Battery swapping method and battery swapping system

Abstract

A battery swapping method and a battery swapping system, the battery swapping method comprising: receiving a first alert from a first battery swapping station, the first alert indicating a problem with the battery inventory of the first battery swapping station; receiving a second alert from a mobile device, the second alert indicating that a second battery swapping station does not release a second battery in response to inserting a first battery into one of the battery slots of the second battery swapping station; and providing the mobile device with permission to obtain the second battery from the second battery swapping station if the first alert and the second alert are regarding the same battery swapping station. With the above configuration, a user can complete a wrongly interrupted battery swapping process without the assistance of a service crew member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery swapping method and a battery swapping system. Background Art

[0002] Battery swapping stations are designed to manage multiple swappable batteries, enabling the batteries to be conveniently used by one or more users. However, errors may occur in any battery swapping station, resulting in users being unable to successfully swap batteries. The current practice is to send service staff to the malfunctioning battery swapping station to assist users, but this approach is not efficient. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have improved systems and methods to address the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a battery swapping system and a battery swapping method that can effectively solve the above problems.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery swapping method includes: receiving a first alert from a first battery swapping station, the first alert indicating a problem with the battery inventory of the first battery swapping station; receiving a second alert from a mobile device, the second alert indicating that a second battery swapping station fails to release a second battery in response to inserting a first battery into one of the battery slots of the second battery swapping station; and providing the mobile device with permission to obtain the second battery from the second battery swapping station if the first alert and the second alert are regarding the same battery swapping station.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery swapping system includes a plurality of battery swapping stations and a backend system. Each battery swapping station has a plurality of battery slots. The backend system is communicatively coupled to the battery swapping stations and is configured to: receive a first alert from a first battery swapping station, the first alert indicating a problem with the battery inventory of the first battery swapping station; receive a second alert from a mobile device, the second alert indicating that the first battery swapping station fails to release a second battery in response to inserting a first battery into one of the battery slots of the first battery swapping station; and provide the mobile device with permission to obtain the second battery from the first battery swapping station if the first alert and the second alert are regarding the same battery swapping station.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first battery swapping station is configured to confirm the battery inventory in response to a restart of the first battery swapping station.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first battery swapping station is configured to confirm the battery inventory by: determining the number of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station; and confirming whether the number of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station matches a quick value, where the quick value is stored in a data storage device of the first battery swapping station or the backend system.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, each battery slot is provided with a sensor configured to provide a sensing signal indicating whether a corresponding slot is occupied. The first battery swapping station is configured to determine the number of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station based on the sensing signals provided by the sensors each disposed in a battery slot.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the backend system is configured to provide the permission to obtain a second battery from the first battery swapping station by: sending a first battery collection code to the mobile device; receiving a second battery collection code through the user interface of the first battery swapping station; verifying the second battery collection code based on the first battery collection code; and in response to the successful verification of the second battery collection code, instructing the first battery swapping station to release the second battery.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first battery swapping station is configured to display an error notification code on the user interface of the first battery swapping station, and the error notification code allows the mobile device to send a second alert to the backend system by scanning the error notification code.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the backend system is further configured to: receive a first request from the mobile device, where the first request is regarding subscribing to a battery swapping plan, or upgrading or resuming the subscription to the battery swapping plan; and in response to receiving the first request, send a third battery collection code to the mobile device. The second battery swapping station is configured to release a third battery in response to receiving the third battery collection code through the user interface of the second battery swapping station.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the backend system is further configured to send a first notification to the service crew device after the third battery is released, and the first notification includes an instruction to transport a fourth battery to the second battery swapping station.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the backend system is further configured to: receive a second request from the mobile device, where the second request is regarding terminating, suspending, or downgrading the subscription to the battery swapping plan; receive a second notification from the second battery swapping station, where the second notification indicates that one or more batteries have been returned to the second battery swapping station; and in response to receiving the second notification, record data indicating that the subscription to the battery swapping plan has been terminated, suspended, or downgraded.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the backend system is further configured to reserve at least a first number of empty battery slots at the second battery swapping station in response to receiving the second request. The first number is the sum of a preset number of empty slots and the number of one or more batteries expected to be returned.

[0015] In summary, the method and system of the present disclosure enable a user to complete a battery swapping process that was interrupted by an error, pick up a battery at a battery swapping station, and return the battery to the battery swapping station without the assistance of a service crew. In this way, the user experience can be improved, and the labor cost of the system operator can be reduced.

