Battery replacement system, vehicle-side control device, and battery selection method

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement system capable of inhibiting a battery unsuitable for a vehicle from being used for battery replacement.SOLUTION: A battery replacement system 1 includes: an ECU 203 (vehicle-side control device) of an electric vehicle 200; and a battery replacement apparatus 100 for replacing a battery 201 (first battery) of the electric vehicle 200 (vehicle) with a battery 101 (replacement battery) (second battery). The ECU 203 selects the battery 101 to be used for battery replacement, using battery mounting information on a battery mounting position and a battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200, electric requirement information on electric characteristics required of the battery 101, and battery information on the battery 101 possessed by the battery replacement apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery swapping system, a vehicle-side control device, and a battery selection method.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-003803 (Patent Document 1) discloses a battery swapping method for an electric vehicle and a battery charging station. When the remaining battery level of an electric vehicle becomes low, the electric vehicle requests battery information from a battery charging station arranged on the driving route. At this time, the electric vehicle transmits information such as the type of battery to the battery charging station. The battery charging station that has received the request for battery information transmits information on whether battery swapping can be reserved to the electric vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery swapping method described in Patent Document 1 above, information such as the type of battery is transmitted from the electric vehicle to the battery charging station. Therefore, it is considered that the battery charging station selects a battery to be used for swapping based on the type of battery and the like. However, there is still room for improvement in suppressing the selection of a battery that is not suitable for the electric vehicle for battery swapping.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery swapping system, a vehicle-side control device, and a battery selection method capable of suppressing the use of a battery not suitable for a vehicle for battery swapping.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A battery swapping system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle-side control device that selects a second battery to be swapped with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, and a battery swapping device that owns at least one replacement battery and swaps the first battery with the second battery among the at least one replacement batteries. The vehicle-side control device receives battery information regarding the at least one replacement battery from the outside, and uses battery mounting information regarding at least one of a battery mounting position and a battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery information to select the second battery from the at least one replacement battery.

[0007] As described above, in the battery swapping system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle-side control device selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery using the battery mounting information, the electrical requirement information, and the battery information. Thereby, based on the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information, a second battery suitable for the vehicle can be selected. As a result, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery swapping.

[0008] In the battery swapping system according to the first aspect, preferably, the electrical requirement information includes information on voltage, output power, and capacity required for the second battery. The vehicle-side control device selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery with the priorities in the order of (i) battery mounting information, (ii) voltage information, (iii) one of the output power information and the capacity information, and (iV) the other of the output power information and the capacity information being set higher. Here, the battery mounting information is related to whether the second battery can be mounted on the vehicle. Also, the voltage information is related to whether the vehicle can be driven. Also, the output power information is related to the driving force of the vehicle. Also, the capacity (remaining capacity) information is related to the achievable cruising distance of the vehicle. Therefore, by setting the priorities as described above, the priorities can be set higher in the order of the degree of requirement for the second battery being higher.

[0009] In the battery swapping system according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the vehicle-side control device transmits battery mounting information and electrical requirement information to the battery swapping device. The battery swapping device transmits battery information regarding at least one replacement battery that conforms to at least one of the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information received from the vehicle to the vehicle-side control device. The vehicle-side control device selects a second battery from at least one replacement battery using the battery information received from the battery swapping device, the battery mounting information, and the electrical requirement information. With this configuration, the vehicle-side control device can select the second battery from among at least one replacement battery that conforms to at least one of the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information. Therefore, compared with the case of selecting the second battery from all the replacement batteries owned by the battery swapping device, the burden of the selection process by the vehicle-side control device can be reduced and the time required for the selection process can be shortened.

[0010] The vehicle-side control device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle-side control device that selects a second battery to be exchanged with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, and includes a communication unit that receives from the outside battery information regarding at least one replacement battery owned by the battery swapping device, battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and a control unit that selects the second battery from at least one replacement battery using the battery information, the battery mounting information, and the electrical requirement information.

[0011] As described above, the vehicle-side control device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery using the battery mounting information, the electrical requirement information, and the battery information. Thereby, it is possible to provide a vehicle-side control device that can suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery swapping.

