Patent Application
20230150376
The present disclosure relates generally to batteries. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a backup battery for electric vehicles which is removably stored in a vehicle and which can provide backup power through direct connection or through a connection to the electric vehicle charge port.
Electric vehicles (“EVs”) are rapidly becoming ubiquitous and are predicted to rapidly replace internal combustion engine vehicles over the coming years. These vehicles utilize large battery packs to store energy and drive the motor or motors, rather than gasoline in a tank.
One problem with EVs is that in many instances they have a limited range, and charging stations are far less ubiquitous than gas stations, making it harder to easily find charging options when running low on charge. This can lead to running out of charge and a stuck vehicle. While this happens with gasoline vehicles sometimes, there is a greater concern with electric vehicles due to limited range and fewer charging option.
It is also more inconvenient when an EV runs out of charge than when an internal combustion vehicle runs out of fuel. When an internal combustion vehicle runs out of fuel, a small quantity of fuel can be delivered, poured into the tank, and the vehicle can be driven off. However, when an EV runs out of charge, one must bring a fuel based generator (gas, etc.) to generate electricity to charge the battery. This is both inconvenient and slow because one must wait for the battery to charge up enough to drive to a home or charge station.
Therefore, what is needed is a system which can more efficiently provide backup charge or supplemental charge to EVs.
The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, an electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle has a frame, a body connected to the frame which defines an interior space for passengers and storage space, and a primary battery connected to at least one of the frame and the body. The primary battery is in electrical communication with at least one motor operable to rotate at least one of the plurality of wheels. The electric vehicle also has a charge port operable to receive an electrical connection to charge the primary battery. Further, the electric vehicle includes a backup battery removably connected to the electric vehicle, the backup battery having a charge capacity that is less than a charge capacity of the primary battery. The backup battery may have a case on an outside to define a body of the battery, as well as an electrical connector allowing an electronic communication of the backup battery with the electric vehicle. Further, a cord extends from the case, the cord allows for connection of the backup battery with a second different vehicle to charge a battery of the second different vehicle. The backup battery is removably connectable in the storage space. When the backup battery is in a connected position, the backup battery electrical connector engaged with a corresponding electrical connector in the vehicle storage space, the corresponding vehicle electrical connector in electronic communication with at least one of the primary battery and the at least one motor to cause a rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels. A switch allows activation of the backup battery, and a vehicle computer operates to monitor a state of charge of both the primary battery and the backup battery, and can display this on a visual display of the vehicle.
In another aspect, a method of operation of an electric vehicle backup battery is provided. The method involves charging the backup battery using a wall outlet, the backup battery having a cord and plug for connection of the battery to the wall outlet. The method also includes positioning the backup battery into an electric vehicle, the step of positioning the backup battery comprising engaging an electrical connector of the backup battery with an electrical connector of the electric vehicle positioned within the electric vehicle. The backup battery may be removed from the vehicle. Further, the backup battery may be used for charging a second different electric vehicle by connecting a charging cord of the backup battery to a charge port of the second different electric vehicle.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present disclosure concerns a backup battery system for electric vehicles (“EVs”). The system involves a battery pack operable to be removably secured in the vehicle, such that it can directly operate the vehicle it is in in a first operational mode, and having a secondary charging cord to provide electric power to another separate vehicle in a second operational mode.
An EV, as disclosed herein, typically has a vehicle frame, and a body connected to the frame which defines an interior space for passengers. The vehicle has a plurality of wheels, at least one of which can be rotated by at least one motor, with the motor(s) being powered by a primary battery which is connected to at least one of the frame and/or the body. The EV further has a charge port which is accessible from inside or outside the vehicle and which can receive an electrical connection to charge the primary battery. Further, the EV of this disclosure includes a backup battery which has a charge capacity that is less than a charge capacity of the primary battery. This backup battery is operable to provide an amount of charge which is sufficient to allow the vehicle to drive a limited amount of miles further to reach a charging source to recharge the primary battery in the event that the primary battery has run out of power. In various modes of operation, the backup battery may allow the vehicle to drive at a low speed using only minimal power to maximize range. Further, depending on embodiment, the backup battery may charge the primary battery which in turn may drive the vehicle, or the backup battery may directly drive the motors itself.
In one embodiment, a manually operated switch may be positioned in the vehicle or in a storage space such as a rear hatch or trunk of the vehicle which can activate the backup battery. In another embodiment, this switch may be actuated through an input into the EV's computerized control interface. In still another embodiment, the backup battery may automatically activate upon a decrease of the primary battery below a predetermined threshold. However, in many cases, a manually operated switch is preferred because it deters a driver from driving the primary battery too low on charge, it prevents accidental or frequent use by making the actuation more deliberate, and perhaps most importantly acts as a fail safe: if the primary battery is completely dead, the computerized actuation may not be possible because there will be no electricity to cause switch actuation.
The backup battery may be any type of battery capable of storing electricity. In one embodiment, the backup battery may be a lithium-ion battery due to its light weight and reliability. In another embodiment, the backup battery may be a lead acid battery due to its ability to hold a charge for a long time, reliability, and durability. Depending on the vehicle and vehicle needs, battery size and capacity may vary greatly. In most embodiments, the battery must be small enough that it can be removed from the vehicle by a person without injuring themselves, but also powerful enough to be able to drive the vehicle a sufficient distance. In various embodiments, the backup battery may be sized to provide between approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 miles of range. Of course, in other embodiments, range may be greater than this. Depending on the EV, this will result in a backup battery pack sized anywhere between 1.5-7.5 kwh, and in some embodiments up to 10 kwh.
In a particular embodiment, the EV may be operable-typically by a computer controller such as a chip- to charge the backup battery to 100% state of charge and hold it at 100% state of charge. In many cases, charging to 100% on certain batteries puts a strain on the battery and can lead to degradation over time. However, because the backup battery is a removable and replaceable, degradation is less of a concern and a maximum charge to allow emergency driving is a higher priority and therefore typically preferred.
In one embodiment, the backup battery may be charged preferentially to the primary battery when charging the vehicle. In other words, the EV computer may be operable to first charge the backup battery to predetermined state of charge (in many embodiments, 100% or close to it), and then once that is charged, the primary battery is charged. In another embodiment, the charge port charges the primary battery, and the primary battery in turn charges the backup battery. In yet another embodiment, the EV computer may be operable to monitor a state of charge of the backup battery and operable to cause the primary battery to charge the backup battery, even when not plugged in, if the backup battery drops below a certain state of charge, such as 90% or 95% for example. Of course, other embodiments of different charge configurations, such as partially charging both simultaneously, and the like, are also within the scope of this disclosure.
The backup battery is, in many embodiments, intended to be removable so that it can also be used to charge another vehicle. In one embodiment, the EV may be specifically designed with a well or port, or other storage space in the vehicle specifically sized and designed to receive the backup battery. This storage area for the backup battery may, in one embodiment, have an electrical connector which corresponds to an electrical connector on the backup battery. As such, when the battery pack is positioned in the storage space, it is automatically electrically connected to the vehicle. The electrical connectors may be electric contacts such as mating male and female plugs, metal strips, and the like. The male end of the plug can be on either the battery pack or vehicle, with the matching female plug on the other of the two. In some embodiments, the male side of the plug is retractable such that it only extends outwardly when the opposing plug is nearby. Structures such as magnets, springs, pistons, electric actuators, prongs, protrusions, levers, switches and the like may all be used to cause the male plug to extend from and retract to its retracted position. As such, the EV of the present disclosure is specifically designed to receive and engage with the backup battery of the present disclosure.
In certain embodiments, a well or other storage area in the vehicle for the backup battery pack may include a guide slot, channel, rail, or the like to aid in proper positioning of the backup battery to engage electrical contacts of the backup battery and vehicle. In a particular embodiment, the guide slot may have a catch or protrusion which can cause a retractable connector in either the backup battery pack or vehicle to engage and connect to a matching female connector on the other of the battery and vehicle.
In some embodiments, a cover, strap, or case, or similar structure can extend over the backup battery when attached to the vehicle to prevent it from being dislodged and to prevent accidental contacting or other interference with the backup battery by other items in the truck or vehicle storage area.
In one embodiment, the backup battery has a cord on its exterior or case. This cord is connected to the battery and has a plug on a distal end which allows it to directly connect to a charge port of a second, different EV. This configuration allows the backup battery to not only operate the EV in which it is installed, but it can also provide charge to a second EV through this cord by plugging into the second EV's charge port.
In a particular embodiment, the EV may further have an extending arm which can move or aid in moving the backup battery between an inside and outside of the vehicle. In a further embodiment, the extending arm may also move downward to the ground to lower the backup battery pack. In many cases, the backup battery is positioned somewhat deep inside the vehicle trunk or storage area/hatch. This makes it difficult to reach into the vehicle and while at an extended position of the arms, to lift up the somewhat heavy battery pack. Therefore, the extending arm allows for easier access by moving the battery pack to an edge of the vehicle trunk/storage space, out of it and away from the vehicle, or out of the vehicle and down to the ground, in varying embodiments. In particular embodiments, the arm may be a sliding or telescoping arm. Movement of the arm and battery pack may be aided by springs, pistons, a motor, and the like. Bearings, wheels, casters, greased surfaces, and low friction materials may all aid in the extending motions, such as telescoping and the like.
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In many cases, performance ability such as top speed and acceleration rate are limited by the computer controller when using the backup battery so as to maximize range. For example, a top speed may be limited to 45, 50, or 55 mph in some embodiments. In additional embodiments, acceleration rate may be reduced to approximately 25%, 33%, 40%, 50%, 75% of maximum, depending on embodiment by, for example limiting a maximum electrical flow rate to the motor or motors. In still further embodiments, when using the backup battery, a vehicle having more than one motor may be operable to have the backup battery power only one of the multiple motors to conserve energy.
While several variations of the present disclosure have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
