DESC:ANTI-THEFT BATTERY SWAPPING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202321006472 filed on 01/02/2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to battery swapping in electric vehicles. The present disclosure particularly relates to a secure battery swapping system for electric vehicles. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for securely swapping battery in the electric vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Recently, there has been a rapid development in electric vehicles because of their ability to resolve pollution-related problems and serve as a clean mode of transportation. Generally, electric vehicles include a battery pack, power pack, and/or combination of electric cells for storing electricity required for the propulsion of the vehicles. The electrical power stored in the battery pack of the electric vehicle is supplied to the traction motor for moving the electric vehicle. Once the electrical power stored in the battery pack of the electric vehicle is depleted, the battery pack is required to be charged from a power source or by replacing the depleted battery pack with a fully charged battery pack.
The replaceable battery packs are also known as swappable battery packs and resolve the problems of charger availability and range anxiety associated with fixed battery packs. Moreover, the swappable battery packs may also solve the problem high initial cost of ownership of the electric vehicles. Since the battery is the most expensive component of the electric vehicle, the cost associated with the ownership of the battery pack may be eliminated by getting a swappable battery as a service.
Generally, the user of the electric vehicle reaches a battery swapping station to replace the nearly depleted battery pack with a charged battery pack. However, the battery swapping station may not always be present in the nearby vicinity (range) of the electric vehicle, where the user can reach before the existing battery in the vehicle completely depletes and stops supplying power to the electric vehicle. Moreover, the travel to the battery swapping station adds to the inconvenience to the user. Such, problems may be solved by battery delivery services, however, the battery delivery service has further challenges in terms of unauthorized access, theft of the battery pack under the pretext of swapping, and so on.
Furthermore, the swapping of the battery pack requires a locking mechanism in the electric vehicle to prevent unauthorized access or theft of the swappable battery pack of the electric vehicle. Such a locking mechanism is controlled by a vehicle control unit present in the vehicle. When a vehicle user wants to swap the battery from the electric vehicle, the vehicle user provides a signal to the vehicle control unit by using an electric switch present in the electric vehicle. After receiving the signal, the vehicle control unit performs unlocking of the battery pack storage compartment to allow a service provider to swap the battery pack. However, when the user is not present near the electric vehicle and the user wants to swap the battery pack from the electric vehicle, then it is difficult for a service provider to swap the battery from the electric vehicle. Further, there is a high chance of unauthorized swapping of the battery pack if the user is not present near the vehicle during the swapping of the battery pack. Moreover, the present systems lack verification processes to determine whether the swapped battery pack is a healthy battery pack capable of delivering a range similar to the existing battery pack of the user.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved battery swapping system that overcomes one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a secure battery swapping system for an electric vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle.
In accordance with first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided describes a battery swapping system for an electric vehicle. The battery swapping system comprises a vehicle control unit, a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a server arrangement. The server arrangement is communicably coupled with the vehicle control unit, the first terminal device, and the second terminal device. The server arrangement is configured to perform a first authentication process, via the first terminal device to generate a first authentication information. The server arrangement is configured to perform a second authentication process, via the second terminal device to generate a second authentication information. The server arrangement is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit, based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack from the battery pack compartment.
The present disclosure provides a battery swapping system for an electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of preventing unauthorized access to swappable battery packs of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of eliminating the possibility of battery theft during the battery swapping process. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling battery swapping by an authorized service provider without the physical presence of a user near the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of ensuring that the swapped battery meets the range requirement of the user. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of identifying the battery swapping need of the electric vehicle based on state of charge of the battery without active involvement from the user of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling swapping of the battery pack based on the requirement of the swapping without manual intervention from the user of the electric vehicle.
