A method of achieving an optimal operation point for swapping a battery in an electric vehicle includes sensing a battery voltage level in the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is in a functional mode and determining a distance that the electric vehicle can travel based on the sensed battery voltage level. The method further includes detecting at least one battery swapping center in a predefined distance, when the battery voltage level is below a threshold value. The method further includes providing the at least one battery-swapping center information regarding the detected battery voltage level of the electric vehicle for swapping of the battery of the electric vehicle.

A fuel unit assembly-lifting adapter is configured to couple with a vehicle lift in order to engage, raise, and lower a fuel unit assembly. The fuel unit assembly-lifting adapter includes an elongated fuel unit assembly-engaging portion terminating into a first end and a second end and a lift-engaging portion comprising a first member extending from the first end of the fuel unit assembly-engaging portion, and a second member extending from the second end of the fuel unit assembly-engaging portion, wherein the first member and the second member are configured to detachably engage a vehicle lift such that the fuel unit assembly-engaging portion may raise and lower the fuel unit assembly in response to movement of the vehicle lift.

A reservation management device (50) is a reservation management device configured to manage reservations for the exchange of battery packs (10) at a charging device (30) where battery packs (10) are exchanged, said reservation management device (50) comprising a reservation number acquisition component (53), a return number acquisition component (54), and a reservation possibility determination component (55). The reservation number acquisition component (53) is configured to acquire number of battery packs (10) to be reserved at the charging device (30). The return number acquisition component (54) is configured to acquire number of battery packs (10) to be returned to the charging device (30). The reservation possibility determination component (55) is configured to determine whether or not the exchange of the battery packs (10) can be reserved at the charging device (30) on the basis of reservation number acquired by the reservation number acquisition component (53) and return number acquired by the return number acquisition component (54).

A flexural joint, preferably for use in a battery station, comprising: a first group of rigid members configured to mount a first group of elements to the flexural joint; a second group of rigid members configured to mount a second group of elements to the flexural joint; a third group of elastic members configured to provide flexibility; a first flexural mechanism configured to allow rotational motion of at least one of the first group of rigid members with respect to the second group of rigid members and the second group of rigid members with respect to the first group of rigid members; and a second flexural mechanism configured to allow linear motion of at least one of the first group of rigid members with respect to the second group of rigid members and second group of rigid members with respect to the first group of rigid members.

A service tool assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a service tool that extends through an access hole in a floor of an electrified vehicle and is adapted to engage a threaded hole of a battery pack. The service tool is rotatable to translate the battery pack relative to the electrified vehicle.

A service tool assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a service tool that extends through an access hole in a floor of an electrified vehicle and is adapted to engage a threaded hole of a battery pack. The service tool is rotatable to translate the battery pack relative to the electrified vehicle.

A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

In an embodiment, an expansion component (e.g., expanding foam element, inflatable pad, a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism, etc.) is arranged inside of a battery module compartment (e.g., on a bottom interior surface of the battery module compartment). A battery module is inserted into the battery module component and is fixated, or secured, within the battery module compartment at least in part based upon the expanding component which starts to expand or continues to expand after the insertion. In a further embodiment, the battery module may be removed from the battery module compartment after a contraction function (e.g., collapse of the foam element, deflation of the inflatable pad, etc.) of the expansion component is initiated.

In an embodiment, an expansion component (e.g., expanding foam element, inflatable pad, a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism, etc.) is arranged inside of a battery module compartment (e.g., on a bottom interior surface of the battery module compartment). A battery module is inserted into the battery module component and is fixated, or secured, within the battery module compartment at least in part based upon the expanding component which starts to expand or continues to expand after the insertion. In a further embodiment, the battery module may be removed from the battery module compartment after a contraction function (e.g., collapse of the foam element, deflation of the inflatable pad, etc.) of the expansion component is initiated.

A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes a unique access code obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The unique access code is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle. The privileges are defined for the unique access code, and the vehicle is configured to receive information from the server to authenticate the request by the mobile device. And, if the request is authentic, the mobile device is provided with data to enable an electronic key to use the vehicle, and the electronics of the vehicle instructs the subsystem of the vehicle to enable unlocking of the vehicle and enable starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle via the electronic key consistent with the privileges of the unique access code.