Battery exchange method and battery exchange station

Abstract

A battery swapping method and a battery swapping station are disclosed. The battery swapping method is applied to the battery swapping station. The battery swapping station includes multiple battery slots and multiple door panel modules, each locking a battery slot. The battery swapping method includes: receiving a battery swapping request; detecting the number of empty battery slots; and executing a first battery swapping procedure when the battery swapping request is verified and the number of batteries to be swapped is greater than the number of empty slots, and executing a second battery swapping procedure when the number of batteries to be swapped is not greater than the number of empty slots. This allows users who want to swap more batteries than the number of empty slots to swap even when the number of empty slots is too low. Furthermore, it effectively reduces the number of door panel modules that are not closed after a battery swap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery swapping method and a battery swapping station. Background Technology

[0002] Battery swapping stations, especially those for electric motorcycles, have seen rapid growth globally in recent years. These facilities provide electric vehicle users with a convenient and fast way to replenish their energy.

[0003] However, despite the many conveniences that battery swapping stations bring to electric vehicle users, there are still some common problems, such as (1) when the number of empty battery slots (e.g., 1) is less than the number of batteries that a user needs to swap in a single transaction (e.g., 2), battery swapping cannot be performed; (2) the battery slots in current battery swapping stations are not shielded, which makes the batteries easy to be stolen or damaged; (3) each battery swapping station can only provide battery swapping services to a single user at a time, and the battery swapping time must be minimized as much as possible to reduce the queuing time for other users.

[0004] Therefore, how to propose a battery swapping method and battery swapping station that can solve the above problems is one of the issues that the industry is currently eager to invest research and development resources to address. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, one objective of this disclosure is to propose a battery swapping method and battery swapping station that can solve the above problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, a battery swapping method is applied to a battery swapping station. The battery swapping station includes multiple battery slots and multiple door panel modules that lock the battery slots respectively. The battery swapping method includes: receiving a battery swapping request; detecting the number of empty battery slots; and executing a first battery swapping procedure when the battery swapping request is verified and the number of swappable batteries corresponding to the battery swapping request is greater than the number of empty slots, and executing a second battery swapping procedure when the number of swappable batteries is not greater than the number of empty slots. The first battery swapping procedure includes: receiving a portion of returned batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is an empty slot, providing a portion of provided batteries and receiving another portion of returned batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is a full slot, and providing another portion of provided batteries by unlocking another door panel module that is a full slot. The second battery swapping procedure includes: receiving all returned batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is an empty slot, and providing the same number of provided batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is a full slot.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the battery slots are respectively set to empty, full, or disabled. The number of batteries swapped is 2. The first battery swapping procedure includes performing the following steps when the number of empty slots is 1: unlocking the door panel module of the first battery slot, which is empty; after the first returned battery is returned to the first battery slot, unlocking the door panel module of the second battery slot that houses the first supplied battery; after the first supplied battery in the second battery slot is replaced by the second returned battery, unlocking the door panel module of the third battery slot that houses the second supplied battery; and reminding the user to close the door panel module when the second supplied battery is removed. The second battery swapping procedure includes the following steps when the number of empty slots is greater than 1: unlocking the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots that are empty; after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first and second battery slots respectively, unlocking the door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots that respectively house the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery; and reminding users to close the door panel modules when the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery are removed.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, in the first battery swapping procedure, unlocking the door panel module of the second battery compartment includes: locking the door panel module of the first battery compartment after the first returned battery is returned to the first battery compartment and the door panel module of the first battery compartment is closed; and unlocking the door panel module of the second battery compartment in response to the locking of the door panel module of the first battery compartment.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, in the first battery swapping procedure, unlocking the door panel module of the third battery compartment includes: locking the door panel module of the second battery compartment after the first supplied battery in the second battery compartment is replaced with the second returned battery and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is closed; and unlocking the door panel module of the third battery compartment in response to the locking of the door panel module of the second battery compartment.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, in the second battery swapping procedure, unlocking the door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots includes: locking the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are respectively returned to the first and second battery slots and the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots are closed; unlocking the door panel module of the third battery slot in response to the locking of the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots; locking the door panel module of the third battery slot after the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery slot and the door panel module of the third battery slot is closed; and unlocking the door panel module of the fourth battery slot in response to the locking of the door panel module of the third battery slot.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, in the second battery swapping procedure, unlocking the door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots includes: locking the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots after the first and second returned batteries are returned to the first and second battery slots respectively, and the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots are closed; and unlocking the door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots in response to the locking of the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the second battery swapping procedure further includes: updating a plurality of cumulative idle counts of the battery slots after each battery swap; and selecting the battery slots corresponding to the two largest cumulative idle counts from the empty battery slots as the first battery slot and the second battery slot, respectively.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the battery slots correspond to multiple numbers. The second battery swapping procedure further includes: selecting the battery slots with the smallest numbers from the empty battery slots as the first battery slot and the second battery slot, respectively.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, receiving battery swap request information includes one of the following: reading a QR code containing battery swap request information using a QR code reader; reading an NFC signal containing battery swap request information using an NFC reader; receiving battery swap request information via a network; and receiving a set of passwords containing battery swap request information using an input device.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, after receiving the returned battery, the process includes: obtaining identification information from the returned battery; querying the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the identification information; and updating the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information with the number of swapped batteries in the identification information when the number of swapped batteries in the identification information does not match the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information.

