Unlocking method

Abstract

The present invention provides an unlocking method capable of suppressing movement of a battery at a time undesired by an operator during unlocking. The method for unlocking a battery is a method for unlocking a battery using a replacement device having a main body part and an arm part movably supported by the main body part, the method comprising: a step for moving in a horizontal direction, a step for moving the arm section in the horizontal direction such that the front end of the arm section is positioned below the position where the battery is mounted in the vehicle; a step in which the tip section is moved upward so that the battery is placed on the tip section; and an unlocking step of unlocking the battery in the vehicle after the battery is placed on the front end portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an unlocking method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in vehicles equipped with batteries such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, the batteries are locked to the vehicle body on the inside of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a replacement device that can remove and assemble a battery box pulled out by means of a guide rail member (sliding portion) provided on the vehicle.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-174476 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, if the battery lock in the vehicle body is released for battery replacement, the battery may move from the mounting position on the vehicle body at a time not desired by the operator due to the tilted state of the vehicle when it is parked. In addition, if a locking mechanism other than the locking mechanism on the vehicle body is provided to prevent the battery from moving, the overall mechanism becomes complicated, for example, a mechanism for releasing the additional locking mechanism needs to be provided, which may increase the replacement time and cost.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an unlocking method capable of suppressing a battery from moving at a timing not intended by a worker during unlocking.

[0009] Solutions to the problem

[0010] The unlocking method of the present invention is a battery unlocking method using a replacement device, the replacement device having a main body and an arm supported by the main body in a movable manner.

[0011] The unlocking method comprises the following steps:

[0012] a step of moving the arm in the horizontal direction, the step being a step of moving the arm in the horizontal direction so that the front end portion of the arm is located below a battery mounting position in the vehicle;

[0013] a step of moving the front end portion upward, the step being a step of moving the front end portion upward so that the battery is placed on the front end portion; and

[0014] and a step of unlocking the battery in the vehicle after the battery is placed on the front end portion.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the battery from moving at a timing not intended by the operator when unlocking the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a mounting device to which a replacement device capable of executing the unlocking method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the mounting device viewed from the X direction.

[0019] Figure 3A It is a diagram for explaining the movement of the battery by the sliding portion.

[0020] Figure 3B It is a diagram for explaining the movement of the battery by the sliding portion.

[0021] Figure 4A It is a diagram showing the structure of the replacement device.

[0022] Figure 4B It is a diagram showing the structure of the replacement device.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by each device according to this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of a battery using a replacement device.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of a battery using a replacement device.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of a battery using a replacement device.

[0027] Fig. 9 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of a battery using a replacement device.

[0028] Fig.10 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of a battery using a replacement device.

[0029] Description of Reference Numerals

[0030] 1: Vehicle;

[0031] 1A: Cargo platform;

[0032] 1B: body;

[0033] 2: Battery;

[0034] 2A: Lock;

[0035] 10: Installation device;

[0036] 11: Main body;

[0037] 12: sliding part;

[0038] 13: loading part;

[0039] 20: Replace the device;

[0040] 21: Main body;

[0041] 22: Arm;

[0042] 23: Battery detection sensor;

[0043] 111: wall;

[0044] 111A: Latch;

[0045] 112: support part;

[0046] 221: Arm;

[0047] 221A: front end;

[0048] 221B: support part;

[0049] 221C: grip;

[0050] 222: jumper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a mounting device to which a replacement device capable of executing the unlocking method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0052] When describing the structure related to the replacement device, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used. The common orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also used in the following figures. The X direction represents the left and right direction of the vehicle 1 equipped with the replacement device, the Y direction represents the front and rear direction of the vehicle 1, and the Z direction represents the up and down direction of the vehicle 1.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 1 is a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that can run using a battery 2. The vehicle 1 is a large vehicle such as a truck and is equipped with a cargo bed 1A. A mounting device 10 for mounting the battery 2 is provided on a vehicle body 1B of the vehicle 1 equipped with the cargo bed 1A.

[0054] The battery 2 is locked to the vehicle body 1B at a mounting position inside the vehicle 1 by the mounting device 10. When the battery 2 is replaced, the replacement device 20 is used.

