Patent ID: 9688252
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: B60L,B60S,Y02T

Claim:
1. A method of exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) in an electric vehicle, the method comprising: positioning an electric vehicle in x and y directions on an EESS exchange station, wherein the x direction relates to a direction of travel of the electric vehicle and the y direction is perpendicular to the x direction in a horizontal plane, and wherein the EESS exchange station included first lifts positioned on either side of the electric vehicle in the y direction and second lifts positioned on either side of the electric vehicle in the y direction and outside of the first lifts in the y direction relative to the electric vehicle, the second lifts including battery support structures extending around the first lifts and beneath the vehicle; after positioning, raising the electric vehicle to a predetermined height using the first lifts; after raising the electric vehicle, raising the second lifts toward the electric vehicle until the second lifts are correctly positioned relative to a first EESS; after raising the second lifts, unfastening the first EESS from the electric vehicle; placing an EESS conveyor underneath the first EESS; after placing the EESS conveyor, lowering the first EESS onto the EESS conveyor using the second lifts; after lowering the first EESS, removing the first EESS and thereafter placing a second EESS underneath the electric vehicle; after placing the second EESS underneath the electric vehicle, raising the second EESS toward the electric vehicle using the second lifts until the second EESS is correctly positioned relative to the electric vehicle; after raising the second EESS, fastening the second EESS onto the electric vehicle; and after fastening the second EESS, lowering the electric vehicle using the first lifts.