Battery exchange management method and battery energy station thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a battery exchange management method which is suitable for a battery energy station and an electric vehicle which are used for storing and charging a plurality of candidate batteries. First, the battery energy station receives a connection of a corresponding electric vehicle via a wireless network. The electric vehicle obtains a specific electric quantity of the corresponding specific battery and transmits the specific electric quantity of the corresponding specific battery to the battery energy station through the wireless network. The battery energy station obtains a candidate electric quantity corresponding to each candidate battery, and judges whether the candidate electric quantity corresponding to each candidate battery is lower than the specific electric quantity of the corresponding specific battery. When the candidate electric quantity of each candidate battery is lower than the specific electric quantity of the corresponding specific battery, the battery energy station transmits an indication that the battery cannot be replaced to the electric vehicle through the wireless network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery swapping management method and a battery power station thereof, and particularly to a method and a battery power station thereof that can receive information from electric vehicles via a wireless network to provide early battery swapping reminders and management. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with rising environmental awareness and advancements in electric vehicle technology, developing electric vehicles to replace traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels has gradually become a key objective in the automotive industry, leading to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles. To improve the range and user willingness of electric vehicles, many countries and cities have begun planning to install charging stations and battery power stations in public places to provide charging or battery swapping services for electric vehicles and / or electric motorcycles, making the use of electric vehicles more convenient.

[0003] Encouraged by government subsidies, many people are starting to buy and use electric vehicles as a means of transportation. Generally, traditional gasoline vehicles are refueled only when the gasoline is almost depleted. Because refueling is a short process, the time spent refueling does not affect the user's overall driving plan. However, for electric vehicles, there are technological limitations in battery power supply and charging. Users must frequently monitor the battery status when riding electric vehicles to recharge it before it runs out of power.

[0004] Currently, electric vehicle charging stations / battery power stations are not widely available. When users need to charge or swap batteries for their vehicles, such as electric cars or electric motorcycles, they must stop their vehicles and use a mobile application to find nearby charging stations / battery power stations. During peak traffic hours, providing more convenient, efficient, and faster battery swapping mechanisms would significantly increase user satisfaction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a battery swapping management method and a battery power station thereof.

[0006] This invention discloses a battery swapping management method applicable to a battery power station for accommodating and charging multiple candidate batteries and an electric vehicle. First, the battery power station receives a connection from the electric vehicle via a wireless network. The electric vehicle obtains a specific charge level from a specific battery and transmits this charge level to the battery power station via the wireless network. The battery power station obtains a candidate charge level for each candidate battery and determines whether the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the specific battery. When the candidate charge levels of all candidate batteries are lower than the specific charge level of the specific battery, the battery power station transmits a battery swapping initiation indication to the electric vehicle via the wireless network.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a battery power station comprising a network connection unit, a battery storage unit, and a processing unit. The battery storage unit can store and charge multiple candidate batteries. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the battery storage unit and the network connection unit. The network connection unit receives a connection from a corresponding electric vehicle via a wireless network, and receives a specific charge level from a specific battery in the electric vehicle via the wireless network. The processing unit obtains a candidate charge level for each candidate battery and determines whether the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the corresponding specific battery. When the candidate charge levels of all candidate batteries are lower than the specific charge level of the corresponding specific battery, the processing unit transmits a battery swapping initiation indication to the electric vehicle via the wireless network.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electric vehicle determines whether a specific condition has been triggered. When the specific condition is triggered, the electric vehicle obtains a specific amount of power from a specific battery and transmits that specific amount of power to a battery power station via a wireless network.

[0009] In some embodiments, determining whether a specific condition is triggered in an electric vehicle involves determining whether a cover for storing a specific battery in the electric vehicle is open. When the cover for storing a specific battery in the electric vehicle is open, the electric vehicle obtains a specific charge from the corresponding specific battery and transmits the specific charge from the corresponding specific battery to the battery power station via a wireless network.