[0055] In addition, a control unit 1C is provided in the vehicle 1. The control unit 1C includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output circuit (not shown), and performs, for example, control related to the vehicle 1. In addition, the control unit 1C can communicate with an external device (for example, the replacement device 20), and can also control the locking / unlocking of the battery 2 in the vehicle body 1B based on the instruction of the external device.

[0056] In the following description, before describing in detail the replacement device 20 of the present embodiment, first, the structure of the mounting device 10 to which the replacement device 20 is applied will be described.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting device 10 includes a main body portion 11 , a sliding portion 12 , and a placement portion 13 .

[0058] The main body 11 is disposed at a position corresponding to the lower side (the negative side in the Z direction) of the cargo bed 1A, and has a wall portion 111 and a support portion 112 .

[0059] The wall portion 111 is a wall arranged along the Z direction, and is fixed to the side surface (+ side in the X direction) of the vehicle body 1B, for example. The wall portion 111 is provided with a latch 111A (see Figure 3B ). The battery 2 is locked to the vehicle 1 by the latch 111A being engaged with the striker 2A.

[0060] Note that the locking and unlocking by the latch 111A and the striker 2A are switched and controlled by the control unit 1C on the vehicle 1 side.

[0061] The support portion 112 is a member extending from the end of the wall portion 111 on the - side in the Z direction to the + side in the X direction, and two support portions 112 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The support portions 112 are configured to support the mounting portion 13 and the battery 2 from the - side in the Z direction when the battery 2 is fixed to the vehicle 1.

[0062] The slide portion 12 is a telescopic slide rail for moving the battery 2 between the inside and the outside of the vehicle 1. The slide portion 12 is fixed to the support portion 112, for example.

[0063] like Figure 3AAs shown, when the slide portion 12 is in the most retracted state, it is located in the inner range of the vehicle 1 in the X direction. The position of the inner range is, for example, a position below the cargo bed 1A or a position where the battery 2 (mounting portion 13) is mounted on the vehicle body 1B.

[0064] like Figure 3B As shown, when the sliding portion 12 is in the most extended state, the front end portion is located at the + side of the cargo bed 1A in the X direction, that is, at the outer side of the vehicle 1. The position of the outer range is located at the outer side of the vehicle 1 in the X direction and is a position where the battery 2 can be removed from the mounting portion 13, for example, it can also be the position of the battery 2 (mounting portion 13) when the sliding portion 12 is in the most extended state.

[0065] The placement portion 13 is a portion on which the battery 2 is placed, and is attached to the slide portion 12. A locking mechanism for locking the battery 2 and the placement portion 13 may be provided on the + side surface of the placement portion 13 in the Z direction and the bottom surface of the battery 2.

[0066] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, the width of the placement portion 13 in the Y direction is narrower than the width of the battery 2 in the Y direction. Therefore, when the battery 2 is placed on a pair of arms 221 of the replacement device 20 to be described later, the placement portion 13 is located between the two arms 221.

[0067] Next, the details of the replacement device 20 will be described.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the replacement device 20 is a device capable of carrying in and out the battery 2 on the mounting device 10 to replace the battery 2. The replacement device 20 includes a main body 21, an arm 22, and a battery detection sensor 23 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4A It should be noted that the directions of the various parts in the following description are based on the replacement device 20 disposed to face the side surface on the + side in the X direction of the vehicle 1.

[0069] The main body 21 is the main part of the replacement device 20, and supports the arm 22 so that the arm 22 can move in the Z direction. For example, a control unit 21A is provided in the main body 21. The control unit 21A includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output circuit (not shown), and controls the movement of the arm 22. It should be noted that the control unit 21A may be provided outside the main body 21, and the movement of the arm 22 may be controlled by remote operation.

[0070] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the arm portion 22 is configured to be able to place the battery 2. The arm portion 22 includes a pair of arms 221 and a bridge portion 222.

[0071] The pair of arms 221 is supported by the main body 21 so as to be movable in the Z direction, and extends in the X direction. The arm 221 has a front end portion 221A and a support portion 221B.

[0072] The front end portion 221A is a portion on which the battery 2 is placed, and is supported by the support portion 221B. The support portion 221B is a portion supported by the main body 21. The support portion 221B is configured in a rail shape extending in the X direction, and supports the front end portion 221A so that the front end portion 221A can move in the X direction.

[0073] A gripping portion 221C for gripping the battery 2 is provided at the front end portion 221A of the pair of arms 221. Two gripping portions 221C are provided on each arm 221, for a total of four gripping portions 221C. The four gripping portions 221C are located at positions corresponding to the corners of the rectangular parallelepiped battery 2, for example.

[0074] like Figure 4B As shown, the gripping portion 221C includes a first portion C1 and a second portion C2. The first portion C1 is a portion fixed to the surface of the front end portion 221A on the + side in the Z direction. The second portion C2 is a portion extending from the first portion C1 to the + side in the Z direction and along the side surface of the gripped battery 2. Each second portion C2 of the four gripping portions 221C is positioned so as to surround the battery 2, so that the gripping portion 221C grips the battery 2.

[0075] The bridge portion 222 is a portion where the front end portions 221A of the pair of arms 221 bridge, and is provided at the front end portion 221A on the + side of the grip portion 221C in the X direction. The battery detection sensor 23 is provided at the center of the bridge portion 222 .

[0076] The battery detection sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the battery 2 , and may be, for example, a well-known contact sensor.

[0077] In addition, the initial position of the pair of arms 221 is a position corresponding to a position closer to the - side in the Z direction than the battery 2 locked to the vehicle 1. In addition, when the position of the arm 221 is at the initial position, the height of the battery detection sensor 23 is a position corresponding to the height of the battery 2 locked to the vehicle 1 in the Z direction.

[0078] Next, the operation of the replacement device 20 will be described. Figure 5 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of each device in this embodiment. From the left, an example of the process performed by the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 and an example of the process performed by the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 are shown respectively. It should be noted that, Figure 5The flowchart is based on the premise that there is a vehicle 1 that has entered an area to which the replacement device 20 can be moved and is in a parked state. The area to which the replacement device 20 can be moved is, for example, an area where the replacement device 20 is managed, for example, a place such as a battery replacement station where fully charged batteries 2 are stored.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 moves the replacement device 20 so that the replacement device 20 is arranged at a position facing the battery 2 on the side of the vehicle 1 (step S101).

[0080] Specifically, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 may also search for the vehicle 1 using a vehicle detection sensor (not shown) provided in the replacement device 20, and control the movement of the replacement device 20 based on the detection information of the vehicle detection sensor. In addition, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 may also communicate with the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 or an external device to obtain the position information of the vehicle 1, and control the movement of the replacement device 20 based on the position information.

[0081] In step S101, Figure 6 As shown, the replacement device 20 is arranged at a position facing the battery 2 in the vehicle 1 .

[0082] Next, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 checks with the vehicle 1 to see if the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 sends an instruction to the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 to put the vehicle 1 in a stopped state, such as an instruction to shift the gear into the parking gear or an instruction to turn off the key (an instruction to disconnect the relay of the battery 2).

[0083] After step S102, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 checks whether the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state, and notifies the replacement device 20 side that the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step S201).

[0084] For example, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 confirms whether the gear is in the parking gear or whether the relay of the battery 2 is in the disconnected state. When the gear is not in the parking gear, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 can, for example, notify the driver of the vehicle 1 to shift the gear to the parking gear, and can also automatically shift the gear to the parking gear. In addition, when the relay of the battery 2 is not in the disconnected state, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 can, for example, notify the driver of the vehicle 1 to turn off the key, and can also automatically turn off the key.

[0085] After confirming that the vehicle 1 is in the stopped state, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 notifies the replacement device 20 side that the vehicle 1 is in the stopped state.

[0086] After step S201, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 moves the arm 221 in the horizontal direction (towards the - side in the X direction) (step S103). Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the arm 221 is moved by moving the main body 21 to the - side in the X direction. Then, when the battery detection sensor 23 detects the battery 2, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 stops the movement of the main body 21. As a result, the front end 221A of the arm 221 is located below the mounting position of the battery 2 in the vehicle 1.

