Electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle is provided with a first battery, a drive unit, and an auxiliary battery capable of supplying power to the drive unit. A first battery mounted on the electric vehicle can be replaced by a second battery by a battery replacement station provided outside the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is capable of driving a drive unit by supplying power from an auxiliary battery to the drive unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-192782 discloses a battery replacement system that replaces a battery mounted on an electric vehicle by lifting the electric vehicle using a lifting device. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the battery replacement operation of the battery replacement system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-192782, an external factor such as a disaster may cause the electric vehicle to retreat from the battery replacement station. However, if the battery replacement is not completed, the electric vehicle cannot move by itself and cannot retreat from the battery replacement station.

[0004] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an electric vehicle that can move by itself even if the vehicle driving unit 11 of the electric vehicle is not supplied with power from a battery.

[0005] The electric vehicle of the present disclosure comprises:

[0006] 1st battery;

[0007] a driving unit; and

[0008] The auxiliary battery is formed so as to be able to supply electric power to the driving unit.

[0009] The first battery mounted on the electric vehicle is configured to be replaceable with a second battery at a battery replacement station provided outside the electric vehicle.

[0010] The electric vehicle is configured to be able to drive the driving unit by supplying electric power from an auxiliary battery to the driving unit.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the electric vehicle can drive the drive unit by the auxiliary battery. Thus, the electric vehicle can move by itself even if there is no power supply from the first battery or the second battery to the drive unit.

[0012] The electric vehicle further comprises:

[0013] Control Department;

[0014] an input device, operated by a user; and

[0015] The switching device switches the electrical connection between the first battery or the second battery and the driving unit.

[0016] If the control unit determines that the user inputs a start signal to the input device during the period from when the first battery is replaced to when the replacement is completed at the battery replacement station, the control unit disconnects the electrical connection by the switching device and supplies power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to start supplying electric power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit in response to an input from the user indicating the start of the vehicle.

[0018] In the above-mentioned electric vehicle, the input device includes a display unit and an input unit operated by a user.

[0019] After the battery is replaced with the second battery at the battery replacement station, if the control unit determines that the second battery has an abnormality, the control unit displays a first inquiry display that asks the user whether to start the vehicle on the display unit.

[0020] With this configuration, when an abnormality occurs in a replaced battery, the user can be requested to determine whether to start the supply of electric power from the auxiliary battery.

[0021] In the above electric vehicle, the input device includes a display unit and an input unit operated by a user.

[0022] When receiving the system abnormality signal from the battery exchange station, the control unit displays a second inquiry display that asks the user whether to start the vehicle on the display unit.

[0023] With this configuration, when there is a system abnormality at the battery exchange station, it is possible to request the user to determine whether to start the power supply from the auxiliary battery.

[0024] In the above electric vehicle,

[0025] When the control unit determines that an input indicating starting has been inputted from the user to the input device, the control unit transmits a starting signal to the battery exchange station.

[0026] When the battery exchange station receives the start signal, it makes the electric vehicle ready to start and then transmits a start ready signal to the electric vehicle.

[0027] When receiving the startable signal, the control unit supplies electric power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit.

[0028] With this configuration, even when the electric vehicle is restrained by the battery exchange station, the battery exchange station can release the restraint of the electric vehicle in response to a signal from the electric vehicle and start the electric vehicle.

[0029] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle that can move by itself even when there is no power supply from a battery to a vehicle driving unit of the electric vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a battery replacement system for an electric vehicle including one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the structure of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an auxiliary battery startup process performed by an electric vehicle and a battery exchange station according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an auxiliary battery startup process performed by an electric vehicle and a battery exchange station according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second inquiry display according to one embodiment;

[0036] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an auxiliary battery starting process executed only by an electric vehicle according to a modified example of one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a first inquiry display according to one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a structure of an electric vehicle according to another first embodiment; and

[0039] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the structure of an electric vehicle according to another second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0041] Structure of the battery replacement system

[0042] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a battery replacement system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that the Z direction shown in the figure indicates the moving direction of a battery mounting table 231 described later.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 The battery replacement system 1 includes an electric vehicle 100 and a battery replacement station 200 .