[0010] In some embodiments, when not all candidate batteries have a candidate capacity lower than the specific capacity of the corresponding particular battery, the processing unit receives a battery swap instruction, wherein the battery swap instruction includes user data. In response to the battery swap instruction, the processing unit selects at least one target battery from the candidate batteries and writes the user data to the target battery. The candidate capacity of the target battery is greater than the specific capacity of the corresponding particular battery, and the selected target battery can only be swapped by the user whose user data is used for the corresponding particular battery.

[0011] In some embodiments, the processing unit further determines whether a specific battery has been received, and when a specific battery is received, it uses the battery storage unit to provide the target battery for a battery exchange operation.

[0012] In some embodiments, the electric motorcycle transmits the battery swapping command to the battery power station via a wireless network.

[0013] In some embodiments, it is determined whether a mobile device or electric vehicle corresponding to user data is located within a predetermined range of the battery power station. When the mobile device or electric vehicle is within the predetermined range of the battery power station, the battery power station receives a battery swapping command.

[0014] In some embodiments, a remote server receives the current location of a mobile device or electric vehicle corresponding to user data via a network. The remote server determines whether the current location of the mobile device or electric vehicle is within a predetermined range of the battery power station, and based on the current location, determines whether the mobile device or electric vehicle has not moved within a predetermined period. When the mobile device or electric vehicle is within the predetermined range of the battery power station and has not moved within the predetermined period, the remote server transmits a battery swapping command to the battery power station via the network.

[0015] The method described above can exist in the form of program code. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

[0016] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery power station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery power station according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery power station according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates a battery swapping management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates a battery swapping management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 The flowchart illustrates a battery swapping management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 The flowchart illustrates a method for obtaining a battery swapping command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 The flowchart illustrates a method for obtaining a battery swapping command according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] List of reference numerals

[0026] 100~ Battery Power Station

[0027] 110 - Battery Storage System

[0028] 112 ~ Candidate Battery

[0029] 120 ~ Energy Module

[0030] 130 - Network Connection Unit

[0031] 140~ Processing Unit

[0032] 150 - Wireless Network Connection Unit

[0033] 200 ~ Remote Server

[0034] 300 ~ Network

[0035] S410, S420, S430, S440, S450, S460 – Steps

[0036] S510, S520, S530 – Steps

[0037] S610, S620, S630, S630, S630, S660, S670, S680 ~ Steps

[0038] S710, S720, S730 – Steps

[0039] S810, S820, S830, S840 – Steps. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1This diagram illustrates a battery power station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery power station 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be an electronic device. As shown, the battery power station 100 includes at least a battery storage system 110, an energy module 120, a network connection unit 130, and a processing unit 140. The battery storage system 110 has a specific mechanism (not shown) for storing multiple candidate batteries 112 and selectively locking or releasing these batteries. The battery power station 100 can provide batteries to at least one power-consuming device, such as an electric vehicle of an electric motorcycle or electric car. The energy module 120 can be electrically coupled to a power grid (not shown) to obtain a total current to supply power to the battery power station and charge the batteries 112 according to signals from the processing unit 140. It should be noted that the battery storage system 110 may include a charging module corresponding to each candidate battery 112, and the charging module has an upper current limit and / or a lower current limit to charge the corresponding battery. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the energy module 120 can actively detect the total current supplied by the power grid to the battery power station 100 and notify the processing unit 140 of the corresponding total current information. The network connection unit 130 can be connected to a network, thereby enabling the battery power station 100 to have a network connectivity capability. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The processing unit 140 can control the operation of all hardware and software in the battery power station 100 and execute the battery swapping management method of this invention, the details of which will be described later.

