Battery performance estimation method

Abstract

To provide a battery performance estimation method capable of highly-accurately estimating current battery performance based on results of performance evaluation of a battery when being manufactured.SOLUTION: A battery performance estimation method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for causing a computer to estimate current performance of a battery based on results of performance evaluation when the battery is manufactured. The method includes the steps of: when a route search to a destination is performed in an electric vehicle, presenting a recommended route including a driving section meeting conditions of the performance evaluation when the battery is manufactured; and, when the electric vehicle travels the presented recommended route, giving an incentive to a user of the electric vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery performance estimation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for estimating power consumption from the travel distance of an electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-14470 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the performance of the battery installed in the electric vehicle is evaluated under predetermined conditions at the time of manufacture. However, after the battery starts to be used, the electric vehicle runs on various routes under various driving conditions, so the current performance of the battery deviates from the results of the performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture. In other words, for example, the current power consumption deviates from the power consumption predicted from the results of the performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a battery performance estimation method capable of accurately estimating the current performance of a battery from the results of performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery performance estimation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A battery performance estimation method for estimating a current performance of a battery based on a result of performance evaluation at the time of manufacturing the battery by a computer, comprising: When a route search to a destination is performed in the electric vehicle, presenting a recommended route including a travel section that meets the conditions of performance evaluation at the time of manufacturing the battery; and a step of providing an incentive to a user of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle travels along the presented recommended route.

[0007] In the battery performance estimation method disclosed herein, when an electric vehicle searches for a route to a destination, a recommended route is presented that includes a driving section that meets the conditions of the performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture, and an incentive is given to the user of the electric vehicle if the electric vehicle travels along the presented recommended route.

[0008] This promotes the selection of recommended routes that include driving sections that match the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture. As a result, the driving conditions of the electric vehicle approach the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of manufacture, and the current performance of the battery can be accurately estimated from the results of the performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a battery performance estimation method capable of accurately estimating the current performance of a battery from the results of performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system used in a battery performance estimating method according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 3 is a flowchart showing a battery performance estimating method according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of explanation.

[0012] (First embodiment) <Navigation system configuration> First, the configuration of a navigation system used in the battery performance estimation method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system used in the battery performance estimation method according to the first embodiment.

[0013] The navigation system is installed in an electric vehicle powered by a battery, and is used to provide a user with a recommended route to a destination and to estimate the current performance of the battery.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation system 100 used in the battery performance estimating method according to this embodiment includes a route searching unit 101, an incentive determining unit 102, and a display unit 103.

[0015] 1 each includes a calculation unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs, data, etc. are stored. In other words, the route search unit 101 and the incentive determination unit 102 each have a function as a computer and execute various processes based on the above-mentioned various programs, etc.

[0016] Therefore, each functional block of the route searching unit 101 and the incentive determining unit 102 shown in Fig. 1 can be configured in terms of hardware by the above-mentioned CPU, memory, and other circuits. Also, each functional block can be realized in terms of software by a program stored in a memory, etc. In other words, each functional block can be realized in various forms by hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0017] The route search unit 101 executes a route search to an input destination. The destination is input, for example, by a user. The route search unit 101 outputs a recommended route including a travel section that meets the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture from among multiple routes to the destination, and presents the recommended route on the display unit 103. The route search unit 101 previously stores the travel section that meets the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture together with map information.

[0018] Here, the performance of the battery at the time of manufacture is evaluated, for example, by running a predetermined test driving section at a predetermined current and voltage. Therefore, a driving section that meets the conditions for the performance evaluation is a driving section in which the electric vehicle runs at the predetermined current and voltage. In addition, whether or not a certain driving section meets the conditions for the performance evaluation is determined, for example, based on the driving history (current and voltage) of multiple electric vehicles in that driving section.

[0019] The incentive determination unit 102 compares the recommended route output by the route search unit 101 with the travel route actually traveled by the electric vehicle. Then, when the electric vehicle travels the recommended route, the incentive determination unit 102 grants an incentive to the user of the electric vehicle.

[0020] The incentive is not limited to any particular one, but may be, for example, points, coupons, discounts, cashback, etc., related to charging the battery. Although not shown, the incentive determination unit 102 transmits the determined incentive to, for example, a user terminal (a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), etc.).

[0021] This configuration promotes the selection of a recommended route that includes a section that matches the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture. As a result, the driving conditions of the electric vehicle approach the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of manufacture, and the current performance of the battery can be accurately estimated from the results of the performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture.

[0022] The display unit 103 displays to the user the recommended route searched by the route searching unit 101. The display unit 103 is, for example, an in-vehicle monitor for a navigation system. The display unit 103 may also display to the user the incentive determined by the incentive determination unit 102.

[0023] <Battery performance estimation method> Next, a battery performance estimation method according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the battery performance estimation method according to the first embodiment. In the battery performance estimation method according to this embodiment, the current performance of a battery is estimated based on the results of performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture.

[0024] In explaining FIG. 2, reference will be made to FIG. 1 as appropriate. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the route searching unit 101 executes a route search to an input destination (step ST1).

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the route search unit 101 presents, on the display unit 103, a recommended route including a travel section that meets the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture, from among a plurality of routes to the destination (step ST2).

[0026] Next, the incentive determination unit 102 compares the recommended route output by the route search unit 101 with the travel route actually traveled by the electric vehicle, and determines whether or not the electric vehicle has traveled the recommended route (step ST3).

[0027] If the electric vehicle has traveled the recommended route (YES in step ST3), the incentive determination unit 102 grants an incentive to the user of the electric vehicle (step ST4). On the other hand, if the electric vehicle has not traveled the recommended route (NO in step ST3), the incentive determination unit 102 does not grant an incentive to the user of the electric vehicle.

[0028] As described above, in the battery performance estimation method according to this embodiment, when a route search to a destination is performed in an electric vehicle, a recommended route is presented that includes a driving section that meets the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture, and an incentive is given to the user of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle travels along the presented recommended route.

[0029] This promotes the selection of recommended routes that include driving sections that match the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of battery manufacture. As a result, the driving conditions of the electric vehicle approach the conditions for performance evaluation at the time of manufacture, and the current performance of the battery can be accurately estimated from the results of the performance evaluation of the battery at the time of manufacture.

[0030] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagated signal.

[0031] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. This disclosure will also promote the use of electric vehicles and contribute to carbon neutrality, decarbonization, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 100 Navigation System 101 Route Search Unit 102 Incentive Decision Department 103 Display section

Claims

[Claim 1] A battery performance estimation method for estimating a current performance of a battery based on a result of performance evaluation at the time of manufacturing the battery, the method comprising: When a route search to a destination is performed in the electric vehicle, presenting a recommended route including a travel section that meets the conditions of performance evaluation at the time of manufacturing the battery; and when the electric vehicle travels along the presented recommended route, providing an incentive to a user of the electric vehicle. Battery performance estimation method.

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