[0012] In the vehicle-side control device according to the second aspect, preferably, the electrical requirement information includes information on voltage, output power, and capacity required for the second battery. The control unit selects the second battery from at least one replacement battery in the order of (i) battery mounting information, (ii) voltage information, (iii) one of the output power information and capacity information, and (iV) the other of the output power information and capacity information with higher priorities. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle capable of selecting the second battery with higher priorities in the order of higher degrees of requirement for the second battery.

[0013] In the vehicle-side control device according to the second aspect, preferably, the communication unit transmits the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information outside the vehicle. With this configuration, the battery replacement device can easily acquire the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information from the outside.

[0014] The battery selection method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is a battery selection method by a vehicle-side control device for selecting a second battery to be exchanged with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, including a step of receiving battery information regarding at least one replacement battery owned by the battery replacement device, and a step of using the battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, the electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery information to select the second battery from at least one replacement battery.

[0015] As described above, in the battery selection method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the second battery is selected from the at least one replacement battery using the battery mounting information, the electrical requirement information, and the battery information. Thereby, it is possible to provide a battery selection method capable of suppressing the use of a battery not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0019] <Configuration of Battery Replacement System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery replacement system 1 including a battery replacement device 100 and an electric vehicle 200 according to the present embodiment. Note that the electric vehicle 200 is an example of the "vehicle" of the present disclosure.

[0020] The electric vehicle 200 includes a battery 201, a communication device 202, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 203. The electric vehicle 200 is, for example, a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0021] The battery 201 stores electric power used for driving the electric vehicle 200. The communication device 202 is configured to be communicable with a communication device outside the vehicle. The communication device 202 includes, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module). The ECU 203 controls various systems in the electric vehicle 200. Note that the communication device 202 and the ECU 203 are examples of the "communication unit" and the "vehicle-side control device" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0022] The ECU 203 includes a processor 203a, a memory 203b, and a communication unit 203c. In addition to the program executed by the processor 203a, the memory 203b stores information used in the program (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 203c can communicate with the communication device 202 and the like through a vehicle network (such as CAN (Control Area Network) communication). Thereby, the processor 203a can transmit and receive information to and from the outside of the vehicle through the communication device 202 and the communication unit 203c. Note that the processor 203a and the communication unit 203c are examples of the "control unit" and the "communication unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0023] The battery swapping device 100 includes a battery swapping device main body 100a where battery swapping is performed, and a storage 100b in which the battery 101 is stored. The battery swapping device main body 100a is a device that performs battery swapping to replace the battery 201 mounted on the electric vehicle 200 with the battery 101. The storage 100b is provided adjacent to the battery swapping device main body 100a. An entrance / exit 102 for the electric vehicle 200 to enter and exit is provided in the battery swapping device 100 (the battery swapping device main body 100a). Note that the battery 101 is an example of the "replacement battery" and the "second battery" of the present disclosure. Also, the battery 201 is an example of the "first battery" of the present disclosure.

[0024] After the battery 101 stored in the storage 100b is moved to the temporary storage place 40 provided in the underfloor area S, it is transported to the electric vehicle 200. Note that in the underfloor area S, a battery mounting table 31, a lifting unit 32, and a transport unit 33, which will be described later, are provided.

[0025] The battery swapping device 100 (the battery swapping device main body 100a) includes a control device 10 and a driving device 30. The driving device 30 includes a battery mounting table 31, a lifting unit 32, and a transport unit 33.

[0026] The control device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. In addition to the programs executed by the processor 11, the memory 12 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The processor 11 controls the drive device 30.

[0027] The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 11 controls the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 communicates with the communication device 202 of the electric vehicle 200 and the like. Bidirectional communication is possible between the communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 200 (communication device 202). Note that the communication unit 13 can also communicate with the mobile terminal 300 owned by the user of the electric vehicle 200. Note that this embodiment shows an example in which various information is exchanged between the communication device 202 of the electric vehicle 200 and the communication unit 13 of the battery swapping device 100.

[0028] The battery swapping device 100 is provided with a vehicle stop area 103. When an operation to instruct the start of the battery swapping operation is performed by the user in a navigation system (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200 while the electric vehicle 200 is stopped in the vehicle stop area 103, the communication unit 13 receives an instruction signal to start the battery swapping operation from the electric vehicle 200. Based on the communication unit 13 receiving the above instruction signal, the processor 11 starts controlling the battery swapping operation by the drive device 30.

