Charger and discharger, control method of charge and discharger, and storage medium

Abstract

A charger and discharger for charging and discharging a battery comprises: a power control unit for controlling the power supply to a vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery, the vending machine being operated based on the power of an external power source and being electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger; and a detection unit for detecting the charging state of the battery. The power control unit switches to the power of the external power source or the power from the battery based on the detection result of the detection unit to supply the power for operating the vending machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a charger and discharger, a control method of the charger and discharger, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine having a structure in which electric power is supplied to the vending machine from an external power source.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6157867 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, the electricity costs required for operating a vending machine are usually borne by the owner of the installation site, so as described in Patent Document 1, in a structure where power is supplied to the vending machine from an external power source, the electricity costs generated by the power consumption of the vending machine will significantly affect revenue.

[0008] Solutions for solving problems

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and provides a technology capable of supplying power for operating a vending machine by switching between power from an external power source and power from a battery based on the charge state of the battery.

[0010] A charger and discharger according to a first aspect of the present invention charges and discharges a battery provided to an electric vehicle, and includes:

[0011] a power control unit that controls power supply to an automatic vending machine that operates based on power from an external power source and is electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, and the battery is held in the charger and discharger, and controls charging and discharging of the battery; and

[0012] a detection component for detecting a charging state of the battery,

[0013] The power control means switches between the power of the external power source and the power from the battery based on the detection result of the detection means to supply power for operating the vending machine.

[0014] In the charger and discharger according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the detection result of the detection means is lower than the reference charge level, the power control means supplies power for operating the automatic vending machine based on the power of the external power supply.

[0015] In the charger and discharger according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the detection result of the detection means is equal to or higher than the reference charge level, the power control means supplies power for operating the automatic vending machine based on the power from the battery.

[0016] In the charger and discharger according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the power control means controls the switching based on set time information.

[0017] In the charger and discharger involved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the vending machine has: an external air temperature detection component, which detects the external air temperature; and a first zone temperature detection component, which detects the temperature of the first zone for holding beverage products, and the power control component controls the switching based on the temperature detected by the external air temperature detection component or the first zone temperature detection component.

[0018] The charger / discharger according to a sixth aspect of the present invention further comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a demand forecast of the battery.

[0019] The power control component controls the switching based on the acquired demand forecast.

[0020] In the charger and discharger according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the power control means performs control such that power supply from the battery is stopped when demand is expected to increase and power is supplied from the battery when demand is expected to decrease based on the demand prediction.

[0021] The charger and discharger according to the eighth aspect of the present invention further comprises a connection member that is electrically connected to another automatic vending machine.

[0022] The power control means supplies power for operating the other automatic vending machine when the other automatic vending machine is connected via the connection means.

[0023] In the charger and discharger according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the battery charged and discharged by the charger and discharger is used for traveling of an electric vehicle.

[0024] The battery is provided with a lower limit value of discharge during driving, and the lower limit value of discharge during driving defines the remaining amount of the battery that is allowed to be discharged during driving.

[0025] A discharge lower limit value for the vending machine, which defines a remaining amount of the battery that is permitted to be discharged to the vending machine, is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during traveling.

[0026] In the charger and discharger according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the automatic vending machine includes a plurality of the power control components.

[0027] The plurality of power control means controls charging and discharging of the plurality of batteries held in the charger and discharger.

[0028] The charger / discharger according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention further comprises a monitoring device for monitoring the required power required by the automatic vending machine.

[0029] The power control means controls charging power for charging the battery based on a monitoring result of the monitoring means.

[0030] In the charger and discharger according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the power required by the vending machine is higher than a threshold value, the power control means performs control such that charging is performed while reducing the charging power based on a difference between the required power and the threshold value.

[0031] In the charger and discharger according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the automatic vending machine includes a first area for holding beverage products,

[0032] The power control component of the charger and discharger electrically connected to the vending machine adjusts and controls the power supply of the temperature based on the power of the external power supply and the power of the battery from the time the beverage product is supplied to the first zone until the beverage product or the first zone reaches the set temperature.

[0033] A control method for a charger and discharger according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention charges and discharges a battery provided to an electric vehicle, and the control method for the charger and discharger includes:

[0034] A power control step, in which a power control unit controls the power supply to the automatic vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery. The automatic vending machine operates based on the power of an external power source and is electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, and the battery is held in the charger and discharger.

[0035] a detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; and

[0036] A step of switching, by the power control means, supplying power for operating the vending machine to power from the external power source or power from the battery based on the detection result of the detection step.

[0037] A storage medium according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling a charger and discharger for charging and discharging a battery provided to an electric vehicle, the method for controlling the charger and discharger comprising:

[0038] A power control step, in which a power control unit controls the power supply to the automatic vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery. The automatic vending machine operates based on the power of an external power source and is electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, and the battery is held in the charger and discharger.

[0039] a detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; and

[0040] A step of switching, by the power control means, supplying power for operating the vending machine to power from the external power source or power from the battery based on the detection result in the detection step.

[0041] Effects of the Invention

[0042] According to the charger and discharger of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch between the power of the external power supply and the power from the battery based on the charge state of the battery to supply the power for operating the vending machine.