[0087] After step S103, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 moves the arm 221 to the + side (upward) in the Z direction (step S104). Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the arm 221 is raised to the height of the battery 2. As a result, the battery 2 is placed on the front end portion 221A of the arm 221, that is, the battery 2 is held by the grip portion 221C. It should be noted that in this case, "the battery 2 is placed on the front end portion 221A" may refer to a state in which the total load of the battery 2 is applied to the front end portion 221A, or may refer to a state in which the front end portion 221A is in contact with the bottom surface of the battery 2 but the load of the battery 2 is not applied to the front end portion 221A. In addition, if the battery 2 is in a state in which it is reliably positioned on the front end portion 221A after being unlocked (for example, the battery 2 is reliably located within the range of the grip portion 221C, etc.), the state in which the front end portion 221A is not in contact with the battery 2 may be included in the "battery 2 is placed on the front end portion 221A".

[0088] After step S104, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 instructs the vehicle 1 to unlock the battery 2 after the battery 2 is held by the holding unit 221C (step S105). After step S105, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 unlocks the battery 2 in the vehicle 1 (step S202).

[0089] After step S202, the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 notifies the replacement device 20 that unlocking of the battery 2 has been completed (step S203).

[0090] After step S203, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 moves the main body 21 to the + side in the X direction (step S106). Fig. 9 As shown, the battery 2 is pulled out by means of the slide 12 .

[0091] After step S106, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 moves the arm 221 further to the + side in the Z direction (step S107). Fig.10As shown, the battery 2 is lifted from the mounting portion 13 and removed from the mounting device 10. After step S107, this control ends.

[0092] After this control, mounting control is performed using the replacement device 20 with the fully charged battery 2 placed on the arm 221. Specifically, the replacement device 20 is arranged at a position opposite to the battery 2 on the side of the vehicle 1, and the arm 221 is moved to the - side in the Z direction, so that the battery 2 is placed on the placement portion 13. Then, the main body 21 is moved to the - side in the X direction, and the battery 2 is pushed into the loading position by the slide portion 12.

[0093] When the battery 2 is moved to the loading position, the control unit 21A of the replacement device 20 instructs the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 to lock the battery 2. When the control unit 1C of the vehicle 1 completes the locking of the battery 2, it notifies the replacement device 20 of the completion of the unlocking. In addition, in the case where the battery 2 is locked by an external force at the loading position, the battery 2 may be pushed into the loading position by the arm 221 of the replacement device 20, so that the battery 2 is locked to the vehicle 1.

[0094] Thereafter, the replacement device 20 moves the arm 221 to the - side in the Z direction and returns to the initial position, and then moves in a direction away from the vehicle 1. Thus, replacement of the battery 2 is completed.

[0095] According to the present embodiment constructed as described above, after the arm 221 is moved in the horizontal direction in such a manner that the front end portion 221A of the arm 221 is located below the mounting position of the battery 2, the front end portion 221A is moved upward in such a manner that the battery 2 is placed on the front end portion 221A, and then the battery 2 in the vehicle 1 is unlocked.

[0096] Therefore, when the battery 2 is unlocked, the battery 2 is placed on the arm 221 of the replacement device 20. That is, before the battery 2 is unlocked, the battery 2 is placed in a transportable state, and then the battery 2 is unlocked.

[0097] For example, if the battery 2 is unlocked without a device such as the replacement device 20, the battery 2 may be moved from the mounting position on the vehicle body 1B at a time not intended by the operator due to the tilted state of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is parked. In particular, if the battery 2 is pulled out using the slide 12 as in the vehicle 1 having the cargo bed 1A, the slide 12 may be pulled out together with the battery 2 due to the tilted state of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is parked, and the mounting device 10 such as the slide 12 may be damaged.

[0098] In contrast, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the battery 2 from moving at a timing not intended by the operator when unlocking the door. As a result, the battery 2 can be replaced safely.

[0099] In addition, in the absence of a device such as the replacement device 20, a locking mechanism other than the locking mechanism on the vehicle body 1B side may be further provided in order to prevent the battery 2 from moving. The other locking mechanism may be, for example, a locking mechanism that cannot be released on the vehicle 1 side, or a locking mechanism that can be released by an operator's operation, etc. In this case, the overall mechanism becomes complicated, for example, a mechanism for releasing the other locking mechanism needs to be provided, and therefore, the replacement time may be prolonged and the cost may be increased.