[0016] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only examples, intended to provide a further explanation of the invention claimed in this case. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure more apparent and understandable, the drawings are described as follows:

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a battery swapping system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 FIG. shows Figure 1 a functional block diagram of one of the battery swapping stations shown;

[0020] Figure 3A and Figure 3B FIG. is a flowchart of a method for swapping batteries at a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4A and Figure 4B FIG. is a flowchart of a method for picking up a battery at a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0022] Figure 5 FIG. is a flowchart of a method for returning a battery to a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023]

Reference Signs

[0024] 10: Battery swapping system

[0025] 15: Back-end system

[0026] 16: Computer server

[0027] 17, 28: Data storage device

[0028] 20: Battery swapping station

[0029] 21: Battery swapping rack

[0030] 22: User interface [[ID=�9]]

[0031] ] 23: Battery slot

[0032] 24: Processor

[0033] 25: Memory

[0034] 26: Communication component

[0035] 27: Sensor

[0036] 29: Charging control component

[0037] 30: Battery

[0038] 50: Vehicle

[0039] 60: Network

[0040] 70: Mobile device

[0041] 90: Power supply

[0042] 100, 200, 300: Method

[0043] 111~116, 121~129, 131, 133, 211~219, 221~227, 231, 233, 311~317, 321~325, 331~335: Steps Detailed implementation manners

[0044] The following details the implementation manners of the present disclosure, and examples thereof are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings and the specification, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are only for describing exemplary implementation manners, and thus may be implemented in various alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary implementation manners set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the exemplary implementation manners to the specific forms disclosed, but to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 1 , which illustrates a schematic diagram of a battery swapping system 10 according to an implementation manner of the present disclosure. The battery swapping system 10 includes a plurality of battery swapping stations 20 provided at a plurality of different locations, and each battery swapping station 20 includes a battery swapping rack 21 and a user interface 22 provided on the battery swapping rack 21. The battery swapping rack 21 includes a plurality of battery slots 23, and the battery slots 23 are configured to accommodate one or more batteries 30 that can be provided to the user. The user interface 22 is configured to interact with the user (for example, receive user input and present information to the user). The user interface 22 may include a display and an input device. In some implementation manners, the user interface 22 may be a touch display that combines the functions of displaying information and receiving user input.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1As shown, during operation, some of the battery slots 23 are occupied by batteries 30, while some of the battery slots 23 are empty (i.e., not occupied by a battery). The batteries 30 disposed in the battery slots 23 can be divided into two groups: exchangeable and non-exchangeable. The non-exchangeable batteries are those that are currently not accessible to the user. The exchangeable batteries can be provided to the user (e.g., the user of the vehicle 50, where the vehicle 50 can be an electric vehicle) to exchange for the battery held by the user (e.g., the battery installed in the vehicle 50 to power the vehicle 50). In some embodiments, the exchangeable batteries can be provided to the user without the user returning the battery to the battery swapping station 20. The empty battery slots 23 are available for the user to insert the battery to be exchanged (e.g., a battery with low power). In some embodiments, the user can insert one or more batteries into the empty battery slots 23 without retrieving any battery from the battery swapping station 20.

[0047] In some embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 can provide an indication as to whether each battery 30 is currently exchangeable or non-exchangeable, enabling the user to visually identify the availability of each battery 30. The above indication can be in the form of: a color or icon displayed on the user interface 22, different placements (e.g., different orientations) for the exchangeable and non-exchangeable batteries, etc.

[0048] As Figure 1 As shown, the battery swapping system 10 further includes a backend system 15, which is communicatively coupled to the battery swapping station 20 via a network 60, such that the backend system 15 can exchange information with the battery swapping station 20 (e.g., transmit data via the network 60). The network 60 can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a mobile network (e.g., LTE or 5G), the Internet, a public / private network, a wired / wireless network, or other types of communication networks. In some embodiments, the backend system 15 includes one or more computer servers 16 and one or more data storage devices 17 communicatively coupled to the one or more computer servers 16.

[0049] The backend system 15 is configured to manage the battery swapping station 20. For example, the backend system 15 can perform one or more of the following operations: perform demand forecasting for the battery swapping station 20, collect data from the battery swapping station 20 or the batteries 30 disposed in the battery swapping station 20 for analysis, monitor the status of the battery swapping station 20 (e.g., the number of batteries 30 currently held by each battery swapping station 20, the state-of-charge (SoC) of the batteries 30 located in the battery swapping station 20, etc.), provide information to the battery swapping station 20 on how to charge the batteries 30.

[0050] In some embodiments, the operator of the battery swapping system 10 may offer multiple paid battery swapping plans, and users can subscribe to one of the battery swapping plans offered by the operator to swap batteries at the battery swapping station 20. The battery swapping plan may specify the number of batteries that a subscribed user can swap at the battery swapping station 20 at one time. For example, the operator of the battery swapping system 10 may offer two different battery swapping plans: Plan X and Plan Y. Plan X specifies that any user subscribing to Plan X can swap one battery at the battery swapping station 20 at one time, while Plan Y specifies that any user subscribing to Plan Y can swap two batteries at the battery swapping station 20 at one time.

[0051] In some embodiments, the number of empty battery slots 23 in each battery swapping station 20 is preset to be equal to the maximum number of batteries that a user can swap at one time. In the above example, since a user subscribing to Plan Y can swap two batteries at one time, the number of empty battery slots 23 in each battery swapping station 20 is preset to two.

[0052] For each battery swapping station 20, the number of empty battery slots 23 can change when the following situations occur: (i) the battery swapping station 20 releases batteries to the user but does not receive batteries from the user; (ii) the battery swapping station 20 receives batteries from the user but does not release batteries to the user; (iii) the service staff adds one or more batteries to the battery swapping station 20; or (iv) the service staff removes one or more batteries from the battery swapping station 20.