[0043] According to the charger and discharger of the second aspect and the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to fully charge the battery as soon as possible and to prevent the battery from running low on remaining charge when replacing the battery.

[0044] According to the charger and discharger of the fourth aspect of the present invention, switching can be controlled based on time information such as a time period when electricity is cheap (nighttime) and a time period when electricity is expensive (daytime), thereby avoiding the peak of power consumption and suppressing electricity charges.

[0045] According to the charger and discharger of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to control switching between the power of the external power source and the power from the battery based on the detection result of the outside air temperature and the detection result of the temperature of the first zone for holding the beverage product.

[0046] According to the charger and discharger of the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, when the power demand is high, the number of battery replacements increases, and therefore the battery can be smoothly charged by controlling the switching based on the demand prediction.

[0047] According to the charger and discharger of the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of vending machines are installed together, a connection portion for electrically connecting to other vending machines is provided, thereby enabling power to be supplied to other connected vending machines by a part of the charger and discharger.

[0048] The charger and discharger according to the ninth aspect of the present invention contributes to the extension of the battery life, and a lower limit value is set for the battery used in a general electric vehicle. However, compared with the use of electric vehicles, when used to supply power to a vending machine, since a constant output is sufficient and charging can be performed immediately, the lower limit value can be set to a low value. As a result, more power can be supplied from the battery to the vending machine.

[0049] According to the charger and discharger of the tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of power control units are provided corresponding to the plurality of batteries held in the charger and discharger, thereby enabling individual control to be performed on each battery.

[0050] According to the charger and discharger of the eleventh and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the required power required by the vending machine is monitored, thereby making it possible to control the charging power for charging the battery according to the required power.

[0051] According to the charger and discharger of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the beverage product can be quickly adjusted by performing temperature control based on the power of the external power supply and the power of the battery until the beverage product or the first zone reaches the set temperature.

[0052] According to the charger and discharger control method of the fourteenth aspect and the storage medium of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch between power from an external power source and power from a battery based on the charge state of the battery to supply power for operating the vending machine.

[0053] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar structures in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, constitute a part of the present invention, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description are used to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a vending machine.

[0058] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power control unit.

[0059] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a processing example of the automatic vending machine according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a functional configuration according to the second embodiment.

[0061] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic vending machine including a power supply device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The components described in the present embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0063] [First embodiment]

[0064] (System Structure)

[0065] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a system 10 (hereinafter, the system is also referred to as a "charge and discharge control system") according to an embodiment. Figure 1 In the system 10, a plurality of vending machines 100A, 100B and a terminal device 150 capable of wirelessly communicating with the vending machines 100A, 100B. The server 170 can manage the information of the vending machines 100A, 100B acquired via the network 160. The server 170 can transmit the generated information to the terminal device 150, and can set the control information for controlling the operation of the vending machines 100A, 100B. The plurality of vending machines 100A, 100B are configured to be electrically connected via a connection portion 120, and can share the power used for operation. Among them, the vending machine 100 is marked to represent the plurality of vending machines 100A, 100B.

[0066] The vending machine 100 sells food and beverages as commodities and provides batteries for electric vehicles. A display 110 for displaying commodities and a button 115 for selecting and purchasing commodities are arranged in front of the vending machine 100. The front of the vending machine 100 is also provided with: an actuary 116 for inserting coins or banknotes, making change, etc.; and a take-out section 117 for taking out the purchased food and beverages.

[0067] The vending machine 100 cools or heats (warms) canned drinks, bottled drinks and other products and sells them as beverages and foods. In addition, the vending machine 100 provides (hereinafter also referred to as selling) a charged battery 180 in a replaceable manner. The battery 180 is a battery that supplies power to an electric vehicle and is configured to be replaceable. The electric vehicle includes, for example, an electric riding vehicle and a four-wheeled vehicle, and the battery 180 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery.

[0068] like Figure 1As shown, the vending machine 100 has a first area 1A for selling beverages and a second area 2A for providing a battery 180. A first temperature control for cooling or heating beverages is performed in the first area 1A, and a second temperature control for managing a state suitable for charging the battery 180 is performed in the second area 2A. When the battery 180 is kept in the second area 2A, power control related to charging the battery 180 or supplying power from the battery 180 to the vending machine 100 is performed.

[0069] The vending machine 100 is provided with a refrigerant device, the refrigerant device has a heat pump function, and the vending machine 100 has the following heat utilization method: heat obtained when cooling the goods in the cooling room (cooling area) in the first area by using the refrigerant device is transferred to the heating room (heating area) side in the first area to heat the goods in the heating room. In addition, the refrigerant device is provided with a heat exchanger, and the refrigerant device is configured to be able to switch to the following heat utilization method: when cooling is not required, the atmospheric heat source obtained from the heat exchanger is used to heat (heat) the heating room.

[0070] That is, the first area 1A and the second area 2A may jointly constitute a temperature adjustment section (refrigerant device, heat exchanger), or the same structure as the temperature adjustment section (refrigerant device, heat exchanger) of the first area 1A may be set in the second area 2A to control the temperature of the second area 2A.

