Replacement system for power storage device

Abstract

A replacement system for a power storage device is provided with a charging device and a replacement device. The replacement device is configured to replace a power storage device of a target vehicle. A target vehicle is provided with a plurality of power storage devices and a first switching circuit. The first switching circuit is configured to be capable of switching between a series state in which the plurality of power storage devices are connected in series and a parallel state in which the plurality of power storage devices are connected in parallel. In this power storage device replacement system, when a first power storage device and a second power storage device mounted on a target vehicle are replaced by a third power storage device and a fourth power storage device by a replacement device, a charging device first charges the third power storage device and / or the fourth power storage device before the replacement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a replacement system of an electrical storage device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Japanese Patent No. 6371450, it is disclosed that the performance of the entire vehicle of an electric vehicle driven by a plurality of batteries depends on the performance of the battery with the least amount of remaining charge. In addition, in Japanese Patent No. 6371450, it is also disclosed that it is preferable that the plurality of batteries stored in a battery station be in a state where the amounts of remaining charge are equal at the time of arrival of the electric vehicle. In the replacement system of the electrical storage device described in Japanese Patent No. 6371450, the amount of power supplied from one or more batteries loaded in a charger of the battery station to other batteries is determined in such a manner that the amounts of remaining charge (Ah) of the plurality of batteries approach equal values during a period before the electric vehicle arrives at the battery station. A management server transmits information related to the amount of power supplied to the battery station. The battery station controls charging of the batteries loaded in the charger based on the information received from the management server. SUMMARY

[0003] In the vehicle described in Japanese Patent No. 6371450, the performance of the entire vehicle depends on the performance of the electrical storage device with the least amount of remaining charge. Therefore, it is considered that the plurality of batteries (electrical storage devices) are connected in series in this vehicle. On the other hand, it is considered that a switching circuit is provided in a vehicle equipped with a plurality of electrical storage devices to be able to change the voltage of the electrical storage portion of the vehicle, for example, depending on the situation. The switching circuit is configured to be able to switch between a series connection state in which the plurality of electrical storage devices are connected in series and a parallel connection state in which the plurality of electrical storage devices are connected in parallel.

[0004] The replacement system of the electrical storage device described in Japanese Patent No. 6371450 provides the vehicle with a plurality of batteries with equal amounts of remaining charge (Ah). The relationship (voltage characteristic) between the voltage (V) and the amount of charge (Ah) of the battery differs depending on each battery. In the case where a plurality of electrical storage devices with the same amount of charge are connected in parallel, it is possible that transient overcurrent occurs due to the voltage difference between the electrical storage devices. In the case where the system described in Japanese Patent No. 6371450 is applied in a vehicle equipped with the above-described switching circuit, it is easy for the switching circuit to deteriorate due to overcurrent at the time of parallel connection.

[0005] The present disclosure is achieved to solve the above-described problems. The object is to provide a replacement system of an electrical storage device that is capable of suppressing overcurrent at the time of parallel connection for a vehicle equipped with a switching circuit capable of switching between series connection / parallel connection of a plurality of electrical storage devices.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a replacement system of an electrical storage device as shown below is provided.

[0007] The replacement system of the electrical storage device is a system that replaces an electrical storage device, The charging device and the replacement device are provided.

[0008] The replacement device is configured to replace the power storage devices of the target vehicle.

[0009] The target vehicle is provided with a plurality of power storage devices and a first switching circuit.

[0010] The first switching circuit is configured to switch between a series connection state in which the plurality of power storage devices are connected in series and a parallel connection state in which the plurality of power storage devices are connected in parallel.

[0011] In the power storage device replacement system, in a case where the replacement device replaces first and second power storage devices mounted on the target vehicle with third and fourth power storage devices, before the replacement, the charging device performs charging of at least one of the third and fourth power storage devices to reduce a voltage difference between the third and fourth power storage devices.

[0012] According to the above configuration, at least one of the third and fourth power storage devices is charged to reduce a voltage difference between the third and fourth power storage devices before the third and fourth power storage devices are mounted on the target vehicle. Thus, overcurrent when the third and fourth power storage devices mounted on the target vehicle are connected in parallel is suppressed.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a power storage device replacement system can be provided, which can suppress overcurrent when a plurality of power storage devices are connected in parallel for a vehicle provided with a switching circuit capable of switching between series connection and parallel connection of the plurality of power storage devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration (first switching circuit) of a vehicle related to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of each of a vehicle body and a battery pack related to the embodiment; Figure 3 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration of a battery replacement system related to the embodiment; Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a replacement request related to the embodiment; and Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a battery replacement method related to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will not be repeated.

