of the removable container exchange device.

This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring the provision of structural elements, such as the lower rail 5, the bar carrying the rack 7, and the realization of a trench in the ground. It thus makes it possible to use the exchange device of the invention in existing service stations, to which only a storage tower 27 must be added.

It can also be seen in Figure 3 that the plate 16 carries a removable container drive assembly 28, including a chain 29, a tube 30, a thrust piston 31 and two geared motors 32. This drive assembly 28 replaces the combination formed by the rack or racks 17 carried by the movable part 16a and the toothed wheel or wheels of the container 24 which mesh one or more racks of the housing 23, this combination allowing the container 24 to move on command of the computer 24.

The removable container moving means constituted by this drive assembly 28 may also be used in the embodiment of the container exchange device described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

It is understood that the exchange device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. also use the combination principle of racks described above instead of this removable container drive assembly 28.

The tube 30 is disposed on one side of the plate 16 so as to extend along a length of the sliding portion 16a. The tube 30 also has a slot made over most of the length of the tube 30.

The chain 29 passes through the tube 30 and forms a loop returning from below. This loop is defined using rollers 33, and the chain is tensioned by a tensioner roller.

The thrust piston 31 is integral with the chain 29 and carries a thrust arm 31a which extends out of the tube 30 through the slot and extends, along the longitudinal axis U of the plate 16, over a length corresponding to the extension length of the sliding portion 16a. The free end of the thrust arm 31a forms a bend at right angles to the inside of the plate 16.

Each geared motor 32 is able to move the chain 29 in a direction opposite to that of the other geared motor 32, so that the thrust piston 31 can move back and forth in the tube 30.

When the plate 16 carries this drive assembly 28 in place of the rack or racks 17, the removable container 24 does not have gears, but wheels for rolling on the housing 23a and the moving part 16b, and a slot is formed on the lateral face corresponding to the side of the plate where the tube 30 is placed, which slot opens out on the front face of the removable container 24 turned towards the outside of the housing 23. Once the tray 16 is placed in the removable container removal position, by the same method as described above, and the sliding portion 16a is in the extended position in contact with the electric car 19, one of the geared motors 32 moves the chain 29 so as to cause the thrust piston 31 to move in the split tube 30 in the direction of the removable container 24, until it comes to a latching position, in which the free end of the arm thrust 31a is received in the slot of the removable container 24.

A locking member, for example in the form of a cylinder actuated by an electromagnet, is provided in the removable container 24 so as to extend into the slot of the removable container 24 when the free end of the arm of thrust 31a is in the attachment position.

The arrival of the free end in the attachment position is detected for example by a microswitch and the actuation of the locking member is controlled by the computer.

Once the thrust piston 31 is in the locked position, the other geared motor 32 moves the chain 29 in the other direction so as to return the removable container 24 entirely on the sliding portion 16a.

The displacement of the plate 16 is then controlled by the computer in the same manner described above in the case of the use of a combination of rack-gear wheels on removable container. When the unloaded removable container 24 is in the storage position, the locking member releases the free end of the thrust arm 31a and the thrust piston 31 is brought back to the plate 16 by the movement of the chain 29. Once the plate 16 is in the recovery position, the thrust piston 31 is caused to move so that the free end is in the slot of a loaded removable container 24 which is located in a housing 27a. . The corresponding locking member is then actuated and the thrust piston 31 can return the loaded removable content 24 to the movable portion 16a.

When the plate 16 is in the insertion position, the thrust piston 31, whose free end is still locked in the slot of the loaded removable container 24, moves to push the loaded removable container 24 into the housing 23 At the arrival of the loaded removable container 24 in the position of use, the locking member releases the free end and the thrust piston 31 is returned to its initial position.

The use of the removable container drive assembly 28 has the advantage of making it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, since it is no longer necessary to provide racks in the housing 23, on the sliding part 16a. and in all dwellings 27a. Indeed, a single drive unit 28 is sufficient for removable container exchange device or service station.

It is understood that the embodiments which have been described above have been given as an indication and not limitation and that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1 - Removable container exchange device for an electric vehicle electric battery, adapted to remove a used removable container (24), placed in a housing (23) of an electric vehicle (19), and to be inserted into said housing ( 23) an unused removable container (24) stored in a housing (27a) of a removable container storage tower (27), characterized in that it comprises:

a frame (1);

a plate (16) carried by the frame (1), comprising a sliding part (16a) and a fixed part (16b), and able to sequentially receive the used removable container (24) removed from the vehicle, and then the removable container unused (24) to be introduced into the vehicle;

means for moving the tray (16) into space;

- Means for locating the plate (16) relative to the housing (23) of the electric vehicle (19); and a computer which is connected to the location means of the plate (16) so that the latter are able to communicate to the computer the position of the plate (16) relative to the housing (23) of the electric vehicle (19), and connected to the tray moving means (16) such that they are controllable by the computer to position and hold the tray (16) in a retracted position, in which the used removable container (24) can be removed housing (23) to be placed on the tray (16), a storage position, in which the removable container used (24) can be transferred from the tray (16) to a housing (27a) of the storage tower (27), a retrieval position, in which an unused removable container (24) can be transferred from a housing (27a) of the tower storage (27) to the tray (16), and an insertion position, wherein the unused removable container (24) can be introduced into the housing (23) of the electric vehicle (19).