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, a battery swapping station includes a cabinet, multiple battery slots, multiple door panel modules, an input device, multiple sensors, and a processing device. Battery slots are disposed in the cabinet. Door panel modules are disposed in the cabinet and lock the battery slots respectively. The input device is disposed in the cabinet and configured to receive and verify battery swapping request information. Sensors are disposed in the battery slots and configured to detect the number of empty slots. The processing device is disposed in the cabinet and electrically connected to the door panel modules, the input device, and the sensors. The processing device is configured to execute a first battery swapping procedure when the battery swapping request information is verified and the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the battery swapping request information is greater than the number of empty slots, and to execute a second battery swapping procedure when the number of swapped batteries is not greater than the number of empty slots. The first battery swapping procedure includes: receiving a portion of returned batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is an empty slot; providing a portion of provided batteries and receiving another portion of returned batteries by unlocking a door panel module that is a full slot; and providing another portion of provided batteries by unlocking another door panel module that is a full slot. The second battery swapping procedure includes: receiving all returned batteries by unlocking the door panel module to an empty slot, and providing the same number of supplied batteries by unlocking the door panel module to a full slot.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the battery slots are respectively set to empty, full, or disabled. The number of batteries swapped is 2. The processing device is configured to execute a first battery swapping procedure to: unlock the door panel module of the first battery slot (which is empty) when the number of empty slots is 1; unlock the door panel module of the second battery slot (containing the first supplied battery) after the first returned battery is returned to the first battery slot; unlock the door panel module of the third battery slot (containing the second supplied battery) after the first supplied battery in the second battery slot is replaced by the second returned battery; and remind the user to close the door panel module when the second supplied battery is removed. The processing device is configured to execute a second battery swapping procedure when the number of empty slots is greater than 1: unlocking the door panel modules of the first and second battery slots that are empty; after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first and second battery slots respectively, unlocking the door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots that respectively house the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery; and reminding the user to close the door panel modules when the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery are removed.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to: in the first battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery is returned to the first battery compartment and the door panel module of the first battery compartment is closed, control the door panel module of the first battery compartment to lock; and in response to the locking of the door panel module of the first battery compartment, unlock the door panel module of the second battery compartment.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to: in a first battery swapping procedure, after the first supplied battery in the second battery compartment is replaced with a second returned battery and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is closed, control the door panel module of the second battery compartment to lock; and in response to the locking of the door panel module of the second battery compartment, control the door panel module of the third battery compartment to unlock.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to: in the second battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are respectively returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot, and the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, control the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot to lock; in response to the locking of the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot, control the door panel module of the third battery slot to unlock; after the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery slot and the door panel module of the third battery slot is closed, control the door panel module of the third battery slot to lock; and in response to the locking of the door panel module of the third battery slot, control the door panel module of the fourth battery slot to unlock.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to: in the second battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, and the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, control the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot to lock; and in response to the locking of the door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot, control the door panel modules of the third battery slot and the fourth battery slot to unlock.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to: in the second battery swapping procedure, after each battery swap, update a plurality of cumulative idle counts of the battery slots; and select from the empty battery slots the battery slots corresponding to the two largest cumulative idle counts respectively as the first battery slot and the second battery slot.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the battery slots correspond to multiple numbers. The processing device is configured to: in the second battery swapping procedure, select the battery slots with the two smallest numbers from the empty battery slots as the first battery slot and the second battery slot, respectively.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the input device includes at least one of a QR code reader, an NFC reader, and an input keyboard, and is configured to: read a QR code containing battery swap request information; read an NFC signal containing battery swap request information; or receive a set of passwords containing battery swap request information.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the processing device is configured to perform: obtaining identification information from the returned battery; querying the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the identification information; and updating the number of swapped batteries in the battery swapping request information with the number of swapped batteries in the identification information when the number of swapped batteries in the identification information does not match the number of swapped batteries in the battery swapping request information.

[0026] In summary, the battery swapping method and battery swapping station disclosed herein can automatically switch between different battery swapping programs depending on the number of empty battery slots in the battery swapping station. This allows users with more batteries to be swapped than the number of empty slots to still swap batteries even when the number of empty slots is too low (e.g., 1 empty slot). Furthermore, the specific battery swapping program can effectively reduce the number of door panel modules that are not closed after battery swapping.