[0071] The terminal device 150 is, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer terminal. The wireless communication between the terminal device 150 and the vending machine 100 is, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and communication is possible when the distance between the terminal device 150 and the vending machine 100 is a distance at which a user carrying the terminal device 150 is located near the vending machine 100 and operates the vending machine 100.

[0072] (Device Structure)

[0073] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of the terminal device 150. The terminal device 150 includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 210 for controlling the entire device; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 211 for storing programs executed by the CPU 210; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 212 which is a work area when the CPU 210 executes the program or for storing various information. The terminal device 150 can store information obtained by communicating with other devices and the vending machine 100 in the RAM 212.

[0074] In addition, the terminal device 150 includes: a wireless communication unit 213 for wirelessly communicating with the vending machine 100; a display 214; and an operation unit 215. The display 214 and the operation unit 215 may be touch panels. The terminal device 150 also includes a network controller 216 for communicating with other devices (e.g., a server 170) via a network 160 such as the Internet.

[0075] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the vending machine 100. The vending machine 100 includes: a CPU 310 for controlling the entire device; a ROM 311 for storing programs executed by the CPU 310; a RAM 312 as a work area when the CPU 310 executes the program; and a storage unit 313 (HDD, hard disk drive) for storing various information. In addition, the vending machine 100 includes: a display control unit 314 for controlling the display of the display 110; an operation unit 315 including the actuating unit 116; a wireless communication unit 316 for wirelessly communicating with the terminal device 150; and a charger for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery 180.

[0076] In addition, the charger and discharger in the automatic vending machine 100 includes a temperature control unit 320 to control the temperature of the first area 1A and the second area 2A. The first area 1A and the second area 2A are respectively provided with a detection unit 340 for detecting the temperature in the area (the detection unit provided in each area is also referred to as "first area temperature detection unit (sensor SN1), second area temperature detection unit (sensor SN2)"). The temperature control unit 320 controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 (refrigerant device 330A, heat exchanger 330B) based on the detection results of each sensor (SN1, SN2) to control the temperature of the first area and the second area respectively. In addition, the automatic vending machine 100 has an external temperature detection unit 340B for detecting the external temperature. The temperature control unit 320 of the charger and discharger controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 (refrigerant device 330A, heat exchanger 330B) based on the detection results of the external temperature detection unit 340B.

[0077] In addition, the charger and discharger of the vending machine 100 includes a power control unit 350, which generates operating power for the vending machine 100 based on power from the outside. In addition, the power control unit 350 performs power control related to charging of the battery 180 held in the charger and discharger (in the second area 2A of the vending machine 100) and supply of power from the battery 180 to the vending machine 100. The charger and discharger of the present embodiment is a charger and discharger that charges and discharges a battery, and includes a power control unit 350, which controls the supply of power to the vending machine 100 and the charging and discharging of the battery 180, and the vending machine 100 is based on an external power source (for example, Figure 4 The vending machine is operated by power from an external power source or power from a battery (400 or 401) and is electrically connected to a battery 180 via a charger and discharger, and the battery 180 is held in the charger and discharger. In addition, the charger and discharger has a detection unit (sensor 413) for detecting the charging state of the battery 180. Based on the detection result of the detection unit (sensor 413), the power control unit 350 switches to power from an external power source or power from a battery to supply power for operating the vending machine.

[0078] In addition, the power control unit 350 controls the switching of the power supply based on the temperature detected by the external temperature detection unit 340B or the first area temperature detection unit. That is, in the power supply for operating the vending machine 100, the power control unit 350 controls the switching to the power from the external power supply or the power from the battery 180 based on the temperature detected by the external temperature detection unit 340B or the first area temperature detection unit SN1.

[0079] Figure 44 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the power control unit 350. The power control unit 350 includes a power line 402 that supplies AC power from a power supply device such as a power company, that is, a power system 400. The power line 402 is connected to an output control circuit 407. The output control circuit 407 is connected to a load 490 for operating the automatic vending machine 100 via a cable 410, and the AC power of the power line 402 is supplied to the load 490 via the output control circuit 407. In addition, the power line 402 is connected to a cable 408 via the output control circuit 407. The cable 408 and the cable 410 constitute a power line for transmitting AC power, and the output control circuit 407 controls the disconnection and connection of the cable 408, the cable 410, and the power line 402 based on the control of the control unit 403. When the output control circuit 407 connects the power line 402 to the cable 408, the battery 180 is charged with the power (400, 401) from the outside. When the output control circuit 407 connects the power line 402 to the cable 410, the power (400, 401) from the outside is supplied to the load 490 side. In addition, when the output control circuit 407 connects the cable 408 to the cable 410, the power output from the battery 180 via the charge and discharge interface 412 is supplied to the load 490 side. In the case where the power from the outside and the power from the battery 180 are used together, the output control circuit 407 can also arbitrarily set the ratio of the power P1 (400, 401) from the outside to the power P2 supplied from the battery 180 in the power required by the load 490 based on the control of the control unit 403. For example, the power P1 from the outside can be set to N%, and the power P2 supplied from the battery 180 can be set to (100-N)%, etc.