[0044] The electric vehicle 100 includes a communication device 17 and a battery 101. The communication device 17 is configured to be able to communicate with the battery exchange station 200. The electric vehicle 100 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) without an internal combustion engine. The battery 101 is an example of the "first battery" of the present disclosure.

[0045] The battery replacement station 200 includes a battery replacement station body 200a for performing battery replacement and a storage warehouse 200b for storing at least one battery 201. The battery replacement station body 200a is a device for performing battery replacement by replacing a battery 101 mounted on an electric vehicle 100 with a battery 201. The storage warehouse 200b is arranged in parallel with the battery replacement station body 200a. An entrance and exit 202 for electric vehicles 100 to enter and exit is provided at the battery replacement station 200 (battery replacement station body 200a). It should be noted that the battery 201 is an example of the "second battery" disclosed in the present invention.

[0046] The batteries 201 stored in the storage 200b are transported to the electric vehicle 100 after being moved to a temporary storage location 240 provided in the underfloor area U. In the underfloor area U, a drive device 230 is provided.

[0047] The battery exchange station 200 (battery exchange station main body 200a) includes a control device 210 and a drive device 230. The drive device 230 includes a battery mounting table 231, a lifting unit 232, and a conveying unit 233. The drive device 230 also includes various sensors (not shown) for detecting the occurrence of malfunction.

[0048] The control device 210 includes a processor 211, a memory 212, and a communication unit 213. In addition to the program executed by the processor 211, the memory 212 also stores information used in the program (for example, mapping, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The memory 212 also records information related to the battery component shape, battery component configuration direction, voltage, output power, and capacity (remaining capacity) of each battery 201, namely, battery component information. It should be noted that the information related to the battery component configuration direction of each battery 201 includes the position information of the connector for connecting the battery 201 to the electric vehicle 100. The processor 211 controls the drive device 230. When the processor 211 receives a signal related to a system abnormality detected by the drive device 230, etc., it notifies the electric vehicle 100 of the system abnormality via the communication unit 213.

[0049] The communication unit 213 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 211 controls the communication unit 213. The communication unit 213 communicates with the communication device 17 of the electric vehicle 100. The communication unit 213 and the electric vehicle 100 (communication device 17) can communicate in both directions. The communication unit 213 can also communicate with a portable terminal 300 owned by a user of the electric vehicle 100. It should be noted that this embodiment shows an example of exchanging various information between the communication device 17 of the electric vehicle 100 and the communication unit 213 of the battery replacement station 200.

[0050] The battery replacement station 200 is provided with a vehicle parking area 203. When the electric vehicle 100 is parked in the vehicle parking area 203, when the user performs an operation to instruct the start of the battery replacement operation in the HMI device 18 of the electric vehicle 100, the communication unit 213 receives an instruction signal to start the battery replacement operation from the electric vehicle 100. The HMI device 18 is described later. Figure 2 The processor 211 starts the control of the battery replacement operation by the driving device 230 based on the fact that the communication unit 213 receives the instruction signal.

[0051] The lifting unit 232 is lifted and lowered while holding the electric vehicle 100 from below, thereby lifting and lowering the electric vehicle 100. The lifting unit 232 includes a pair of lifting rods 232a. The electric vehicle 100 is supported from below by the pair of lifting rods 232a. Battery replacement (loading and unloading of battery components) is performed while the electric vehicle 100 is held horizontally by the pair of lifting rods 232a.

[0052] The battery mounting table 231 is configured to be able to be raised and lowered in the Z direction. The battery mounting table 231 is raised to a height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 100, whereby the battery 101 removed from the electric vehicle 100 is mounted on the battery mounting table 231. In addition, the battery mounting table 231 on which the battery 201 is mounted is raised to a height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 100, whereby the battery 201 is mounted on the electric vehicle 100.