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle to which the embodiment is applied. Referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle 100 is provided with a vehicle body 10 and battery packs 20A, 20B. The vehicle body 10 is a portion of the vehicle 100 other than the battery packs 20A, 20B. The vehicle 100 is configured to be able to travel using electric power accumulated in the battery packs 20A, 20B. The vehicle 100 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) not provided with an internal combustion engine. However, it is not limited thereto, and the vehicle 100 can be a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) provided with an internal combustion engine, or other electrified vehicles (xEV).

[0017] The vehicle body 10 is provided with a switching circuit 30. The switching circuit 30 is configured to be able to switch between a series state in which the battery packs 20A, 20B are connected in series and a parallel state in which the battery packs 20A, 20B are connected in parallel. The switching circuit 30 includes three relays R1, R2, R3. The relay R1 is provided on an electric wire EL1 that connects the positive terminal of the battery pack 20A and the positive terminal of the battery pack 20B. The relay R2 is provided on an electric wire EL2 that connects the positive terminal of the battery pack 20A and the negative terminal of the battery pack 20B. The relay R3 is provided on an electric wire EL3 that connects the negative terminal of the battery pack 20A and the negative terminal of the battery pack 20B. The electric wire EL1 and the electric wire EL2 are connected to each other through a node N1. The electric wire EL2 and the electric wire EL3 are connected to each other through a node N2. The voltage of the battery packs 20A, 20B connected to each other is output to between a terminal T1 (positive terminal) and a terminal T2 (negative terminal) via the switching circuit 30. The terminals T1, T2 are provided on the electric wires EL1, EL3, respectively. The relay R1 is located between the terminal T1 and the node N1. The relay R3 is located between the terminal T2 and the node N2. In a case where the relays R1, R2, R3 are off, on, and off, respectively, the battery packs 20A, 20B become in the series connection state (series state). In a case where the relays R1, R2, R3 are on, off, and on, respectively, the battery packs 20A, 20B become in the parallel connection state (parallel state). As the switching relays (relays R1, R2, R3) that switch between the series state and the parallel state, mechanical relays of an electromagnetic type can be employed. However, instead of such relays, semiconductor relays can be employed. The switching circuit 30 can also switch between a series drive system (for example, an 800 V drive system) and a parallel drive system (for example, a 400 V drive system) that is driven at a lower voltage than the series drive system. Hereinafter, the case where the battery packs 20A, 20B in the vehicle 100 are in the series state and the parallel state will be sometimes referred to as the case where the vehicle 100 is in the series state and the case where the vehicle 100 is in the parallel state, respectively.

[0018] The vehicle body 10 is further provided with a human machine interface (HMI) 19a and a communication device 19b. The HMI 19a includes an input device and a display device. The HMI 19a can also include a touch panel display. The communication device 19b is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 600 and a server 380 (described later) respectively. Figure 3

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram that shows the circuit configuration of each of the vehicle body 10 and the battery packs 20A, 20B. With reference to Figure 2 ​, the vehicle body 10 is provided with the SMR 13 and the ECU 500. The battery pack 20A is provided with the battery 21a, the BMS 22a, the SMR 23a, the ECU 28a, the electric wires PL2a, PL3a, the communication line CL2a, the terminals T21a, T22a. The battery pack 20B is provided with the battery 21b, the BMS 22b, the SMR 23b, the ECU 28b, the electric wires PL2b, PL3b, the communication line CL2b, the terminals T21b, T22b. "ECU" means Electronic Control Unit. "BMS" means Battery Management System. "SMR" means System Main Relay.

[0020] In the vehicle 100, the ECUs are connected to each other in a manner that they can communicate with each other via an in-vehicle network such as a Controller Area Network (CAN). Each ECU includes a processor and a storage device. The storage device is configured to be able to hold stored information. In the storage device, various information is stored in addition to a program. In this embodiment, various controls are executed by the processor executing the program stored in the storage device.

[0021] In this embodiment, the battery packs 20A and 20B have the same structure, and thus are referred to as "battery pack 20" without distinguishing them. Similarly, each battery 21a, 21b is sometimes referred to as "battery 21", each BMS 22a, 22b is sometimes referred to as "BMS 22", each SMR 23a, 23b is sometimes referred to as "SMR 23". Each ECU 28a, 28b is sometimes referred to as "ECU 28", each electric wire PL2a, PL2b is sometimes referred to as "electric wire PL2", each electric wire PL3a, PL3b is sometimes referred to as "electric wire PL3", each communication line CL2a, CL2b is sometimes referred to as "communication line CL2", each terminal T21a, T21b is sometimes referred to as "terminal T21", and each terminal T22a, T22b is sometimes referred to as "terminal T22".

