Mobile Changing Unit for Inserting a Battery Module

Abstract

An apparatus including means configured to navigate a mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle. The means configured to determine at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit. The at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle. The means configured to cause insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle. The apparatus is part of the mobile changing unit. The means are further configured to obtain vehicle information. The vehicle information represents the vehicle. Determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained vehicle information.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising means configured to: navigate a mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle; determine at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle; and cause insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle, wherein the apparatus is part of the mobile changing unit, wherein the means are further configured to: obtain vehicle information, wherein the vehicle information represents the vehicle, and wherein determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained vehicle information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mobile changing unit comprises a plurality of insertion apparatuses including the at least one insertion apparatus, wherein each of the insertion apparatuses is configured to insert a battery module placed on the respective insertion apparatus, and wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: determine at least one further insertion apparatus from the plurality of insertion-apparatuses; and cause insertion of a further battery module placed on the determined at least one further insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: navigate the mobile changing unit, after the at least one battery module has been inserted into the vehicle and before the at least one further battery module is inserted into the vehicle, from the first position to a second position beneath the vehicle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: cause, after the at least one battery module has been inserted, insertion of at least one further battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus and/or the plurality of insertion apparatuses of the mobile changing unit are configured to insert the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module into the vehicle in such a way that the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module form a single battery stack inside the vehicle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module are arranged beneath one another and/or are electrically connected to one another within the battery stack.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means are further configured to: cause removal of a battery module from the vehicle before the at least one and/or the at least one further battery module is inserted into the vehicle, wherein the mobile changing unit comprises at least one removal apparatus for removing a battery module from the vehicle.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means are further configured to: obtain at least one battery module information, wherein the battery module information represents a battery module, and wherein determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained battery module information.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, the apparatus further comprising sensor means configured to obtain the battery module information from the battery module represented by the battery module information.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, the apparatus further comprising communication means configured to receive the battery module information from a backend server.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus (150;350;50) further comprising communication means configured to receive the vehicle information from the vehicle or from a backend server.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises: moving means for moving the mobile changing unit comprising a motor drive and/or a plurality of wheels; and/or the at least one insertion apparatus; and/or the at least one removal apparatus; and/or communication means for communicating with the backend server and/or the vehicle.

13. A method, performed by an apparatus, which is part of a mobile changing unit, wherein the method comprises: navigating the mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle; determining at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit (100;300), wherein the at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module (120;320) placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle; and causing insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining vehicle information, the vehicle information representing the vehicle, and wherein determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained vehicle information.

14. A computer program, comprising commands that cause an apparatus to perform the method steps according to claim 13.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] In the drawings:

[0100] FIGS. 1a and 1b show schematic representations of an illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of sensor means in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0102] FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c show schematic representations of a further illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for an illustrative embodiment of the method in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0104] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0105] FIG. 6 shows illustrative embodiments of storage media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0106] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show schematic representations of an illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0107] FIG. 1a shows, by way of illustration, a mobile changing unit 100 that is navigated to a first position beneath a vehicle 160.

[0108] The mobile changing unit 100 is shown as an unmanned transport vehicle (e.g. a mobile robot), the mobile changing unit 100 comprising, inter alia, at least one insertion apparatus 110 with a battery module 120 placed thereon. In addition, the mobile changing unit 100 comprises moving means in the form of multiple wheels 130 and communication means 140 (e.g. an antenna) for wireless radio communication. In particular, the mobile changing unit 100 has a control apparatus 150 that is connected to the other components of the mobile changing unit 100. The control apparatus 150 can accordingly be understood to be an example of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0109] The insertion apparatus 110 comprises a lifting mechanism that is configured to raise the platform and the battery module 120 placed thereon. This lifting mechanism is shown as a scissor mechanism by way of illustration, but may also be implemented in another way. Inserting the battery module 120 into the vehicle 160 comprises, for example, inserting the battery module 120 into a battery module compartment 165 in the underbody of the vehicle 160. As part of the insertion or subsequent to the insertion of the battery module into the vehicle 160, the battery module 120 can be, for example, fastened (e.g. fixed) in the vehicle 160 by virtue of the battery module 120 sliding into a retaining apparatus (which e.g. comprises a locking mechanism) of the vehicle 160 and being held there. The battery module 120 to be inserted is a charged battery module, which replaces a previously drained battery module in the vehicle 160. By way of example, a drained battery module of this type is removed from the vehicle 160 before the battery module 120 placed on the insertion apparatus 110 is inserted into the vehicle 160. For this purpose, the mobile changing unit 100 can have at least one removal apparatus (not shown in FIG. 1a), for example.