[0053] The transport unit 233 is configured to transport the batteries 101 and 201. Specifically, the transport unit 233 transports the battery 101 unloaded from the electric vehicle 100 and placed on the battery mounting table 231 to the temporary storage location 240. In addition, the transport unit 233 transports the battery 201 transported from the storage 200b to the temporary storage location 240 to the battery mounting table 231.

[0054] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an electric vehicle in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 , the details of the electric vehicle 100 will be described.

[0055] The electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 10 and a battery 101 .

[0056] The vehicle body 10 is a portion of the electric vehicle 100 other than the battery 101. The vehicle body 10 includes a vehicle drive unit 11, an SMR 12, an auxiliary battery 13, a DC / DC converter 14, a relay 15, an EV-ECU 16, a communicator 17, an HMI device 18, and a terminal 19A. The terminal 19A is formed to be electrically connected to a terminal 19B formed on the battery 101, and the vehicle body 10 is formed to be electrically connected to the battery 101 via the terminals 19A and 19B. It should be noted that the vehicle drive unit 11 is an example of a "drive unit" of the present disclosure. The SMR 12 is an example of a "switching device" of the present disclosure. The EV-ECU 16 is an example of a "control unit" of the present disclosure. The HMI device 18 is an example of an "input device" of the present disclosure.

[0057] The vehicle driving unit 11 includes a MG (Motor Generator) 11 a and an inverter 11 b . The vehicle driving unit 11 is configured to run the electric vehicle 100 using the electric power output from the battery 101 .

[0058] MG11a functions as a motor for traveling. MG11a is electrically connected to battery 101 via inverter 11b. MG11a converts the power from battery 101 into torque to rotate the drive wheels of electric vehicle 100. In addition, MG11a performs regenerative power generation to charge battery 101 when electric vehicle 100 decelerates, for example.

[0059] The inverter 11 b functions as a PCU (Power Control Unit) for the MG 11 a , and drives the MG 11 a using electric power supplied from the battery 101 .

[0060] The SMR 12 functions as an on-off switch of the circuit between the inverter 11b and the battery 101 according to an instruction from the EV-ECU 16. The SMR 12 is provided between the inverter 11b and the battery 101. It should be noted that “SMR” means a system main relay.

[0061] Auxiliary battery 13 supplies power for driving auxiliary devices mounted on electric vehicle 100, such as communication device 17, EV-ECU 16, and HMI device 18. Auxiliary battery 13 is connected to wiring connecting inverter 11b and SMR 12 via DC / DC converter 14.

[0062] DC / DC converter 14 boosts the voltage of the direct current supplied from auxiliary battery 13 to MG 11a, and supplies the voltage to inverter 11b. DC / DC converter 14 is provided between auxiliary battery 13 and a wiring connecting SMR 12 and inverter 11b.

[0063] Relay 15 functions as an on-off switch of the circuit between auxiliary battery 13 and inverter 11b according to an instruction from EV-ECU 16. Relay 15 is provided between DC / DC converter 14 and wiring connecting SMR 12 and inverter 11b.

[0064] EV-ECU 16 has a processor and a memory (not shown). The processor controls each device of the electric vehicle 100 based on the information recorded in the memory and the information obtained via the communication device 17 described later. EV-ECU 16 is connected to each device (SMR 12, relay 15, communication device 17, HMI device 18, Bat-ECU 23) via an in-vehicle network (for example, CAN (Controller Area Network)) so that they can communicate with each other. EV-ECU 16 uses the communication device 17 to communicate with the communication unit 213.

[0065] The communicator 17 is an interface for communicating with a device outside the vehicle (such as the communication unit 213 and the portable terminal 300 ) via a network. The communicator 17 transmits information transmitted from the EV-ECU 16 to the device outside the vehicle, or transmits information received from the device outside the vehicle to the EV-ECU 16 .

[0066] The HMI device 18 includes a display unit 18a and an input unit 18b provided in the vehicle cabin. The HMI device 18 may also include a touch panel display. The input unit 18b may be a hard key arranged in parallel with the display unit 18a, or a component operated on the touch panel display. The HMI device 18 outputs a signal corresponding to the user's input to the input unit 18b to the EV-ECU 16.