[0022] In the battery pack 20, the electric wires PL2, PL3 function as a high-voltage power supply line, a low-voltage power supply line, respectively. The battery 21 applies a voltage to the electric wire PL2. The electric wire PL2 is connected to the terminal T21 via the SMR 23. The SMR 23 switches connection / disconnection between the battery 21 and the terminal T21. The electric wire PL3 (low-voltage power supply line) and the communication line CL2 (dotted line in FIG. 1) are connected to the terminal T22, respectively. In the electric wire PL3 and the communication line CL2, the ECU 28 is connected, respectively. Figure 2

[0023] ​The ECU 28 corresponds to a control device (Bat-ECU) that monitors the state of the battery 21 and controls the SMR 23. The battery 21 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a sodium-ion battery. The type of the secondary battery can be a liquid secondary battery or a full-solid-state secondary battery. A plurality of secondary batteries can form a battery pack. The BMS 22 detects the state (current, voltage, temperature, and the like) of the battery 21 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 28. In addition, the BMS 22 has a State Of Charge (SOC) measurement function and outputs a measured value of the SOC of the battery 21 to the ECU 28. The SOC indicates, for example, the proportion of the current charge amount with respect to the charge amount in the full charge state, in percentage from 0 to 100%. As a method of measuring the SOC, for example, a publicly known method such as the current integration method or the OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) estimation method can be adopted. Furthermore, at least a part of the functions of the BMS 22 can also be installed in the ECU 28. For example, the BMS 22 can also be a battery monitoring unit. The battery monitoring unit transmits the detection values (input values from the respective sensors) of the temperature, current, and voltage of the battery 21 to the ECU 28. The ECU 28 can also calculate the SOC and the State of Health (SOH) of the battery 21 from the voltage and current of the battery 21.

[0024] The ECU 28a of the battery pack 20A transmits a measured value of the SOC of the battery 21a (hereinafter referred to as "SOC A ") acquired from the BMS 22a to the ECU 500 as information indicating the SOC of the battery pack 20A. The ECU 28b of the battery pack 20B transmits a measured value of the SOC of the battery 21b (hereinafter referred to as "SOC B ") acquired from the BMS 22b to the ECU 500 as information indicating the SOC of the battery pack 20B. The ECU 500 acquires information indicating the state of the battery (including the SOC A , the SOC B ) from the ECUs (control devices) of the respective battery packs.

[0025] The vehicle body 10 is provided with a vehicle drive device. The vehicle drive device includes a Motor Generator (MG) 11a and a converter 11b. The MG 11a functions as a traveling motor. The converter 11b functions as a drive circuit of the MG 11a. The converter 11b drives the MG 11a using electric power output from the battery packs 20A, 20B to the terminals T1, T2. The MG 11a converts the electric power into torque and rotates the drive wheels of the vehicle 100. The MG 11a performs regenerative power generation when the vehicle 100 decelerates, for example, and charges the battery packs 20A, 20B.

[0026] The vehicle body 10 is equipped with a charging system for external charging (charging based on power supplied from outside the vehicle). The charging system includes an AC charger 15a and an AC socket 15b for AC (alternating current) charging, and a DC charging relay 14a and a DC socket 14b for DC (direct current) charging. The DC socket 14b and AC socket 15b are respectively configured to connect to charging cables of DC power supply equipment and AC power supply equipment. Both the DC socket 14b and AC socket 15b output a signal to the ECU 500 indicating whether a charging cable is connected. The DC charging relay 14a is located on the DC charging cable connecting the DC socket 14b to battery packs 20A and 20B, switching the connection / disconnection of the DC charging cable. The AC charger 15a is located on the AC charging cable connecting the AC socket 15b to battery packs 20A and 20B, performing power conversion (e.g., AC / DC conversion) or switching the connection / disconnection of the AC charging cable. The DC charging relay 14a and AC charger 15a are controlled by the ECU 500.