[0041] Figure 2This diagram illustrates a battery power station according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery power station 100 according to this embodiment can be an electronic device. As shown, the battery power station 100 includes at least a battery storage system 110, a power module 120, a network connection unit 130, a processing unit 140, and a wireless network connection unit 150. Similarly, the battery storage system 110 has a specific mechanism (not shown) for storing multiple candidate batteries 112 and selectively locking or releasing these batteries. The battery power station 100 can provide batteries to at least one power-consuming device, such as an electric motorcycle or electric vehicle. The power module 120 can be electrically coupled to a power grid (not shown) to obtain a total current to supply power to the battery power station and charge the batteries 112 according to signals from the processing unit 140. It should be noted that the battery storage system 110 may include a charging module corresponding to each candidate battery 112, and the charging module has an upper current limit and / or a lower current limit to charge the corresponding battery. Similarly, in some embodiments, the energy module 120 can actively detect the total current supplied by the power grid to the battery power station 100 and notify the processing unit 140 of the corresponding total current information. The network connection unit 130 can be connected to a network, thereby enabling the battery power station 100 to have network connectivity. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The processing unit 140 can control the operation of all hardware and software in the battery power station 100 and execute the battery swapping management method of this invention, the details of which will be described later. The wireless network connection unit 150 can actively or passively detect a wireless network, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and connect to an electronic device, such as a user's mobile device or the vehicle controller of a user's vehicle, via the wireless network.

[0042] Figure 3 This illustrates a battery power station according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, the battery power station 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be an electronic device having a plurality of candidate batteries that can be supplied to at least one electrical device, such as an electric motorcycle or an electric vehicle. Figure 1 or Figure 2Similar components will not be described in detail here. Battery power station 100 can connect to a remote server 200 via a network 300, such as a wired network, telecommunications network, or wireless network, such as Wi-Fi, using network connection unit 130. It should be noted that in some embodiments, remote server 200 can simultaneously manage other battery power stations located in the same or different locations. As mentioned earlier, the energy module 120 of battery power station 100 can actively detect the total current supplied to battery power station 100 by the power grid and notify processing unit 140 of the corresponding total current information. In some embodiments, remote server 200 can also notify battery power station 100 of the corresponding total current information via network 300. In some embodiments, remote server 200 can also transmit relevant information for different time periods, such as peak hours and off-peak hours, to battery power station 100 via network 300. Battery power station 100 can perform relevant operations based on the received information.

[0043] Figure 4 This invention illustrates a battery swapping management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery swapping management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery power station for accommodating and charging multiple candidate batteries, such as... Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, there is an electric vehicle.

[0044] First, as in step S410, the battery power station receives a connection from the corresponding electric vehicle via a wireless network, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. As in step S420, the electric vehicle obtains a specific charge level from a specific battery within the electric vehicle and transmits this specific charge level to the battery power station via the wireless network. Next, as in step S430, the battery power station obtains a candidate charge level for each candidate battery and, as in step S440, determines whether the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the corresponding specific battery. If not all candidate charges are lower than the specific charge level of the corresponding specific battery (No in step S450), the process ends. If all candidate charges are lower than the specific charge level of the corresponding specific battery (Yes in step S450), as in step S460, the battery power station transmits a battery swapping failure indication to the electric vehicle via the wireless network. In other words, when the charge level of all batteries in the battery station is lower than that of the current battery in the vehicle, the battery station can notify the user of this situation in advance before the vehicle user actually comes to this battery station for battery exchange, and then go to another battery station for battery exchange instead.

[0045] Figure 5This illustrates a battery swapping management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. As in step S510, the electric vehicle determines whether a specific condition has been triggered. When the specific condition has not been triggered (No in step S520), the process returns to step S510. When the specific condition has been triggered (Yes in step S520), as in step S530, the electric vehicle obtains a specific charge from the corresponding specific battery and transmits the specific charge from the corresponding specific battery to the battery power station via a wireless network. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, determining whether a specific condition has been triggered in the electric vehicle may involve determining whether a cover for storing a specific battery in the electric vehicle is open. When the cover for storing a specific battery in the electric vehicle is open, the electric vehicle obtains the specific charge from the corresponding specific battery and transmits the specific charge from the corresponding specific battery to the battery power station via a wireless network. It should be noted that the aforementioned specific condition is merely an example of this invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] Figure 6 This invention illustrates a battery swapping management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery swapping management method according to this embodiment is applicable to a battery power station for accommodating and charging multiple candidate batteries, such as... Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, there is an electric vehicle.