[0027] The above description is only used to illustrate the problem to be solved by this disclosure, the technical means to solve the problem, and the effects produced, etc. The specific details of this disclosure will be described in detail in the following implementation method and related drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the accompanying drawings are described below:

[0029] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a battery swapping station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram showing the numbering of a battery swapping station according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of a battery swapping station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a battery swapping method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the first battery swapping procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the second battery swapping procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a second battery swapping procedure, which is another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] [Symbol Explanation]

[0037] 100: Battery Exchange Station

[0038] 110: Cabinet

[0039] 120: Battery compartment

[0040] 130: Door panel module

[0041] 140: Input device

[0042] 150: Sensor

[0043] 160: Processing device

[0044] 170: Communication Module

[0045] 180: QR code reader

[0046] 190: Touch display device

[0047] M: Battery exchange method

[0048] P1: First battery swapping procedure

[0049] P2A, P2B: Second battery swapping procedure

[0050] S110, S120, S130, S1300, S1301, S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260, S270, S310, S320, S330, S340, S350, S360, S370, S410, S420, S430, S440, S450: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0051] The following describes several embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit this disclosure. That is, in some embodiments of this disclosure, these practical details are not essential. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be shown in the drawings in a simple schematic manner.

[0052] In this specification and claims, unless terms such as "a" or "single" are used, expressions expressed in the singular form are to be interpreted as either singular or plural. Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc., are used only to describe various elements and should not be construed as limiting those elements. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, or to distinguish each of a plurality of identical / similar components. Figure 1A As shown, the battery exchange station 100 of this embodiment includes a cabinet 110, a plurality of battery slots 120, and a plurality of door panel modules 130. The battery slots 120 are disposed on the cabinet 110 (e.g., on the front of the cabinet 110). The door panel modules 130 are disposed on the cabinet 110 and configured to close the battery slots 120 respectively. Specifically, Figure 1AThe illustration depicts a door panel module 130 that is open to expose its corresponding battery compartment 120, while other battery compartments 120 are closed by their respective door panel modules 130. In some embodiments, each door panel module 130 is equipped with components such as a door panel, hinges, and a lock (e.g., an electromagnetic lock), allowing it to be opened and closed, and to be locked and unlocked after the door panel is closed, to prevent the replaceable battery housed in the battery compartment 120 from being removed without consent. In some embodiments, the door panel of the door panel module 130 is provided with a battery abutment (e.g., a rubber pad or other elastic pad) to abut against the replaceable battery in the battery compartment 120 when the door panel is closed, thereby enabling the replaceable battery to stably form an electrical connection with the electrical connector in the battery compartment 120.

[0053] like Figure 1B As shown, for ease of management, multiple battery slots 120 can be numbered. Taking 8 battery slots 120 as an example, they can be numbered sequentially as Battery Slot 1, Battery Slot 2, Battery Slot 3, Battery Slot 4, Battery Slot 5, Battery Slot 6, Battery Slot 7, and Battery Slot 8. The numbering direction, order, or code can be customized by the administrator as needed, without limitation, such as AH or 000 (binary) to 111 (binary).

[0054] It is worth mentioning that, although Figure 1A In the embodiment, the battery exchange station 100 is used as an example with 8 sets of battery slots 120 and 8 sets of door panel modules 130, but it is not limited to this.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the battery exchange station 100 further includes an input device 140, a plurality of sensors 150 (only one is shown in the figure as an example), a processing device 160, and a communication module 170. The input device 140 is disposed in the cabinet 110. The sensors 150 are respectively disposed in the battery compartments 120. The communication module 170 is disposed in the cabinet 110. The processing device 160 is disposed in the cabinet 110 and electrically connected to the door panel module 130, the input device 140, the sensors 150, and the communication module 170. The following will describe the battery exchange station 100 according to... Figure 3 The battery swapping method M shown illustrates the battery swapping process.

[0056] In some embodiments, each battery slot 120 may be provided with an electrical connector (not shown) and one or more sensors 150 of the same or different types. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the power system (not shown) of the battery exchange station 100 for charging and discharging the replaceable battery after it is connected. The sensor 150 may be, for example, a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, an NFC reader / writer, a temperature sensor, an electrical sensor, a burglar sensor, a door magnetic sensor, etc. These sensors 150 can be used to detect whether the replaceable battery is correctly inserted into the receiving space of the battery slot 120, and can further detect whether an electrical connection is formed with the electrical connector.

[0057] In some embodiments, each battery compartment 120 is provided with a set of door panel modules 130. The processing device 160 can control the locks of the door panel modules 130 to lock (i.e., the battery compartment 120 is in an anti-theft state) or unlock (i.e., the battery compartment 120 is in an open state).