[0110] The vehicle 160 is a vehicle in which one or more battery modules are intended to be replaced. In particular, the battery module 120 transported by the mobile changing unit 100 is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160, for example in order to replace a previously drained battery module of the vehicle 160. By way of illustration, the vehicle 160 is represented as a truck that is electrically driven at least in part.

[0111] The communication means 140 can permit for example wireless communication between the mobile changing unit 100 and the vehicle 160 by providing a wireless communication connection 180 between the mobile changing unit 100 and the vehicle 160. The wireless communication connection 180 is based for example on optical transmission and/or by means of communication that involves electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic signals or fields, in particular short-range communication (e.g. based on Bluetooth or WLAN). For example, the control apparatus 150 uses the communication means 140 to receive vehicle information from the vehicle 160 via the communication connection 180, said vehicle information containing an identifier of the vehicle 160.

[0112] Moreover, FIG. 1a shows a backend server 170, which can be understood for example as a management server. For example, the backend server 170 is used to ascertain which battery module is intended to be inserted and/or removed in which vehicle by the mobile changing unit 100 (e.g. from a plurality of mobile changing units). Battery module information transmitted from the backend server 170 to the mobile changing unit 100 accordingly represents for example the battery module 120 that has previously been ascertained by the backend server 170 and that is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160. Such battery module information can be received via a wireless communication connection 185 on the basis of the communication means 140 of the mobile changing unit 100. By way of example, the communication means 140 then comprise a mobile radio interface that can receive the battery module information and/or vehicle information from the backend server 170 via the wireless communication connection 185.

[0113] FIG. 1b shows a plan view of the vehicle 160 presented in FIG. 1a and of the mobile changing unit 100. In this view, it can be seen by way of illustration that the mobile changing unit 100 has two insertion apparatuses beside one another (e.g. at the same height), one battery module 120 being placed on one insertion apparatus and the other battery module 125 being placed on the other insertion apparatus. By way of example, the battery modules 120 and 125 placed on the respective insertion apparatuses are both intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160, whereas in another example they are each intended for a different vehicle, these multiple vehicles being approached by the mobile changing unit 100 in succession in order to insert the applicable battery modules 120 and 125.

[0114] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of sensor means 210 in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a detail from FIG. 1 (denoted by II in FIG. 1) and, therein, the mobile changing unit 100, the control apparatus 150, the insertion apparatus 110 and the battery module 120 placed on the insertion apparatus 110. Additionally, FIG. 2 shows a code scanner 210 (e.g. an optical sensor such as a camera) as sensor means and a barcode 220 printed on the housing of the battery module 120. By way of example, the code scanner is connected to the control apparatus 150 or can be understood as part of the control apparatus 150. The battery module information represented by the barcode 220 contains an identifier (e.g. a label or an address) that uniquely identifies the battery module 120. The control apparatus 150 can obtain the battery module information represented by the barcode 220 by virtue of the barcode 220 being electronically captured by the code scanner 210 and then forwarded to the control apparatus 150.

[0115] As an alternative or in addition to the code scanner 210, the sensor means can also comprise an electronic receiver that receives the battery module information in the form of an electrical signal from the battery module 120 by short-range radio communication (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC or RFID).

[0116] FIG. 2 shows, by way of illustration, a single code scanner 220 and a single battery module 120 placed on an insertion apparatus 110. Additionally, the mobile changing unit 100 can comprise multiple insertion apparatuses and multiple code scanners (e.g. a respective code scanner for each insertion apparatus). Such code scanners may each be arranged on or at least close to the respective insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit 100. For example, each platform of an insertion apparatus on which an applicable battery module may be placed holds a code scanner. Should a battery module be placed on a determined insertion apparatus (as depicted for the battery module 120 in FIG. 2 by way of illustration), the barcode applied to this battery module is scanned by a code scanner arranged on the platform of the insertion apparatus, for example, and is relayed to the control apparatus 150 as battery module information. By way of example, the control apparatus 150 stores (e.g. stored in an electronic memory of the control apparatus 150) which code scanner is arranged on which respective insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit 100. Since the battery module information is received on the control apparatus 150 from a specific code scanner, the battery module information (e.g. at least implicitly) additionally indicates the insertion apparatus on which the battery module represented by the battery module information is placed.