[0029] The lifting unit 32 raises and lowers the electric vehicle 200 by raising and lowering while holding the electric vehicle 200 from below. The lifting unit 32 includes a pair of lifting bars 32a. The electric vehicle 200 is supported from below by the pair of lifting bars 32a. The battery swapping (attachment and detachment of the battery) is performed while the electric vehicle 200 is held horizontally by the pair of lifting bars 32a.

[0030] The battery placement table 31 is configured to be movable up and down in the Z direction. When the battery placement table 31 rises to the height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 is placed on the battery placement table 31. Also, when the battery placement table 31 with the battery 101 placed thereon rises to the height position at the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 101 is attached to the electric vehicle 200.

[0031] The transport unit 33 is configured to be able to transport the batteries (201, 101). Specifically, the transport unit 33 transports the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 and placed on the battery placement table 31 to the temporary storage area 40. Also, the transport unit 33 transports the battery 101 transported from the storage warehouse 100b to the temporary storage area 40 to the battery placement table 31.

[0032] In a conventional system, information such as the type of battery mounted on the electric vehicle is transmitted from the electric vehicle to the battery swapping device. Therefore, it is considered that the battery swapping device selects the battery to be used for swapping based on the type of battery and the like. However, there is still room for improvement in suppressing the selection of a battery that is not suitable for the electric vehicle for battery swapping.

[0033] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ECU 203 of the electric vehicle 200 selects the battery 101 to be used for battery swapping using the battery mounting information, electrical requirement information, and battery information regarding the battery 101 owned by the battery swapping device 100, which will be described later. Details will be described below.

[0034] <Battery swapping method (battery selection method)> Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, a battery swapping method (battery selection method by the ECU 203a) by the battery swapping system 1 will be described. In the sequence shown in FIG. 2, the processing of the ECU 203 is controlled by the processor 203a, and the processing of the battery swapping device 100 is controlled by the processor 11.

[0035] In step S10, the ECU 203 transmits a trigger signal to start battery swapping to the battery swapping device 100 through the communication device 202.

[0036] In step S20, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the trigger signal in step S10. If the trigger signal has been received (Yes in S10), the process proceeds to step S30. If the trigger signal has not been received (No in S10), the process of step S20 is repeated.

[0037] In step S30, the battery swapping device 100 transmits, through the communication unit 13, a response to the trigger signal from the electric vehicle 200 (a signal indicating that the trigger signal has been received) to the electric vehicle 200.

[0038] In step S40, the ECU 203 determines whether it has received the response in step S30. If the response in step S30 has been received (Yes in S40), the process proceeds to step S50. If the response in step S30 has not been received (No in S40), the process of step S40 is repeated.

[0039] In step S50, the ECU 203 transmits, through the communication unit 203c and the communication device 202, a vehicle request to the battery swapping device 100. The vehicle request includes battery mounting information regarding the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200.

[0040] The information regarding the battery mounting position includes information on the area where the battery is arranged in the electric vehicle 200 (including information on size and shape), and information on the relative position of the above area with respect to the vehicle body, etc. The information regarding the battery arrangement direction includes the position information of the connector connected to the battery in the electric vehicle 200.

[0041] Also, the vehicle request includes electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the battery 101. The electrical requirement information includes information on the voltage (upper limit value, lower limit value, and rated value) required for the battery 101. The above various voltage values are values required based on the specifications of the electric vehicle 200.

[0042] The electrical requirement information includes information on the output power required of the battery 101 (the lower limit value of the output power). The above output power may be a value predetermined based on the specifications of the electric vehicle 200, or may be a value that varies based on the driving history and driving plan (destination and planned driving route), etc.

[0043] The electrical requirement information includes information on the remaining capacity (SOC (State Of Charge)) required of the battery 101 (the lower limit value of the remaining capacity). The above remaining capacity may be a predetermined value, or may be a value that varies based on the driving history and driving plan (destination and planned driving route), etc. of the electric vehicle 200.

[0044] In step S60, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the vehicle request in step S50. If the vehicle request has been received (Yes in S60), the process proceeds to step S70. If the vehicle request has not been received (No in S60), the process of step S60 is repeated.