[0058] In some embodiments, the input device 140 is used to accept user input data and transmit the data to the processing device 160 for further processing. The input device 140 may be, for example, an NFC reader, a QR code reader, a camera, a keyboard, or a touch device.

[0059] In some embodiments, the battery swapping station 100 may also include an output device (not shown) that can receive signals output from the processing device 160. The output device may be, but is not limited to, a display device, controllable lighting, or a speaker. Through the input device 140 and the output device, the battery swapping station 100 can be controlled to interact with the user (e.g., guide the user to swap batteries).

[0060] In some embodiments, the processing device 160 is used to control the operation and perform calculations of the battery exchange station 100, and can be a collective term for one or more controllers, processors, control circuits, or other processing components. These processing components are used to perform different control processing functions, and can be integrated into the same hardware or distributed in different devices, without limitation.

[0061] In some embodiments, the communication module 170 may be, for example, a cellular network module, a Bluetooth network module, an Ethernet network module, a satellite network module, or any combination of the above network modules. The communication module 170 can be used to communicate with a cloud server (back-end system) via the Internet, and optionally with surrounding computer devices (such as the user's smartphone).

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment proposes a battery swapping method M, which can be used in the battery swapping station 100 of the aforementioned embodiment. The battery swapping method M may include (but is not limited to) steps S110, S120, and S130.

[0063] Step S110: The processing unit 160 of the battery swapping station 100 receives the battery swapping request information. In this step, the input device 140 can be used to receive and verify the battery swapping request information.

[0064] In some implementations, the battery swap request information is contained in the QR code displayed on the user's mobile phone screen. For example... Figure 1A As shown, the input device 140 includes a QR code reader 180. The QR code reader 180 is, for example, located on the front of the cabinet 110, configured to read QR codes from the user's mobile phone screen, decode the QR codes into battery swapping request information, and provide the battery swapping request information to the processing device 160.

[0065] In some implementations, the battery swapping request information is information stored in the memory of the user's NFC device (e.g., a vehicle NFC key card or a mobile phone NFC module). The input device 140 includes an NFC reader (not shown) configured to read NFC signals from the user's NFC device, decode the NFC signals into battery swapping request information, and provide the battery swapping request information to the processing device 160.

[0066] In some embodiments, a QR code (which can be affixed as a paper label or an electronic paper label) is displayed on the outer surface of the cabinet 110 of the battery swapping station 100. Users can scan this QR code (which may contain, for example, embedded identification information of the battery swapping station 100) using a mobile phone, and then, through a specific application on the phone, request a battery swapping request from a cloud server (e.g., the cloud server of a battery swapping service provider). The cloud server generates the battery swapping request information according to the request and provides it to the battery swapping station 100 via the network. The battery swapping station 100 can receive the battery swapping request information via the network using the communication module 170.

[0067] In some implementations, such as Figure 1A As shown, the battery swapping station 100 further includes a touch display device 190. The touch display device 190 is, for example, located on the front of the cabinet 110. An input device 140 is configured to receive a password containing battery swapping request information using the touch display device 190. For example, the touch display device 190 may present a numeric keypad for the user to enter a numeric password, which is then provided to a processing device 160 for verification; however, this disclosure is not limited to this. Only the password successfully verified by the processing device 160 is considered to contain battery swapping request information.

[0068] In some implementations, the battery swapping request information may include user / vehicle identification information, such as user identification code, subscription identification code, vehicle identification code, etc. The battery swapping station 100 can verify the received battery swapping request information with a cloud server or database (to determine whether it is a legitimate user / vehicle) and query the corresponding number of swappable batteries (i.e., the total number of batteries to be swapped in a single battery swapping operation).

[0069] In some implementations, the battery swapping request information may not include identification information, but may include the number of batteries to be swapped. The battery swapping station 100 can preset a decryption algorithm to decrypt the battery swapping request information; if the decryption is successful, the verification is passed.

[0070] Step S120: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 detects the number of empty slots in the battery compartment 120. In this step, the number of empty slots in the battery compartment 120 can be detected using sensors 150 respectively disposed in the battery compartment 120. For example, the sensors 150 are configured to generate a trigger signal upon being triggered, such as by being pressed against by a replaceable battery (the supplied battery) housed in the battery compartment 120, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0071] In some implementations, the battery slot 120 can be set to three states depending on whether there is a replaceable battery and whether a battery swapping service is available: empty slot (no replaceable battery, but can receive batteries returned by users in the battery swapping service), full slot (there is a replaceable battery with sufficient power, which can be taken away by users in the battery swapping service), or deactivated (such as due to malfunction or the replaceable battery having too low power to provide swapping).

[0072] Step S130: When the battery swapping request information is verified and the number of batteries to be swapped by the user is greater than the number of empty slots, the processing device 160 of the battery swapping station 100 executes the first battery swapping procedure, and executes the second battery swapping procedure when the number of batteries to be swapped is not greater than the number of empty slots.

