Interchangeable carriage for an energy storage and power supply device

Abstract

An energy storage and power supply device includes a housing defining an internal cavity configured to receive a battery, a top portion coupled to the housing, and a module. The top portion has an outer periphery including a first face and an opposing second face. The top portion defines a slot that extends entirely across the top portion and through the outer periphery such that the slot defines a first aperture in the first face and a second aperture in the opposing second face. The module is removably received by the slot. The module has a first end that is received by the first aperture and an opposing second end that is received by the second aperture when disposed in the slot.

1 . An energy storage and power supply device comprising:
 a housing defining an internal cavity configured to receive a battery;   a top portion coupled to the housing, the top portion having an outer periphery including a first face and an opposing second face, the top portion defining a slot that extends entirely across the top portion and through the outer periphery such that the slot defines a first aperture in the first face and a second aperture in the opposing second face;   a module removably received by the slot, wherein the module has a first end that is received by the first aperture and an opposing second end that is received by the second aperture when disposed in the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid pivotally coupled to the top portion, the lid positioned to selectively cover the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 2 , wherein the slot is a first slot, and wherein the top portion defines a second slot that extends entirely across the top portion and through the outer periphery such that the second slot define a third aperture in the first face and a fourth aperture in the opposing second face. 
     
     
         4 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 3 , wherein the top portion includes (i) a first support positioned between the first aperture and the third aperture and (ii) a second support positioned between the second aperture and the fourth aperture, and wherein the first support and the second support are positioned to support the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the first support is angularly offset relative to the first face such that a portion of the first support is at least partially recessed relative to the first face and an edge of the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the second support is positioned to at least one of hold the lid at a desired angle or prevent the lid from pivoting beyond a target angle. 
     
     
         7 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the second support includes an interface having a port that electrically couples to the battery. 
     
     
         8 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 3 , wherein the module is a first module, further comprising a second module removably received by the second slot, wherein the second module has a first end that is received by the third aperture and an opposing second end that is received by the fourth aperture when disposed in the second slot. 
     
     
         9 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 8 , wherein the second module is different than the first module such that the second module at least one of provides a different function or has a different structure than the first module. 
     
     
         10 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the module is a first module, further comprising a second module that is interchangeable with the first module. 
     
     
         11 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 10 , wherein the second module is different than the first module such that the second module at least one of provides a different function or has a different structure than the first module. 
     
     
         12 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the module includes:
 a base plate extending between the first end and the opposing second end, the base plate including a retainer extending therefrom;   a first end plate positioned at the first end and extending from the base plate, wherein the first end plate is configured to block the first aperture, wherein the first end plate defines a through-hole; and   a second end plate positioned at the opposing second end and extending from the base plate, wherein the second end plate is configured to block the second aperture.   
     
     
         13 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the slot defines a recess, and wherein the recess includes an interface having a port that electrically couples to the battery. 
     
     
         14 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 13 , wherein the module defines an aperture positioned to align with the recess, and wherein the module includes a door positioned to selectively cover the aperture. 
     
     
         15 . An energy storage and power supply device comprising:
 a housing defining an internal cavity configured to receive a battery; and   a top portion coupled to the housing, the top portion having an outer periphery including a first face and an opposing second face, the top portion defining:
 a first slot that extends (i) between the first face and the opposing second face and (ii) through the outer periphery such that the first slot defines a first aperture in the first face and a second aperture in the opposing second face; and 
 a second slot that extends (i) between the first face and the opposing second face and (ii) through the outer periphery such that the second slot defines a third aperture in the first face and a fourth aperture in the opposing second face; 
 wherein each of the first slot and the second slot is configured to selectively receive a removable module. 
   
     
     
         16 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 15 , further comprising a lid pivotally coupled to the top portion, the lid positioned to selectively cover the first slot and the second slot. 
     
     
         17 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 16 , wherein the top portion includes (i) a first support positioned between the first aperture and the third aperture and (ii) a second support positioned between the second aperture and the fourth aperture, and wherein the first support and the second support are positioned to support the lid. 
     
     
         18 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 17 , wherein the first support is angularly offset relative to the first face such that a portion of the first support is at least partially recessed relative to the first face and an edge of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . The energy storage and power supply device of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of:
 (i) the second support is positioned to at least one of hold the lid at a desired angle or prevent the lid from pivoting beyond a target angle; or   (ii) the second support includes an interface having a port that electrically couples to the battery.   
     
     
         20 . An energy storage and power supply device comprising:
 a housing defining an internal cavity configured to receive a battery; and   a top portion coupled to the housing, the top portion defining a chamber, the top portion including:
 a first face defining a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture partially exposing the chamber; 
 an opposing second face defining a third aperture aligned with the first aperture and a fourth aperture aligned with the second aperture, the third aperture and the fourth aperture partially exposing the chamber; 
 a first support positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture; 
 a second support positioned between the third aperture and the fourth aperture; and 
 a lid pivotally coupled to the top portion and positioned to selectively cover the chamber, wherein the first support and the second support are positioned to support the lid.