[0117] FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c show schematic representations of a further illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0118] FIG. 3a shows, similarly to FIG. 1a, a mobile changing unit 300 as an unmanned transport vehicle (e.g. a mobile robot), the mobile changing unit 300 comprising an insertion apparatus 310 having a battery module 320 placed thereon and additionally a further insertion apparatus 315 having a further battery module 325 placed thereon. In addition, the mobile changing unit 300 comprises moving means in the form of multiple wheels 330 and communication means 340 (e.g. an antenna) for wireless radio communication. In particular, the mobile changing unit has a control apparatus 350 that is connected to the other components of the mobile changing unit 300. The control apparatus 350 can accordingly be understood to be an example of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0119] FIG. 3a shows, by way of illustration, the mobile changing unit 300, which is being navigated to a first position beneath a vehicle 360 by the control apparatus 350. FIG. 3b shows the mobile changing unit 300 at a later time than in FIG. 3a, the mobile changing unit 300 in accordance with FIG. 3b being in the first position beneath the vehicle 360 while the battery module 320 is inserted into the vehicle 360 using the insertion apparatus 310. FIG. 3c shows the mobile changing unit 300 at a later time than in FIG. 3b, the mobile changing unit 300 in accordance with FIG. 3b being in a second position beneath the vehicle 360 while the further battery module 325 is inserted into the vehicle 360 using the further insertion apparatus 315.

[0120] After the battery module 320 is inserted as shown in FIG. 3b, the mobile changing unit 300 can accordingly be navigated to a second position beneath the vehicle 360 before, as shown in FIG. 3c, the further battery module 325 is inserted into the vehicle 360. The first position is chosen in this case such that the insertion apparatus 310 is under the battery module compartment 365 in the underbody of the vehicle 360. The second position is chosen such that the insertion apparatus 315 is under the battery module compartment 365 in the underbody of the vehicle 360. If the mobile changing unit 300 is accordingly in the second position (see FIG. 3c), the further battery module 325 placed on the further insertion apparatus 315 can be inserted into the battery module compartment 365 by raising the platform of the insertion apparatus 315, and so the further battery module 325 is inserted inside the battery module compartment 365 beneath the previously inserted battery module 320.

[0121] Advantageously, navigating the mobile changing unit 300 from the first to the second position allows the two battery modules 320 and 325 to be inserted into the vehicle 360 in such a way that they are arranged beneath one another in the form of a battery stack 328 inside the battery module compartment 365 of the vehicle 360. The battery modules 320 and 325 arranged above one another in such a way are advantageously on different insertion apparatuses 310 and 315 while being transported by the mobile changing unit 300, however, which means that the total height of the loaded mobile changing unit 300 is reduced and movement beneath the vehicle 360 is permitted.

[0122] Within the battery stack 328, the battery modules 320 and 325 arranged beneath one another are electrically connected to one another as a result of being electrically connected to one another in series or parallel (e.g. to achieve a desired voltage or electrical capacitance), for example. An electrical connection between the two battery modules 320 and 325 can be achieved for example by way of additional connecting structures of the battery modules.

[0123] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for an illustrative embodiment of a method 400 in accordance with the present disclosure. Method steps 410, 420 and 430 of the method 400 are described by way of illustration below with reference to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and 1n FIG. 1b. It is assumed by way of illustration that method steps 410, 420 and 430 are performed by the control apparatus 150 of the mobile changing unit 100.

[0124] Step 410 comprises navigating a mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle.

[0125] For example, the control apparatus 150 actuates the moving means 130 of the mobile changing unit 100 in such a way that the mobile changing unit 100 moves from its present position to the first position. The mobile changing unit 100 moves to the first position in an at least partially autonomously driving manner, the control apparatus 150 using for example sensors such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors or infrared sensors to detect and avoid obstacles on the way to the first position. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile changing unit 100 can use positioning sensors (e.g. one or more GPS sensors) to navigate the mobile changing unit 100 to the first position.