[0027] The vehicle body 10 includes wires PL1a and PL1b. Wires PL1a and PL1b function as high-voltage power lines and low-voltage power lines, respectively. An SMR 13 is located between wire PL1a and terminals T1 and T2, switching the connection / disconnection between the two. Wire PL1a (high-voltage power line) is equipped with an MG 11a, a converter 11b, a DC charging relay 14a, a DC socket 14b, an AC charger 15a, and an AC socket 15b. The vehicle body 10 also includes an auxiliary equipment battery 17 that supplies power to auxiliary equipment types mounted on the vehicle 100. The auxiliary equipment battery 17 applies a voltage lower than that of battery 21 to wire PL1b. Components such as an ECU 500, HMI 19a, and a communication device 19b are connected to wire PL1b (low-voltage power line). The vehicle body 10 also includes a DC / DC converter 16 that transforms DC power between wires PL1a and PL1b. The capacity of the auxiliary equipment battery 17 is smaller than that of battery 21. If the power stored in the auxiliary device battery 17 decreases, the DC / DC converter 16 will step down the DC power from the wire PL1a and output it to the auxiliary device battery 17.

[0028] The vehicle body 10 also includes terminals T11A and T12A for installing and removing battery pack 20A, and terminals T11B and T12B for installing and removing battery pack 20B. Terminals T11A and T11B are connected to wire PL1a via SMR 13 and switching circuit 30, respectively. Terminals T12A and T12B are connected to wire PL1b (low-voltage power line) and communication line CL1 (low-voltage power line) within the vehicle body 10, respectively. Figure 2The terminals T21a, T22a of the battery pack 20A are configured to be detachable from the vehicle body 10. The terminals T21b, T22b of the battery pack 20B are also configured to be detachable from the vehicle body 10. The terminals T21a, T22a are connected to the terminals T11A, T12A, respectively, and the terminals T21b, T22b are connected to the terminals T11B, T12B, respectively. Thus, the battery packs 20A and 20B are mounted on the vehicle body 10, and the vehicle 100 is completed. The communication line CL1 of the vehicle body 10, the communication line CL2a of the battery pack 20A, and the communication line CL2b of the battery pack 20B are connected in the vehicle 100. These communication lines constitute an in-vehicle network (for example, a CAN) of the vehicle 100.

[0029] The battery packs 20A, 20B mounted on the vehicle 100 can be replaced with other battery packs. Figure 3 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration of a battery replacement system that performs replacement of a battery pack.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3 , the battery replacement system 300 is configured to detach the battery packs mounted on the vehicle 100 from the vehicle body 10 and mount other battery packs to the vehicle body 10. Figure 3 The battery replacement system 300 shown in FIG. 10 is provided at a replacement station. In this embodiment, a place where the replacement station exists corresponds to one example of the "predetermined area" according to the present disclosure.

[0031] The battery replacement system 300 includes a first storage device 310, a second storage device 320, a recovery device 330, a filling device 340, and a replacement device 350. The battery replacement system 300 further includes a server 380 that controls these devices. The server 380 includes a processor, a storage device, and a communication device. The storage device stores information related to each battery pack present in the battery replacement system 300, distinguished based on identification information of the battery pack. In this embodiment, the server 380 corresponds to one example of the "management device" according to the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 An example in which the battery packs 20A and 20B are simultaneously detached from the vehicle 100 and two replacement battery packs are simultaneously mounted to the vehicle 100 is shown in FIG. 11. Hereinafter, the two battery packs recovered from the vehicle 100 are sometimes referred to as "battery packs B11, B12". In addition, the two battery packs mounted to the vehicle 100 in place of the battery packs B11, B12 are sometimes referred to as "battery packs B21, B22". The battery packs B11, B12, B21, B22 each have the configuration of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1. The battery packs B21, B22 mounted to the vehicle body 10 function as the battery packs 20A, 20B in the vehicle 100. Figure 2 Figure 1 , Figure 2 ​It works. In addition, battery packs 20A and 20B can be replaced one by one, or only one can be replaced.

[0033] The first storage device 310 stores multiple battery packs supplied to the vehicle. The first storage device 310 may also include a supply device 311 and a charging device 312 in addition to the battery housing. The charging device 312 includes power supplies PS1 and PS2 and a switching circuit 30A. Battery packs B21 and B22, which are to be installed on the vehicle body 10, are housed in the charging device 312, and a battery management system (BMS) is installed for each battery pack. Specifically, BMSs 312a and 312b are provided to detect the state of battery packs B21 and B22 respectively. Each BMS 312a and 312b includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor, and has a state of charge (SOC) measurement function.

[0034] The switching circuit 30A is configured to switch between a series connection of battery packs B21 and B22 and a parallel connection of battery packs B21 and B22. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 30A has a... Figure 1 The switching circuit 30 shown has the same configuration. Specifically, the switching circuit 30A includes relays R1A, R2A, and R3A. Relays R1A, R2A, and R3A have the same function as relays R1, R2, and R3, respectively. The charging device 312 can charge only one of the battery packs B21 and B22, or charge both simultaneously. Furthermore, charging of battery pack B21 or B22 refers to charging of the battery 21 within battery pack B21 or B22. During charging, the SMR 23 within battery pack B21 or B22 remains in a connected state (on state). When both battery packs B21 and B22 are charged simultaneously, the SMR 23 of each battery pack B21 and B22 is controlled to be in a connected state.

[0035] The server 380 acquires information indicating the state (e.g., temperature, voltage, and SOC) of the battery packs B21, B22 from the BMSs 312a, 312b, respectively. The server 380 can also cause the relays R1A, R2A, R3A to be OFF, ON, OFF, respectively, to charge the battery packs B21, B22 in series by the power supply PS2. The server 380 can also cause the relays R1A, R2A, R3A to be ON, OFF, ON, respectively, to charge the battery packs B21, B22 in parallel by the power supplies PS1, PS2. The server 380 can also cause the relays R1A, R2A, R3A to be ON, OFF, OFF, respectively, to charge the battery pack B21 by the power supply PS1. The server 380 can also cause the relays R1A, R2A, R3A to be OFF, OFF, ON, respectively, to charge the battery pack B22 by the power supply PS2. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 30, the switching circuit 30A correspond to one example of the "first switching circuit", the "second switching circuit" of the present disclosure, respectively. Note that the switching circuit 30 and the switching circuit 30A can have different configurations. The switching relays of the switching circuit 30A can have higher durability (e.g., durability against overcurrent) than the switching relays of the switching circuit 30.

[0036] The second storage device 320 stores a plurality of battery packs recovered from a plurality of vehicles. The second storage device 320 can also have an inspection device and a sorting device in addition to the battery storage portion. For the battery packs B11, B12 detached from the vehicle body 10, for example Figure 3 As shown, the reutilization process by the second storage device 320, the recovery device 330, and the filling device 340 is performed. Details of the replacement process by the battery replacement system 300 are described later.

[0037] The server 380 starts a process for replacing the power storage device of the target vehicle upon receiving a replacement request from the user of the target vehicle (see the process flow described later Figure 5 ). The user of the target vehicle can transmit the replacement request to the server 380 by operating the user terminal. In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 corresponds to the target vehicle, and the mobile terminal 600 functions as the user terminal.

[0038] The mobile terminal 600 is, for example, a smartphone. The smartphone has a computer built in, has a touch panel display and a speaker. The mobile terminal 600 has an application installed therein for using the service provided by the server 380. Of course, the mobile terminal 600 is not limited to a smartphone, and can be a portable game machine or an electronic key, can be a wearable device, and can be a terminal embedded in a user (human body).

[0039] Upon startup of the application described above, the mobile terminal 600 displays, for exampleFigure 4 The screen Sc1 shown. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a replacement request.

[0040] Referring to Figure 4 , the screen Sc1 includes an information section M1 and operation sections M2 to M5. The information section M1 displays the SOC (SOC A ) of the battery pack 20A and the SOC (SOC B ) of the battery pack 20B. The operation section M2 indicates the positions of the battery packs 20A and 20B in the vehicle body 10, and accepts designation of the battery pack to be replaced. The information section M1 and the operation section M2 distinguish and display the information of each battery pack with the identification information (1, 2) of the battery pack. The operation section M3 accepts designation of the target SOC. The user can designate the target SOC by selecting the target SOC from the prescribed options or inputting a value indicating the target SOC. The operation section M4 accepts designation of the replacement station. The user can designate the replacement station by selecting the replacement station closest to the current position of the vehicle 100 or selecting another replacement station from among a plurality of replacement stations on the map. At least one battery pack is selected by the operation section M2, the target SOC is designated by the operation section M3, and the replacement station is designated by the operation section M4. In this state, if the user operates the operation section M5 (e.g., a determination button), the mobile terminal 600 transmits a replacement request to the replacement station designated by the operation section M4. In this embodiment, the replacement station of the battery replacement system 300 shown is designated by the user. Therefore, the replacement request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 600 to the server 380. The replacement request can also be transmitted from the mobile terminal 600 to the server 380 via another server. The mobile terminal 600 transmits the information input by the user to the mobile terminal 600 (hereinafter referred to as "user replacement information") and the identification information and the specification information of the vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as "target vehicle information") to the server 380 together with the replacement request. The user replacement information indicates one or more battery packs selected by the operation section M2 and the target SOC designated by the operation section M3. Figure 3 The replacement station of the battery replacement system 300 shown is designated by the user. Therefore, the replacement request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 600 to the server 380. The replacement request can also be transmitted from the mobile terminal 600 to the server 380 via another server. The mobile terminal 600 transmits the information input by the user to the mobile terminal 600 (hereinafter referred to as "user replacement information") and the identification information and the specification information of the vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as "target vehicle information") to the server 380 together with the replacement request. The user replacement information indicates one or more battery packs selected by the operation section M2 and the target SOC designated by the operation section M3.