[0053] In some embodiments, in order for the battery swapping station 20 to maintain operation, the number of empty battery slots 23 shall not be less than a preset value (e.g., two). If the number of empty battery slots in any battery swapping station 20 is currently less than the preset value or is expected to be less than the preset value, service staff can be dispatched to remove one or more batteries 30 from the battery swapping station 20 to create more empty battery slots.

[0054] In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is further configured to manage users' subscriptions to battery swapping plans. For example, the backend system 15 can maintain a list of subscribed users and the battery swapping plans subscribed to by each user in the data storage device 17. The above information can be recorded in the form of a database table (i.e., the backend system 15 is configured to establish a user subscription database).

[0055] In some embodiments, a user may subscribe to a battery swapping plan via a mobile device 70, which is communicatively coupled to a backend system 15 via a network 60. For example, the user may install an application developed or provided by the operator of the battery swapping system 10 on the mobile device 70 and access the services provided by the operator through this application. This application may include a menu for the user to select the battery swapping plan to subscribe to. After the user makes a selection, the mobile device 70 may send a request indicating that the user desires to subscribe to a specific battery swapping plan to the backend system. When the backend system 15 receives such a request, the backend system 15 may update the user subscription database to include information about the new subscriber / user.

[0056] In some embodiments, the operator of the battery swapping system 10 may provide an option for a subscribed user to change to a different battery swapping plan. For example, the mobile device 70 may receive an instruction from the user and send a request to the backend system 15, the request indicating that the user desires to change the plan to which the user is subscribed from one battery swapping plan to another different battery swapping plan. When the backend system 15 receives such a request, the backend system 15 may update the user subscription database to reflect the change in the user's subscription.

[0057] In some embodiments, the change in the user's subscription may be an "upgrade" from a plan that allows the user to swap a relatively small number of batteries at a time to another plan that allows the user to swap a relatively large number of batteries at a time. For example, the user may upgrade from the above-mentioned Plan X (which allows the user to swap one battery at a time) to Plan Y (which allows the user to swap two batteries at a time). In some embodiments, a user who upgrades their subscription to a battery swapping plan may pick up one or more batteries at one of the battery swapping stations 20 but not return any batteries.

[0058] In some embodiments, the change in the user's subscription may be a "downgrade" from a plan that allows the user to swap a relatively large number of batteries at a time to another plan that allows the user to swap a relatively small number of batteries at a time. For example, the user may downgrade from the above-mentioned Plan Y (which allows the user to swap two batteries at a time) to Plan X (which allows the user to swap one battery at a time). In some embodiments, a user who downgrades their subscription to a battery swapping plan may return one or more batteries to one of the battery swapping stations 20 but not pick up any batteries from the battery swapping station 20.

[0059] In some embodiments, an operator of the battery swapping system 10 may provide options for a subscribed user to terminate, suspend, or resume their subscription. For example, the mobile device 70 may receive a user's instruction and send a request to the backend system 15, the request indicating that the user desires to terminate, suspend, or resume their subscription. When the backend system 15 receives such a request, the backend system 15 may update the user subscription database to reflect the termination, suspension, or resumption of the user's subscription.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 2 , which is a functional block diagram illustrating Figure 1 one of the battery swapping stations 20 shown. As Figure 2 shown, the battery swapping station 20 further includes a processor 24 and a memory 25. The processor 24 is configured to interact with the memory 25 and other components in the battery swapping station 20. The memory 25 is coupled to the processor 24 and is configured to store instructions or other information for controlling other components in the battery swapping station 20.

[0061] As Figure 2 shown, the battery swapping station 20 further includes a communication component 26, the communication component 26 being configured to communicate with other systems, such as the vehicle 50 (e.g., an electric vehicle powered by a battery), the mobile device 70, and the backend system 15. In some embodiments, the communication component 26 includes at least one network interface controller (NIC).

[0062] As Figure 2 shown, the battery swapping station 20 further includes one or more sensors 27 (e.g., a near field communication (NFC) module, a proximity sensor, a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, etc.). Each sensor 27 is installed in one of the battery slots 23 and is configured to provide a sensing signal, the sensing signal indicating whether the corresponding battery slot 23 is occupied by a battery 30.

[0063] As Figure 2 shown, the battery swapping station 20 further includes at least one data storage device 28, the data storage device 28 being configured to temporarily or permanently store information, data, files, or signals related to the battery swapping station 20.

[0064] As Figure 2As shown, the battery swapping station 20 further includes a charging control component 29 configured to control the charging process of the battery 30 in each battery slot 23. The charging control component 29 can receive power from at least one power source 90 (e.g., the power grid, solar panels, or wind turbines) and use the received power to charge the battery 30 located in the battery slot 23. In some embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 can use the power received from the power source 90 to perform other operations, such as powering the user interface 22, communicating with the backend system 15, the vehicle 50, or the mobile device 70, etc.

[0065] In some embodiments, each battery slot 23 includes a data transmission interface (e.g., an electrical connector, a Bluetooth transceiver, a near-field communication transceiver, etc.). The battery swapping station 20 can read data from the built-in battery memory in the battery 30 or write data to the battery memory through the data transmission interface. In some embodiments, the battery memory is configured to store characteristic information related to the battery 30. In some embodiments, the battery memory is configured to store data indicating the current user of the battery 30 (e.g., a user identification code or a battery identification code, and the battery identification code can be corresponded to the current user based on the data stored in the backend system 15 and / or the battery swapping station 20). In such embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 can identify the user currently swapping at the battery swapping station 20 by reading data from the battery memory of the battery inserted by the user.

[0066] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a flowchart of a method 100 for swapping batteries at a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the method 100 is a method for recovering from a failed battery swapping process in which an error occurs at the battery swapping station that causes the battery swapping station to restart, preventing the user from retrieving the battery from the battery swapping station. The method 100 can be advantageously implemented by the backend system 15 and the battery swapping station 20, so that the user who encounters a failed battery swapping process does not have to wait for a service crew to solve the problem.

[0067] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 3A As shown, the battery swapping process begins when the user arrives at one of the battery swapping stations 20 (the first battery swapping station) and inserts a battery (the first battery) into one of the empty battery slots 23 of the battery swapping station 20. The battery swapping station 20 then receives the battery from the user's hand (step 121). In some embodiments, each battery slot 23 is provided with a locking mechanism configured to lock the battery inserted into the battery slot 23.

[0068] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 3AAs shown, the battery swapping station 20 may encounter an error that causes the battery swapping station 20 to restart (step 122). The restart of the battery swapping station 20 can be a full restart of the battery swapping station 20 or a restart of one or more subsystems of the battery swapping station 20. The error can occur before the battery swapping station 20 releases a battery to swap with the battery inserted by the user. The error can be a software or hardware problem of the battery swapping station 20. In some embodiments, the entire battery swapping station 20 or a subsystem (e.g., a sensor or a circuit module) disposed in the battery slot 23 of the battery swapping station 20 is configured to restart in response to the user inserting the battery into the battery slot 23 too forcefully or at an incorrect angle.

[0069] As Figure 2 shown Figure 3A As shown, after the battery swapping station 20 restarts and initializes, the battery swapping station 20 is configured to confirm its battery inventory (step 123). In some embodiments, step 123 includes: determining the number of batteries 30 currently located in the battery swapping station 20; and confirming whether the number of batteries 30 currently located in the battery swapping station 20 matches the quick value. The quick value is stored in the data storage device of the battery swapping station 20 or the backend system 15, and the quick value is stored in the data storage device before the battery swapping station 20 restarts.

[0070] For example, assume that the number of batteries in the battery swapping station 20 is six before the user starts swapping batteries at the battery swapping station 20. Since the number of batteries in the battery swapping station 20 is expected not to change after the battery swap, the number of batteries in the battery swapping station 20 recorded by the battery swapping station 20 and / or the backend system 15 remains unchanged after the user inserts a battery into the battery swapping station 20. However, if an error causes the battery swapping station 20 to restart at a time point after the user inserts a battery and before the battery swapping station 20 releases a battery to the user, the battery swapping station 20 will detect that there are "seven" batteries in the battery swapping station 20 after the restart, which is different from the quick value of "six".

[0071] In some embodiments, the determination of the number of batteries 30 currently located in the battery swapping station 20 is based on the sensing signals provided by the sensors 27. Each sensor 27 is disposed in one of the battery slots 23, and the sensing signal provided by each sensor 27 indicates whether the corresponding battery slot 23 is occupied.

[0072] As Figure 2 shown Figure 3AAs shown, if the battery swapping station 20 detects a problem with the battery inventory (e.g., the determined current number of batteries 30 located in the battery swapping station 20 does not match the quick value), the battery swapping station 20 notifies the back-end system 15 of the battery inventory problem by sending a first alert to the back-end system 15 (step 124). In step 111, the back-end system 15 receives the first alert from the battery swapping station 20.

[0073] In a standard battery swapping process that does not involve the user changing their subscription to the battery swapping plan, the battery swapping station 20 must provide the same number of batteries as an exchange when receiving a certain number of batteries from the user. However, due to the problem with the battery inventory, the battery swapping process is suspended, and the user temporarily cannot retrieve the battery from the battery swapping station 20. The user can use the mobile device 70 to notify the back-end system 15.

[0074] As Figure 2 And Figure 3A As shown, in some embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 is configured to display an error notification code on the user interface 22 (step 125; the error notification code is, for example, a Quick Response code (QR code)), and the mobile device 70 can send a second alert to the back-end system 15 by scanning the error notification code (step 131). The second alert indicates that the battery swapping station 20 did not release a second battery to the user in response to the user inserting a first battery into one of the battery slots 23 of the battery swapping station 20. The second alert may include the identification information of the battery swapping station 20 where the user cannot successfully swap the battery (e.g., the identification code or name of the battery swapping station 20).

[0075] In some embodiments, the user interface 22 of the battery swapping station 20 is configured to display a service form, and the service form includes an option of "unable to obtain a battery". The user interface 22 is configured to display the error notification code in response to the user selecting the option of "unable to obtain a battery".

[0076] As Figure 2 And Figure 3A As shown, after the back-end system 15 receives the second alert from the mobile device 70 (step 112), the back-end system 15 is configured to determine whether the first alert and the second alert are regarding the same battery swapping station (step 113). In some embodiments, the back-end system 15 may receive multiple first alerts, and each first alert is sent by a different battery swapping station. To manage these alerts, the back-end system 15 can maintain a list of first alerts marked as "pending". In the above case, the back-end system 15 is configured to confirm whether the second alert is regarding the same battery swapping station as any of the first alerts in the "pending list".

[0077] As Figure 2 And Figure 3BAs shown, if the first alert and the second alert are regarding the same battery swapping station, the backend system 15 generates a battery collection code (e.g., a number or a string), and sends the battery collection code (the first battery collection code) to the mobile device 70 (step 114). Conversely, if the first alert and the second alert are not regarding the same battery swapping station (or, if the aforementioned "pending list" is empty, indicating that there are no pending battery inventory issues), the backend system 15 sends back an error code to the mobile device 70.

[0078] As Figure 2 and Figure 3B shown, in step 133, the mobile device 70 receives the battery collection code from the backend system 15. After receiving the battery collection code, the user can enter the battery collection code at the battery swapping station 20 to obtain a battery. In some embodiments, the battery collection code is a one-time code, that is, the user can only use the battery collection code to obtain a battery from the battery swapping station 20 once.

[0079] As Figure 2 and Figure 3B shown, in step 126, the battery swapping station 20 receives the battery collection code (the second battery collection code) entered by the user through the user interface 22. Then, in step 127, the battery swapping station 20 transmits or uploads the received battery collection code to the backend system 15 for verification. The backend system 15 receives the battery collection code from the battery swapping station 20 (step 115), verifies the received battery collection code (i.e., confirms whether the received battery collection code is valid), and sends back the verification result to the battery swapping station 20 (step 116). In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to compare the first battery collection code with the second battery collection code and generate the verification result based on the comparison result.

[0080] As Figure 2 and Figure 3B shown, in step 128, the battery swapping station 20 receives the verification result from the backend system 15. If the result indicates successful verification (i.e., the battery collection code entered by the user is valid), the battery swapping station 20 releases one or more batteries to the user (step 129). In some embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 releases one or more batteries to the user by unlocking the locking mechanism in one or more battery slots 23.

[0081] Conversely, if the result indicates failed verification (i.e., the battery collection code entered by the user is invalid), the battery swapping station 20 does not release any batteries to the user, but displays a warning on the user interface 22 to inform the user that the battery collection code they entered is invalid.

[0082] In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to store a list containing valid battery redemption codes (e.g., a list containing the battery redemption codes generated by the backend system 15), and is configured to confirm whether the battery redemption code uploaded by the battery swapping station 20 is in the list containing valid battery redemption codes to determine its validity.

[0083] In some embodiments, the battery redemption code input by the user can be verified at the battery swapping station 20. For example, the backend system 15 can transmit the battery redemption code provided to the mobile device 70 in step 114 to the battery swapping station 20, so that the battery swapping station 20 can confirm whether the battery redemption code input by the user matches the battery redemption code provided by the backend system 15 to determine the validity of the battery redemption code input by the user.

[0084] In some embodiments, after step 129, the battery swapping station can notify the backend system 15 that a battery has been released to the user. In response to receiving the above notification, the backend system 15 can remove the relevant first alert from the above "pending list", and delete the battery redemption code sent to the mobile device 70 from the list containing valid battery redemption codes.

[0085] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a flowchart of a method 200 for obtaining a battery at a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the method 200 is a method for a user to obtain or extract a battery at one of the battery swapping stations 20 without returning the battery (e.g., when a new user subscribes to one of the battery swapping plans provided by the operator of the battery swapping system 10, when the user requests to upgrade their subscription, or when the user requests to resume their previously suspended subscription).

[0086] When a user needs to obtain a battery instead of swapping it, the current practice is to require the user to go to a service station to obtain the battery, or to dispatch a service crew to the battery swapping station 20 to assist the user in obtaining the battery (e.g., the service crew may have the permission to remove the battery 30 from the battery swapping station 20). The method 200 of the present disclosure can be advantageously implemented by the backend system 15 and the battery swapping station 20, enabling the user to conveniently obtain the battery at the battery swapping station 20 without assistance.

[0087] As Figure 2 and Figure 4AAs shown, in step 231, the mobile device 70 sends a request to subscribe to the battery swapping scheme or to upgrade or resume the user's subscription to the battery swapping scheme to the backend system 15. In step 211, the backend system 15 receives the request from the mobile device 70. In response to receiving the request, the backend system 15 generates a battery collection code (the third battery collection code) and sends the battery collection code to the mobile device 70 (step 213). The backend system 15 can also update the user subscription database according to the received request (for example: adding a subscriber to the user subscription database, or recording data indicating that the user's subscription has been resumed or upgraded in the user subscription database).

[0088] As Figure 2 shown Figure 4A in, in step 233, the mobile device 70 receives the battery collection code from the backend system 15. The user can then use the battery collection code to collect a battery (the third battery) at a self-selected battery swapping station. For example, for convenience, the user can go to the nearest battery swapping station 20 to collect the battery.

[0089] In some embodiments, the battery collection code has an expiration date. After the expiration date, the battery collection code becomes invalid and cannot be used to collect a battery. In some embodiments, the expiration date can be sent to the mobile device 70 together with the battery collection code, and the mobile device 70 can present the expiration date to the user together with the battery collection code. In some embodiments, the user can use the mobile device 70 to request a new battery collection code from the backend system 15 after the previously received battery collection code has expired and not been used.

[0090] In some embodiments, the backend system 15 can determine that some battery swapping stations 20 in the battery swapping system 10 cannot provide battery collection services to the user, or that the battery swapping stations 20 cannot provide battery collection services to the user during certain periods (for example: peak hours, when the battery swapping stations 20 are expected to have high demand during peak hours). In such embodiments, the backend system 15 can send a list of the battery swapping stations 20 that cannot provide battery collection services and a list of the periods when battery collection services cannot be provided to the mobile device 70.

[0091] As Figure 2 shown Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, in step 221, the battery swapping station 20 receives the battery collection code input by the user through the user interface 22. Then, in step 223, the battery swapping station 20 transmits or uploads the received battery collection code to the backend system 15 for verification. The backend system 15 receives the battery collection code from the battery swapping station 20 (step 215), verifies the received battery collection code, and transmits the verification result back to the battery swapping station 20 (step 217). In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to compare the third battery collection code with the battery collection code input by the user in step 221 and generate the verification result based on the comparison result.

[0092] As Figure 2 shown Figure 4B in step 225, if the result received by the battery swapping station 20 indicates successful verification, the battery swapping station 20 releases one or more batteries to the user. Conversely, if the result indicates verification failure, the battery swapping station 20 does not release any batteries to the user, but instead displays a warning on the user interface 22 to inform the user that the battery collection code they entered is invalid.

[0093] As Figure 2 shown Figure 4B in step 227, after releasing the batteries to the user, the battery swapping station 20 sends a notification indicating that the batteries have been released to the user to the backend system 15. In response to receiving the notification, the backend system 15 can record data regarding the released batteries and invalidate the battery collection code.

[0094] As Figure 2 shown Figure 4B in some embodiments, the backend system 15 is further configured to send a notification to the service staff device (e.g., the mobile device equipped by the service staff), the notification including an instruction to transport one or more batteries to the battery swapping station 20 (step 219) to replenish the one or more batteries taken away by the user from the battery swapping station 20. In some embodiments, if the backend system 15 determines that the batteries 30 in the battery swapping station 20 can meet the predicted demand of the battery swapping station 20 in the next few hours / days, the notification instructing the service staff to transport batteries to the battery swapping station 20 can be postponed. The above determination can be based on the number of batteries 30 in the battery swapping station 20, the power status of each battery 30 in the battery swapping station 20, or other factors.

[0095] In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to send the following information to the battery swapping station 20 together with the verification result: characteristic information of the vehicle 50 related to the user (which may include the number of batteries that the vehicle 50 can use), subscription information of the user (which may include the number of batteries that the user can swap at one time), and / or the reason for picking up the battery. Based on the above information, the battery swapping station 20 can select one or more batteries to release to the user.

[0096] In some embodiments, the battery swapping station 20 is configured to determine whether its current battery inventory can meet the user's request to pick up a battery (e.g., confirm whether the battery swapping station 20 has sufficient batteries or has the type of battery that the user needs). The above determination can be based on the information received in the previous paragraph. If the battery swapping station 20 determines that its current battery inventory cannot meet the user's request to pick up a battery, the battery swapping station 20 can display a warning on the user interface 22 and, in some embodiments, provide information to direct the user to other battery swapping stations.

[0097] Figure 5 FIG. 300 is a flowchart of a method 300 for returning a battery to a battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the method 300 is a method for a user to return a battery to one of the battery swapping stations 20 without receiving a battery (e.g., when the user requests to terminate, suspend, or downgrade their subscription to the battery swapping plan).

[0098] When the user needs to return the battery instead of swapping it, the current practice is to require the user to return the battery to a service station or dispatch a service crew to the battery swapping station 20 to assist the user in returning the battery (e.g., the service crew may have the permission to put the battery into the battery swapping station 20). The method 300 of the present disclosure can be advantageously implemented by the backend system 15 and the battery swapping station 20, enabling the user to conveniently return the battery to the battery swapping station 20 without assistance.

[0099] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 5 FIG. 331, the mobile device 70 sends a request to terminate, suspend, or downgrade the user's subscription to the battery swapping plan to the backend system 15. The above request may include the date and location for returning the battery (e.g., one of the battery swapping stations 20), which may be specified by the user.

[0100] In some embodiments, the mobile device 70 is configured to display a map showing locations where the batteries can be returned, and the user can select a location to return the battery by clicking on the map. In some embodiments, the mobile device 70 can display suggested locations to return the batteries (e.g., mark these locations on the map). The suggested return locations can be determined based on the number of empty battery slots available at each battery swapping station 20 on the return date specified by the user, the number of batteries planned to be returned to each battery swapping station 20 on the return date specified by the user, or other factors.

[0101] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 5 Step 311, the backend system 15 receives a request from the mobile device 70. In response to receiving the request, the backend system 15 determines the number of batteries that the user should return based on the user's subscription and the received request. For example, if the user requests to terminate or suspend the subscription to Plan Y, the user should return two batteries. For example, if the user requests to downgrade their subscription from Plan Y to Plan X, the user should return one battery.

[0102] The backend system 15 then reserves at least one empty battery slot 23 at the battery swapping station 20 where the user specifies to return the battery (step 313). In some embodiments, step 313 includes sending a notification to a service crew member device (e.g., a mobile device equipped with a service crew member), the notification including an instruction to remove at least one battery 30 from the specified battery swapping station 20. In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to predict whether there are sufficient empty battery slots 23 at the specified battery swapping station 20 on the specified return date. When there are not enough empty battery slots 23 (e.g., there are not enough empty battery slots for the user to return the battery, or there are not enough empty battery slots for other users to swap batteries after the user returns the battery), the backend system 15 notifies the service crew member to remove batteries from the specified battery swapping station 20.

[0103] In some embodiments, the backend system 15 is configured to reserve at least a first number of empty battery slots at the battery swapping station 20 where the user specifies to return the battery, the first number being the sum of a preset number of empty slots (e.g., the maximum number of batteries the user can swap at one time) and the number of one or more batteries that the user is expected to return. The above configuration can ensure that after the user returns the battery to the specified battery swapping station 20, the battery swapping station 20 still has enough empty battery slots for other users to swap batteries. In some embodiments, if the backend system 15 determines that the number of empty battery slots at the specified battery swapping station 20 is less than the above first number, the backend system 15 sends a notification to the service crew member, instructing the service crew member to remove one or more batteries from the specified battery swapping station 20 before the date when the user plans to return the battery.

[0104] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 5 FIG. 4, the back-end system 15 then sends a confirmation message to the mobile device 70 and notifies the user of the battery swapping station 20 designated for returning the battery (step 315). In step 321, the battery swapping station 20 receives the notification from the back-end system 15. In step 333, the mobile device 70 receives the confirmation message from the back-end system 15. In some embodiments, step 315 may be performed before step 313 or simultaneously with step 313.

[0105] As Figure 2 shown in Figure 5 FIG. 5, the user may return at least one battery to the designated battery swapping station 20 on a designated date (step 335). The battery swapping station 20 receives the battery inserted by the user into the empty battery slot 23 (step 323), and then notifies the back-end system 15 that the user has returned the battery (step 325). In response to receiving the notification, the back-end system 15 records data indicating that the user's subscription has been terminated, suspended, or downgraded (step 317). For example, the back-end system 15 may update the user subscription database to reflect the termination, suspension, and downgrading of the user's subscription.

[0106] In some embodiments, the mobile device 70 may send a request to the back-end system 15 to terminate, suspend, or downgrade the user's subscription to the battery swapping plan without specifying the date and location for returning the battery. In such embodiments, the user may go to any battery swapping station to return the battery (as long as the battery swapping station has sufficient empty battery slots). The battery swapping station 20 that receives the battery from the user may notify the back-end system 15 that the user has returned the battery. In response to receiving the notification from the battery swapping station 20, the back-end system 15 may record data indicating that the user's subscription has been terminated, suspended, or downgraded, and, in some embodiments, send a notification to the service staff indicating that the service staff should remove at least one battery 30 from the battery swapping station 20 where the user returned the battery.

[0107] Although the back-end system 15 and the battery swapping station 20 are presented as separate and distinct devices in the foregoing embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the back-end system 15 may be implemented by one or more battery swapping stations 20 (e.g., the back-end system 15 may be a distributed system composed of some or all of the battery swapping stations 20). In such embodiments, some or all of the foregoing steps 111 to 116, 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 311, 315, and 317 may be performed by one or more battery swapping stations 20.

[0108] In summary, the method and system of the present disclosure enable a user to complete a battery swapping process that was wrongly interrupted without the assistance of service staff, pick up a battery at a battery swapping station, and return the battery to the battery swapping station. Thereby, the user experience can be improved and the labor costs of the system operator can be reduced.

[0109] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with specific embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments herein.

[0110] It is obvious to those skilled in the art of this case that various changes and modifications can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. In view of this, the present disclosure is intended to cover the changes and modifications that fall within the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery swapping method, characterized in that, Comprising: Receiving, by a backend system, a first alert from a first battery swapping station, the first alert indicating a problem with a battery inventory of the first battery swapping station; Receiving, by the backend system, a second alert from a mobile device, the second alert indicating that a second battery swapping station does not release a second battery in response to inserting a first battery into one of a plurality of battery slots of the second battery swapping station; And If the first alert and the second alert are about the same battery swapping station, providing, by the backend system, a permission to obtain the second battery from the second battery swapping station to the mobile device.

2. The battery swapping method according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: Confirming the battery inventory of the first battery swapping station in response to a restart of the first battery swapping station.

3. The battery swapping method according to claim 2, wherein The step of confirming the battery inventory of the first battery swapping station comprises: Determining a quantity of a plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station; and Confirming whether the quantity of the plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station matches a quick value, wherein the quick value is stored in a data storage device of the first battery swapping station or the backend system.