[0045] In step S70, the battery swapping device 100 transmits, through the communication unit 13, information on all the batteries 101 corresponding to (satisfying) the vehicle request in step S60 to the electric vehicle 200 (ECU 203). Specifically, the battery 101 corresponding to the vehicle request is a battery 101 in which at least one of the battery mounting position, battery arrangement direction, voltage, output power, and capacity (remaining capacity) conforms to (matches) the electric vehicle 200. For example, the battery 101 with a voltage corresponding to the vehicle request may be a battery 101 whose voltage range falls within the voltage range corresponding to the vehicle request (electrical requirement information) (within the range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value), or a battery 101 whose rated voltage falls within a predetermined range (for example, ±10%) centered on the rated voltage corresponding to the vehicle request (electrical requirement information), etc. Note that the criteria for determining voltage compatibility are not limited to the above example.

[0046] In step S80, the ECU 203 determines whether it has received the battery information in step S70. If it has received the battery information (Yes in S80), the process proceeds to step S90. If it has not received the battery information (No in S80), the process of step S80 is repeated.

[0047] In step S90, the ECU 203 selects a battery 101 to be used for battery replacement from among the batteries 101 included in the battery information of step S70. Specifically, the ECU 203 selects a battery 101 to be used for battery replacement using the above battery mounting information, the above electrical requirement information, and the battery information corresponding to step S70. Details of the process of step S90 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0048] In step S100, the ECU 203 transmits the selection result of step S90 to the battery replacement device 100 through the communication unit 203c and the communication device 202.

[0049] In step S110, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether it has received the selection result of step S100. If it has received the selection result (Yes in S110), the process proceeds to step S120. If it has not received the selection result (No in S110), the process of step S110 is repeated.

[0050] In step S120, the battery replacement device 100 transmits a reply (a signal indicating that the selection result has been received) to the electric vehicle 200 through the communication unit 13 with respect to the selection result of step S100.

[0051] In step S130, the ECU 203 determines whether it has received the reply of step S120. If it has received the reply (Yes in S130), the process proceeds to step S140. If it has not received the reply (No in S130), the process of step S130 is repeated.

[0052] In step S140, the ECU 203 transmits the vehicle information (hereinafter referred to as vehicle information) of the electric vehicle 200 to the battery swapping device 100 through the communication unit 203c and the communication device 202. The vehicle information includes information unique to the electric vehicle 200 (VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), or personal information such as a vehicle number).

[0053] In step S150, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the vehicle information of step S140. If the vehicle information has been received (Yes in S150), the process proceeds to step S160. If the vehicle information has not been received (No in S150), the process of step S150 is repeated.

[0054] In step S160, the battery swapping device 100 transmits a response (a signal indicating that the vehicle information has been received) to the electric vehicle 200 for the vehicle information of step S140 through the communication unit 13. Thereafter, the process of the battery swapping device 100 ends.

[0055] In step S170, the ECU 203 determines whether it has received the response of step S160. If the response has been received (Yes in S170), the process ends. If the response has not been received (No in S170), the process of step S170 is repeated.

[0056] After the electric vehicle 200 enters the area where battery swapping is performed in the battery swapping device 100, battery swapping is performed using the battery 101 selected in step S90.

[0057] <Processing flow of step S90> Figure 3 is a diagram showing the detailed processing flow of step S90 in Figure 2. Step S90 includes the processes of steps S91 to S99. The ECU 203 selects the battery 101 to be used for battery replacement from the battery 101 for which information was transmitted in step S70. At this time, the ECU 203 selects the battery 101 to be used for battery replacement with higher priority in the order of the above battery mounting information, voltage information, output power information, and capacity (remaining capacity). This will be specifically described below.

[0058] In step S91, the ECU 203 determines whether the battery 101 for which information was transmitted in step S70 matches the above battery mounting information (battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction) (whether it matches the electric vehicle 200). If it matches the above battery mounting information (Yes in S91), the process proceeds to step S92A. If it does not match the above battery mounting information (No in S91), the process proceeds to step S95.

[0059] In step S92A, the ECU 203 determines whether the voltage range (upper limit value and lower limit value) of the battery 101 that satisfies the condition of step S91 (Yes in S91) matches the above electrical requirement information (whether it matches the electric vehicle 200). If it matches the above electrical requirement information (Yes in S92A), the process proceeds to step S92B. If it does not match the above electrical requirement information (No in S92A), the process proceeds to step S95.

[0060] In step S92B, the ECU 203 determines whether the rated voltage of the battery 101 that satisfies the condition of step S92A (Yes in S92A) matches the above electrical requirement information (whether it matches the electric vehicle 200). If it matches the above electrical requirement information (Yes in S92B), the process proceeds to step S93. If it does not match the above electrical requirement information (No in S92B), the process proceeds to step S96.