[0126] Step 420 comprises determining at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

[0127] For example, the control apparatus 150 determines the insertion apparatus 110 of the mobile changing unit 100 by virtue of the control apparatus 150 selecting the insertion apparatus 110. By way of illustration, the mobile changing unit 100 comprises two insertion apparatuses that are arranged beside one another, determination of an insertion apparatus comprising selection of the insertion apparatus 110. By way of example, the insertion apparatus 100 is selected in a predetermined order. In another example, the insertion apparatus 110 is determined according to the battery module 120 placed on the insertion apparatus 110. By way of example, information that denotes the battery module 120 to be inserted into the vehicle 160 is taken as a basis for determining the corresponding insertion apparatus 110 on which the denoted battery module 120 is placed. For this purpose, an electronic memory of the control apparatus 150 stores, for example, information about which respective battery module is placed on which insertion apparatus of the two insertion apparatuses of the mobile changing unit.

[0128] In another example, determination of the insertion apparatus 110 in step 420 can be based on battery module information that identifies the battery module 120.

[0129] By way of example, such battery module information can indicate which battery module is placed on which insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit 100. For example, the code scanner 210 of the mobile changing unit 100 (see FIG. 2) scans the barcode 220 printed on the housing of the battery module 120, the barcode 220 representing battery module information that contains an identifier of the battery module 120. The battery module information captured by the code scanner 210 is then transmitted to the control apparatus 150. The control apparatus 150 stores information indicating that the code scanner 210 is arranged on the platform of the insertion apparatus 110, and so the battery module information relayed from the code scanner 210 to the control apparatus 150 (e.g. at least implicitly) additionally indicates that the battery module 120 represented by the battery module information is placed on the insertion apparatus 110. By way of example, the control apparatus 150 stores information according to which the battery module 120 is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160. Accordingly, step 420 comprises determining the insertion apparatus 110 on the basis of the battery module information revealing that the battery module 120 to be inserted into the vehicle 160 is placed on the insertion apparatus 110.

[0130] By way of example, battery module information can additionally identify a battery module that is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160. As shown in FIG. 1b, the mobile changing unit 100 has two insertion apparatuses on which respective battery modules 120 and 125 are placed. Obtained battery module information then represents, for example, the battery module 120 that is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160. In such an example, the battery module 125 placed on the other insertion apparatus may be intended for another vehicle, for example, and therefore inserted into this other vehicle at a later time. Determination in step 420 is then based at least in part on the obtained battery module information. If for example the battery module information represents the battery module 120 that is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160, the insertion apparatus 110 on which the battery module 120 represented by the battery module information is placed is determined on the basis of the battery module information. In such an example, determination of the insertion apparatus may additionally be based on information (e.g. stored in an electronic memory of the control apparatus 150) that indicates for the two insertion apparatuses of the mobile changing unit 100 which battery module, if any, is placed on the respective insertion apparatus. For example, the battery module information is received by communication means 140 from the backend server 170 via a mobile radio network, the backend server 170 being able to be understood to mean a management server that is used to ascertain in which vehicle which battery module is intended to be inserted and/or removed by the mobile changing unit 100 (e.g. from a plurality of mobile changing units). Battery module information transmitted from the backend server 170 to the control apparatus 150 accordingly represents the battery module 120 that has previously been ascertained by the backend server 170 and that is intended to be inserted into the vehicle 160.

[0131] In another example, determination of the insertion apparatus 110 in step 420 can be based on vehicle information, the vehicle information denoting, for example, the vehicle 160 that the mobile changing unit 100 in the first position is under and into which the battery module 120 placed on the insertion apparatus 110 of the mobile changing unit 100 is intended to be inserted. By way of example, the vehicle information can be obtained at the control apparatus 150 from the backend server 170 via a mobile radio network (e.g. via the communication connection 185) or from the vehicle 160 by short-range radio communication (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC or RFID via the communication connection 180).

[0132] Step 430 comprises causing insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

[0133] For example, the control apparatus 150 actuates the insertion apparatus 110 determined in step 420 so that a lifting mechanism of the insertion apparatus 110 is activated and thus this lifting mechanism is caused to raise the battery module 120 placed on the platform of the insertion apparatus 110 and to insert said battery module into the vehicle 160. In one example, in which more than one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit 100 has been determined in the previous step 420, step 430 comprises for example each of the determined insertion apparatuses in succession being caused to insert the battery module placed on the respective insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

[0134] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus 50 in accordance with the present disclosure. By way of example, the apparatus 50 can be understood to be the control apparatus 150 of the mobile changing unit 100 shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b or to be the control apparatus 350 of the mobile changing unit 300 shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c.