[0073] Furthermore, when the number of swapped batteries exceeds the number of empty slots, it means that the user cannot return all the swappable batteries at once. The battery swapping method M of this embodiment can guide the user to return these swappable batteries in batches by executing the first battery swapping procedure, so as to complete the battery swapping when there are insufficient empty slots, and minimize the loss in the event of fraud (such as the user stealing swappable batteries from the battery swapping station 100).

[0074] When the number of swapped batteries is less than or equal to the number of empty slots, it means that the user can return all the swappable batteries at once. The battery swapping method M of this embodiment can guide the user to return these swappable batteries at once by executing the second battery swapping procedure, so as to minimize the time required for a single battery swap.

[0075] In some implementations, step S130 may include step S1300 of performing a first battery swapping procedure and step S1301 of performing a second battery swapping procedure.

[0076] Step S1300: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 receives a portion of the exchangeable battery (returned battery) held by the user by unlocking the door panel module 130 to an empty slot, provides a portion of the fully charged exchangeable battery (provided battery) and receives another portion of the returned battery by unlocking the door panel module 130 to a full slot, and provides another portion of the provided battery by unlocking the other door panel module 130 to a full slot.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B For example, when there is one empty slot, a user wants to return two batteries A1 and A2 and take away the same number of supplied batteries B1 and B2. After the user provides the battery swapping request information, the battery swapping station 100 can open the door module 130 of the empty slot (e.g., battery slot 1). The user can place the returned battery A1 into battery slot 1 and close the door module 130. After verifying the returned battery A1, the battery swapping station 100 can open a full slot (e.g., battery slot 2). The user can take out the supplied battery B1 from battery slot 2 and place the returned battery A2 into battery slot 2. After verifying the returned battery A2, the battery swapping station 100 can open a full slot (e.g., battery slot 3). The user can take out the supplied battery B2 from battery slot 3 and close the door module 130. In this way, the battery swapping station 100 can complete the swapping of two batteries using a single empty slot.

[0078] In some implementations, the number of fully unlocked door panel modules 130 (i.e., the number of batteries available after each unlock) does not exceed the number of batteries returned by the user, thereby preventing the user from holding more swappable batteries than the rentable number is allowed. For example, if a user rents two swappable batteries and returns only one, the number of batteries available after the next unlock cannot exceed one, meaning only one door panel module 130 can be unlocked. In another example, if a user rents two swappable batteries and returns both, the number of batteries available after the next unlock cannot exceed two, meaning one or both door panel modules 130 can be unlocked.

[0079] Step S1301: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 receives all the returned batteries by unlocking the door panel module 130 to an empty slot, and provides the same number of supplied batteries by unlocking the door panel module 130 to a full slot.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1BFor example, when there are two empty slots, after a user provides a battery swapping request, the battery swapping station 100 can open the door panel module 130 of the empty slots (such as battery slots 1 and 2). The user can place the returned battery A1 into battery slot 1 and the returned battery A2 into battery slot 2, and then close the corresponding door panel module 130. After verifying the returned batteries A1 and A2, the battery swapping station 100 can open the full slots (such as battery slots 3 and 4). The user can remove the supplied battery B1 from battery slot 3 and the supplied battery B2 from battery slot 4, and then close the corresponding door panel module 130. In this way, the battery swapping station 100 can quickly shorten the battery swapping time.

[0081] In some embodiments, the processing device 160 of the battery swapping station 100 can obtain identification information from the returned battery after receiving it, and query the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the identification information. Then, the processing device 160 can determine whether the number of swapped batteries obtained from the returned battery matches the number of swapped batteries entered by the user. If they do not match, it may indicate that the user input is incorrect, and the processing device 160 can update (replace) the number of swapped batteries in the battery swapping request information using the number of swapped batteries recorded in the identification information obtained from the returned battery.

[0082] Therefore, it can be seen that the battery swapping method M of this embodiment can automatically switch between different battery swapping procedures according to the number of empty battery slots 120 in the battery swapping station 100. The first battery swapping procedure and the second battery swapping procedure will be described in detail below.

[0083] like Figure 4 As shown, the first battery swapping procedure P1 of the battery swapping method M in this embodiment is used to explain the case where the number of swapped batteries is 2 and the number of empty slots is 1, and may include (but is not limited to) steps S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260, and S270.

[0084] Step S210: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 which is empty to unlock.

[0085] Step S220: After the first returned battery is returned to the first battery slot 120 by the user and the first battery slot 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120. The aforementioned first returned battery is, for example, one of the replaceable batteries that is pluggably installed in the user's electric vehicle.

[0086] Step S230: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and unlocks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the second battery slot 120 that houses the first supplied battery. The aforementioned first supplied battery is a replaceable battery that has been charged in the battery slot 120 to a level that allows it to be removed by the user.