[0047] First, as in step S610, the battery power station receives a connection from the corresponding electric vehicle via a wireless network, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. As in step S620, the electric vehicle obtains a specific charge level from a specific battery within the electric vehicle and transmits this charge level to the battery power station via the wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the electric vehicle can determine whether a specific condition has been triggered. When the specific condition is triggered, the electric vehicle obtains the specific charge level from the specific battery and transmits it to the battery power station via the wireless network. In some embodiments, determining whether a specific condition has been triggered in the electric vehicle can be done by determining whether a cover for storing the specific battery in the electric vehicle is open. When the cover for storing the specific battery in the electric vehicle is open, the electric vehicle obtains the specific charge level from the specific battery and transmits it to the battery power station via the wireless network. It should be noted that the aforementioned specific condition is merely an example of this invention, and the invention is not limited thereto. Next, as in step S630, the battery power station obtains a candidate charge level for each candidate battery, and as in step S640, determines whether the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the specific battery. When the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the specific battery (Yes in step S650), as in step S660, the battery power station transmits a battery swapping failure indication to the electric vehicle via a wireless network. When not the candidate charge level of each candidate battery is lower than the specific charge level of the specific battery (No in step S650), as in step S670, the battery power station determines whether it has received a battery swapping instruction for this electric vehicle. Note that the battery swapping instruction may include user information for the electric vehicle / specific battery. When the battery power station has not received a battery swapping instruction (No in step S670), the determination in step S670 continues. When the battery power station receives a battery swapping instruction (Yes in step S670), as in step S680, in response to the battery swapping instruction, the battery power station selects at least one target battery from the candidate batteries and writes the user information to the target battery. It is important to note that the candidate capacity of the corresponding target battery is greater than the specific capacity of the corresponding specific battery, and the selected target battery can only be exchanged by the user whose user information corresponds to the specific battery. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, it can be determined whether a specific battery has been received, and when a specific battery is received, the battery power station can use the battery storage unit to provide the target battery for a battery exchange operation. It is also worth noting that in some embodiments, when the battery power station receives a specific battery, it can simultaneously receive a battery exchange command.

[0048] Figure 7 This invention illustrates a method for obtaining a battery swapping command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] First, as in step S710, it is determined whether a mobile device or electric vehicle corresponding to user data is within a predetermined range of the battery power station, such as within 3 meters. It should be noted that the aforementioned predetermined range is merely an example in this case, and the invention is not limited thereto. When the mobile device or electric vehicle is not within the predetermined range of the battery power station (No in step S720), the process ends. When the mobile device or electric vehicle is within the predetermined range of the battery power station (Yes in step S720), as in step S730, the battery power station receives a battery exchange instruction. In other words, when a user approaches the battery power station, even if the user has not yet placed the battery to be exchanged into the battery power station, the battery power station can already begin the battery selection and writing of user data into the battery during the battery exchange operation.

[0050] Figure 8 This invention illustrates a method for obtaining a battery swapping command according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0051] First, as in step S810, the remote server receives the current location of a mobile device or electric vehicle corresponding to the user's data via the network. As in step S820, it determines whether the current location of the mobile device or electric vehicle is within a predetermined range of the battery power station, and based on the current location, whether the mobile device or electric vehicle has not moved within a predetermined period. If the mobile device or electric vehicle is not within the predetermined range of the battery power station or has not moved within the predetermined period (No in step S830), the process ends. If the mobile device or electric vehicle is within the predetermined range of the battery power station and has not moved within the predetermined period (Yes in step S830), as in step S840, the remote server transmits a battery swapping command to the battery power station via the network. In other words, when a user approaches a specific battery power station and has not moved, even if the user has not yet placed the battery to be swapped into the battery power station, the remote server can transmit a battery swapping command to the battery power station via the network to begin the battery selection and writing of user data into the battery swapping process.

[0052] Therefore, the battery swapping management method and its battery power station in this case can receive relevant information about electric vehicles, such as battery level and / or user data, via wireless network to provide early reminders and management for battery swapping, thereby providing a more efficient battery swapping procedure.