2 - removable container exchange device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tray locating means (16) comprise at least one pair of laser targets (18a, 18b), the or each pair of laser targets ( 18a, 18b) being constituted by a front laser target (18a) carried by the front end of the fixed part (16b) and a rear laser target (18b) carried by the rear part of the fixed part (16b), each target laser

(18a, 18b) having a reference point (18c), said reference points (18c) of the front laser target (18a) and the rear laser target (18b) constituting the or each pair defining a parallel line (B) to the axis in which the removable container (24) is removed from the housing (23) to the plate (16) or introduced into the housing (23) from the plate (16).

3 - removable container exchange device according to claim 2, characterized in that the or the front laser targets (18a) are able to pass a laser beam to touch them, and that or the rear laser targets (18b) ) are able to block a laser beam from touching them.

4 - removable container exchange device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tray moving means (16) comprise a link arm (12) carried by the frame (1) and carrying the plate (16), which connecting arm (12) is adapted, on the control of the computer, to move, by its displacement, the plate (16) in translation and in rotation respectively along the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (X) of the removable container exchange device.

5 - removable container exchange device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting arm (12) comprises means arranged to rotate the plate (16) about the vertical axis (W) of the plate (16). ) and the transverse axis (V) of the plate (16).

6 - removable container exchange device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the displacement of the plate (16) along the longitudinal axis (Y) of the removable container exchange device is obtained by moving the frame (1), in particular by translating the frame (1) in one piece along the longitudinal axis (Y) or by pivoting the frame (1) around the transverse axis (X) of the exchange device removable container.

7 - removable container exchange device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sliding portion (16a) of the plate (16) is adapted to extend on control of the computer.

8 - removable container exchange device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plate (16) comprises at least one rack (17) extending on the upper face of the sliding portion (16a ) of the plate (16).

9 - removable container exchange device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plate (16) carries on one of its sides parallel to the axis in which the removable container (24) is removed from the housing (23) towards the plate (16) or introduced into the housing (23) from the plate (16), a tube

(30) extending over the length of the plate (16) and having a slot, in which tube (30) passes a chain (29) forming a loop and connected to two geared motors (32), each geared motor (32) being fit moving the chain (29) in a direction along the axis along which the removable container (24) is removed from the housing

(23) to the plate (16) or introduced into the housing (23) from the plate (16), a thrust piston (31) being arranged in the tube (30) and secured to the chain

(29) so that it can translate inside the tube

(30), the thrust piston (31) having a thrust arm (31a) extending outside the tube (30) through the slot so as to be selectively connected to a removable container ( 24).

10 - Removable container (24) for electric vehicle electric battery, intended to be received, in use position, in a housing (23) of an electric vehicle (19) or, in a storage position, in a housing ( 27a) of a storage tower (27), and arranged to cooperate with the removable container exchange device as defined in claim 9, the removable container being characterized in that it comprises:

- a box adapted to receive one or more electric batteries;

electrical connection means arranged to connect, in the use position, to electrical connection means carried by the housing (23) of the electric vehicle (19) in order to supply electrical energy to the electric vehicle (19), and also arranged to connect, in the storage position, to electrical connection means carried by the housing (27a) of the storage tower (27) for charging the removable battery (s) received in the removable container (24); and

means for moving said removable container (24) independently,

said means for autonomous displacement of the removable container (24) comprising wheels able to roll in the housing (23) and on the plate (16), a slot made on the lateral face of the removable container (24) corresponding to the side of the tray ( 16) where the tube is placed

(30), which slot opens on the front face of the removable container (24) facing outwardly of the housing (23), and a locking member adapted to block the thrust arm (31a) when the latter is received in said slot of the removable container (24).

11 - Electric vehicle (19), comprising a housing (23) arranged to receive a removable container as defined in claim 10, said electric vehicle (19) being adapted to cooperate with a removable container exchange device as defined to one of claims 1 to 9 to introduce a removable container (24) into the housing (23) or remove a removable container (24) from the housing (23), characterized in that it comprises means adapted to cooperate with the tray location means (16) of the removable container exchange device, said cooperation means including in particular at least one laser transmitter (26) adapted to emit a laser beam whose direction is parallel to the direction in which the removable container (24) is removed from the housing (23) towards the tray (16) or introduced into the housing (23) from the tray (16). 12 - Exchange station for removable container as defined in claim 10, characterized in that it comprises:

a removable container exchange device as defined in one of claims 1 to 9;

a storage tower (27) capable of storing one or more of said removable containers (24);

means for positioning an electric vehicle (19) as defined in claim 11, this means being constituted in particular by a gutter (21) adapted to receive the front or rear wheels of the electric vehicle (19).

13 - Removable container exchange station according to claim 12, of the type containing a gutter (21), characterized in that it comprises a movable flap placed in front of the gutter (21) so as to deploy in a position allowing locking the front or rear wheels of the electric vehicle (19) when they are placed in the gutter (21).

14 - Removable container exchange station according to one of claims 12 and 13, of the type containing a channel (21), characterized in that the channel (21) is mounted on two vertical cylinders to lift one of either of the ends of the gutter (21), or both ends thereof.

15 - Removable container exchange station according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it comprises:

a rail (5) disposed in a trench (6) formed in the ground along the longitudinal axis (Y) of the removable container exchange device, and adapted to support and guide the frame (1); a bar carrying a rack (7) adapted to cooperate with the frame (1) so as to allow the translational drive of the frame (1) along the longitudinal axis (Y) of the removable container exchange device.