Battery replacement device, information providing device, battery replacement system, and battery replacement method

Abstract

The invention provides a battery replacement device, an information providing device, a battery replacement system, and a battery replacement method. A battery replacement device performs battery replacement for replacing a first battery mounted in a vehicle with a second battery. The battery replacement device includes a drive device that performs battery replacement and a processor that controls the drive device. The processor acquires battery replacement information for specifying the second battery from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle after specifying the vehicle. The processor uses the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information to control the drive device so as to replace the first battery with the second battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery replacement device, an information providing device, a battery replacement system, and a battery replacement method. Background Art

[0002] In International Publication No. 2019 / 181585, a station management device is disclosed that determines whether a battery stored at a station can be rented based on at least one of vehicle-related information and user-related information recorded in a storage battery.

[0003] In the system described in the above International Publication No. 2019 / 181585, it is necessary to pre-record at least one of vehicle-related information and user-related information in the storage battery. In other words, a vehicle equipped with a storage battery that does not record the above information cannot rent a storage battery (battery replacement). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a battery replacement device, an information providing device, a battery replacement system, and a battery replacement method that can perform battery replacement regardless of the information recorded in a battery mounted on a vehicle.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery replacement device is configured to perform battery replacement for replacing a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery. The battery replacement device includes a drive device configured to perform battery replacement and a processor configured to control the drive device. The processor is configured to obtain first vehicle information that identifies the vehicle and replacement battery information that identifies the second battery from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle, and control the drive device to replace the first battery with the second battery using the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information.

[0006] As described above, the battery replacement device uses the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information obtained from the vehicle or the user of the vehicle to control the drive device to mount the second battery on the vehicle. Thus, even if the first vehicle information is not recorded in the first battery, the battery replacement device can obtain the first vehicle information from the vehicle or the user of the vehicle. As a result, the first battery in which the first vehicle information is not recorded can also be replaced with the second battery in the battery replacement device. That is, battery replacement can be performed regardless of the information recorded in the first battery mounted on the vehicle.

[0007] The processor may also be configured to control the drive device to mount the second battery on the vehicle using the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information obtained after the replacement battery information. If configured in this way, the battery replacement device can use the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information obtained after the replacement battery information to install the second battery corresponding to the replacement battery information on the vehicle corresponding to the first vehicle information.

[0008] The battery replacement device may also include an acquisition unit configured to acquire second vehicle information of the vehicle. The processor may also be configured to control the drive device in a manner that replaces the first battery with the second battery when the second vehicle information is consistent with the first vehicle information. If configured in this way, it is possible to suppress battery replacement when the first vehicle information and the second vehicle information are inconsistent. As a result, it is possible to suppress the erroneous installation of a battery other than the second battery intended to be used for battery replacement into the vehicle. In addition, the consistency between the second vehicle information and the first vehicle information includes not only the case where the first vehicle information and the second vehicle information are exactly the same, but also the case where the second vehicle information is included in the first vehicle information.

[0009] The acquisition unit may include a camera configured to capture a vehicle. The second vehicle information may include information on a license plate of the vehicle captured by the camera. If configured in this manner, the battery replacement device can easily acquire the second vehicle information using an image captured by the camera.

[0010] The acquisition unit may include a communication unit configured to perform short-distance wireless communication with the vehicle, and may be configured to receive the second vehicle information from the vehicle via the communication unit. If configured in this way, the battery replacement device can easily acquire the second vehicle information using short-distance wireless communication using the communication unit.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the information providing device is configured to provide information to a battery replacement device that replaces a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery. The information providing device is configured to provide the battery replacement device with replacement battery information that identifies the second battery and provide the battery replacement device with vehicle information that identifies the vehicle.

[0012] As described above, the information providing device provides the battery replacement device with the replacement battery information and provides the vehicle information of the vehicle to the battery replacement device. Thus, even if the first vehicle information is not recorded in the first battery, the vehicle information of the vehicle can be provided to the battery replacement device. As a result, an information providing device that can perform battery replacement regardless of the information recorded in the first battery mounted on the vehicle can be provided.

