Title of Invention

AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE

Abstract THE INVENTION AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE In an electrically operated automotive vehicle, a system comprising a plurality of interconnected batteries having - a. a battery pack having co-located and interconnected batteries (5) slidably mounted on chassis(l); b. a manually operable clamping lever element (11) for engaging and disengaging the said battery pack to the chassis (I) of said automotive vehicle; c. a pair of coupling means (19, 20) for electrically connecting the said batteries; and said battery pack being housed within a body (2) provided in said automotive vehicle. Figure 1 16 29 JUL 2008
Full Text FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
( 39 of 1970 )
PROVISIONAL / COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION
SECTION 10
TITLE
"A SYSTEM OF REPLACEABKE: TRACTION BATTERY PACK FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED VEHICLES"
APPLICANT
BAJAJAUTOUMTTEIfc, an Indian Limited Company, of Akurdi, Pune 411 035, Maharashtra, India
invention and the maimer in which ft is to be performed

GRANTED


5-12-2005

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This invention relates to a system of Replaceable Traction Battery pack for electrically operated vehicles. The invention particularly relates to 3-wheeled electric vehicle having a system of replaceable battery pack, accommodated within the vehicle body and preferably located behind the passenger seats.
Electric vehicles are primarily used as commercial vehicles for the purpose of passenger transport for a consideration and also used as private vehicles. The considerations are the earnings for the drivers of such passenger transport vehicles.
A number of vehicles running on electric energy are being used. These are sought to replace similar vehicles running on petrol, diesel, CNG or similar, petroleum fuels. These vehicles use a multiple number of batteries for traction energy storage. These vehicles are
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generally used on hire for transportation of the passengers or are used as private vehicles. Electrically traction batteries used as an energy storage device in such vehicles are normally large in size, and multiple in quantities when compared to the single battery used in normal vehicles for purposes starting, lighting and ignition (SLI). Such traction batteries are, required to be accommodated within the vehicle body. Accommodating such large batteries in multiple numbers as required to achieve adequate range, has always been difficult in small 3 wheeled vehicles. In the known vehicles, the batteries are placed in two or more sets. As an example, if there are 8 batteries required to be used, these are accommodated as a first set containing 3 at one location and the other 5 at another location, or in any other combination. These are then connected together as desired by using large lengths of thick cables as required for proper vehicle operation.
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The electric vehicle traction batteries are discharged of energy when the vehicle is being driven on the road. They then are required to be charged to replenish the energy so depleted. The amount of discharge depends on various factors such as distance driven, load carried during driving, speed profile, road condition, battery quality and such other factors. Under these conditions, the vehicle is not recommended to be further driven, since any additional discharge may damage the batteries.
In known vehicles, once the battery is discharged, partially or fully, the vehicle needs to be positioned at specific locations where the necessary infrastructure exists to recharge the batteries.
Because of known shortcomings of batteries, the driving range of such vehicles is limited. For example, with batteries using cost-economic lead acid technology, the range of electric vehicles is limited
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to about 100 km or so. In contrast, similar vehicles running on petrol, diesel, CNG etc in internal combustion engines, and used for passenger transport, are routinely used for a distance of 150 to 250 km in a day. For electric vehicles to attain mis range in one day, necessitates multiple charges of batteries within this period.
However, since the charging time of such batteries is at feast 8 hours, the vehicles remain idle during this time, causing loss of earning for the drivers. In order to avoid mis disadvantages efforts have been made to provide the vehicle with replaceable battery sets preassembted in multiple number of trays. This allows the discharged battery sets to be quickly exchanged with duly charged battery sets, which the drivers may keep at preferred locations. Hence, once the vehicle batteries are discharged, the drivers can go to these locations and replace the batteries with duly charged battery sets. Thus the vehicles do not remain idle for any substantial period of time. The discharged batteries alongwith their trays can then be charged offline, and kept ready for me next replacement.
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In known vehicles, there are disadvantages as mentioned below:
1. Since there are more man one tray provided, even in such small vehicles, replacement of multiple trays with batteries becomes cumbersome, inconvenient and time consuming.
2. Disconnection of batteries in multiple immbeis of trays and their connections to the vehicle systems becomes a difficult and time consuming task and necessary skills are not always available in the field.
3. Any misconnection is likely to damage the batteries which complicates vehicle control and drive systems.
In order to avoid the above difficulties, the applicants have developed a singie replaceable traction battery pack, wim traction batteries, for 3 wheeled motor vehicles. In order to facilitate the
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replacement of such pack by the drivers who do not have enough skill in the art, necessary facilities have also been provided to electrically disconnect the battery from the vehicle, unlock the pack from the vehicle with a simple lever arrangement . Ancillary equipment made available at the place of replacement is used to lift the battery pack, remove the tray from the vehicle, place it in a suitable location, pick up the replacement battery from its place, insert it in the vehicle, and lower the pack into place in the vehicle. The battery pack is then locked into place by the lever mechanism provided and the electrical connection is made.
The present invention provides in an electrically operated automotive vehicle, a system comprising a plurality of interconnected batteries, having -
a. a battery pack having co-located and interconnected batteries slidebaly
mounted on chassis;
b. a manually operable clamping lever element for engaging and
disengaging the said battery pack to the chassis of said automotive
vehicle;
c. a pair of coupling means for electrically connecting the said batteries;
and said battery pack being housed within a body provided in said automotive
vehicle.
The present invention further provides a method of mounting the aforesaid system in an electrically operated automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of-
a. mechanically engaging the said system to the frame of the vehicle;
b. electrically connecting the said power units in the system through the
said coupling means,