[0041] The mobile terminal 600 transmits the above-described replacement request to the server 380 before the target vehicle (the vehicle 100) arrives at the above-described replacement station. The server 380, upon receiving the replacement request, starts the processing flow of S31 to S37 shown. Figure 5 is a flowchart indicating the processing involved in the battery replacement method. "S" in the flowchart indicates a step. Figure 5 is a flowchart indicating the processing involved in the battery replacement method. "S" in the flowchart indicates a step.

[0042] The Figure 5 and Figure 3Referring to the drawings together, in S31, the server 380 selects, from the battery packs (inventory) held by the first storage device 310, battery packs that meet the specifications of the vehicle 100 in the number required, on the basis of the user exchange information and the object vehicle information. Here, the number of the selected battery packs corresponds to the number of battery packs (exchange number) indicated by the user exchange information. The server 380 can select using at least one of the capacity, the degree of deterioration, and the voltage of each battery pack included in the candidate (inventory), in the case of selecting a plurality of battery packs. The server 380 can also preferentially select a plurality of battery packs that are close in capacity, degree of deterioration, or voltage.

[0043] Next, in S32, the server 380 determines whether a plurality of battery packs were selected in S31. For example, in the case where the exchange request is a request for exchange of the battery packs 20A and 20B in the vehicle 100, the determination in S32 is "Yes", and the processing proceeds to S33. Hereinafter, a case where the battery packs B21 and B22 were selected in S31 will be described. The selected battery packs B21 and B22 are set to the charging device 312, for example, by the supply device 311.

[0044] In S33, the server 380 controls the charging device 312 so that the voltage difference between the battery packs B21 and B22 becomes small. Specifically, the charging device 312 charges the battery pack B21 and the battery pack B22 separately, as instructed from the server 380, so that the voltage difference of the battery packs B21 and B22 measured by the BMS 312a, 312b becomes below a prescribed reference value. The SMR 23 in the battery pack being charged is controlled to be in the connected state. The battery packs B21 and B22 are charged in a state of being separated from each other. The battery packs B21 and B22 each have a tendency to increase in voltage in conjunction with an increase in the amount of stored electricity.

[0045] Next, in S34, the server 380 controls the charging device 312 so that the battery packs B21 and B22 become in a parallel state. Specifically, the server 380 causes the SMR 23 of each of the battery packs B21 and B22 to be in the connected state. The server 380 connects the battery 21 in the battery pack B21 in parallel with the battery 21 in the battery pack B22 by causing the relays R1A, R2A, R3A of the switching circuit 30A to be on, off, and on, respectively. Thus, the voltage adjustment is performed by power exchange between the battery packs, and the voltage difference between the battery packs further becomes small. By charging separately in advance (S33), overcurrent at the time of parallel connection is suppressed.

[0046] Next, in step S35, server 380 controls charging device 312 to charge battery packs B21 and B22 connected in parallel. Specifically, charging device 312, according to instructions from server 380, charges battery packs B21 and B22 until at least one of them reaches the target SOC indicated by the user-replaced information. When the SOC of one of battery packs B21 and B22 reaches the target SOC, server 380 indicates to charging device 312 that charging is complete even if the SOC of the other battery pack has not reached the target SOC. By charging battery packs B21 and B22 in parallel, the possibility of a large voltage difference between battery packs B21 and B22 during charging can be suppressed.

[0047] If the replacement request is for replacing only one of the battery packs 20A and 20B in vehicle 100, the decision is "No" in S32, and the process skips S33 and S34 to proceed to S35. In this case, the battery pack selected in S31 is placed in the charging device 312. Then, in S35, the placed battery pack is charged individually. Through this charging, the SOC of the battery pack selected in S31 becomes the target SOC.

[0048] Next, in S36, server 380 determines whether the target vehicle (vehicle 100) has arrived at the transfer station. Server 380 waits for the target vehicle to arrive in S36.

[0049] When vehicle 100 is parked at the designated location within the battery replacement station, ECU 500 begins processing steps S11-S16. In S11, ECU 500 sends an arrival notification along with vehicle 100's identification information (vehicle ID) to server 380. Next, in S12, ECU 500 determines whether a battery pack replacement has been performed. While the battery pack replacement is still ongoing (in S12, this is marked as "No"), the determination in S12 is repeatedly executed.

[0050] If the vehicle ID in the received arrival notification matches the vehicle ID in the replacement request (target vehicle information), server 380 determines that the target vehicle has arrived at the replacement station. When charging by charging device 312 (S35) is completed and the target vehicle has arrived at the replacement station ("Yes" in S36), in S37, server 380 replaces the battery pack specified by the user replacement information among the multiple battery packs installed in the target vehicle with the battery pack selected in S31. For example, if battery packs 20A and 20B in vehicle 100 are specified by the user replacement information, such as... Figure 3The battery packs 20A and 20B (battery packs B11 and B12) shown are replaced. Specifically, server 380 controls replacement device 350 to remove battery packs B11 and B12 from vehicle body 10. Thus, vehicle body 10 is separated from battery packs B11 and B12. Next, server 380 controls supply device 311 to transport (supply) battery packs B21 and B22, which have been charged in steps S33-S35 above, from first storage device 310 to replacement device 350. Then, server 380 controls replacement device 350 to install battery packs B21 and B22 onto vehicle body 10. At this time, the SMR 23 of each battery pack B21 and B22 is disconnected. Afterward, server 380 sends a signal to ECU 500 notifying that the battery pack installation is complete (hereinafter referred to as the "replacement completion signal"). Furthermore, only one of battery packs 20A and 20B in vehicle 100 is specified by the user replacement information. In this scenario, after the selected battery pack in S31 is installed on the vehicle body 10 as a replacement for battery pack 20A or 20B, the server 380 sends a replacement completion signal. The server 380 may also request payment from the user of vehicle 100 corresponding to the target SOC after the replacement completion signal is sent.

[0051] Figure 3 Examples of battery pack removal and installation at different locations are shown. The vehicle position can be adjusted before battery pack removal, before battery pack installation, or both. The vehicle can also be moved using a transport device (not shown, such as a conveyor) or a transport robot. However, battery pack removal and installation can also be performed at the same location. Battery pack replacement (removal and installation) can also be performed while the vehicle is stationary. The transport methods for the supply device 311, recovery device 330, and filling device 340 are also arbitrary. These transport methods can be conveyor-based or using a transport robot. Users can also replace the battery pack (energy storage device) manually, instead of using the replacement device 350.

[0052] At least one battery pack (hereinafter referred to as "replacement battery pack") installed on the vehicle body 10 by means of the processing of S37 has a connection with battery pack 20A or 20B ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 The same configuration applies. Through process S37, the low-voltage power line and communication line of the battery pack are connected to the low-voltage power line and communication line of the vehicle body 10, respectively. However, the high-voltage power line is disconnected by SMR 23 of the battery pack replacement. After process S37, processing steps S21 to S24 are performed for each battery pack replacement.

[0053] In S21, the ECU 28 of the replacement battery pack is activated by electric power supplied from the power supply (auxiliary equipment battery 17) inside the vehicle body 10. Next, in S22, the activated ECU 28 transmits information indicating the state of the replacement battery pack (hereinafter referred to as "state information") to the ECU 500. The state information indicates, for example, the current state of the battery 21 (e.g., voltage and temperature) detected by the BMS 22. Next, in S23, the ECU 28 determines whether or not an SMR ON instruction is received from the vehicle body 10. The ECU 28 maintains the SMR 23 in the off state and waits for the SMR ON instruction from the vehicle body 10 in S23.

[0054] On the other hand, the ECU 500 receives the replacement completion signal from the server 380 after the process in S37. Thereby, it is determined as "Yes" in S12, and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, the ECU 500 determines whether or not the above-described state information is received from the replacement battery pack. Also, if the ECU 500 receives the above-described state information (Yes in S13), the ECU 500 determines whether or not the replacement battery pack is normal in S14 based on the above-described state information. Also, if the replacement battery pack is normal (Yes in S14), the ECU 500 sets the SMR 13 to the connected state (on state) in S15, sets the switching relays of the switching circuit 30 to the state in which they are connected in parallel (relay R1: on, relay R2: off, relay R3: on). At the same time, the SMR ON instruction is transmitted to the replacement battery pack. After that, the process flow ends. On the other hand, in the case where an abnormality has occurred in the replacement battery pack (No in S14), the ECU 500 ends the process flow after performing a prescribed reporting process in S16. In S16, the ECU 500 can cause the HMI 19a to perform the reporting process. The HMI 19a can report to the user that an abnormality has occurred, for example, by at least one of display, sound (including voice), and light illumination (including flickering).