[0013] The information providing device may also be configured to provide the vehicle information to the battery replacement device after providing the battery replacement information to the battery replacement device. If configured in this way, it is possible to suppress the vehicle information of the vehicle from being provided to the battery replacement device before providing the battery replacement information to the battery replacement device. As a result, it is possible to suppress the vehicle information from being provided to the battery replacement device when the battery replacement is not performed (for example, when the battery replacement contract is not established). In this way, the leakage of vehicle information can be suppressed.

[0014] According to still other aspects of the present disclosure, the battery replacement system includes the above-described battery replacement device and the above-described information providing device. Thus, it is possible to provide a battery replacement system that can perform battery replacement regardless of the information recorded in the first battery mounted on the vehicle.

[0015] A battery replacement method for a battery replacement device that replaces a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery according to still other aspects of the present disclosure includes: obtaining vehicle information that identifies the vehicle from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle; obtaining replacement battery information that identifies the second battery from the vehicle or the user; and using the replacement battery information and the vehicle information to replace the first battery with the second battery.

[0016] As described above, the process of mounting the second battery on the vehicle is performed using the replacement battery information and the vehicle information obtained from the vehicle or the user of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to provide a battery replacement method that can perform battery replacement regardless of the information recorded in the first battery mounted on the vehicle.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform battery replacement regardless of the information recorded in the battery mounted on the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the structure of the system according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the sequence control of the battery replacement system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 is a diagram showing Figure 2 the next sequence of.

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the system according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the sequence control of the battery replacement system according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the sequence control of the battery replacement system according to a modification of the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0026] [First Embodiment]

[0027] <Structure of Battery Replacement System>

[0028] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery replacement system 1 including a battery replacement device 100 and an electric vehicle 200 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the electric vehicle 200 is an example of the "vehicle" of the present disclosure.

[0029] The electric vehicle 200 includes a battery 201, a communication device 202, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 203. The electric vehicle 200 is, for example, a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0030] The battery 201 stores electric power used for driving the electric vehicle 200. The communication device 202 is configured to be able to communicate with a communication device outside the vehicle. The communication device 202 includes, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module). The ECU 203 controls various systems in the electric vehicle 200. In addition, the communication device 202 is an example of the "information providing device" of the present disclosure.

[0031] The communication device 202 includes a battery information providing unit 202a and a vehicle information providing unit 202b. The battery information providing unit 202a provides (sends) replacement battery information of the battery 101 that can be used for battery replacement to the battery replacement device 100. The vehicle information providing unit 202b provides (sends) vehicle information (personal information such as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and a vehicle number) of the electric vehicle 200 that can be identified to the battery replacement device 100. In addition, the battery information providing unit 202a and the vehicle information providing unit 202b respectively represent software that modularizes the functional features of the communication device 202. Details of each function will be described later. In addition, the vehicle information is an example of the "first vehicle information" and "vehicle information" of the present disclosure.

[0032] The battery replacement device 100 includes a battery replacement device main body 100a that performs battery replacement and a storage 100b that stores the battery 101. The battery replacement device main body 100a is a device that replaces the battery 201 mounted on the electric vehicle 200 with the battery 101. The storage 100b is provided simultaneously with the battery replacement device main body 100a. In the battery replacement device 100 (battery replacement device main body 100a), an entrance / exit 102 for the electric vehicle 200 to enter and exit is provided. In addition, the battery 101 is an example of the "second battery" in the present disclosure. Further, the battery 201 is an example of the "first battery" in the present disclosure.

[0033] The battery 101 stored in the storage 100b is transported to the electric vehicle 200 after being moved to the temporary storage place 40 provided in the underfloor area S. In addition, in the underfloor area S, a battery mounting table 31, a lifting unit 32, and a transport unit 33, which will be described later, are provided.