wherein the system is release-ably mounted within the frame structure of the vehicle.
In order to achieve the above, the rear portion of the body of the vehicle is kept accessible through one or more doors.
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Figure 2 illustrates one partial view of location of a replaceable angle pack for all batteries with the vehicle body removed in a typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle according to the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates first partial view of location of a replaceable single pack for all batteries without rear doors in a typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle according to the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates second partial views of location of a single pack for all batteries within vehicle body in a typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle according to the present invention.
Figure S illustrates partral oblique views of a replaceable single pack with batteries for a typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle according to the present invention.
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Figure 6 illhistrafes partial oblique views of damping arrange ment of a replaceable single pack with batteries for a typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle according to the present mventioiL
A typical 3-wheeled electric vehicle with replaceable traction battery pack according to the present invention is illustrated in figures. It comprises of a chassis (I) a body (2), a rear door LH (3), a rear door RH(4X batteries (5), a top frame (6) with brackets (8) a bottom frame (7) with brackets (8X fastening means (9% cup for clamping (10), clamping lever (1IX cam for clamping (12X location pins (15), packing (16), terminal box (18), male coupling (19) and female coupling (20).
The said pack comprises of batteries (5) a top frame (6) with brackets (8) and a bottom frame (7) with brackets (8) and the said
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brackets (8) which are damped together by fastening means (9). The connections of the batteries are connected to a female coupling (20) located in terminal box (18), which is assembled on the said top frame (6) and the said bottom frame (7). The drivers keep such a pack as a spare pack at desired location when the vehicle is running on road for
An identical single pack for all batteries is available on the vehicle. The said pack is located within the body (2), behind the passenger seat area (P) and is accessible after opening the rear door LH (3) and rear door RH (4). The said tray is clamped to the chassis (1) mechanically with cup for clamping (10), clamping lever (11) and cam for clamping (12). The arrangement is such that when the clamping lever (11) is turned clockwise viewing from the top side, it clamps the said tray and when die said lever is turned anti-clockwise, it releases the tray for removal. Suitable packings (16) are provided between said
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bottom fiame (7) and the said chassis (1), The said side after assembly on the said chassis (1) is located in place by locating pins (15). The vehicie is provided with male coupling (19) which combines together all the interconnections for vehicle including the connection to the state of charge indicator.
When the driver finds from the battery charge indicator in the venicle (not described) that the batteries in the vehicle are likely to be drained of charge, he goes to the replacement station where a spare pack with charged batteries is kept To replace the tray, the said doors are opened and the tray in the vehicle is released by turning the damping lever (11) and the male coupling (19) and female coupling (20) are separated. The pack is lifted up from the locating pins (IS) and polled out of the vehicle. It is then kept aside for further charging. The spare pack is then assembled in and damped. After connecting the male coupling (19) and female coupling (20) and closing the doors the
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vehicle is ready for naming. The applicants have undertaken prototype manufacture of this and it is possible to replace the pack within a short time of approximately 10 minutes.
After the pack is replaced, the control unit of the charge indicator reads the state of the charge of the batteries.
It can be seen horn the above that the drivers can easily and comfortably run the vehicle without getting stranded for charging or spending time and efforts for changing multiple trays. Due to this, the viability of such vehicles in Indian scenario has drastically improved.
Although the illustrations and the description given above applies to 3-wheeled vehicles which are smaller in nature meant for 3 passengers, the arrangement can be applied in other practical vehicles with 3 or more wheels and is well within scope of this patent
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Also, though the replaceable traction battery tray for 3 wheeled electric vehicles illustrated and described hereinabove can be replaced from rear of the vehicle, it is possible to design the system wherein the tray can be removed from any of the sides of the vehicle.
Although the illustrations attached herewith are for 8 batteries, it is possible to apply the system to multiple number of batteries required to drive vehicle and is well within the scope of this invention.
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WE CLAIM:
1. In an electrically operated automotive vehicle, a system comprising a plurality
of interconnected batteries, having-
a. a battery pack having co-located and interconnected batteries (5)
slidebaly mounted on chassis (1);
b. a manually operable clamping lever element (11) for engaging and
disengaging the said battery pack to the chassis (1) of said automotive
vehicle;
c. a pair of coupling means (19, 20) for electrically connecting the said
batteries;
and said battery pack being housed within a body (2) provided in said automotive vehicle.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said battery pack comprises at least a pair of frames (6, 7) and fastening means (9) adapted to clamp the plurality of interconnected batteries there-between.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said coupling means (19, 20) comprises at least two cooperating connecting members.
4. "A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said coupling means comprises a
male connecting member (19) permanently connected to said automotive vehicle and a female connecting member (20) being in electrical connection with the plurality of said interconnected batteries.
5. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the said batteries
are rechargeable batteries.
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7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein housing unit said is slidably housed within the frame of said automotive vehicle.
8. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said automotive vehicle is a three wheeled vehicle.
9. A method of mounting a system as claimed in any of claims I to 7 is\ an electrically operated automotive vehicle, comprising
a. mechanically engaging the said system to the frame of the vehicle;
b. electrically connecting the said power units in the system through the said
coupling means,
wherein said system is release-ably mounted within the frame structure of the vehicle.
Dated this 3rd day of December 2005
M K CHAKRABARTI of MKC & Associates Applicant's Attorney