[0135] By way of illustration, the control apparatus 50 comprises a processor 55. A processor is intended to be understood to mean for example a microprocessor, a microcontrol unit, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). It goes without saying that the control apparatus 50 can also comprise multiple processors 55.

[0136] The processor 55 executes program instructions stored in the program memory 51, and stores, for example, intermediate results or the like in the main memory 52. By way of example, the program memory 51 contains program instructions of a computer program in accordance with the present disclosure that comprises program instructions that prompt the processor 55 to perform and/or control the method in accordance with the present disclosure (e.g. the method 400 in accordance with FIG. 4) when the processor 55 executes the program instructions stored in the program memory 51.

[0137] The program memory 51 further contains, for example, an operating system of the control apparatus 50, at least part of which is loaded into the main memory 52 and executed by the processor 55 when the control apparatus 50 starts. In particular, at least part of the core of the operating system is loaded into the main memory 52 and executed by the processor 55 when the control apparatus 50 starts.

[0138] An example of an operating system is a Windows, UNIX, Linux, Android, Apple iOS and/or MAC OS operating system. The operating system permits in particular the use of the control apparatus 50 for data processing. By way of example, it manages resources such as the program memory 51 and the main memory 52 and uses programming interfaces, inter alia, to provide other computer programs with basic functions and controls the execution of computer programs.

[0139] A program memory is, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic memory, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) and/or an optical memory. A main memory is, for example, a volatile or nonvolatile memory, in particular a random access memory (RAM) such as a static RAM (SRAM) memory, a dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory, a ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) memory and/or a magnetic RAM (MRAM) memory.

[0140] The user data memory 53 is used for storing data that are required for executing the program. In the present case, these may be battery module information and/or vehicle information, for example.

[0141] Moreover, the control apparatus 50 may be connected to a communication interface 54 of the mobile changing unit 100 (e.g. the communication means 140 shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b). By way of example, the communication interface 54 comprises a mobile radio interface (e.g. for receiving battery module information or vehicle information from the backend server 170) and/or a short-range radio communication interface (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC or RFID for receiving battery module information from a battery module or for receiving vehicle information from a vehicle).

[0142] Moreover, the control apparatus 50 is connected for example to one or more sensors 57. By way of example, the sensor 57 can comprise a code scanner (e.g. an optical sensor such as a camera) that can scan an optically capturable code. In another example, the sensors 57 can comprise an electronic receiver that can receive battery module information in the form of an electrical signal from the battery module by short-range radio communication (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC or RFID).

[0143] The control apparatus 50 is additionally connected to moving means 56, these being able to be the wheels 130 of the mobile changing unit 100 and a steering mechanism of these wheels, for example. The control apparatus 50 can actuate these moving means 56 in order to move the mobile changing unit 100 and for example to navigate said mobile changing unit to a first position beneath the vehicle 160.

[0144] The control apparatus 50 is additionally connected to at least one removal apparatus 58 and at least one insertion apparatus 59. By way of example, the control apparatus 50 can actuate the insertion apparatus 59 (e.g. the insertion apparatus 110 in FIG. 1a) so that a lifting mechanism of this determined insertion apparatus 59 is activated and this lifting mechanism is thus caused to raise the battery module placed on a platform of the insertion apparatus 59.

[0145] As described above, the communication interface 54, the moving means 56, the sensors 57 and/or the removal and insertion apparatuses 58, 59 may be connected to the control apparatus 50, and so they can be controlled by the control apparatus 50, for example, and can relay information to the control apparatus. In other examples, the communication interface 54, the moving means 56, the sensors 57 and/or the removal and insertion apparatuses 58, 59 can additionally be understood to be part of the control apparatus 50.

[0146] FIG. 6 shows illustrative embodiments of storage media on which for example a computer program in accordance with the present disclosure may be stored. The storage medium may be for example a magnetic, electrical, optical and/or other type of storage medium. The storage medium may be for example part of a processor (e.g. the processor 55 in FIG. 5), for example a (nonvolatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof (e.g. program memory 51 in FIG. 5). Exemplary embodiments of a storage medium are a flash memory 60, an SSD hard disk 61, a magnetic hard disk 62, a memory card 63, a memory stick 65 (e.g. a USB stick), a CD-ROM or DVD 65 or a floppy disk 66.

[0147] The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure that are described in this specification should also be understood as disclosed in all combinations with one another. In particular, the description of a feature that an embodiment comprises should also not-unless explicitly stated to the contrarybe understood in the present case to mean that the feature is indispensable or essential for the function of the exemplary embodiment. The sequence of the method steps outlined in this disclosure in the individual flowcharts is not mandatory; alternative sequences of the method steps are conceivableunless indicated otherwise. The method steps may be implemented in various ways, and so implementation using software (by means of program instructions), hardware or a combination of the two is conceivable for implementing the method steps.

[0148] Terms used in the patent claims such as comprise, have, include, contain and the like do not exclude further elements or steps. The wording at least in part encompasses both the in part case and the in full case. The wording and/or should be understood to the effect that both the alternative and the combination are intended to be disclosed, that is to say that A and/or B means (A) or (B) or (A and B). In the context of this specification, a plurality of units, persons or the like means multiple units, persons or the like. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a plurality. A single device may perform the functions of a plurality of units or devices mentioned in the patent claims. Reference signs indicated in the patent claims should not be regarded as limitations for the means and steps used. The following exemplary embodiments are disclosed as part of the present disclosure:

Exemplary Embodiment 1

[0149] Apparatus, comprising means configured to: [0150] navigate a mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle; [0151] determine at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle; and [0152] cause insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 2

[0153] Apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the mobile changing unit comprises a plurality of insertion apparatuses including the at least one insertion apparatus, wherein each of the insertion apparatuses is configured to insert a battery module placed on the respective insertion apparatus, and wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: [0154] determine at least one further insertion apparatus from the plurality of insertion apparatuses; and [0155] cause insertion of a further battery module placed on the determined at least one further insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 3

[0156] Apparatus according to embodiment 2, wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: [0157] navigate the mobile changing unit, after the at least one battery module has been inserted into the vehicle and before the at least one further battery module is inserted into the vehicle, from the first position to a second position beneath the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 4

[0158] Apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the means of the apparatus are further configured to: [0159] cause, after the at least one battery module has been inserted, insertion of at least one further battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 5

[0160] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus and/or the plurality of insertion apparatuses of the mobile changing unit are configured to insert the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module into the vehicle in such a way that the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module form a single battery stack inside the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 6

[0161] Apparatus according to embodiment 5, wherein the at least one battery module and the at least one further battery module are arranged beneath one another and/ore are electrically connected to one another within the battery stack.

Exemplary Embodiment 7

[0162] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the means are further configured to: [0163] cause removal of a battery module from the vehicle before the at least one and/or the at least one further battery module is inserted into the vehicle, wherein the mobile changing unit comprises at least one removal apparatus for removing a battery module from the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 8

[0164] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the means are further configured to: [0165] obtain at least one battery module information, wherein the battery module information represents a battery module, and wherein determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained battery module information.

Exemplary Embodiment 9

[0166] Apparatus according to embodiment 8, the apparatus further comprising sensor means configured to obtain the battery module information from the battery module represented by the battery module information.

Exemplary Embodiment 10

[0167] Apparatus according to embodiment 8, the apparatus further comprising communication means configured to receive the battery module information from a backend server.

Exemplary Embodiment 11

[0168] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the means are further configured to: [0169] obtain vehicle information, wherein the vehicle information represents the vehicle, and wherein determining the at least one insertion apparatus is at least partially based on the obtained vehicle information.

Exemplary Embodiment 12

[0170] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 11, the apparatus further comprising communication means configured to receive the vehicle information from the vehicle or from a backend server.

Exemplary Embodiment 13

[0171] Apparatus according to one of the embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises: [0172] moving means for moving the mobile changing unit comprising a motor drive and/or a plurality of wheels; and/or [0173] the at least one insertion apparatus; and/or the at least one removal apparatus; and/or [0174] communication means for communicating with the backend server and/or the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 14

[0175] Method comprising: [0176] navigating a mobile changing unit to a first position beneath a vehicle; [0177] determining at least one insertion apparatus of the mobile changing unit, wherein the at least one insertion apparatus is configured to insert a battery module placed on the insertion apparatus into the vehicle; and [0178] causing insertion of the battery module placed on the determined at least one insertion apparatus into the vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiment 15

[0179] Computer program, comprising commands that cause an apparatus to perform the method steps according to embodiment 14.

[0180] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0181] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0182] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.