[0034] The battery replacement device 100 (battery replacement device main body 100a) includes a control device 10, an acquisition unit 20, and a drive device 30. The drive device 30 performs the process of battery replacement. The control device 10 controls the drive device 30.

[0035] The control device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. In the memory 12, in addition to the programs executed by the processor 11, information used in the programs (such as maps, formulas, and various parameters) is also stored. The processor 11 controls the drive device 30.

[0036] The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 11 controls the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 communicates with the communication machine 202 of the electric vehicle 200 and the like. The communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 200 (communication machine 202) can communicate bidirectionally. In addition, the communication unit 13 can also communicate with the portable terminal 300 owned by the user of the electric vehicle 200. In addition, the first embodiment shows an example of exchanging various information between the communication machine 202 of the electric vehicle 200 and the communication unit 13 of the battery replacement device 100.

[0037] A vehicle stop area 103 is provided in the battery replacement device 100. In a state where the electric vehicle 200 is parked in the vehicle stop area 103, the process of battery replacement is performed using the drive device 30. Thereby, the battery 101 and the battery 201 are replaced.

[0038] The acquisition unit 20 includes a camera 21. The camera 21 is provided in the battery replacement device 100 (the battery replacement device main body 100a). The camera 21 acquires an image of the electric vehicle 200 entering the battery replacement device main body 100a. Thereby, the license plate 204 of the electric vehicle 200 is photographed by the camera 21. The acquisition unit 20 acquires information (vehicle number) of the license plate 204 photographed by the camera 21. In addition, the information of the license plate 204 is an example of the "second vehicle information" of the present disclosure.

[0039] The drive device 30 includes a battery placement table 31, a lifting unit 32, and a conveying unit 33. The lifting unit 32 lifts and lowers the electric vehicle 200 by lifting and lowering while holding the electric vehicle 200 from below. The lifting unit 32 includes a pair of lifting rods 32a. The electric vehicle 200 is supported from below by the pair of lifting rods 32a. Battery replacement (loading and unloading of the battery) is performed while the electric vehicle 200 is horizontally held by the pair of lifting rods 32a.

[0040] The battery placement table 31 is configured to be able to lift and lower in the Z direction. By raising the battery placement table 31 to the height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 is placed on the battery placement table 31. In addition, by raising the battery placement table 31 on which the battery 101 is placed to the height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 101 is installed in the electric vehicle 200.

[0041] The conveying unit 33 is configured to be able to convey the battery (201, 101). Specifically, the conveying unit 33 conveys the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 and placed on the battery placement table 31 to the temporary storage 40. In addition, the conveying unit 33 conveys the battery 101 conveyed from the storage 100b to the temporary storage 40 to the battery placement table 31.

[0042] Here, in the conventional battery replacement system, there is a case where it is determined whether the battery stocked in the battery replacement device can be rented based on the vehicle information of the battery recorded in the vehicle. However, in this system, it is necessary to record the vehicle information in the battery in advance. In other words, in the case where the vehicle information is not recorded in the battery of the vehicle, the above vehicle cannot receive a rented battery (battery replacement).

[0043] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the control device 10 of the battery replacement device 100 uses the replacement battery information and the vehicle information acquired from the electric vehicle 200 to control the drive device 30 so as to replace the battery 201 with the battery 101. Specifically, the control device 10 controls the drive device 30 using the replacement battery information and the vehicle information transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 to the communication unit 13. Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Details will be described later.

[0044] <Battery replacement method>

[0045] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 the sequence diagrams of, explain the battery replacement method using the battery replacement system 1. In addition, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 the sequences shown, the control of the electric vehicle 200 is executed by the ECU 203, and the control of the battery replacement device 100 is executed by the processor 11.

[0046] In step S10, the electric vehicle 200 sends a trigger signal for starting battery replacement to the battery replacement device 100 via the communication device 202.

[0047] In step S20, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether the trigger signal in step S10 is received. If the trigger signal is received (Yes in S10), the process proceeds to step S30. If the trigger signal is not received (No in S10), the process of step S20 is repeated.

[0048] In step S30, the battery replacement device 100 sends an answer to the trigger signal from the electric vehicle 200 (a signal indicating acceptance of the trigger signal) to the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13.

[0049] In step S40, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether the answer in step S30 is received. If the answer in step S30 is received (Yes in S40), the process proceeds to step S50. If the answer in step S30 is not received (No in S40), the process of step S40 is repeated.

[0050] In step S50, the electric vehicle 200 sends a vehicle request to the battery replacement device 100 via the communication device 202. The vehicle request includes information such as the size and type of the battery that can be mounted on the electric vehicle 200, and information on the electrical characteristics (voltage, output power, and remaining capacity) of the battery suitable for the electric vehicle 200.

[0051] In step S60, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether the vehicle request in step S50 is received. If the vehicle request is received (Yes in S60), the process proceeds to step S70. If the vehicle request is not received (No in S60), the process of step S60 is repeated.

[0052] In step S70, the battery replacement device 100 sends, via the communication unit 13, the information of all the batteries 101 corresponding to (satisfying) the vehicle request in step S60 to the electric vehicle 200. Specifically, the information of the battery 101 that satisfies at least one of the various requests in the vehicle request is sent to the electric vehicle 200.

[0053] In step S80, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the battery information in step S70. If it has received the battery information (Yes in S80), the process proceeds to step S90. If it has not received the battery information (No in S80), the process of step S80 is repeated.

[0054] In step S90, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether there is information of at least one battery 101 in the battery information in step S70. If there is information of at least one battery 101 in the battery information (Yes in S90), the process proceeds to step S100. If there is no information of any battery 101 in the battery information (No in S90), the process proceeds to step S95.

[0055] In step S95, the electric vehicle 200 ends the communication with the battery replacement device 100. After that, the process of the electric vehicle 200 ends.

[0056] In step S100, the electric vehicle 200 selects the battery 101 for battery replacement from the batteries 101 included in the battery information in step S70. For example, the battery 101 for battery replacement can be selected by the ECU 203 according to a predetermined selection criterion, or can be arbitrarily selected by the user.

[0057] In step S110, the electric vehicle 200 sends, via the communicator 202 (battery information providing unit 202a, refer to Figure 1 ) the selection result in step S100 to the battery replacement device 100. In addition, the above selection result is an example of the "replacement battery information capable of determining the second battery" of the present disclosure.

[0058] In step S120, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether the communication with the electric vehicle 200 continues. If the communication with the electric vehicle 200 continues (Yes in S120), the process proceeds to step S130. If the communication with the electric vehicle 200 ends (No in S120), the process of the battery replacement device 100 ends.

[0059] In step S130, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether it has received the selection result of step S110. If the selection result is received (Yes in S130), the process proceeds to step S140. If the selection result is not received (No in S130), the process returns to step S120.

[0060] In step S140, the battery replacement device 100 sends, via the communication unit 13, a response to the selection result of step S110 (a signal indicating that the selection result has been accepted) to the electric vehicle 200.

[0061] In step S150, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the response of step S140. If the response is received (Yes in S150), the process proceeds to step S160. If the response is not received (No in S150), the process of step S150 is repeated.

[0062] In step S160, the electric vehicle 200 sends, via the communication device 202 (vehicle information providing unit 202b, refer to Figure 1 ) the vehicle information of the electric vehicle 200 to the battery replacement device 100. That is, after sending the above selection result to the battery replacement device 100, the vehicle information is sent to the battery replacement device 100.

[0063] In step S170, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether it has received the vehicle information of step S160. If the vehicle information is received (Yes in S170), the process proceeds to step S180. If the vehicle information is not received (No in S170), the process of step S170 is repeated.

[0064] In step S180, the battery replacement device 100 sends, via the communication unit 13, a response to the vehicle information of step S160 (a signal indicating that the vehicle information has been accepted) to the electric vehicle 200. After that, the battery replacement device 100 proceeds to the process of step S200 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0065] In step S190, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the response of step S180. If the response is received (Yes in S190), the electric vehicle 200 proceeds to the process of step S270 (refer to Figure 3 ). If the response is not received (No in S190), the process of step S190 is repeated.

[0066] As Figure 3As shown, in step S200, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a. The battery replacement device 100 can also determine whether the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a based on the image obtained by using the camera 21 (refer to Figure 1 ). When the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a (Yes in S200), the process proceeds to step S210. In addition, at the time point of step S200, it is not recognized whether the vehicle that has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a is the electric vehicle 200, but the description is made assuming that the electric vehicle 200 has entered.

[0067] In step S210, the battery replacement device 100 uses the camera 21 to obtain an image of the license plate 204 of the electric vehicle 200 determined to have entered the battery replacement device main body 100a in step S200.

[0068] In step S220, the battery replacement device 100 obtains the vehicle information (information of the vehicle number) recorded on the license plate 204 by using the image obtained by the camera 21 in step S210.

[0069] In step S230, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether the vehicle information sent from the electric vehicle 200 in step S160 is consistent with the information of the license plate 204. When the above information is consistent with each other (Yes in S230), the process proceeds to step S240. When the above information is inconsistent with each other (No in S230), the process proceeds to step S250. In addition, the above information being consistent with each other includes, for example, the case where the vehicle information in step S160 includes the information of the license plate 204.

[0070] In step S240, the battery replacement device 100 notifies the electric vehicle 200 of the intention to execute (start) battery replacement via the communication unit 13. Next, the process proceeds to step S260.

[0071] On the other hand, in step S250, the battery replacement device 100 determines that the vehicle that has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a is not the electric vehicle 200 (non-reserved vehicle) that sent the vehicle information in step S160. After that, the process returns to step S200.

[0072] In step S260, the battery replacement device 100 prepares the battery 101 to be replaced (the battery 101 selected in step S100). Specifically, the battery replacement device 100 controls the drive device 30 (such as the battery placement table 31 and the transfer unit 33) in such a way that the battery 101 to be replaced is placed on the battery placement table 31 (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0073] In step S270, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received a notice indicating the intention to perform battery replacement (the notice in step S240). If the above notice is received (Yes in S270), the process proceeds to step S280. If the above notice is not received (No in S270), the process of step S270 is repeated.

[0074] In step S280, the electric vehicle 200 sends a response to the notice in step S240 (a signal indicating acceptance of the notice) to the battery replacement device 100. After that, the process of the electric vehicle 200 ends.

[0075] In step S290, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether it has received the response in step S280. If the response is received (Yes in S290), the process proceeds to step S300. If the response is not received (No in S290), the process of step S290 is repeated.

[0076] In step S300, the battery replacement device 100 performs the process of battery replacement. Specifically, the battery replacement device 100 controls the drive device 30 (such as the lifting unit 32, the battery placement table 31, and the transfer unit 33) in such a way as to replace the battery 101 placed on the battery placement table 31 and the battery 201 of the electric vehicle 200. After that, the process of the battery replacement device 100 ends.

[0077] As described above, in the first embodiment, the control device 10 of the battery replacement device 100 uses the battery replacement information (selection result) and vehicle information obtained from the electric vehicle 200 to control the drive device 30 so as to mount the selected battery 101 on the electric vehicle 200. Thus, since the vehicle information can be directly obtained from the electric vehicle 200, there is no need to perform a process of previously recording the vehicle information in the battery 201 or the like. As a result, battery replacement can be performed regardless of the information recorded in the battery 201 mounted on the electric vehicle 200. In addition, the processes required for battery replacement can be simplified by the amount that the above recording process is not required.

[0078] In addition, in the first embodiment, after providing the battery replacement information (selection result) to the battery replacement device 100, the vehicle information is provided to the battery replacement device 100. Thus, it is possible to suppress the provision of the vehicle information to the battery replacement device 100 in a situation where the battery 101 for replacement has not been determined (the contract has not been established). As a result, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary leakage of the vehicle information (personal information).

[0079] [Second Embodiment]

[0080] Next, refer toFigure 4 and Figure 5 , which illustrates the battery replacement system 2 according to the second embodiment. For the same structures as those in the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are added and no repeated description is provided.

[0081] <Structure of the battery replacement system>

[0082] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing the battery replacement system 2 including the battery replacement device 400 and the electric vehicle 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0083] The battery replacement device 400 is different from the battery replacement device 100 of the first embodiment described above in that it includes a control device 110 instead of the control device 10 and an acquisition unit 120 instead of the acquisition unit 20.

[0084] The control device 110 includes a processor 111, a memory 112, and a communication unit 13. In the memory 112, in addition to the programs executed by the processor 111, information used in the programs (such as maps, formulas, and various parameters) is also stored.

[0085] The acquisition unit 120 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 121. The short-range wireless communication unit 121 is configured to be able to communicate with the electric vehicle 200 via Wifi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. In addition, the short-range wireless communication unit 121 is an example of the "communication unit" of the present disclosure.

[0086] <Battery replacement method>

[0087] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the battery replacement method of the battery replacement system 2 according to the second embodiment. In the Figure 5 sequence shown, the control of the electric vehicle 200 is executed by the ECU 203, and the control of the battery replacement device 400 is executed by the processor 111 of the control device 110. In addition, for the same processing steps as those in the sequence of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are added and no repeated description is provided.

[0088] In step S211, the electric vehicle 200 transmits vehicle information (such as VIN and vehicle number) to the battery replacement device 400 (short-range wireless communication unit 121) via short-range wireless communication. In addition, the above vehicle information is an example of the "second vehicle information" of the present disclosure.

[0089] When the battery replacement device 400 is "Yes" in step S200, it performs the process of step S212. In step S212, the battery replacement device 400 determines whether it has received the vehicle information of step S211. When the vehicle information is received (in S212, "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S231. When the vehicle information is not received (in S212, "No"), the process of step S212 is repeated.

[0090] In step S231, it is determined whether the vehicle information of step S160 (refer to Figure 2 ) is consistent with the vehicle information of step S211. When the above vehicle information is consistent with each other (in S231, "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S240. When the above vehicle information is not consistent with each other (in S230, "No"), the process proceeds to step S250. In addition, the vehicle information being consistent with each other includes, for example, the case where the vehicle information of step S160 includes the vehicle information of step S211.

[0091] In addition, regarding other structures and controls, they are the same as those in the above first embodiment, so they will not be repeatedly described.

[0092] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the information of at least one battery 101 that meets the vehicle request is sent to the electric vehicle 200, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is also possible to send the information of the battery 101 that does not meet the vehicle request to the electric vehicle 200.

[0093] For example, it is also possible to execute Figure 6 the sequence control shown. In Figure 6 the example shown, in the aspect where the process of step S71 is performed instead of step S70 (refer to Figure 2 ), the process of step S91 is performed instead of step S90 (refer to Figure 2 ), and the processes of steps S30 to S60 (refer to Figure 2 ) are not performed, it is different from the example shown in Figure 2 .

[0094] In step S71, the battery replacement device 100 (110) sends battery information related to all the batteries 101 (owned by the battery replacement device 100 (110)) stored in the battery replacement device 100 (110) to the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13. After that, the process proceeds to step S120. In step S91, it is determined whether the battery information sent in step S71 includes information on at least one battery 101. If the information on at least one battery 101 is included (Yes in S91), the process proceeds to step S100. If no information on the battery 101 is included (No in S91), the process proceeds to step S95.

[0095] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which vehicle information and replacement battery information (selection result) are sent from the electric vehicle 200 to the battery replacement device 100 (110), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the vehicle information and the replacement battery information may be sent from the portable terminal 300 to the battery replacement device 100 (110).