[0067] The battery 101 includes a battery unit 21 , an SMR 22 , a Bat-ECU 23 , and a terminal 19B.

[0068] The battery component 21 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a sodium ion battery. The secondary battery may be a liquid secondary battery or a solid secondary battery. The battery component 21 is formed so as to be electrically connected to the vehicle body 10 by connecting the terminal 19A and the terminal 19B.

[0069] The SMR 22 functions as an on / off switch of the circuit between the battery unit 21 and the terminal 19B according to an instruction from the Bat-ECU 23 described later. The SMR 22 is provided between the battery unit 21 and the terminal 19B.

[0070] Bat-ECU23 has a processor and a memory which are not shown in the figure. The processor controls SMR22 based on the information recorded in the memory and the information obtained from EV-ECU16. Bat-ECU23 is connected to EV-ECU16 and SMR22 via an in-vehicle network (for example, CAN (Controller Area Network)) in a manner that allows them to communicate with each other. Bat-ECU23 switches the on / off switch of SMR22 based on the instruction of EV-ECU16. It should be noted that the structure of battery 201 is also the same as that of battery 101.

[0071] Auxiliary battery starting process

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the auxiliary battery startup process performed by the electric vehicle and the battery swap station is explained.

[0073] exist Figure 3 In S10 shown, the electric vehicle 100 sends an instruction to start the battery replacement operation to the battery replacement station 200. Specifically, in S10, the electric vehicle 100 is arranged in the vehicle stop area 203. Thereafter, through the user input in the HMI device 18, the electric vehicle 100 instructs the battery replacement station 200 to start the replacement operation of the battery 101 mounted on the electric vehicle 100.

[0074] In S20, the battery exchange station 200 confirms whether a notification of a battery replacement operation start instruction is received from the electric vehicle 100. When a notification of a battery replacement operation start instruction is received (Yes in S20), the battery exchange station 200 proceeds to S30. When a notification of a battery replacement operation start instruction is not received (No in S20), the battery exchange station 200 processes S20 again.

[0075] In S30 , the battery replacement station 200 starts the battery replacement operation. During the battery replacement operation, the electric vehicle 100 is restrained by wheel chocks (not shown). Alternatively, the electric vehicle 100 is held and restrained by the lifting unit 232 from below.

[0076] In S40, the battery exchange station 200 determines whether a system abnormality related to the battery replacement operation is detected. Specifically, various sensors such as the drive device 230 provided in the battery exchange station 200 detect system abnormalities and send system abnormality signals to the processor 211. The processor 211 determines whether a system abnormality has occurred in the battery exchange station 200 based on the presence or absence of the signal. In the case of a system abnormality (Yes in S40), the processing of the battery exchange station 200 enters S60. In the case of no system abnormality (No in S40), the processing of the battery exchange station 200 enters S50.

[0077] In S50, the battery exchange station 200 determines whether the battery replacement operation is completed. If the operation is completed (Yes in S50), the battery exchange station 200 sends a battery replacement operation completion notification to the electric vehicle 100, and the process is completed (S55). If the operation is not completed (No in S50), the battery exchange station 200 processes S40 again.

[0078] In S60 , the battery exchange station 200 stops the battery exchange operation.

[0079] In S70 , battery exchange station 200 notifies electric vehicle 100 that a system abnormality has occurred.

[0080] In S80, the electric vehicle 100 checks whether a battery replacement work completion notification is received from the battery replacement station 200. If the notification is received (Yes in S80), the electric vehicle 100 completes the process. If the notification is not received (No in S80), the process of the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S90.

[0081] In S90, the electric vehicle 100 checks whether a notification indicating that a system abnormality has occurred is received from the battery exchange station 200. If the notification is received (Yes in S90), the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S100. If the notification is not received (No in S90), the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S80 again.

[0082] In S100, electric vehicle 100 displays a second inquiry display on HMI device 18. Figure 5 2 shows an example of the second inquiry display. The second inquiry display is displayed on the HMI device 18 of the electric vehicle 100, and requests the user of the electric vehicle 100 to determine whether to perform emergency EV driving. The user selects from the options displayed on the HMI device 18 and instructs the electric vehicle 100 to respond.