In accordance with second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle. The method comprises performing a first authentication process, via a first terminal device to generate a first authentication information; performing a second authentication process, via a second terminal device to generate a second authentication information; and instructing a vehicle control unit, based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack from the battery pack compartment.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a battery swapping system for an electric vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a battery swapping system for electric vehicle and method of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle, and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, or system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the terms “electric vehicle”, “EV”, and “EVs” are used interchangeably and refer to any vehicle having stored electrical energy, including the vehicle capable of being charged from an external electrical power source. This may include vehicles having batteries that are exclusively charged from an external power source, as well as hybrid vehicles which may include batteries capable of being at least partially recharged via an external power source. Additionally, it is to be understood that the ‘electric vehicle’ as used herein includes electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, electric four-wheelers, electric pickup trucks, electric trucks, and so forth. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the electric vehicle comprises swappable battery packs, that are replaced with fully charged battery packs, once the existing battery pack depletes.
As used herein, the terms “swappable battery pack”, “battery pack”, “battery”, and “power pack” are used interchangeably and refer to multiple individual battery cells connected to provide a higher combined voltage or capacity than what a single battery can offer along with the necessary electronic components and circuitry required to do so. The battery pack is designed to store electrical energy and supply it as needed to various devices or systems. Battery packs, as referred herein may be used for various purposes such as power electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. Furthermore, the battery pack may include additional circuitry, such as a battery management system (BMS), to ensure the safe and efficient charging and discharging of the battery cells. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cell arrays which in turn comprises a plurality of battery cells.
As used herein, the terms “vehicle control unit”, “control unit” and “vehicle intelligence unit” are used interchangeably and refer to a computational element that is operable to respond to and process instructions that control the various components in the electric vehicle. The vehicle control unit may comprise a microprocessor. The vehicle control unit may further comprise a micro-controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing unit. Furthermore, the term “microprocessor” may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices, and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices. Furthermore, the microprocessor may be designed to handle real-time tasks with high performance and low power consumption. Furthermore, the microprocessor may comprise custom and/or proprietary processors. Moreover, the vehicle control unit may comprise a communication unit to communicate with various components inside the electric vehicle and to communicate with a server arrangement and/or user devices. Further, the vehicle control unit may be communicably coupled to a display unit to display various information.
As used herein, the term “communication unit” relates to an arrangement of interconnected programmable and/or non-programmable components that are configured to facilitate data communication between one or more electronic devices and/or databases, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. Furthermore, the network module may utilize, but is not limited to, a public network such as the global computer network known as the Internet, a private network, Wi-Fi, a cellular network including 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G LTE etc. and any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. Additionally, the network includes wired or wireless communication that can be carried out via any number of known protocols, including, but not limited to, Internet Protocol (IP), Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Frame Relay, or Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Moreover, any other suitable protocols using voice, video, data, or combinations thereof, can also be employed. Moreover, although the system is frequently described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the system may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI, any tunneling protocol (e.g., IPsec, SSH), or any number of existing or future protocols. It would be appreciated that internal components of the system would utilize communication methods including Controller Area Network, Local Interconnect Network, FlexRay, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Profinet and so forth. Similarly, it would be appreciated that system would utilize communication methods including Wi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth for communication with external modules/units/components.
As used herein, the term “server arrangement, “server”, “battery swapping server”, and “EV server” are used interchangeably and refer to a remote computing unit with organization of one or more CPUs, memory, databases, network interfaces etc. to provide required information via network-based communication.
As used herein, the term “first terminal device” refers to a handheld computing unit associated with an owner (user) of the electric vehicle comprising processing, networking and storage capabilities. The first terminal device may include a smartphone, a tablet, a handheld terminal and so forth.
As used herein, the term “second terminal device” refers to a handheld computing unit associated with an authorized battery swapping service provider comprising processing, networking and storage capabilities. The user device may include a smartphone, a tablet, a handheld terminal and so forth.
As used herein, the term “battery pack compartment” refers to a dedicated secured compartment n the electric vehicle for receiving and engaging at least one swappable battery pack. The battery pack compartment may comprise a secure locking device to lock the battery pack compartment preventing unauthorized access of the battery pack compartment. The secure locking device may be a solenoid lock or any other suitable device known to a person skilled in the art.
As used herein, the term “battery swapping” refers to a process of removing depleted swappable battery pack from the electric vehicle and replacing it with a charged swappable battery pack.
As used herein, the term “first authentication process” refers to a process of receiving approval from the electric vehicle user for battery swapping requirement of the user.
As used herein, the term “first authentication information” refers to an approval received from the user for executing the battery swapping in the electric vehicle by the authorized service provider.
As used herein, the term “second authentication process” refers to a process of authenticating whether the battery swapping has been performed by the authorized service provider properly with a suitable swappable battery pack without physical presence or manual intervention of the user of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “second authentication information” refers to a confirmation of authorized and successful battery swapping operation performed by the authorized service provider physical presence or manual intervention of the user of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “identification information of battery pack” refers to a system readable digital identity (serial number) of the swappable battery pack. The identification of the swappable battery pack may be readable by the vehicle control unit and/or the server arrangement.
As used herein, the term “parameters associated with the battery pack” refers to at least one of the state of charge of the swappable battery pack and the state of health of the swappable battery pack.
As used herein, the term “user approval” refers to a permission given by the user of the electric vehicle for battery swapping by the authorized service provider.
As used herein, the term “parameter associated with electric vehicle” refers to a location of the electric vehicle. The location of the electric vehicle is used as point of battery swapping for the authorized service provider.
As used herein, the term “identity of electric vehicle” refers to a visual identity of the electric vehicle. The visual identity of the electric vehicle is confirmed to ensure that the correct vehicle is being interacted with for battery swapping by the authorized service provider. Furthermore, the identity of the electric vehicle may be utilized as a starting step by the server arrangement for starting battery swapping process.
As used herein, the term “financial information” refers to information pertaining to payment for availing battery swapping service from the authorized service provider.
As used herein, the term “communicably coupled” refers to a bi-directional connection between the various components of the system. The bi-directional connection between the various components of the system enables the exchange of data between two or more components of the system.
Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment, describes a battery swapping system 100 for an electric vehicle. The battery swapping system 100 comprises a vehicle control unit 102, a first terminal device 104, a second terminal device 106, and a server arrangement 108. The server arrangement 108 is communicably coupled with the vehicle control unit 102, the first terminal device 104, and the second terminal device 106. The server arrangement 108 is configured to perform a first authentication process, via the first terminal device 104 to generate a first authentication information. The server arrangement 108 is configured to perform a second authentication process, via the second terminal device 106 to generate a second authentication information. The server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102, based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment 110 of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110.
Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of preventing unauthorized access to swappable battery packs 110a of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of eliminating possibility of battery theft during the battery swapping process. Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling battery swapping by an authorized service provider without physical presence of a user near the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of ensuring that swapped battery meets the range requirement of the user. Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of identifying the battery swapping need of the electric vehicle based on state of charge of the battery without active involvement from the user of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the battery swapping system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling swapping of the battery pack 110a based on the requirement of the swapping without manual intervention from the user of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit 102 is communicably coupled with the at least one battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 to obtain at least one of: an identification information of the battery pack 110a and at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a. Beneficially, the vehicle control unit 102 obtain the identification information of the battery pack 110a and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a to communicate the same to the server arrangement for identification of swapping requirement. In an embodiment, at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a comprises a state of health of the battery pack 110a and/or a state of charge of the battery pack 110a. It is to be understood that the state of charge of the battery pack 110a is used to identify battery swapping requirement. Similarly, the state of health of the battery pack 110a is used to provide a suitable battery pack for swapping the battery pack 110a.
In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit 102 is configured to communicate the identification information of the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 to the server arrangement 108. Beneficially, the server arrangement 108 receives the state of health of the battery pack 110a and/or a state of charge of the battery pack 110a to identify battery swapping requirement based on the state of charge of the battery pack 110a and suitable battery pack for swapping the battery pack 110a based on the state of health of the battery pack 110a.