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Documents:

1290-MUM-2008-CORRESPONDENCE(24-07-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-abstract(29-07-2008).doc

1295-mum-2004-abstract(29-07-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-cancelled page(05-12-2005).pdf

1295-mum-2004-claim(granted)-(05-12-2005).doc

1295-mum-2004-claim(granted)-(29-07-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-claims-complete.doc

1295-mum-2004-claims-complete.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence 1(05-12-2005).pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 11-6-2008.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence 2(29-07-2008).pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 2-7-2008.pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 7-7-2008.pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE(17-7-2008).pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE(21-7-2008).pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE(25-2-2009).pdf

1295-MUM-2004-CORRESPONDENCE(3-11-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence(ipo)-(07-10-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-021106.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-021204.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-021205.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-051205.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-080405.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received-161106.pdf

1295-mum-2004-correspondence-received.pdf

1295-mum-2004-descripiton (complete).pdf

1295-mum-2004-descripiton (provisional).pdf

1295-mum-2004-drawing(03-12-2004).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 1(19-03-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 13(02-11-2006).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 18(16-11-2006).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 2(granted)-(05-12-2005).doc

1295-mum-2004-form 2(granted)-(05-12-2005).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 3(03-12-2004).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 3(19-03-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 5(05-12-2005).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form 5(19-03-2008).pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-1.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-13.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-18.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-2-complete.doc

1295-mum-2004-form-2-complete.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-2-provisional.doc

1295-mum-2004-form-2-provisional.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-26.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-3.pdf

1295-mum-2004-form-5.pdf

1295-mum-2004-other document(11-04-2005).pdf

1295-mum-2004-power of attorney(03-12-2004).pdf

abstract1.jpg


Patent Number 224219
Indian Patent Application Number 1295/MUM/2004
PG Journal Number 06/2009
Publication Date 06-Feb-2009
Grant Date 07-Oct-2008
Date of Filing 03-Dec-2004
Name of Patentee BAJAJ AUTO LIMITED
Applicant Address AKURDI, PUNE 411 035, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BASU TAPAN C/O BAJAJ AUTO LTD AKURDI, PUNE 411 035, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
PCT International Classification Number B60L 11/18
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA