Energy storage system for vehicle and alignment system for same
An energy storage system is removably coupled to a vehicle and includes a frame, a battery supported on the frame, and a frame alignment system. The frame includes a base configured to rest on a support surface while the frame is uncoupled from the vehicle, and a first mounting feature configured to engage a complementary second mounting feature positioned on the vehicle. The battery is configured to provide power to the vehicle while the energy storage system is coupled to the vehicle. The frame alignment system includes a guide surface configured to engage the second mounting feature as the frame is coupled to the vehicle, the engagement between the guide surface and the second mounting feature facilitating alignment between the first mounting feature and the second mounting feature.
1 . An energy storage system that is removably coupled to a vehicle, the energy storage system comprising:
a frame including a base configured to rest on a surface while the frame is uncoupled from the vehicle, and a first mounting feature configured to engage a complementary second mounting feature positioned on the vehicle, the first mounting feature including a bar extending within a mounting cavity between a first side of the frame and a second side of the frame;
a battery supported on the frame, the battery configured to provide power to the vehicle while the energy storage system is coupled to the vehicle; and
a frame alignment system including a guide surface extending into the mounting cavity adjacent the first side of the frame, the guide surface configured to engage the second mounting feature as the frame is coupled to the vehicle, the engagement between the guide surface and the second mounting feature facilitating alignment between the first mounting feature and the second mounting feature.
2 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the frame alignment system includes a wear member supported in the mounting cavity proximate the bar, the wear member configured to engage an end of the second mounting feature.
3 . The energy storage system of claim 2 , wherein the guide surface is a first guide surface positioned adjacent the first side of the frame, and wherein the wear member is a first wear member positioned adjacent an inner end of the first guide surface, and the frame alignment system further includes a second guide surface positioned adjacent the second side of the frame, and a second wear member supported in the mounting cavity proximate the bar and positioned adjacent an inner end of the second guide surface.
4 . The energy storage system of claim 3 , wherein the bar extends from a first sidewall, through the first guide surface and the second guide surface.
5 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting cavity is defined in an end surface of the frame and includes a recessed surface stepped from the end surface, and wherein the guide surface extends from a side surface toward the recessed surface.
6 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the guide surface includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion oriented at an acute angle relative to the first side of the frame and extending inwardly from the first side of the frame, the second portion oriented substantially parallel to the first side of the frame.
7 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the guide surface is positioned adjacent an end surface of the frame and recessed relative to the end surface.
8 . A system for coupling an energy storage system to a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first mounting interface configured to be positioned on one of the energy storage system and the vehicle, the first mounting interface including a mounting member positioned in a mounting cavity defined in an end surface of the one of the energy storage system and the vehicle;
a second mounting interface configured to be positioned on the other of the energy storage system and the vehicle, the second mounting interface including an arm and a latch member coupled to the arm, the latch member engageable with the mounting member; and
a frame alignment system positioned on one of the energy storage system and the vehicle, the frame alignment system including a guide surface extending into the mounting cavity, the guide surface configured to guide the arm into the mounting cavity toward the mounting member.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the latch member includes a mounting hook positioned adjacent an end of the arm.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the arm is a first arm, the second mounting interface including a second arm and a crossbar connecting the first arm and the second arm such that a position of the first arm relative to the second arm is fixed.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the guide surface is configured to induce adjustment of the first arm relative to the mounting member, the guide surface inducing a corollary position adjustment of the second arm as the position of the first arm is adjusted.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the guide surface is a first guide surface, the frame alignment system including a second guide surface extending into the mounting cavity and configured to induce adjustment of the second arm relative to the mounting member, the second guide surface inducing a corollary position adjustment of the first arm as the position of the second arm is adjusted.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the frame alignment system includes a first wear member positioned in the mounting cavity and engageable with the first arm and a second wear member positioned in the mounting cavity and engageable with the second arm, and wherein each of the first wear member and the second wear member has an inner edge and an outer edge such that the inner edges of the first wear member and the second wear member face each other.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein a first distance between the inner edges of the first wear member and the second wear member is less than a second distance between the first arm and the second arm, and wherein a third distance between the outer edge of the first wear member and the outer edge of the second wear member is greater than the second distance between the first arm and the second arm.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the frame alignment system includes a wear member supported in the mounting cavity adjacent an inner edge of the guide surface, and wherein engagement of the arm and the guide surface guides the arm into the mounting cavity toward the wear member.
16 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the second mounting interface includes an actuator operable to rotate the arm into engagement with the mounting member to lift and mount the energy storage system to the vehicle.
17 . A method of mounting an energy storage system to a vehicle, the method comprising:
positioning the vehicle adjacent the energy storage system;
operating the vehicle to move an arm positioned on the vehicle toward the energy storage system;
engaging, with the arm, a guide surface extending into a mounting cavity defined in an end surface of the energy storage system to align the arm with a mounting bar extending within the mounting cavity between a first side of the energy storage system and a second side of the energy storage system; and
rotating the arm into engagement with the mounting bar.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein rotating the arm into engagement with the mounting bar causes a latch coupled to the arm to engage a wear member.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising pivoting the arm, thereby lifting the energy storage system and causing the end surface of the energy storage system to be drawn against an end surface of the vehicle.
20 . The energy storage system of claim 7 , further comprising mounting lugs protruding outwardly from the end surface and configured to extend into receptacles on the vehicle.
21 . The system of claim 16 , wherein:
the frame alignment system includes a wear member supported in the mounting cavity adjacent an inner edge of the guide surface,
engagement of the arm and the guide surface guides the arm into the mounting cavity toward the wear member, and
the arm slides against the wear member during rotation into engagement with the mounting member.