[0061] In step S93, the ECU 203 determines whether the output power of the battery 101 that satisfies the condition in step S92B (Yes in S92B) conforms to the electrical requirement information (whether it is compatible with the electric vehicle 200). Specifically, it is determined whether the output power of the battery 101 is equal to or greater than the output power corresponding to the electrical requirement information. If it conforms to the electrical requirement information (Yes in S93), the process proceeds to step S94. If it does not conform to the electrical requirement information (No in S93), the process proceeds to step S97.

[0062] In step S94, the ECU 203 determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery 101 that satisfies the condition in step S93 (Yes in S93) conforms to the electrical requirement information (whether it is compatible with the electric vehicle 200). Specifically, it is determined whether the remaining capacity of the battery 101 is equal to or greater than the remaining capacity corresponding to the electrical requirement information. If it does not conform to the electrical requirement information (No in S94), the process proceeds to step S98. If it conforms to the electrical requirement information (Yes in S94), the process proceeds to step S99.

[0063] In step S95, the ECU 203 determines that the battery 101 that does not satisfy each of the conditions in steps S91 and S92A is a battery that does not conform to the vehicle requirements.

[0064] In step S96, the ECU 203 determines that the battery 101 that does not satisfy the condition in step S92B is a battery with a priority of 4th.

[0065] In step S97, the ECU 203 determines that the battery 101 that does not satisfy the condition in step S93 is a battery with a priority of 3rd.

[0066] In step S98, the ECU 203 determines that the battery 101 that does not satisfy the condition in step S94 is a battery with a priority of 2nd.

[0067] In step S99, the ECU 203 determines that the battery 101 that satisfies the condition in step S94 is a battery with a priority of 1st.

[0068] In step S100, the ECU 203 may transmit only the information of the battery 101 with the highest priority to the battery swapping device 100. Further, the ECU 203 may transmit only the information of one of the batteries 101 with the highest priority (for example, the battery 101 with the highest remaining capacity or the battery 101 with the highest SOH (State Of Health)) to the battery swapping device 100. If there is no battery 101 with the highest priority, the information of the battery 101 with the next highest priority (for example, the second highest priority) is transmitted to the battery swapping device 100. Further, the ECU 203 may transmit the information regarding the priorities of all the batteries 101 corresponding to step S70 to the battery swapping device 100.

[0069] In addition, when the ECU 203 determines that all the batteries 101 do not meet the vehicle requirements, the ECU 203 may notify the battery swapping device 100 that battery swapping is not to be performed. Further, the battery swapping device 100 that has received the information indicating that all the batteries 101 do not meet the vehicle requirements may notify the electric vehicle 200 that battery swapping is not to be performed.

[0070] Also, an image indicating that the battery 101 with the higher priority is a battery with a higher recommendation degree for battery swapping may be displayed on the HMI (Human Machine Interface) mounted on the electric vehicle 200. The battery 101 selected by the user on this image may be transmitted to the battery swapping device 100 as the selection result corresponding to step S100.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, the ECU 203 selects the battery 101 to be used for battery replacement by using the battery mounting information regarding the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200, the electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the battery 101, and the battery information regarding the battery 101 owned by the battery replacement device 100. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the selection of the battery 101 whose battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction do not match the electric vehicle 200, and it is possible to suppress the selection of the battery 101 whose electrical characteristics do not match the electric vehicle 200 (and the user's usage). As a result, compared with the case where the battery 101 is selected only based on the type of the battery, it is possible to select a battery 101 more suitable for the electric vehicle 200 (and the user's usage).

[0072] In the above embodiment, an example in which the information of the battery 101 that conforms to at least one of the vehicle requirements is transmitted to the electric vehicle 200 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The information of the battery 101 that does not conform to the vehicle requirements may be transmitted to the electric vehicle 200.

[0073] For example, the sequence control shown in FIG. 4 may be executed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the process of step S71 is executed instead of step S70, and the processes of steps S30 to S60 (see FIG. 2) are not executed, which is different from the example shown in FIG. 2. In step S71, the battery replacement device 100 transmits, through the communication unit 13, the battery information regarding all the batteries 101 stored in the battery replacement device 100 (owned by the battery replacement device 100) to the electric vehicle 200.

