A system and method for an electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system is provided. One embodiment has a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of battery exchange facilities. Each different EV contains a battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at least one of the plurality of battery modules within the EV. A user of an EV, while at the battery exchange facility, exchanges a discharged first battery module for a second battery module that has been recharged. The battery exchange facility releases the recharged second battery module to the user after a payment has been made by the user. The battery exchange facility subsequently recharges the discharged first battery module after the user has placed the discharged first battery module into the battery exchange facility.

A system and method for an electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system is provided. One embodiment has a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of battery exchange facilities. Each different EV contains a battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at least one of the plurality of battery modules within the EV. A user of an EV, while at the battery exchange facility, exchanges a discharged first battery module for a second battery module that has been recharged. The battery exchange facility releases the recharged second battery module to the user after a payment has been made by the user. The battery exchange facility subsequently recharges the discharged first battery module after the user has placed the discharged first battery module into the battery exchange facility.

A visual positioning method and system for a battery replacement device. The method comprises: controlling a battery replacement device to move below a battery accommodating portion at the bottom of an electric vehicle; photographing, by means of a photographing apparatus, a first target photographing region at a first focal length so as to obtain a positioning determination photograph; controlling the photographing apparatus to adjust the first focal length to a second focal length; and photographing, by means of the photographing apparatus, a second target photographing region at the second focal length so as to obtain a lock-state determination photograph. By means of the photographed photographs at different focal lengths, automatic adjustment of positioning, locking and unlocking is realized, not only achieving efficient and accurate determination of positioning, locking and unlocking of the battery replacement device, but also enabling the battery replacement device to achieve integral and efficient adjustment.

Systems and apparatus for a robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. A semi-autonomous portable robot is programmed to interchange depleted rechargeable batteries disposed in an electric or hybrid vehicle. Portable battery pod dispenses batteries to semi-autonomous portable robot for swap. Semi-autonomous portable robot uses navigational sensors to transport battery to predetermined position at the battery interchange location. Battery disposition and configuration data are wirelessly communicated by battery pod to semi-autonomous portable robot. Battery pod is also in electrical communication with vehicle for timely latching and unlatching of battery modules.

A concrete mixer truck includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive assemblies coupled to the chassis, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, the mixing drum defining an internal volume configured to contain material and an aperture through which the material can enter and exit the internal volume, an energy storage device positioned at a rear end of the chassis and configured to provide electrical energy, and an electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the energy storage device, where the electromagnetic device is configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy storage device and provide mechanical energy to drive at least one of the plurality of tractive assemblies to propel the concrete mixer truck.

A concrete mixer truck includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive assemblies coupled to the chassis, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, the mixing drum defining an internal volume configured to contain material and an aperture through which the material can enter and exit the internal volume, an energy storage device positioned at a rear end of the chassis and configured to provide electrical energy, and an electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the energy storage device, where the electromagnetic device is configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy storage device and provide mechanical energy to drive at least one of the plurality of tractive assemblies to propel the concrete mixer truck.

A vehicle battery exchange system includes a base, a gripper, a retrieval actuator that retractably and extensibly connects the gripper to the base, and a vehicle alignment feature sensing apparatus that is operatively connected at least with the retrieval actuator and is configured to cause extension of the retrieval actuator to a battery-engaging position of the gripper in response to registration of a vehicle alignment feature to the vehicle alignment feature sensing apparatus, and to cause retraction of the retrieval actuator to a battery-removing position of the gripper in response to latching engagement of the gripper with a battery that is mounted in a vehicle at a pre-defined location relative to the vehicle alignment feature that is in registration to the alignment feature sensing apparatus.

An Automatic Service Station Facility (ASSF) for replenishing various motivational energy sources onboard different types of AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the automatic service station facility includes a rack, replaceable fuel tanks, a service module, and an electronic computer control system. The replaceable fuel tanks are stocked on the rack and substantially filled with various fluids which are utile as motivational energy sources within fuel-operated vehicles. The service module is mounted on the rack, and the electronic computer control system is connected in electrical communication with the service module. In this configuration, the service module is controllably operable to receive a depleted replaceable fuel tank from a fuel-operated vehicle and also selectively deliver one of the filled replaceable fuel tanks onboard the vehicle. In another embodiment, the service station facility may also stock replaceable batteries for selective delivery onboard battery-operated vehicles. In another embodiment, the ASSF is self-propelled, remotely controlled, and solar powered, being able to move long distances to remote locations which may be hazardous to humans, such as disaster zones or battle fields, where the ASSF can service AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles needed for the particular applications. Alternatively, the solar powered ASSF can be made to move continuously and service vehicles continuously for long duration operations like herding cattle for example.

There is provided a loading station. An exemplary loading station comprises a storage medium for use as a source of energy for vehicles. The exemplary loading station also comprises a device that controls a loading and/or unloading process of the storage medium and for identifying the storage medium. A transponder for wireless data transmission is connected to the storage medium. The loading station further comprises a detection device for the transponder.

An electric vehicle (10) includes a power battery module (20) detachably installed at a predetermined installation position of the electric vehicle (10); the power battery module (20) includes a housing (21), a plurality of battery cells installed in the housing (21), rolling wheels (22) and a handle (23) installed on the housing, and an electric power output port. A lifting device capable of releasably holding the power battery module (20) and lifting the power battery module (20) from a ground proximity position on or near the ground to the predetermined installation position is installed at the electric vehicle. As the electric vehicle (10) is provided with the lifting device, installation and removal of the power battery thereof can be accomplished without using other installation equipment. Furthermore, the detachable power battery module (20) can be moved by a user without excessive effort.