[0087] Step S240: After the first supplied battery in the second battery slot 120 is replaced with the second returned battery and the second battery slot 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the second battery slot 120 to lock. The aforementioned second returned battery is, for example, one of the replaceable batteries that is pluggably installed in the user's electric vehicle.

[0088] Step S250: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the second battery slot 120 and unlocks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 that houses the second supplied battery. The aforementioned second supplied battery is a replaceable battery that has been charged in the battery slot 120 to a level that allows it to be removed by the user.

[0089] Step S260: When the second supplied battery is removed from the third battery slot 120, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 reminds the user to close the door panel module 130 via an output device, a touch display device 190, or a push notification to the user's mobile phone.

[0090] Step S270: After detecting that the third battery compartment 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery compartment 120 to lock.

[0091] Through the aforementioned first battery swapping procedure P1 in this embodiment, the battery swapping station 100 can allow users who want to swap more batteries than the number of empty slots in the battery compartment 120 to still swap batteries even when the number of empty slots in the battery compartment 120 is too low (i.e., the number of empty slots is equal to 1).

[0092] like Figure 5 As shown, the second battery swapping procedure P2A of the battery swapping method M in this embodiment is used to explain the case where the number of swapped batteries is 2 and the number of empty slots is greater than 1, and may include (but is not limited to) steps S310, S320, S330, S340, S350, S360, and S370.

[0093] Step S310: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120, which are both empty slots, to unlock.

[0094] Step S320: After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 respectively, and the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 are closed by the corresponding door panel modules 130 respectively, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 to lock.

[0095] Step S330: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 respectively, and controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 that houses the first supplied battery to unlock.

[0096] Step S340: After the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery slot 120 and the third battery slot 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 to lock.

[0097] Step S350: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 and controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the fourth battery slot 120 containing the second supplied battery to unlock.

[0098] Step S360: When the second supplied battery is removed from the fourth battery slot 120, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 reminds the user to close the corresponding door panel module 130 via an output device, a touch display device 190, or a push notification to the user's mobile phone.

[0099] Step S370: After detecting that the fourth battery compartment 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the fourth battery compartment 120 to lock.

[0100] According to the aforementioned second battery swapping procedure P2A of this embodiment, when there are enough empty slots, multiple batteries are provided in batches. Since the door panel module 130 corresponding to the fourth battery slot 120 is only unlocked after the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 is locked (that is, it will not be unlocked at the same time), the battery swapping station 100 can effectively reduce the number of door panel modules 130 that are not closed after swapping batteries, that is, reduce the situation where users forget to close the door panel after taking away the provided batteries.

[0101] like Figure 6As shown, the second battery swapping procedure P2B of the battery swapping method M in this embodiment is used to explain the case where the number of swapped batteries is 2 and the number of empty slots is greater than 1, and may include (but is not limited to) steps S410, S420, S430, S440, and S450.

[0102] Step S410: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120, which are both empty slots, to unlock.

[0103] Step S420: After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 respectively, and the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 are closed by the corresponding door panel modules 130 respectively, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 to lock.

[0104] Step S430: The processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 locks the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120 respectively, and controls the door panel modules 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 that houses the first supplied battery and the fourth battery slot 120 that houses the second supplied battery respectively to unlock.

[0105] Step S440: When the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery slot 120 and / or the second supplied battery is removed from the fourth battery slot 120, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 reminds the user to close the corresponding door panel module 130 through the output device, the touch display device 190 or the push notification on the user's mobile phone.

[0106] Step S450: After the third battery slot 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130 and / or the fourth battery slot 120 is closed by the corresponding door panel module 130, the processing device 160 of the battery exchange station 100 controls the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 and / or the fourth battery slot 120 to lock.

[0107] According to the aforementioned second battery swapping procedure P2B of this embodiment, since the door panel module 130 corresponding to the third battery slot 120 and the door panel module 130 corresponding to the fourth battery slot 120 are unlocked at the same time, the user can take out the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery at the same time, thereby improving the battery swapping efficiency of the battery swapping station 100.

[0108] In some embodiments, the second battery swapping procedure further includes the following two steps: whenever the battery swapping station 100 swaps a battery, the cumulative idle count of the battery slots 120 is counted; and the battery slots 120 corresponding to the two largest cumulative idle counts from the empty battery slots 120 are selected as the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120, respectively.

[0109] The following explanation uses Table 1.

[0110] Table 1

[0111]

[0112]

[0113] In Table 1 above, "E" indicates that battery slot 120 is empty, "X" indicates that battery slot 120 contains a replaceable battery, and "-" indicates that the accumulated idle count has reached zero. As shown in Table 1, after the third battery swap, battery slots 120 numbered 2 and 6 have the two largest accumulated idle counts. Therefore, during the fourth battery swap, battery slots 120 numbered 2 and 6 will be selected as the first and second battery slots 120 in the second battery swap procedure. This avoids the problem of some battery slots 120 being empty for too long, resulting in uneven lifespan, and also allows for fault detection.