[0074] In the above embodiment, an example in which a battery 101 whose voltage range (upper limit value and lower limit value) does not conform to the vehicle requirements (electrical requirement information) is recognized as a battery that does not conform to the vehicle requirements is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a battery 101 whose voltage range does not conform to the vehicle requirements may be determined to be a battery with a fourth priority in the same manner as a battery 101 whose rated voltage does not conform to the vehicle requirements. Further, a battery 101 whose voltage range does not conform to the vehicle requirements may be determined to be a battery with a fifth priority.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an example in which the priority of the output power of the battery 101 is higher than the priority of the remaining capacity of the battery 101 is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The priority of the remaining capacity of the battery 101 may be higher than the priority of the output power of the battery 101. Note that which priority is higher may be preset in the electric vehicle 200, or may be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, which priority is higher may be automatically determined by the ECU 203 based on the driving information (driving history and driving plan) of the electric vehicle 200.

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example in which the electric vehicle 200 and the battery swapping device 100 communicate directly is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the electric vehicle 200 and the battery swapping device 100 may communicate indirectly via an external server.

[0077] In the above embodiment, an example in which when selecting the battery 101 to be used for battery swapping, the priorities are set in the order of battery mounting information, voltage information, output power information, and capacity information is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The order of priorities may be other than the above example. For example, the priority of the voltage information may be higher than the priority of the battery mounting information.

[0078] In the above embodiment, an example in which the battery 101 is stored in the battery swapping device 100 is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery 101 used for battery swapping may be stored outside the battery swapping device 100.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example in which the battery 101 is selected based on the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery 101 may be selected based on either one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction. In other words, one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction may not be considered in the selection of the battery 101.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example in which the selection result of the battery 101 used for battery replacement is transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 to the battery replacement device 100 has been shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The selection result by the electric vehicle 200 may be transmitted from the portable terminal 300 to the battery replacement device 100. Further, at least one of the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information may be transmitted from the portable terminal 300 to the battery replacement device 100. In this case, the portable terminal 300 is an example of the "vehicle-side control device" of the present disclosure.

[0081] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1 Battery replacement system, 100 Battery replacement device, 101 Battery (replacement battery) (second battery), 200 Electric vehicle (vehicle), 201 Battery (first battery), 202 Communication device (communication unit), 203 ECU (vehicle-side control device), 203a Processor (control unit), 203c Communication unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle-side control device that selects a second battery to be exchanged with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, A battery swapping device that owns at least one replacement battery and swaps the first battery with the second battery among the at least one replacement battery, The vehicle-side control device, Receives battery information regarding the at least one replacement battery from the outside, A battery swapping system that selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery using battery mounting information regarding at least one of a battery mounting position and a battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery information.

2. The electrical requirement information includes information on voltage, output power, and capacity required for the second battery, The vehicle-side control device selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery with the priorities in the order of (i) the battery mounting information, (ii) the voltage information, (iii) one of the output power information and the capacity information, and (iv) the other of the output power information and the capacity information being higher. The battery swapping system according to Claim 1.

3. The vehicle-side control device transmits the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information to the battery swapping device, The battery swapping device transmits battery information regarding the at least one replacement battery that conforms to at least one of the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information received from the vehicle to the vehicle-side control device, The vehicle-side control device selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery using the battery information received from the battery swapping device, the battery mounting information, and the electrical requirement information. The battery swapping system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. A vehicle-side control device that selects a second battery to be exchanged with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, A communication unit that receives from the outside battery information regarding at least one replacement battery owned by the battery replacement device, A vehicle-side control device comprising: a control unit that selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery by using battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery information.

5. The electrical requirement information includes information on voltage, output power, and capacity required for the second battery, The control unit selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery with priorities in the order of (i) the battery mounting information, (ii) the information on the voltage, (iii) one of the information on the output power and the information on the capacity, and (iv) the other of the information on the output power and the information on the capacity. The vehicle-side control device according to claim 4.

6. The communication unit transmits the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information outside the vehicle. The vehicle-side control device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A battery selection method by a vehicle-side control device for selecting a second battery to be exchanged with a first battery mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a step of receiving battery information regarding at least one replacement battery owned by a battery replacement device; a step of selecting the second battery from the at least one replacement battery by using battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the vehicle, electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery information.

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