In an embodiment, the first authentication information comprises a user approval for swapping of the at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110. Beneficially, after identification of the swapping requirement, the server arrangement 108 requests for a user approval. Beneficially, the first authentication information may also comprise a location of the user and/or the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive at least one parameter associated with the electric vehicle from at least one of: the vehicle control unit 102 and the first terminal device 104. In an embodiment, at least one parameter associated with the electric vehicle may be the location of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the server arrangement 108 receives the location of the electric vehicle and communicate the same to the authorized service provider for performing the battery swapping.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to trigger the first authentication process, via the first terminal device 104, based on the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110. Beneficially, the requirement of the swapping identified based on the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and confirmed from the user via the first terminal device 104.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to trigger the second authentication process, via the second terminal device 106, based on at least one of: the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the first authentication information.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive at least one identity of the electric vehicle to initiate the second authentication process. Beneficially, the server arrangement 108 receives visual identity of the electric vehicle to initiate the swapping process and the second authentication process.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102 to open the battery pack compartment 110 for swapping of the at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110. Beneficially, the operation of the battery pack compartment 110 on the instruction of the server arrangement 108 enables battery swapping process without the physical presence or manual intervention of the user of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive the identification information of swapped battery pack and verify the received identification information of the swapped battery pack. Beneficially, the server arrangement 108 receives the identification information of swapped battery pack after it is inserted in the battery pack compartment 110 and verify the received identification information of the swapped battery pack with an initially assigned identification information to ensure that the suitable battery pack replaces the depleted battery pack 110a.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102 to close the battery pack compartment 110, based on the verification of the identification information of the swapped battery pack. Beneficially, the battery pack compartment 110 is closed only when the suitable battery pack replaces the depleted battery pack 110a.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to generate the second authentication information when the battery pack compartment 110 is closed. Beneficially, the second authentication information is generated only when the battery swapping is successful and the battery pack compartment 110 is properly closed to prevent the theft of the swapped battery pack and/or prevent unauthorized access to the battery pack compartment 110.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to communicate the second authentication information to the first terminal device 104 after the second authentication process. Beneficially, the second authentication information is communicated to the user of the electric vehicle via the first terminal device 104 to inform the successful completion of the battery swapping to the user of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the server arrangement 108 is configured to communicate with the first terminal device 104 to exchange at least one financial information. Beneficially, the first terminal device 104 and the server arrangement 108 further communicate for the processing of payment in exchange of the battery swapping service received by the user of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, battery swapping system 100 comprises the vehicle control unit 102, the first terminal device 104, the second terminal device 106, and the server arrangement 108. The server arrangement 108 is communicably coupled with the vehicle control unit 102, the first terminal device 104, and the second terminal device 106. The server arrangement 108 is configured to perform the first authentication process, via the first terminal device 104 to generate the first authentication information. The server arrangement 108 is configured to perform the second authentication process, via the second terminal device 106 to generate the second authentication information. The server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102, based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control the battery pack compartment 110 of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110. Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 102 is communicably coupled with the at least one battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 to obtain at least one of: the identification information of the battery pack 110a and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a. Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 102 is configured to communicate the identification information of the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 to the server arrangement 108. Furthermore, the first authentication information comprises the user approval for swapping of the at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive at least one parameter associated with the electric vehicle from at least one of: the vehicle control unit 102 and the first terminal device 104. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to trigger the first authentication process, via the first terminal device 104, based on the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to trigger the second authentication process, via the second terminal device 106, based on at least one of: the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the first authentication information. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive at least one identity of the electric vehicle to initiate the second authentication process. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102 to open the battery pack compartment 110 for swapping of the at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to receive the identification information of swapped battery pack and verify the received identification information of the swapped battery pack. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit 102 to close the battery pack compartment 110, based on the verification of the identification information of the swapped battery pack. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to generate the second authentication information when the battery pack compartment 110 is closed. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to communicate the second authentication information to the first terminal device 104 after the second authentication process. Furthermore, the server arrangement 108 is configured to communicate with the first terminal device 104 to exchange at least one financial information.
In an embodiment, the first terminal device 104 and the second terminal device 106 communicate with each other to enable the battery swapping, in case of communicational unavailability of the server arrangement 108.
Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment, describes method 200 of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and ends at step 206. At step 202, the method 200 comprises performing a first authentication process, via a first terminal device 104 to generate a first authentication information. At step 204, the method 200 comprises performing a second authentication process, via a second terminal device 106 to generate a second authentication information. At step 206, the method 200 comprises instructing a vehicle control unit 102, based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment 110 of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises obtain at least one of: an identification information of the battery pack 110a and at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving the identification information of the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving at least one parameter associated with the electric vehicle from at least one of: the vehicle control unit 102 and the first terminal device 104.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises triggering the first authentication process, via the first terminal device 104, based on the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises triggering the second authentication process, via the second terminal device 106, based on at least one of: the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack 110a present in the battery pack compartment 110 and the first authentication information.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving at least one identity of the electric vehicle to initiate the second authentication process.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises instructing the vehicle control unit 102 to open the battery pack compartment 110 for swapping of the at least one battery pack 110a from the battery pack compartment 110.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving the identification information of swapped battery pack and verify the received identification information of the swapped battery pack.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises instructing the vehicle control unit 102 to close the battery pack compartment 110, based on the verification of the identification information of the swapped battery pack.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises generating the second authentication information when the battery pack compartment 110 is closed.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises communicating the second authentication information to the first terminal device 104 after the second authentication process.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises communicating with the first terminal device 104 to exchange at least one financial information.
It would be appreciated that all the explanations and embodiments of system 100 also apply mutatis-mutandis to the method 200.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combinations of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, and “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A battery swapping system (100) for an electric vehicle, wherein the battery swapping system (100) comprises:
- a vehicle control unit (102);
- a first terminal device (104);
- a second terminal device (106); and
- a server arrangement (108), communicably coupled with the vehicle control unit (102), the first terminal device (104), and the second terminal device (106), wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to:
- perform a first authentication process, via the first terminal device (104) to generate a first authentication information;
- perform a second authentication process, via the second terminal device (106) to generate a second authentication information; and
- instruct the vehicle control unit (102), based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment (110) of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack (110a) from the battery pack compartment (110).
2. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (102) is communicably coupled with the at least one battery pack (110a) present in the battery pack compartment (110) to obtain at least one of: an identification information of the battery pack (110a) and at least one parameter associated with the battery pack (110a).
3. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (102) is configured to communicate the identification information of the battery pack (110a) present in the battery pack compartment (110) and the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack (110a) present in the battery pack compartment (110) to the server arrangement (108).
4. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first authentication information comprises a user approval for swapping of the at least one battery pack (110a) from the battery pack compartment (110).
5. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to receive at least one parameter associated with the electric vehicle from at least one of: the vehicle control unit (102) and the first terminal device (104).
6. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to trigger the first authentication process, via the first terminal device (104), based on the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack (110a) present in the battery pack compartment (110).
7. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to trigger the second authentication process, via the second terminal device (106), based on at least one of: the at least one parameter associated with the battery pack (110a) present in the battery pack compartment (110) and the first authentication information.
8. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to receive at least one identity of the electric vehicle to initiate the second authentication process.
9. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit (102) to open the battery pack compartment (110) for swapping of the at least one battery pack (110a) from the battery pack compartment (110).
10. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to receive the identification information of swapped battery pack and verify the received identification information of the swapped battery pack.
11. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to instruct the vehicle control unit (102) to close the battery pack compartment (110), based on the verification of the identification information of the swapped battery pack.
12. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to generate the second authentication information when the battery pack compartment (110) is closed.
13. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to communicate the second authentication information to the first terminal device (104) after the second authentication process.
14. The battery swapping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server arrangement (108) is configured to communicate with the first terminal device (104) to exchange at least one financial information.
15. A method (200) of securely swapping battery in an electric vehicle, wherein the method (200) comprises:
- performing a first authentication process, via a first terminal device (104) to generate a first authentication information;
- performing a second authentication process, via a second terminal device (106) to generate a second authentication information; and
- instructing a vehicle control unit (102), based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information, to control a battery pack compartment (110) of the electric vehicle for swapping of at least one battery pack (110a) from the battery pack compartment (110).