Battery exchange system for electric vehicles

A scalable intelligent power-supply system and method capable of powering a defined load for a specified period of time is disclosed and claimed. Multiple external AC and DC inputs supply power to the system if available and required. An internal DC input from a back-up energy source is on board. The back-up energy source is scalable by adding additional energy cartridges such as batteries in racks mounted within frames of the system. The AC and DC inputs (including the internal DC input) are controlled, measured, sensed, and converted by circuitry controlled by the microprocessor into multiple AC and/or DC outputs. A microprocessor manages power input to, within, and output from the system. The performance of a Lithium-ion batteries used to power an automobile can be determined on the basis individual battery packs or individual battery cells within the packs. This enables the clusters or groups of Lithium ion batteries to be used in a vehicle such that these clusters operate and function as a “gas” tank or more appropriately as an “energy” tank.

Scalable intelligent power supply system and method

An electrically powered vehicle achieves maximum structural strength with minimum weight by utilizing a combined body and chassis formed entirely of plastic material, molded and bonded into an integral composite structure which includes a central, hollow longitudinal beam, top, bottom, and side panels of the vehicle body portion, and a power unit supporting chamber at the forward end closing the forward end of the beam and tying it to the side panels. The beam holds the batteries, and the chamber contains all of the components of the power unit including the controlling device. The structure is thus as rigid and light as possible, in addition to eliminating any possibility of any unwanted grounding or electrical paths. The only metal in the vehicle is that of the additional components such as road wheels, suspension members, steering, and power unit and the fasteners and brackets used to retain them in mounted position.

Electrically powered motor vehicle

A power pack of batteries are enclosed in an encasement for handling ease and safety of passengers riding in an electric vehicle. The encased batteries are hung underneath and outside the vehicular floor, and are air-cooled. Spent batteries are replaced with an encasement with charged ones, and the vehicle is driven onward. A special jack, provided as a part of the system, facilitates replacing operations.

System apparatus for battery swapping

An electrically driven motor vehicle having an electric motor 31 arranged to drive the vehicle through a transmission system 29, 33 and a battery pack 22 to provide power for driving the electrical motor 31, the battery pack being provided with a charging unit 25, 26 including an internal combustion engine 26 and the battery pack 22 and the charging unit 25, 26 being mounted on the vehicle as a unit so as to be readily detachable therefrom to enable it to be replaced at suitable servicing establishments.

Electrically driven vehicles

An electric vehicle of adequate performance and range and of low cost uses a long tray of batteries easily rolled into or from a housing which also comprises a structural backbone of the car. The body provides useful space, such as a passenger compartment on both sides of the backbone, extending down to about the level of the bottom of the backbone, thereby keeping a low center of gravity, and compactness for low wind resistance. The steering wheel is on a swing-arm standing out laterally from the backbone, the backbone supporting the steering shaft in a position not "aimed" at the driver. The steering arm swings out of the way to facilitate access, and in one form of the invention the body top swings open and there are no side doors. Separate V belt drives from the motor through automatic speed-changing pulleys for each side minimize current draw on start-up and acceleration, maximize performance, ensure driving both drive wheels in slippery weather, and permit differential wheel speed on turns. Independent suspension of the drive wheels ("knee action") without universal joints is achieved by using the flexibility of the V belts to permit the driven pulley to rock out of alignment with the drive pulley.

Robert S. McKee

Papers

Electric vehicle having backbone containing tray of power cells