[0096] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the electric vehicle 200 sends vehicle information (first vehicle information) to the battery replacement device 100 (110) after sending the replacement battery information (selection result) to the battery replacement device 100 (110), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the electric vehicle 200 may also send the replacement battery information and the vehicle information to the battery replacement device 100 (110) at the same time.

[0097] In the above first embodiment, an example is shown in which it is determined whether a vehicle is a reserved vehicle based on the vehicle number, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the above determination may also be made based on a code, a registration ID, etc. issued during the acceptance by the battery replacement device 100.

[0098] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the electric vehicle 200 and the battery replacement device 100 (110) communicate directly, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the electric vehicle 200 and the battery replacement device 100 (110) may also communicate indirectly via an external server.

[0099] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the battery 101 is stored in the battery replacement device 100 (110), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery 101 for battery replacement may also be stored outside the battery replacement device 100 (110).

[0100] In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which vehicle information (second vehicle information) is obtained by the battery replacement device 100 (110) when the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery replacement device main body 100a. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, vehicle information may also be obtained before the electric vehicle 200 enters the battery replacement device main body 100a.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A battery replacement device configured to replace a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery, characterized in that: The battery replacement device comprises: a drive device configured to perform said battery replacement; and A processor is configured to control the drive device, wherein: The processor is composed of: acquiring first vehicle information identifying the vehicle and replacement battery information identifying the second battery from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle, The drive device is controlled so that the first battery is replaced with the second battery using the replacement battery information and the first vehicle information.

2. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor is configured to control the drive device so that the first battery is replaced with the second battery, using the battery replacement information and the first vehicle information acquired after the battery replacement information.

3. The battery replacement device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire second vehicle information of the vehicle, wherein: The processor is configured to control the drive device so that the first battery is replaced with the second battery when the second vehicle information matches the first vehicle information.

4. The battery replacement device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The acquisition unit includes a camera configured to capture an image of the vehicle. The second vehicle information includes information on a license plate of the vehicle captured by the camera.

5. The battery replacement device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The acquisition unit includes a communication unit configured to perform short-distance wireless communication with the vehicle, and is configured to receive the second vehicle information from the vehicle via the communication unit.

6. An information providing device configured to provide information to a battery replacement device that replaces a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery, characterized in that: The information providing device is composed of: providing the replacement battery information of the second battery to the battery replacement device, Vehicle information identifying the vehicle is provided to the battery replacement device.

7. The information providing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The information providing device is configured to provide the vehicle information to the battery replacing device after providing the replaced battery information to the battery replacing device.

8. A battery replacement system, characterized in that: include: A battery replacement device configured to perform battery replacement by replacing a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery; as well as An information providing device is configured to provide information to the battery replacement device, wherein: The battery replacement device comprises: a drive device configured to perform said battery replacement; and a processor configured to control the drive device, The processor is composed of: acquiring vehicle information identifying the vehicle and replacement battery information identifying the second battery from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle, using the battery replacement information and the vehicle information, controlling the driving device in such a manner that the first battery is replaced with the second battery, and The information providing device is configured to provide the battery replacement device with the replacement battery information and the vehicle information.

9. The battery replacement system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The processor is configured to control the drive device so that the first battery is replaced with the second battery, using the battery replacement information and the vehicle information acquired after the battery replacement information.

10. The battery replacement system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The information providing device is configured to provide the vehicle information to the battery replacing device after providing the replaced battery information to the battery replacing device.

11. A battery replacement method of a battery replacement device, the battery replacement device replacing a first battery mounted on a vehicle with a second battery, the battery replacement method comprising: obtaining vehicle information identifying the vehicle from the vehicle or a user of the vehicle; acquiring replacement battery information identifying the second battery from the vehicle or the user; as well as The first battery is replaced with the second battery using the replacement battery information and the vehicle information.

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