[0080] The charge and discharge interface 412 includes an AC (Alternating Current) / DC (Direct Current) converter 412a and a current control circuit 412b. The AC / DC converter 412a converts the AC power supplied via the cable 408 into DC power. The current control circuit 412b is a circuit that controls the DC current output from the AC / DC converter 412a and supplies it to the battery 180, for example, by PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) control to control the charging current to the battery 180.

[0081] A solar power generation device 401 is connected to the power control unit 350 as external power. The solar power generation device 401 includes a solar panel and generates DC power. The power control unit 350 includes a DC / AC converter 405. The DC / AC converter 405 converts the DC power generated by the solar power generation device 401 into AC power and outputs it to the power line 402.

[0082] The power control unit 350 includes a control unit 403 that executes the processing of the power control unit 350. The control unit 403 includes: a processor represented by a CPU; a storage device such as a semiconductor memory; and an input / output interface and a communication interface with external devices. The storage device stores programs executed by the processor and data used by the processor in processing.

[0083] The control unit 403 controls the DC / AC converter 405, the output control circuit 407, and the charge and discharge interface 412. In addition, the control unit 403 obtains the detection results of the sensor 404, the sensor 406, and the sensor 413. The sensor 404 is a sensor that detects a physical quantity related to the power of the power line 402. In the case of this embodiment, it is a sensor that measures the AC voltage. The sensor 406 is a sensor that detects a physical quantity related to the power generated by the solar power generation device 401. In the case of this embodiment, it measures the DC voltage generated by the solar power generation device 401. In addition, the sensor 413 is a sensor that measures the DC current supplied from the charge and discharge interface 412 to the battery 180. The DC current output from the current control circuit 412b is supplied to the battery 180 via the cable 409. The control unit 403 of the charger and discharger can control discharge in a process opposite to charging. The control unit 403 controls the DC / AC converter 405, the output control circuit 407, and the charge and discharge interface 412, thereby controlling the charging of the battery 180 and the power supply to the vending machine 100 electrically connected to the battery 180 (discharging of the battery 180).

[0084] In addition, the supply of direct current to the battery 180 is not limited to the connection of the electrical cable 409, and may be power supply via a mechanical adapter or a contactless power supply method.

[0085] <Processing example>

[0086] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a processing example of the vending machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The vending machine 100 can operate based on the power of the external power source (400, 401), and when the battery 180 is held in the charger and discharger of the second area 2A, the power control unit 350 starts charging the battery 180 (ST501).

[0087] The control unit 403 of the power control unit 350 monitors the charging state of the battery 180 based on the detection result of the sensor 413 (ST502).

[0088] The power control unit 350 switches to the power of the external power source or the power from the battery 180 based on the detection result of the sensor 413 , and supplies the power for operating the vending machine 100 .

[0089] In ST503, the power control unit 350 determines whether the charge state of the battery 180 is lower than the reference charge level. If the detection result of the sensor 413 is lower than the reference charge level (ST503: Yes), the power control unit 350 supplies power for operating the vending machine based on the power of the external power supply (ST504).

[0090] On the other hand, in the determination of ST503, when the detection result of the sensor 413 is higher than the reference charge level (ST503: No), the power control unit 350 advances the process to ST505, and supplies power for operating the vending machine 100 based on the power from the battery 180 (ST505). In addition, when both the power from the outside and the power from the battery 180 are used, the output control circuit 407 controls the ratio of the power P1 (400, 401) from the outside to the power P2 supplied from the battery 180 in the power required by the load 490 based on the control of the control unit 403.

[0091] In ST505, when the power of the battery 180 is supplied, the power control unit 350 can control the power supply based on various conditions. For example, the power control unit 350 can control the switching based on the time information set by the operation unit 315. The situation of power supply from the battery 180 and the situation of power supply from the external power supply can be switched according to the time period. Specifically, it is also possible to control in the following manner: the vending machine 100 is operated by the external power supply and the battery 180 is charged during the time period when the electricity rate is cheap (nighttime), and the battery 180 is powered during the time period when the electricity rate is expensive (daytime).

[0092] Furthermore, the power control unit 350 can acquire the demand forecast of the battery 180 by communicating with the terminal device 150 via the wireless communication unit 316, and can control the switching of the power supply based on the acquired demand forecast. The information related to the demand forecast of the battery 180 includes, for example, at least one of information related to machine learning about past usage history, weather information, an index set by season or month, event information in the vicinity based on the location where the vending machine 100 is installed, and an index indicating demand trends set by day of the week.

[0093] Power control unit 350 performs control to stop the supply of power from battery 180 when demand is expected to increase, and to supply power from battery 180 when demand is expected to decrease, based on the acquired demand forecast.

[0094] The output control circuit 407 of the power control unit 350 is used as a communication device with other vending machines (e.g., Figure 1The power control unit 350 functions by means of the output control interface of the connection unit 120 electrically connected to the vending machine 100B. When another vending machine 100B is connected via the output control circuit 407 (output control interface), the power control unit 350 can supply power to operate the other vending machine 100B via the output control circuit 407.