[0053] The method, or a specific form or part thereof, of the present invention may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in physical media, such as floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, or any other machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, or may be a computer program product, not limited to an external form. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted via transmission media, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission method. When the program code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code, in conjunction with the processing unit, provides a unique apparatus that operates similarly to an application-specific logic circuit.

[0054] Although the present invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A battery exchange management method characterized by comprising: A battery energy station and an electric vehicle adapted to receive and charge a plurality of candidate batteries, comprising the following steps: The battery energy station receives a connection of the electric vehicle via a wireless network; The electric vehicle obtains a specific power of a specific battery and transmits the specific power of the specific battery to the battery energy station via the wireless network; The battery energy station obtains a candidate power of each of the candidate batteries and determines whether the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is lower than the specific power of the specific battery; And When the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is lower than the specific power of the specific battery, the battery energy station transmits a no battery exchange instruction to the electric vehicle via the wireless network.

2. The battery exchange management method according to claim 1, characterized by, Further comprising the following steps: Determine whether a specific condition in the electric vehicle is triggered; and When the specific condition is triggered, the electric vehicle obtains a specific power of a specific battery and transmits the specific power of the specific battery to the battery energy station via the wireless network.

3. The battery exchange management method according to claim 2, characterized by, Determine whether the specific condition in the electric vehicle is triggered is to determine whether a box cover in the electric vehicle for receiving at least one specific battery is opened, and when the box cover in the electric vehicle for receiving the specific battery is opened, the electric vehicle obtains the specific power of the specific battery and transmits the specific power of the specific battery to the battery energy station via the wireless network.

4. The battery swap management method of claim 1, wherein, When the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is not lower than the specific power of the specific battery, further comprising the following steps: The battery energy station receives a battery exchange instruction, wherein the battery exchange instruction includes a user data; and According to the battery exchange instruction, the battery energy station selects at least one target battery from the candidate batteries and writes the user data into the target battery, Wherein the candidate power of the target battery is greater than the specific power of the specific battery, and the selected target battery can only be exchanged by a user of the user data of the specific battery.

5. The battery exchange management method according to claim 4, characterized by, Further comprising the following steps: The battery energy station determines whether the specific battery is received; and When the battery energy station receives the specific battery, the target battery is provided for a battery exchange operation.

6. A battery power station characterized by, Comprising: A network connection unit; A battery receiving unit for receiving and charging a plurality of candidate batteries; And a processing unit electrically coupled to the battery receiving unit and the network connection unit, configured to receive a connection of a corresponding electric vehicle via a wireless network by the network connection unit, receive a specific power of a specific battery in the corresponding electric vehicle from the electric vehicle via the wireless network, obtain a candidate power of each of the candidate batteries, determine whether the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is lower than the specific power of the specific battery, and when the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is lower than the specific power of the specific battery, transmit a no battery exchange instruction to the electric vehicle via the wireless network.

7. The battery power plant of claim 6, wherein, The electric vehicle determines whether a specific condition is triggered, and when the specific condition is triggered, the electric vehicle obtains a specific power of the specific battery and transmits the specific power of the specific battery to the battery power station via the wireless network.

8. The battery power plant of claim 7, wherein, Determining whether the specific condition in the electric vehicle is triggered is to determine whether a box cover for receiving the specific battery in the electric vehicle is opened, and when the box cover for receiving the specific battery in the electric vehicle is opened, the electric vehicle obtains the specific power of the specific battery and transmits the specific power of the specific battery to the battery power station via the wireless network.

9. The battery power plant of claim 6, wherein, When the candidate power of each of the candidate batteries is not lower than the specific power of the specific battery, the processing unit further receives a battery exchange instruction, wherein the battery exchange instruction includes a user data, and in response to the battery exchange instruction, the processing unit selects at least one target battery from the candidate batteries and writes the user data into the target battery, wherein the candidate power of the corresponding target battery is greater than the specific power of the specific battery, and the selected target battery can only be exchanged by a user of the user data of the corresponding specific battery.

10. The battery power plant of claim 9, wherein, The processing unit further determines whether the specific battery is received, and when the specific battery is received, the target battery is provided by the battery receiving unit for a battery exchange operation.

Images