[0055] The ECU 28 of the replacement battery pack switches the SMR 23 from the off state (cut state) to the closed state (connected state) in S24 when the SMR ON instruction is received from the vehicle body 10 (Yes in S23). Thereby, the process flow ends. The replacement battery pack acts as the battery pack 20A or 20B (further, the battery 21a and 21b) by the above-described process flow. By the process in S24, the batteries 21a and 21b mounted on the vehicle 100 become in the parallel state. Then, when the vehicle 100 starts running, the ECU 500 can cause the battery packs 20A and 20B (further, the batteries 21a and 21b) to become in the series state. Figure 1 Figure 2

[0056] ​​In the energy storage device replacement system of this embodiment, the replacement device 350 replaces the battery pack B11 (first energy storage device) and battery pack B12 (second energy storage device) mounted on the target vehicle with battery pack B21 (third energy storage device) and battery pack B22 (fourth energy storage device). In this case, before the replacement, the charging device 312 first charges at least one of the battery packs B21 and B22 to reduce the voltage difference between battery packs B21 and B22 (S33). Therefore, it is difficult for overcurrent to occur when battery packs 20A and 20B (and consequently batteries 21a and 21b) are connected in parallel.

[0057] Furthermore, the functions of the server 380 described above can be implemented solely through hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry) or through software. Alternatively, the functions of the server 380 can be divided into multiple units, each with its own corresponding function. For example, the functions of controlling the charging device 312 and managing information by communicating with the user terminal of the target vehicle can be installed in different units.

[0058] Figure 3 The server 380 shown is an on-premises server. However, the management device can also be at least one computer in the cloud. For example, the functionality of server 380 can be installed in the cloud. Alternatively, an HMI 19a (vehicle-mounted HMI) can be used as the user terminal instead of the mobile terminal 600.

[0059] Figure 5 The processing flow shown can be modified as appropriate. For example, the order of processing can be changed according to the purpose, or unnecessary steps can be omitted. In addition, the content of any process can be changed. For example, one of the steps S33 and S34 can be omitted.

[0060] The composition of a vehicle is not limited to the aforementioned composition (see reference). Figure 2 For example, one of SMR 13 or 23 can be omitted. Alternatively, all SMR 13, 23a, and 23b can be omitted. The vehicle can also have more than three energy storage devices (e.g., a removable battery pack). The vehicle is not limited to passenger cars; it can also be a bus or truck. The vehicle can be configured for contactless charging. The vehicle can have solar panels. The vehicle can be configured for autonomous driving or driverless operation.

[0061] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of this disclosure is not shown by the description of the above embodiments, but by the scope of the claims, which are intended to include all modifications within the same meaning and scope as the claims.

Claims

1. A system for replacing an energy storage device, the system for replacing an energy storage device, The system includes a charging device and a replacement device. The replacement device is configured to replace the battery storage device of the vehicle to be replaced. The vehicle in question possesses: Multiple energy storage devices; and The first switching circuit is configured to switch between a series connection of the plurality of energy storage devices and a parallel connection of the plurality of energy storage devices. When the replacement device replaces the first and second energy storage devices mounted on the target vehicle with the third and fourth energy storage devices, before the replacement, the charging device first charges at least one of the third and fourth energy storage devices to reduce the voltage difference between the third and fourth energy storage devices.

2. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein, The charging device includes a second switching circuit configured to switch between a series connection of the third and fourth energy storage devices and a parallel connection of the third and fourth energy storage devices. The charging device connects the third and fourth energy storage devices in parallel to charge them. After charging is completed by the charging device, the replacement device replaces the first and second energy storage devices in the target vehicle with the third and fourth energy storage devices.

3. The battery replacement system according to claim 2, wherein, After the first and second energy storage devices are replaced with the third and fourth energy storage devices by the replacement device, the target vehicle connects the third and fourth energy storage devices in parallel.

4. The battery replacement system according to claim 1, wherein, The system also includes a management device. The charging device and the replacement device are located in a designated area. The management device is configured to receive a replacement request from the user of the target vehicle before the target vehicle arrives at the designated area. After receiving a replacement request that requests the replacement of the first and second energy storage devices in the target vehicle, the management device instructs the charging device to charge the third and fourth energy storage devices to reduce the voltage difference between them.

5. The battery replacement system according to claim 4, wherein, The replacement request represents the target SOC. When the voltage difference between the third and fourth energy storage devices becomes below a reference value, and the State of Charge (SOC) of at least one of the third and fourth energy storage devices reaches the target SOC, the management device indicates to the charging device that charging has ended.

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