[0095] In addition, the power control unit 350 of the charger and discharger includes a monitoring unit (e.g., sensors 404, 406, and sensor 413) that monitors the required power required by the vending machine 100. Based on the monitoring results of the monitoring unit (e.g., sensors 404, 406, and sensor 413), the power control unit 350 controls the charging power used to charge the battery 180. In addition, the power control unit 350 controls the power supplied to the vending machine 100 by the discharge from the battery 180. When the power required by the vending machine 100 is higher than a threshold value, the power control unit 350 can control the charging power to be reduced based on the difference between the required power and the threshold value, and charge is performed.

[0096] In addition, the vending machine 100 includes a first area 1A for holding beverage products, and a power control unit 350 electrically connected to a charger and discharger of the vending machine 100 can supply power for adjusting and controlling the temperature based on the power of the external power supply (400, 401) and the power of the battery 180 from the time when the beverage products are supplied to the first area 1A until the beverage products or the first area 1A reach a set temperature. The temperature control unit 320 controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 based on the power supply from the power control unit 350 to adjust and control the temperature.

[0097] exist Figure 3 In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 , the power control unit 350 is described as a single structure, but the vending machine 100 can also be configured to include a plurality of power control units 350 corresponding to the plurality of batteries held in the second area 2A. Alternatively, the plurality of power control units 350 can respectively control the charging of the plurality of batteries held in the second area 2A, and each power control unit 350 executes Figure 5 The processing flow.

[0098] In order to help extend the life of the battery, a lower limit value is set for the battery generally used in electric vehicles. The battery 180 that is charged and discharged by the control of the charger and discharger of this embodiment is used for the driving of the electric vehicle, and the battery 180 is provided with a discharge lower limit value during driving, and the discharge lower limit value during driving specifies the remaining battery amount allowed to be discharged during driving. The discharge lower limit value for the vending machine is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during driving, and the discharge lower limit value for the vending machine specifies the remaining battery amount allowed to be discharged to the vending machine 100. Compared with the use form in the electric vehicle, when used to supply power to the vending machine, since a constant output is sufficient and charging can be performed immediately, the lower limit value can be further set to a low value, thereby enabling more power to be supplied from the battery to the vending machine 100.

[0099] [Second Embodiment]

[0100] In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the charger and discharger (the power control unit 350 and the second area 2A) are provided in the vending machine 100 is described. However, the power control unit 350 and the second area 2A may be configured as a charging and discharging station separate from the vending machine 100 . Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing the functional structure of the charge and discharge control system 20 according to the second embodiment, and the charge and discharge control system 20 includes: an automatic vending machine 100 having a first area for holding beverage products; and a charge and discharge station 600. In the charge and discharge station 600, as a functional structure, it has a temperature control unit 320; a temperature adjustment unit 330 (refrigeration device 330A, heat exchanger 330B); a power control unit 350 that controls the charge and discharge of the battery 180 held in the second area; and a sensor 610. In addition, as described later, the temperature control unit 320 and the temperature adjustment unit 330 (refrigeration device 330A, heat exchanger 330B) are shared by the automatic vending machine 100 and the charge and discharge station 600, and therefore may also be possessed by the automatic vending machine 100.

[0101] The temperature control unit 320 controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 and adjusts the temperature of the first region 1A based on the temperature detected by the detection unit 340 that detects the temperature of the first region 1A. The temperature control unit 320 controls to adjust the temperature of the second region 2A using the temperature adjustment unit 330 .

[0102] The charging and discharging station 600 includes a sensor 610 for detecting the temperature of the second area 2A or the temperature of the battery 180. The detection result of the sensor 610 is input to the power control unit 350, and is input from the power control unit 350 to the temperature control unit 320. The temperature control unit 320 determines whether to adjust the temperature of the second area 2A based on the temperature detected by the sensor 610. The sensor 610 detects the temperature of the plurality of batteries 180 maintained in the second area 2A. When the average temperature of the plurality of batteries 180 exceeds the first threshold temperature (optimal temperature), the temperature control unit 320 controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 to cool the temperature of the second area 2A. In addition, the battery 180 may also include a sensor for detecting the temperature of the second area or the temperature of the battery. In this case, the sensor of the battery 180 has the same function as the sensor 610, and the temperature control unit 320 determines whether to adjust the temperature of the second area 2A based on the temperature detected by the sensor of the battery 180.

[0103] When the average temperature of the plurality of batteries exceeds the second threshold temperature (unchargeable temperature), the temperature control unit 320 switches the control mode of the temperature adjustment unit 330 to a rapid cooling control mode to cool the temperature of the second region 2A.

[0104] For example, the charging temperature can be set at range, the discharge temperature can be set within The first threshold temperature (optimal temperature) and the second threshold temperature (unchargeable temperature) can be arbitrarily set based on the setting from the terminal device 150. When the general discharge characteristics of the battery are taken into consideration, for example, when the battery is stored in the second area 2A, the first threshold temperature (optimal temperature) can be set to a temperature around 20°C.

[0105] The second region 2A is provided with a plurality of slots (replacement slots 180B, Figure 1 ), the temperature control unit 320 is capable of adjusting the temperature of each of the plurality of replacement slots 180B.

[0106] Furthermore, the temperature control unit 320 can control the temperature adjustment unit 330 to adjust the temperature of the first area 1A based on the time information set by the terminal device 150 , and can control the temperature adjustment unit 330 to adjust the temperature of the second area 2A when the temperature of the first area 1A is not adjusted.

[0107] While the battery 180 is being charged or discharged in the second region 2A under the control of the power control unit 350 , the temperature control unit 320 controls the temperature adjustment unit 330 to adjust the temperature of the second region 2A with priority over the first region 1A.

[0108] A heating zone for maintaining beverage products that need to be heated and a cooling zone for maintaining beverage products that need to be cooled are provided in the first area 1A. When the beverage products are loaded into the heating zone, the temperature control unit 320 can also control the temperature adjustment unit 330 in the following manner: compared with the second area 2A, the temperature of the first area 1A is adjusted preferentially.

[0109] The temperature adjustment unit 330 includes a refrigerant device 330A with a heat pump function, and the temperature control unit 320 can control the refrigerant device 330A to move the heat obtained when cooling the goods in the cooling area of ​​the first area 1A to the heating area of ​​the first area 1A and the second area 2A, thereby heating the goods in the heating area of ​​the first area 1A and the batteries in the second area 2A.

[0110] Furthermore, the temperature adjustment unit 330 includes a heat exchanger 330B, and can heat the products in the heating area of ​​the first area 1A and the battery 180 in the second area using the heat source obtained from the heat exchanger 330B without cooling by the refrigerant device 330A.

[0111] The temperature control unit 320 controls the heat exchanger 330B so as to heat the commodities in the heating area of ​​the first area 1A by utilizing the heat generated by the charging means (eg, the power control unit 350 ) when charging the battery 180 in the second area 2A.

[0112] Furthermore, the vending machine 100 includes an outside temperature detection unit 340B for detecting an outside temperature, and the temperature control unit 320 can control the temperature adjustment unit 330 based on the temperature detected by the outside temperature detection unit 340B to adjust the temperatures of the first area 1A and the second area.

[0113] [Third Embodiment]

[0114] In the third embodiment, a configuration example in which a first area 1A for selling beverages and a second area 2A for providing replaceable batteries 180 are arranged in the vending machine 100 will be described. The vending machine 100 of the third embodiment has, for example, a first area 1A for selling beverages and a second area 2A for providing replaceable batteries 180. Figure 6 The charging and discharging station 600 is a power supply device that can charge the battery 180 held in the charger and discharger based on external power and can supply power to external equipment. The charging and discharging station 600 (power supply device) can supply power to the vending machine 100 as an external equipment.

[0115] Figure 71 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a vending machine 100 according to a third embodiment. The power supply device includes a replacement slot 180B for holding a battery for replacement and a fixed slot 180C for holding a battery that is not replaced but only supplies power to an external device (vending machine 100).

[0116] like Figure 7 As shown, in the first area 1A, beverage products are loaded into the storage rack 701 corresponding to the type of product, and the beverage products are held in the storage rack 701 when the holding portion 702 is closed. When a product is selected, the holding portion 702 of the selected beverage product is controlled to open, and a predetermined number of beverage products are guided by the guide 703 to the take-out portion 117 for taking out beverages and foods.

[0117] like Figure 7 As shown, the replacement slot 180B is provided so that the battery can be replaced from a first opening formed on the front side of the power supply device, and the fixing slot 180C is provided on the side opposite to the first opening (back side) relative to the replacement slot 180B. Figure 7 As shown, when the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600) or the vending machine 100 is viewed from the side, the fixing slot 180C is provided at a position away from the front side to the back side of the power supply device or the vending machine 100. A door that can be opened and closed (not shown) is provided at the opening of the replacement slot 180B. Normally, the door is closed. When the liquidation process is completed, any door of the opening of the plurality of replacement slots 180B is opened, so that the battery can be taken out. When the battery is taken out and an uncharged battery or a battery whose charge level is low due to use is refilled, the charged battery is started.

[0118] The fixing slot 180C is configured to allow replacement of the battery held in the fixing slot 180C from a second opening formed in the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600). A door not shown in the figure is also provided in the second opening of the fixing slot 180C, but the door is usually in a closed state due to fastening components such as bolts. When the battery needs to be maintained, the fastening component can be removed to open the door so that the battery can be replaced. The battery held in the fixing slot 180C is not an object to be replaced by the user of the electric vehicle, and therefore, compared with the replacement slot 180B, the fixing slot 180C is formed in a position that is not easily accessible to the user.

[0119] In addition, the positional relationship between the replacement slot 180B and the fixing slot 180C is not limited to Figure 7For example, the fixed slot 180C can be arranged on the lower side of the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600), and the replacement slot 180B can be arranged above the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600) compared with the position of the fixed slot 180C. On the contrary, the fixed slot 180C can be arranged near the bottom edge close to the ground, and the replacement slot 180B can be arranged above it. That is, it is desired to arrange the replacement slot 180B in a place where the user of the electric vehicle can easily replace the heavy object, i.e., the battery. In addition, the fixed slot 180C can also be arranged on the upper part of the vending machine 100, and the replacement slot 180B can be arranged in the space below the storage rack 701. Thus, more replacement slots 180B can be arranged below the storage rack 701, i.e., in a place that is easy for the user of the electric vehicle to use.