[0100] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the battery 2 can be replaced safely without providing a separate locking mechanism as described above, so the entire mechanism can be simplified, which can contribute to shortening the replacement time and reducing costs.

[0101] Furthermore, when the arm 221 is moved in the horizontal direction, the battery 2 is detected by the battery detection sensor 23 provided on the arm 221 , so that the horizontal position of the front end 221A of the arm 221 can be easily aligned to the position corresponding to the battery 2 .

[0102] In addition, before the arm 221 is moved, it is confirmed with the vehicle 1 whether the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state, and then the changer 20 is notified that the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state, so the movement of the arm 221 is started on the condition that the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state. Therefore, the vehicle 1 does not move during the movement of the arm 221, so that the collision between the vehicle 1 and the arm 221 can be prevented.

[0103] Furthermore, since the completion notification of unlocking the battery 2 is notified to the replacement device 20 side after the lock is released, the replacement device 20 can collect the battery 2 when the replacement device 20 recognizes that the battery 2 is unlocked.

[0104] In addition, the front end portion 221A of the arm 221 has the gripping portion 221C capable of gripping the battery 2, so the replacement device 20 can transport the battery 2 while gripping the battery 2. As a result, the replacement device 20 can stably transport the battery 2.

[0105] In the above-described embodiment, the replacement device 20 automatically moves to the side of the vehicle 1 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the replacement device 20 may be disposed to the side of the vehicle 1 by an operator.

[0106] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the movement of the arm of the replacement device is automatically performed (for example, Figure 5However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the arm of the replacement device may be moved by an operator.

[0107] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit of the replacement device confirms whether the vehicle is in a stopped state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case where the replacement of the battery using the replacement device is started after the operator or the control unit of the replacement device recognizes that the vehicle has been stopped in advance, the replacement device may not confirm whether the vehicle is in a stopped state. In addition, in this case, the control unit of the vehicle may not notify the replacement device side that the vehicle is in a stopped state.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit of the vehicle notifies the replacement device of the completion notification of battery unlocking, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the completion notification may not be notified to the replacement device.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the arm of the replacement device has a gripping portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the arm may not have a gripping portion.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the replacement device includes a battery detection sensor, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the replacement device may not include a battery detection sensor.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the arm portion has a structure including a pair of arms, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the arm portion may have any shape as long as the battery can be placed thereon.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sliding portion is provided on the mounting device of the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sliding portion may not be provided.

[0113] The above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by these embodiments. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main features thereof.

[0114] Industrial Applicability

[0115] The replacement device of the present invention is useful as an unlocking method that can suppress the battery from moving at a timing not intended by an operator during unlocking.

Claims

1. An unlocking method, characterized in that: The unlocking method is a battery unlocking method using a replacement device, the replacement device having a main body and an arm supported by the main body in a movably manner. The unlocking method comprises the following steps: a step of moving the arm in the horizontal direction, the step being a step of moving the arm in the horizontal direction so that the front end portion of the arm is located below a battery mounting position in the vehicle; a step of moving the front end portion upward, the step being a step of moving the front end portion upward so that the battery is placed on the front end portion; and and a step of unlocking the battery in the vehicle after the battery is placed on the front end portion.

2. The unlocking method according to claim 1, wherein: The step of moving in the horizontal direction includes the step of detecting the battery using a battery detection sensor provided on the arm.

3. The unlocking method according to claim 1, wherein: The step of moving in the horizontal direction comprises: a confirmation step of confirming whether the vehicle is in a stopped state by checking with the vehicle side before moving the arm; and A notification step is a step of notifying the replacement device side that the vehicle is in a stopped state after the confirmation step.

4. The unlocking method according to claim 1, wherein: The unlocking step includes the step of notifying the replacement device side of completion of unlocking the battery after unlocking.

5. The unlocking method according to claim 1, wherein: The front end portion has a grip portion capable of gripping the battery. The step of moving upward includes a step of the gripping portion gripping the battery.

6. The unlocking method according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle has: A locking mechanism capable of locking the battery on the side of the vehicle body; a sliding portion extending from a position in the vehicle body corresponding to the locking mechanism in the horizontal direction and supporting the battery in a manner that enables the battery to move in the horizontal direction; as well as The vehicle-mounted device mounting portion is provided above the mounting portion of the battery in the vehicle body.

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