[0083] Reference Figure 4In S110, the electric vehicle 100 confirms whether the user has inputted the emergency driving in response to the second inquiry display. If it is confirmed that the input needs to be implemented (Yes in S110), the electric vehicle 100 notifies the battery replacement station 200 of the need for emergency start (S120). Then, the processing of the electric vehicle 100 enters S170. If the input that needs to be implemented cannot be confirmed (No in S110), the processing of the electric vehicle 100 enters S112.

[0084] In S112, electric vehicle 100 checks whether the user has inputted that emergency travel is not required in response to the second inquiry display. If the input is confirmed not to be required (Yes in S112), electric vehicle 100 notifies battery exchange station 200 that emergency start is not required (S114), and the process ends.

[0085] In S130, the battery exchange station 200 checks whether a notification indicating the need for emergency start is received from the electric vehicle 100. If received (Yes in S130), the battery exchange station 200 proceeds to S140. If not received (No in S130), the battery exchange station 200 proceeds to S132.

[0086] In S132, the battery exchange station 200 checks whether a notification indicating that an emergency start is not required is received from the electric vehicle 100. If received (Yes in S132), the battery exchange station 200 ends the process. If not received (No in S130), the battery exchange station 200 processes S130 again.

[0087] In S140 , the battery exchange station 200 is shifted to a state where the vehicle can start. This is because the electric vehicle 100 is restrained by the driving device 230 during the battery replacement operation and cannot start.

[0088] In S150, the battery exchange station 200 confirms whether the transition to the state where the vehicle can start is completed. If it is confirmed that it is completed (Yes in S150), the battery exchange station 200 proceeds to S160. If it is not confirmed that it is completed (No in S160), the battery exchange station 200 processes S150 again.

[0089] In S160, the battery exchange station 200 notifies the electric vehicle 100 that the vehicle can be started, and the battery exchange station 200 completes the process.

[0090] In S170, electric vehicle 100 checks whether it has received a notification indicating that the vehicle can start. If it has received a notification (Yes in S170), electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S180. If it has not received a notification (No in S170), electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S170 again.

[0091] In S180, the electric vehicle 100 starts supplying power from the auxiliary battery to the vehicle drive unit 11. Specifically, the EV-ECU 16, which has confirmed the completion of the transition of the battery exchange station 200 to the vehicle start state via the communication device 17, confirms that the SMR 12 is disconnected and that the relay 15 is connected. The power from the auxiliary battery 13 is stepped up by the DC / DC converter 14, converted into a three-phase AC by the inverter 11b, and supplied to the MG 11a.

[0092] As described above, in the present embodiment, when a system abnormality occurs during the battery replacement operation at the battery replacement station 200, the battery replacement station 200 inquires the electric vehicle 100 whether an emergency start is required. When the battery replacement station 200 receives a notification that an input is required for an emergency start, the battery replacement station 200 releases the constraints of the electric vehicle 100 so that the vehicle can start. After that, the battery replacement station 200 notifies the electric vehicle 100 that it can start. Then, the electric vehicle 100 that receives the notification starts supplying power from the auxiliary battery to the vehicle drive unit 11.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an example of supplying power from the auxiliary battery 13 when a system abnormality occurs during the battery replacement operation is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, after the battery replacement station 200 completes the replacement operation of the battery 201, if it is determined that the battery 201 has an abnormality, the electric vehicle 100 may start supplying power from the auxiliary battery 13 to the vehicle drive unit 11.

[0094] Reference Figure 6 , the processing from abnormality determination of battery 201 to power supply to the auxiliary battery is described.

[0095] In S500, the electric vehicle 100 checks whether the replacement of the battery 201 is completed. If the replacement is completed (Yes in S500), the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S510. If the replacement is not completed (No in S500), the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S500 again.

[0096] In S510, the electric vehicle 100 confirms whether the battery 201 can be driven. If it is not confirmed that it can be driven, it is assumed that the SOC of the battery 201 is insufficient, the connection between the terminals 19A and 19B is poor, the operation of the SMR12 and SMR22 is poor, and the communication between the EV-ECU16 and the Bat-ECU23 is poor. If it can be driven (Yes in S510), the electric vehicle 100 completes the process. If it cannot be driven (No in S510), the process of the electric vehicle 100 enters S520.

[0097] In S520, electric vehicle 100 causes HMI device 18 to display a first inquiry display. Figure 7 2 shows an example of the first inquiry display. The first inquiry display is displayed on the HMI device 18 of the electric vehicle 100, and requests the user of the electric vehicle 100 to determine whether to perform emergency EV driving. The user selects from the options displayed on the HMI device 18 and instructs the electric vehicle 100 to take action.

[0098] In S530, the user of the electric vehicle 100 is asked whether an input is made to require emergency travel in response to the first inquiry display. If the input requires emergency travel (Yes in S530), the process of the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S550. If the input requires emergency travel is not confirmed (No in S530), the process of the electric vehicle 100 proceeds to S540.

[0099] In S540, the electric vehicle 100 checks whether the user has inputted that emergency travel is not required in response to the first inquiry display. If the input that emergency travel is not required is confirmed (Yes in S540), the electric vehicle 100 completes the process. If the input that emergency travel is not required is not confirmed (No in S540), the electric vehicle 100 processes S530 again.

[0100] In S550 , electric vehicle 100 starts supplying electric power from the auxiliary battery to vehicle drive unit 11 , and the process is completed.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the following example is shown: based on confirming whether the electric vehicle 100 has received a system abnormality notification from the battery replacement station 200 and whether the battery 201 can be driven, the user is requested to determine whether to implement emergency EV driving. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the electric vehicle 100 can also request the user to determine whether to implement emergency EV driving by turning on a hardware key set in the vehicle by the user of the electric vehicle 100.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the inquiry display is displayed on the HMI device 18 of the electric vehicle 100 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electric vehicle 100 may display the inquiry display on the portable terminal 300 .

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle body 10 and the first battery 101 each have an SMR, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the electric vehicle 100A may include a vehicle body 10A and a battery 101A, wherein the vehicle body 10A does not include an SMR, and only the battery 101A includes an SMR 22A. Fig. 9 As shown, the electric vehicle 100B may include a vehicle body 10B and a battery 101B, wherein only the vehicle body 10B has the SMR 12B, and the battery 101B does not have the SMR. It should be noted that other structures and controls are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure, and therefore, no repeated description will be given.

[0104] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle comprising: 1st battery; a driving unit; and The auxiliary battery is configured to supply electric power to the driving unit, wherein: The first battery mounted on the electric vehicle is configured to be replaceable with a second battery at a battery replacement station provided outside the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is configured to be capable of driving the drive unit by supplying electric power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: Control Department; an input device, operated by a user; and a switching device for switching the electrical connection between the first battery or the second battery and the driving unit, During the period from the start to the end of replacement of the first battery at the battery replacement station, if the control unit determines that the user inputs an input indicating start to the input device, the control unit disconnects the electrical connection by the switching device and supplies power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The input device includes a display unit and an input unit operated by the user, After the battery is replaced with the second battery at the battery replacement station, if the control unit determines that the second battery has an abnormality, the control unit displays a first inquiry display, wherein the first inquiry display asks the user whether to start the vehicle on the display unit.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The input device includes a display unit and an input unit operated by the user, When the control unit receives the system abnormality signal from the battery exchange station, the control unit displays a second inquiry display on the display unit to inquire the user whether to start the vehicle.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: When the control unit determines that the user inputs an input indicating starting to the input device, the control unit transmits a starting signal to the battery exchange station. When the battery replacement station receives the start signal, the battery replacement station makes the electric vehicle ready to start and then transmits a start ready signal to the electric vehicle. The control unit supplies the electric power from the auxiliary battery to the drive unit upon receipt of the startable signal.

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