[0120] The battery held in the replacement slot 180B has the same structure as the battery held in the fixed slot 180C but has a different electrical state. Since it is not an object to be replaced by the user of the electric vehicle, the battery held in the fixed slot 180C is held in a state in which power can be supplied without inputting a start signal for starting the battery. Since the battery held in the replacement slot is an object to be replaced by the user of the electric vehicle, it is held in a state in which power cannot be supplied without inputting a start signal. In this way, by changing the electrical state during holding, improper discharge, etc. can be prevented. As a method of changing the electrical state, it can also be set to automatically change the control program at the time when the battery is set in the fixed slot.

[0121] In addition, the battery held in the fixed slot 180C and the battery held in the replacement slot 180B may have different degrees of full charge capacity, which is an electrical characteristic. For example, the battery held in the fixed slot 180C is a more deteriorated battery than the battery held in the replacement slot 180B. In other words, the battery held in the fixed slot has a lower full charge capacity than the battery held in the replacement slot. Thus, batteries that have the same structure but differ in full charge capacity, etc., can be used for limited purposes, such as in electric vehicles (batteries held in replacement slots) and only for supplying power to external devices (batteries held in fixed slots), and can be used effectively and flexibly.

[0122] The power control unit 350 of the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600) can control the power supply to the external device by giving priority to the battery held in the fixed slot 180C over the battery held in the replacement slot 180B. In addition, the power control unit 350 can switch the control of charging the battery held in the replacement slot 180B and the power supply from the battery held in the fixed slot 180C based on the time information set by the terminal device 150. In addition, the power control unit 350 switches the following situations based on the set time information, such as the situation of supplying power from the battery held in the fixed slot 180C to charge the battery held in the replacement slot 180B and the situation of charging the battery held in the fixed slot 180C.

[0123] The power supply device (charging and discharging station 600) has a monitoring unit (for example, sensors 404, 406, sensor 413) for monitoring the required power required by the vending machine 100. When the required power of the vending machine 100 is greater than the power used as a reference, the power control unit 350 can control in the following manner: power is supplied to the vending machine 100 from the battery held in the fixed slot 180C.

[0124] In addition, the power supply device (charging and discharging station 600) is equipped with a sensor 404 for detecting whether the power from the external power source (for example, the power supply 400) is in a power outage state. When the power outage state is detected by the sensor 404, the power control unit 350 can control in the following manner: based on the power of the battery held in the fixed slot 180C, the vending machine 100 is supplied with power or the power for charging the battery held in the replacement slot 180B is supplied. In addition, in this case, it can also be set that the functions such as the holding unit 702 for providing the beverage products stored in the vending machine are given priority to supply power, and the temperature control unit 320 and the temperature adjustment unit 330 for temperature adjustment are not supplied with power. As a result, even in the event of a disaster such as a power outage, the beverage products can still be provided for a long time.

[0125] [Other embodiments]

[0126] The present invention may also be implemented by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium and by one or more processors in a computer of the system or device reading out and executing the program. In addition, it may also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) that realizes one or more functions.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is based on the description of the claims.

[0128] Description of Reference Numerals

[0129] 100: vending machine; 320: temperature control unit; 330: temperature adjustment unit; 330A: refrigerant device; 330B: heat exchanger; 350: power control unit; 402: power line; 403: control unit; 405: DC / AC converter; 412: charging and discharging interface; 412a: AC / DC converter; 412b: current control circuit.

Claims

1. A charger and discharger that holds a battery provided to an electric vehicle in a replaceable manner and charges and discharges the held battery, wherein the charger and discharger comprises: a power control unit that controls power supply to an automatic vending machine, the automatic vending machine being operated based on power from an external power source and being electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device, and charging and discharging of the battery; and a detection component, which detects the charging state of the battery, The power control unit switches to power from the external power source or power from the battery based on the detection result detected by the detection unit to supply power for operating the vending machine. in, The charger and discharger further comprises an acquisition unit, the acquisition unit acquiring a demand forecast of the battery, the power control unit controlling the switching based on the demand forecast acquired by the acquisition unit, The power control means performs control such that the power supply from the battery is stopped when the demand is estimated to increase in the demand forecast, and the power is supplied from the battery when the demand is estimated to decrease.

2. The charger and discharger according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the detection result of the detection means is lower than a reference charge level, the power control means supplies power for operating the automatic vending machine based on the power of the external power source.

3. The charger and discharger according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the detection result of the detection means is equal to or higher than a reference charge level, the power control means supplies power for operating the automatic vending machine based on the power from the battery.

4. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The power control section controls the switching based on set time information.

5. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The vending machine comprises: an external temperature detection component for detecting the external temperature; and a first zone temperature detection component for detecting the temperature of the first zone for holding beverage commodities. The power control means controls the switching based on the temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection means or the first zone temperature detection means.

6. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also has an output control interface, which is electrically connected to other vending machines. The power control means supplies power for operating the other automatic vending machine when the other automatic vending machine is connected via the output control interface.

7. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The battery charged and discharged by the charger and discharger is used for driving the electric vehicle. The battery is provided with a lower limit value of discharge during driving, and the lower limit value of discharge during driving defines the remaining amount of the battery that is allowed to be discharged during driving. A discharge lower limit value for the vending machine, which defines a remaining amount of the battery that is permitted to be discharged to the vending machine, is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during traveling.

8. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The charger and discharger includes a plurality of the power control components. The plurality of power control means controls charging and discharging of the plurality of batteries held in the charger and discharger.

9. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A monitoring unit is further provided, the monitoring unit monitoring the required power required by the automatic vending machine, The power control section controls charging power for charging the battery based on a monitoring result of the monitoring section.

10. The charger and discharger according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the power required by the vending machine is higher than a threshold value, the power control means controls the charging to be performed by reducing the charging power based on a difference between the required power and the threshold value.

11. The charger and discharger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The automatic vending machine has a first area for holding beverage products. The power control component of the charger and discharger electrically connected to the vending machine adjusts and controls the power supply of the temperature based on the power of the external power supply and the power of the battery from the time the beverage product is supplied to the first zone until the beverage product or the first zone reaches a set temperature.

12. A charger and discharger that holds a battery provided to an electric vehicle in a replaceable manner and charges and discharges the held battery, wherein the charger and discharger comprises: a power control unit that controls power supply to an automatic vending machine, the automatic vending machine being operated based on power from an external power source and being electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device, and charging and discharging of the battery; and a detection component, which detects the charging state of the battery, The power control unit switches to power from the external power source or power from the battery based on the detection result detected by the detection unit to supply power for operating the vending machine. in, The battery charged and discharged by the charger and discharger is used for driving the electric vehicle. The battery is provided with a lower limit value of discharge during driving, and the lower limit value of discharge during driving defines the remaining amount of the battery that is allowed to be discharged during driving. A discharge lower limit value for the vending machine, which defines a remaining amount of the battery that is permitted to be discharged to the vending machine, is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during traveling.

13. A method for controlling a charger and discharger, wherein a battery provided to an electric vehicle is replaceably held and the held battery is charged and discharged, wherein the method for controlling the charger and discharger comprises: a power control step of controlling, by a power control unit, power supply to a vending machine, the vending machine being operated based on power from an external power source and electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device, and charging and discharging of the battery; A detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; as well as a step of switching the power control unit to supply power for operating the vending machine based on the detection result detected by the detection unit in the detection step, either power from the external power supply or power from the battery, Wherein, the control method of the charger and discharger further includes: an acquisition step of acquiring a demand forecast of the battery, wherein the power control step controls the switching based on the demand forecast acquired by the acquisition step, Here, in the demand prediction, control is performed such that the supply of electric power from the battery is stopped when the demand is estimated to increase, and electric power is supplied from the battery when the demand is estimated to decrease.

14. A method for controlling a charger and discharger, wherein a battery provided to an electric vehicle is replaceably held and the held battery is charged and discharged, wherein the method for controlling the charger and discharger comprises: a power control step of controlling, by a power control unit, the power supply to the automatic vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery, the automatic vending machine being operated based on the power of an external power source and being electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device; A detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; as well as a step of switching the power control unit to the power of the external power source or the power from the battery based on the detection result detected by the detection unit in the detection step to supply power for operating the vending machine, The battery charged and discharged by the charger and discharger is used for driving the electric vehicle. The battery is provided with a lower limit value of discharge during driving, and the lower limit value of discharge during driving defines the remaining amount of the battery that is allowed to be discharged during driving. A discharge lower limit value for the vending machine, which defines a remaining amount of the battery that is permitted to be discharged to the vending machine, is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during traveling.

15. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a charger and discharger that replaceably holds a battery provided to an electric vehicle and charges and discharges the held battery, The control method of the charger and discharger comprises: a power control step, in which a power control unit controls the power supply to the automatic vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery, the automatic vending machine operates based on the power of an external power source and is electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device; A detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; as well as a step of switching the power control unit to supply power for operating the vending machine based on the detection result detected by the detection unit in the detection step, either power from the external power supply or power from the battery, Wherein, the control method of the charger and discharger further includes: an acquisition step of acquiring a demand forecast of the battery, wherein the power control step controls the switching based on the demand forecast acquired by the acquisition step, Here, in the demand prediction, control is performed such that the supply of electric power from the battery is stopped when the demand is estimated to increase, and electric power is supplied from the battery when the demand is estimated to decrease.

16. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a charger and discharger that replaceably holds a battery provided to an electric vehicle and charges and discharges the held battery, the control method of the charger and discharger comprising: a power control step of controlling, by a power control unit, the power supply to the automatic vending machine and the charging and discharging of the battery, the automatic vending machine being operated based on the power of an external power source and being electrically connected to the battery via the charger and discharger, the battery being held in the charger and discharger, the external power source being AC power from a power supply device; A detection step, wherein a detection component detects a charging state of the battery; as well as a step of switching the power control unit to the power of the external power source or the power from the battery based on the detection result detected by the detection unit in the detection step to supply power for operating the vending machine, The battery charged and discharged by the charger and discharger is used for driving the electric vehicle. The battery is provided with a lower limit value of discharge during driving, and the lower limit value of discharge during driving defines the remaining amount of the battery that is allowed to be discharged during driving. A discharge lower limit value for the vending machine, which defines a remaining amount of the battery that is permitted to be discharged to the vending machine, is set to a value smaller than the discharge lower limit value during traveling.

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