Abstract:
An electric vehicle  28, 30  power distribution system  70  is provided which allows for a vehicle operator to acquire a fully charged battery  20/24.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/353316 filed Feb. 1, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The field of the present invention is a power distribution network for electric vehicles. Specifically, the present invention relates to a power distribution network for electric vehicles, such as trucks, cars, motor scooters and/or electric bikes.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions in automobiles and other vehicles predominantly powered by an internal combustion engine is well known. Vehicles powered by electric motors attempt to address this need. Two of the biggest issues affecting the business viability of electric vehicles are their range and battery charging convenience.  
           [0004]    Due to the physics involved, most electric vehicle batteries take hours to recharge. Often, the charging voltage and amperages required that are best suited for accomplishing the task are not provided in standard home electrical powered distribution systems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    To meet the above-noted desire, a revelation of the present invention is brought forth. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a network of strategically located energy stations in a common metropolitan area. At these energy stations, vehicle customers can exchange a drained battery with a charged battery from the energy station. An energy station attendant can aid the customer in exchanging the batteries, for a nominal fee, which in some instances can be lower or equivalent to the fees charged for petroleum fuels.  
           [0006]    One of the key enabling technologies which makes the present invention possible is a removable battery.  
           [0007]    It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle power distribution network.  
           [0008]    It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle power distribution network for electric vehicles, whether two-wheel or four-wheel.  
           [0009]    It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle power distribution network which provides optimum means of energy purchase and battery capital costs.  
           [0010]    The above noted and other advantages of the present invention will be better understood as the invention is revealed in the accompanying drawing and detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment electric vehicle power distribution network according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]    Referring to FIG. 1, an electric vehicle power distribution network  7  is shown, with only one energy station  70 . In the complete energy distribution network  7  there will be a plurality or network of energy stations  70  strategically located throughout a metropolitan area and/or strategically located adjacent interstate arteries of a local region or state.  
         [0013]    Each energy station will have a supply  52  of charged batteries  20 , 24 . Batteries  20  will be for larger vehicles such as cars and/or light trucks. Batteries  24  will be for lighter vehicles such as motor scooters and electric bikes  28 . Each power station will have a monetary exchange system  82 . The monetary exchange system  82  in many instances, will be a retail sales person having facilities to accept cash or credit purchases by the customer. Additionally, the monetary exchange system  82  may be a self-serve type facility having monetary exchange machines capable of accepting cash, credit card or other electronic transfer payment arrangements, such as debit cards or pass key-type automatic billing.  
         [0014]    When self-service is desired, payment by the customer will cause a locker door  84  to be released to allow the customer to open the locker door and to take the battery.  
         [0015]    The energy station  70  also has a battery installation area  85 . The battery installation area  85  provides a locale wherein the batteries  20 ,  24  may be installed quickly in their respective vehicles  28 ,  30 . The battery installation area  85  may have room to accommodate the do-it-yourself customer or room for an installer, which provides the customer with a premium level of service. The battery installation area typically will be coterminous with the battery removal area  88 .  
         [0016]    The battery removal area  88  is next to an uncharged battery storage area  90 . With premium service, the battery remover and installer will take the battery to the battery storage area  90 . A one-way or securing gate or tray  92  can be utilized to allow the do-it-yourself customer to deposit their depleted charge battery so as to insure credit for the same.  
         [0017]    The energy station  70  can also be supplied with a recharging station  96  to allow the batteries  20 ,  24  to be recharged onsite if so desired. A testing station  98  can test customers&#39; batteries  20 ,  24  to determine the amount of charge remaining and if a new battery is required. Additionally, tests can be performed on the batteries  20 ,  24  to determine their capability of retention of charge or other maintenance tests. Again, these tests may be performed by an attendant or may be payment-automated to allow a customer to perform on their own.  
         [0018]    The energy station  70  also has an area  100  which can sell or lease new batteries  20 ,  24 , or replace batteries which have failed under warranty.  
         [0019]    The energy distribution network  7  provides a plurality of operating and capital financing arrangements. In an ordinary arrangement, the operator of the electric vehicle  30  can make a simple purchase of a charged battery  20  and leave their depleted battery. The monetary charge for the new battery may be a standard flat rate or based upon the depletion of the exchanged battery.  
         [0020]    Additionally, options may be further had in providing different amp hours of charge for different batteries or for different amounts of charges on a given battery depending upon the desire of the vehicle operator. To encourage electric vehicle utilization, the price of the recharged batteries can be made initially up front, when the vehicle is purchased.  
         [0021]    In other arrangements, an entity who may own an interest in the energy station  70 , an entity who may own an interest in the vehicle manufacturer or other private or non-private entities may have interest in the energy station or have interest in the vehicle battery.  
         [0022]    In yet another arrangement, the vehicle operator will simply have their electric bill charged to pay for the newly charged battery.  
         [0023]    Governmental bodies may seek to subsidize in whole or in part the capital cost associated with the vehicle batteries and/or the charging expense, to encourage electric vehicle use.  
         [0024]    Furthermore, the energy station  70  can have another area  110  for vehicle maintenance and other related activity.  
         [0025]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the various modifications that can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is encompassed by the following claims.