[0114] In some embodiments, the battery slots 120 correspond to multiple numbers. The second battery swapping procedure further includes the following steps: selecting the battery slots 120 with the smallest numbers from the empty slots 120 as the first battery slot 120 and the second battery slot 120, respectively.

[0115] From the detailed description of the specific embodiments disclosed above, it is clear that the battery swapping method and battery swapping station disclosed herein can automatically switch different battery swapping programs according to the number of empty battery slots in the battery swapping station. This allows users who want to swap more batteries than the number of empty slots to still swap batteries even when the number of empty slots is too low (e.g., the number of empty slots equals 1). Furthermore, the specific battery swapping program can effectively reduce the number of door panel modules that are not closed after battery swapping.

[0116] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any person skilled in the art may make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery swapping method, applied to a battery swapping station, the battery swapping station comprising a plurality of battery slots and a plurality of door panel modules for locking the plurality of battery slots respectively, characterized in that, This battery exchange method includes: Receive a battery swapping request message; Detect the number of empty slots in the plurality of battery compartments; and When the battery swapping request information is verified and the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the battery swapping request information is greater than the number of empty slots, a first battery swapping procedure is executed; when the number of swapped batteries is not greater than the number of empty slots, a second battery swapping procedure is executed. The first battery swapping procedure includes: receiving a portion of the returned battery by unlocking the door panel module to an empty slot, providing a portion of the supplied battery and receiving another portion of the returned battery by unlocking the door panel module to a full slot, and providing another portion of the supplied battery by unlocking another door panel module to a full slot. The second battery swapping procedure includes: receiving all returned batteries by unlocking the plurality of door panel modules to empty slots, and providing the same number of supplied batteries by unlocking the plurality of door panel modules to full slots.

2. The battery swapping method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of battery slots are respectively set to empty slot, full slot, or disabled, and the number of swapped batteries is 2; The first battery swapping procedure includes the following steps when the number of empty slots is 1: Unlock the door panel module of the first battery slot, which is empty among the plurality of battery slots; After a first returned battery is returned to the first battery slot, the door panel module that houses a second battery slot containing a first supplied battery is unlocked from among the plurality of battery slots; After the first supplied battery in the second battery slot is replaced with a second returned battery, the door panel module that houses a third battery slot containing a second supplied battery in the plurality of battery slots is unlocked. as well as When the second supplied battery is removed, a reminder is given to close the door panel module; The second battery swapping procedure includes the following steps when the number of empty slots is greater than 1: Unlock the multiple door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot that are empty among the multiple battery slots; After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, the third battery slot and a fourth battery slot in the plurality of battery slots are unlocked. as well as When the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery are removed, a reminder is given to close the plurality of door panel modules.

3. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In the first battery swapping procedure, the door panel module that unlocks the second battery compartment includes: After the first returned battery is returned to the first battery compartment and the door panel module of the first battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the first battery compartment is locked; and The door panel module of the first battery compartment is locked, and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is unlocked.

4. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In the first battery swapping procedure, the door panel module that unlocks the third battery compartment includes: After the first supplied battery in the second battery compartment is replaced with the second returned battery and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the second battery compartment is locked. as well as The door panel module of the second battery compartment is locked, and the door panel module of the third battery compartment is unlocked.

5. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In the second battery swapping procedure, unlocking the plurality of door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots includes: After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, and after the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are locked. In response to the locking of the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery compartment and the second battery compartment, the door panel module of the third battery compartment is unlocked; After the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery compartment and the door panel module of the third battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the third battery compartment is locked. as well as The door panel module of the third battery compartment is locked, and the door panel module of the fourth battery compartment is unlocked.

6. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In the second battery swapping procedure, unlocking the plurality of door panel modules of the third and fourth battery slots includes: After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, and after the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are locked. as well as In response to the locking of the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery compartment and the second battery compartment, the plurality of door panel modules of the third battery compartment and the fourth battery compartment are unlocked.

7. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second battery swapping procedure further includes: After each battery swap, update the cumulative idle counts of the multiple battery slots; as well as From the plurality of empty battery slots, select the plurality of battery slots corresponding to the two largest cumulative idle counts respectively as the first battery slot and the second battery slot.

8. The battery swapping method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of battery slots correspond to a plurality of numbers, and the second battery swapping procedure further includes: From the plurality of empty battery slots, select the battery slots corresponding to the two smallest numbers among the plurality of numbers respectively as the first battery slot and the second battery slot.

9. The battery exchange method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The information received regarding the battery swapping request includes one of the following: Use a QR code reader to read a QR code containing the battery swapping request information; Use an NFC reader to read an NFC signal containing the battery swap request information; Receive the battery swapping request information through a network; and A password containing the battery swapping request information is received using an input device.