4. The battery swapping method according to claim 3, wherein The step of determining the quantity comprises: Providing sensing signals by a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being disposed in one of a plurality of battery slots of the first battery swapping station, and the sensing signals provided by the plurality of sensors indicating whether each of the plurality of battery slots of the first battery swapping station is occupied; And Determining the quantity of the plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station based on the sensing signals provided by the plurality of sensors.

5. The battery swapping method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of providing the permission to obtain the second battery from the second battery swapping station comprises: Sending a first battery collection code to the mobile device; Receiving, through a user interface of the second battery swapping station, a second battery collection code; Verifying the second battery collection code based on the first battery collection code; And Releasing the second battery by the second battery swapping station in response to successful verification of the second battery collection code.

6. The battery swapping method according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: Displaying an error notification code on a user interface of the second battery swapping station, wherein the error notification code allows the mobile device to send the second alert by scanning the error notification code.

7. The battery swapping method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: Receiving, from the mobile device, a request to subscribe to a battery swapping plan or upgrade or resume subscription to a battery swapping plan; Sending a third battery collection code to the mobile device in response to receiving the request; And Releasing a third battery by a third battery swapping station in response to receiving the third battery collection code through a user interface of the third battery swapping station.

8. The battery swapping method according to claim 7, wherein Further comprising: After the third battery is released, sending a notification to a service crew device, the notification including an instruction to transport a fourth battery to the third battery swapping station.

9. The battery swapping method according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: Receiving, from the mobile device, a request to terminate, suspend or downgrade subscription to a battery swapping plan; Receiving, from a fourth battery swapping station, a notification indicating that one or more batteries have been returned to the fourth battery swapping station; And Recording data indicating that the subscription to the battery swapping plan has been terminated, suspended or downgraded in response to receiving the notification.

10. The battery swapping method according to claim 9, wherein Further comprising: In response to receiving the request, reserve at least a first number of empty battery slots at the fourth battery swapping station, where the first number is the sum of a preset number of empty slots and a quantity of the one or more batteries expected to be returned.

11. A battery swapping system, characterized in that, Comprising: A plurality of battery swapping stations, each having a plurality of battery slots; and A backend system communicatively coupled to the plurality of battery swapping stations and configured to: Receive a first alert from a first battery swapping station among the plurality of battery swapping stations, the first alert indicating a problem with a battery inventory of the first battery swapping station; Receive a second alert from a mobile device, the second alert indicating that the first battery swapping station does not release a second battery in response to inserting a first battery into one of the plurality of battery slots of the first battery swapping station; And If the first alert and the second alert are about the same battery swapping station, provide the mobile device with a permission to obtain the second battery from the first battery swapping station.

12. The battery swapping system according to claim 11, wherein The first battery swapping station is configured to confirm the battery inventory in response to a restart of the first battery swapping station.

13. The battery swapping system according to claim 12, wherein The first battery swapping station is configured to confirm the battery inventory by: Determining a quantity of a plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station; and Confirming whether the quantity of the plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station matches a quick value, where the quick value is stored in a data storage device of the first battery swapping station or the backend system.

14. The battery swapping system according to claim 13, wherein, Each of the plurality of battery slots is provided with a sensor configured to provide a sensing signal indicating whether a corresponding one of the plurality of battery slots is occupied, where the first battery swapping station is configured to determine the quantity of the plurality of batteries currently located in the first battery swapping station based on the sensing signals provided by each sensor disposed in the plurality of battery slots.

15. The battery swapping system according to claim 11, wherein The backend system is configured to provide the permission to obtain the second battery from the first battery swapping station by: Sending a first battery collection code to the mobile device; Receiving a second battery collection code through a user interface of the first battery swapping station; Verifying the second battery collection code based on the first battery collection code; And In response to successful verification of the second battery collection code, instruct the first battery swapping station to release the second battery.

16. The battery swapping system according to claim 11, wherein The first battery swapping station is configured to display an error notification code on a user interface of the first battery swapping station, where the error notification code allows the mobile device to send the second alert to the backend system by scanning the error notification code.

17. The battery swapping system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The backend system is further configured to: Receive a request from the mobile device to subscribe to a battery swapping plan or upgrade or resume a subscription to a battery swapping plan; and In response to receiving the request, send a third battery collection code to the mobile device; Wherein a second battery swapping station among the plurality of battery swapping stations is configured to release a third battery in response to receiving the third battery collection code through a user interface of the second battery swapping station.

18. The battery swapping system according to claim 17, wherein The backend system is further configured to send a notification to a service crew device after the third battery is released, the notification including an instruction to transport a fourth battery to the second battery swapping station.

19. The battery swapping system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The backend system is further configured to: receive a request from the mobile device to terminate, suspend, or downgrade a subscription to the battery swapping scheme; receive a notification from a second battery swapping station among the plurality of battery swapping stations, the notification indicating that one or more batteries have been returned to the second battery swapping station; and in response to receiving the notification, record data indicating that the subscription to the battery swapping scheme has been terminated, suspended, or downgraded.

20. The battery swapping system according to claim 19, wherein The backend system is further configured to reserve at least a first number of empty battery slots at the second battery swapping station in response to receiving the request, wherein the first number is a sum of a preset number of empty slots and a quantity of the one or more batteries expected to be returned.

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