Disclosed are a battery replacement device (1) and a control method therefor. The battery replacement device (1) is used for mounting a battery on an electric vehicle, and sending a security message to a battery lock (2) to unlock the battery, so that the battery is electrically connected to the electric vehicle.

A battery replacement apparatus includes a detection device (detector) that detects position and orientation of a battery (first battery), a battery mount where the battery that is removed from an electric vehicle is placed, the battery mount being driven below the electric vehicle, and a processor (controller) that controls driving of the battery mount. The processor controls position and orientation of the battery mount based on the position and the orientation of the battery detected by the detection device. Furthermore, the processor performs control of removing the battery from the electric vehicle, in a state where the position and the orientation of the battery mount are controlled.

A battery replacement apparatus includes a detection device (detector) that detects position and orientation of a battery (first battery), a battery mount where the battery that is removed from an electric vehicle is placed, the battery mount being driven below the electric vehicle, and a processor (controller) that controls driving of the battery mount. The processor controls position and orientation of the battery mount based on the position and the orientation of the battery detected by the detection device. Furthermore, the processor performs control of removing the battery from the electric vehicle, in a state where the position and the orientation of the battery mount are controlled.

A system for exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) of an electric vehicle includes. An EESS station is configured to position an electric vehicle in x and y directions. A vehicle lift raises the electric vehicle to a predetermined height. An EESS lift supports and lowers the EESS and replaces the EESS with a differing EESS. The vehicle lift may be an inboard lift and the EESS lift may be an outboard lift. The system may also include one or more rollers configured to guide the electric vehicle. The system may include a horizontal door having at least one tube positioned thereon for guiding the electric vehicle and/or at least one vehicle chock for positioning the electric vehicle in at least one of the x and y directions. The vehicle lift may include lifting arms to engage jack pads of the electric vehicle.

A system for exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) of an electric vehicle includes. An EESS station is configured to position an electric vehicle in x and y directions. A vehicle lift raises the electric vehicle to a predetermined height. An EESS lift supports and lowers the EESS and replaces the EESS with a differing EESS. The vehicle lift may be an inboard lift and the EESS lift may be an outboard lift. The system may also include one or more rollers configured to guide the electric vehicle. The system may include a horizontal door having at least one tube positioned thereon for guiding the electric vehicle and/or at least one vehicle chock for positioning the electric vehicle in at least one of the x and y directions. The vehicle lift may include lifting arms to engage jack pads of the electric vehicle.

A selective battery control system includes a battery exchange station and an at least partially electric vehicle communicably coupled to the battery exchange station. The at least partially electric vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to determine a number of batteries needed for a trip, determine if the at least partially electric vehicle has a correct number of batteries, and in response to the at least partially electric vehicle having an incorrect number of batteries, add or remove batteries until the at least partially electric vehicle has the correct number of batteries for the trip.

A selective battery control system includes a battery exchange station and an at least partially electric vehicle communicably coupled to the battery exchange station. The at least partially electric vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to determine a number of batteries needed for a trip, determine if the at least partially electric vehicle has a correct number of batteries, and in response to the at least partially electric vehicle having an incorrect number of batteries, add or remove batteries until the at least partially electric vehicle has the correct number of batteries for the trip.

Methods and systems are disclosed for a vehicle and for associated methods for handling contact detection of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a computer and a communications system. The communications system is configured to provide the computer of the vehicle with wireless communication with a cloud services system that includes a database that stores a user account that identifies the vehicles as registered with the cloud services system. The user account identifies settings for the vehicle and information for notifying a user of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors associated to sides of the vehicle, such that contact with a specific side of the vehicle is identified using a sensor of the plurality of sensors. The vehicle further includes a plurality of cameras integrated in the vehicle to enable capturing of image data of an area around the vehicle. The computer is configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors of the vehicle to detect a contact with the vehicle and identify a side of the vehicle from which the contact was detected. The computer is configured to send data to the cloud services system which will then send the notification indicating that contact was detected with the vehicle. The cloud services system enables access to additional data and controls, including live feeds of the area around the vehicle.

An energy module exchange system may include an enclosure with one or more storage racks configured to store and charge energy modules; an opening in the enclosure; and a robotic arm configured to retrieve the energy modules from the storage racks and pass them through an opening in the enclosure for exchange with an electric vehicle.

An energy module exchange system may include an enclosure with one or more storage racks configured to store and charge energy modules; an opening in the enclosure; and a robotic arm configured to retrieve the energy modules from the storage racks and pass them through an opening in the enclosure for exchange with an electric vehicle.