10. The battery swapping method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Upon receiving the returned battery, the following is included: The returned battery will be used to obtain identification information; Query the number of batteries corresponding to the identification information; and When the number of swapped batteries in the identification information does not match the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information, the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information is updated with the number of swapped batteries in the identification information.

11. A battery swapping station, characterized in that, Include: One cabinet; Multiple battery slots are located in this cabinet; Multiple door panel modules are installed in the cabinet and each of the multiple battery slots is locked. An input device is installed in the cabinet and configured to receive a battery swapping request. Multiple sensors are respectively disposed in the multiple battery slots and configured to detect the number of empty slots in the multiple battery slots; as well as A processing device is disposed in the cabinet and electrically connected to the plurality of door panel modules, the input device and the plurality of sensors. It is configured to verify the battery swapping request information. The processing device is configured to execute a first battery swapping procedure when the battery swapping request information is verified and the number of swapped batteries corresponding to the battery swapping request information is greater than the number of empty slots, and to execute a second battery swapping procedure when the number of swapped batteries is not greater than the number of empty slots. The first battery swapping procedure includes: receiving a portion of the returned battery by unlocking the door panel module to an empty slot, providing a portion of the supplied battery and receiving another portion of the returned battery by unlocking the door panel module to a full slot, and providing another portion of the supplied battery by unlocking another door panel module to a full slot. The second battery swapping procedure includes: receiving all returned batteries by unlocking the plurality of door panel modules to empty slots, and providing the same number of supplied batteries by unlocking the plurality of door panel modules to full slots.

12. The battery swapping station as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The plurality of battery slots are respectively set to empty slot, full slot, or disabled, and the number of swapped batteries is 2; The processing device is configured to execute the first battery swapping procedure when the number of empty slots is 1: Unlock the door panel module of the first battery slot, which is empty among the plurality of battery slots; After a first returned battery is returned to the first battery slot, the door panel module that houses a second battery slot containing a first supplied battery is unlocked from among the plurality of battery slots; After the first supplied battery in the second battery slot is replaced with a second returned battery, the door panel module that houses a third battery slot containing a second supplied battery in the plurality of battery slots is unlocked. as well as When the second supplied battery is removed, a reminder is given to close the door panel module; The processing device is configured to execute the second battery swapping procedure when the number of empty slots is greater than 1: Unlock the multiple door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot that are empty among the multiple battery slots; After the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, the third battery slot and a fourth battery slot in the plurality of battery slots are unlocked. as well as When the first supplied battery and the second supplied battery are removed, remind the user to close the door panel module.

13. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to: In the first battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery is returned to the first battery compartment and the door panel module of the first battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the first battery compartment is locked. as well as The door panel module of the first battery compartment is locked, and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is unlocked.

14. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to: In the first battery swapping procedure, after the first supplied battery in the second battery compartment is replaced by the second returned battery and the door panel module of the second battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the second battery compartment is locked. as well as In response to the locking of the door panel module of the second battery compartment, the door panel module of the third battery compartment is unlocked.

15. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to: In the second battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, and after the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are locked. In response to the locking of the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery compartment and the second battery compartment, the door panel module of the third battery compartment is unlocked. After the first supplied battery is removed from the third battery compartment and the door panel module of the third battery compartment is closed, the door panel module of the third battery compartment is locked. as well as In response to the locking of the door panel module of the third battery compartment, the door panel module of the fourth battery compartment is unlocked.

16. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to: In the second battery swapping procedure, after the first returned battery and the second returned battery are returned to the first battery slot and the second battery slot respectively, and after the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are closed, the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery slot and the second battery slot are locked. as well as In response to the locking of the plurality of door panel modules of the first battery compartment and the second battery compartment, the plurality of door panel modules of the third battery compartment and the fourth battery compartment are unlocked.

17. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to: In this second battery swapping procedure, after each battery swap, the cumulative idle counts of the plurality of battery slots are updated; as well as From the plurality of empty battery slots, select the plurality of battery slots corresponding to the two largest cumulative idle counts respectively as the first battery slot and the second battery slot.

18. The battery swapping station as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The plurality of battery slots correspond to a plurality of numbers, and the processing device is configured as follows: In the second battery swapping procedure, the battery slots with the smallest two numbers among the multiple empty battery slots are selected as the first battery slot and the second battery slot, respectively.

19. The battery swapping station as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The input device includes at least one of a QR code reader, an NFC reader, and an input keyboard, and is configured to: Read a QR code containing the battery swap request information; Read an NFC signal containing the battery swap request information; or Receive a set of passwords containing the battery swap request information.

20. The battery swapping station as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The processing device is configured to perform: The returned battery will be used to obtain identification information; Query the number of batteries corresponding to the identification information; and When the number of swapped batteries in the identification information does not match the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information, the number of swapped batteries in the battery swap request information is updated with the number of swapped batteries in the identification information.

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