Battery replacement system, battery replacement device, and battery selection method

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement system that can prevent a battery not suitable for a vehicle from being used for battery replacement.SOLUTION: A battery replacement system 1 comprises an electric vehicle 200 that has a battery 201 mounted therein; and a battery replacement device 100 that has at least one battery 101 for replacement, and performs battery replacement that is to replace the battery 201 with the battery 101. The electric vehicle 200 transmits, to the outside, battery mounting information related to at least one of a battery mounting position and a battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200, and electric request information related to electric characteristics required for a second battery. The battery replacement device 100 selects at least one candidate for the second battery 101 from the at least one battery 101 for replacement by using battery mounting information received from the outside and the electric request information and battery information on the at least one battery 101 for replacement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-003803 discloses a battery swapping system that can request battery information to a battery swapping station on a driving route based on the remaining amount of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle and reserve battery swapping in advance, thereby enabling more efficient and convenient battery swapping.

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 system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a battery is selected in consideration of the types of batteries that can be mounted on an electric vehicle. On the other hand, the spare batteries stored in a battery swapping station (battery swapping device) are limited, and the specifications and characteristics of the limited spare batteries also vary.

[0005] Here, the demands that users have for batteries vary widely depending on the driving range of the electric vehicle, the output and capacity of the battery, and so on. Therefore, if a replacement battery is selected only considering whether it can be mounted on the vehicle, there is a possibility that a battery that cannot realize the capabilities that the user demands for the electric vehicle may be selected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery swapping system, a vehicle, and a battery selection method capable of suppressing the use of a battery that is not suitable for a vehicle for battery swapping.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The first battery swapping system of the present disclosure includes an electric vehicle equipped with a first battery, and a battery swapping device having at least one replacement battery and performing battery swapping to replace the first battery with a second battery. The electric vehicle transmits to the outside battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle, and electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery. The battery swapping device selects at least one candidate for the second battery from at least one replacement battery by using the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information received from the outside and the battery information regarding at least one replacement battery.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the battery swapping device selects the second battery from the at least one replacement battery by using the battery mounting information, the electrical requirement information, and the battery information. Thereby, a second battery suitable for the vehicle can be selected based on the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information. As a result, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery swapping.

[0009] In the first battery swapping system, the electrical requirement information includes at least one of information on voltage, output power, input power, and remaining capacity required for the second battery. The control unit gives higher priority to the battery mounting information and the voltage information than the information on output power, input power, and remaining capacity. The control unit may select at least one candidate for the second battery from at least one replacement battery by giving higher priority in the order of the battery mounting information and the voltage information.

[0010] In the first battery swapping system, the control unit may make the priorities of the information on output power and the information on input power the same.

[0011] The battery mounting information relates to whether the second battery can be mounted on the vehicle. The information on the voltage required for the second battery relates to whether the vehicle can be driven. The information on the output power required for the second battery relates to the driving force of the vehicle. The information on the input power required for the second battery relates to the charging time of the battery mounted on the vehicle. The information on the remaining capacity required for the second battery relates to the cruising range of the vehicle. Therefore, with such a configuration, the priorities can be set higher in the order of the higher degree of requirement for the second battery.

[0012] In the above first battery replacement system, the battery replacement device may transmit information regarding the selected candidate for the second battery and information regarding the replacement cost of the candidate for the second battery to the outside.

[0013] With such a configuration, the electric vehicle can easily obtain information regarding the second battery and information regarding the cost for replacing it from the outside.

[0014] The second battery replacement device of the present disclosure is a battery replacement device having at least one replacement battery and replacing the first battery mounted on an electric vehicle with the second battery. A communication unit that receives from the outside battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle and electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and using the received battery mounting information, electrical requirement information, and battery information regarding at least one replacement battery that the battery replacement device has, a control unit that selects at least one candidate for the second battery from at least one replacement battery.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the control unit 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, a second battery suitable for the vehicle can be selected based on the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information. As a result, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

[0016] In the above-described second battery replacement device, the electrical requirement information includes at least one of the information on voltage, output power, input power, and remaining capacity required for the second battery. The control unit gives higher priority to the battery mounting information and the voltage information than the information on output power, input power, and remaining capacity, and the control unit may select candidates for at least one second battery from at least one replacement battery in order of decreasing priority of the battery mounting information and the voltage information.

[0017] In the above-described second battery replacement device, the control unit may make the priorities of the information on output power and the information on input power the same.

[0018] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a battery replacement device capable of selecting a second battery with higher priority in descending order of the degree of requirement for the second battery.

[0019] In the above-described second battery replacement device, the communication unit may transmit information on the selected candidate for the second battery and information on the replacement cost of the candidate for the second battery to the outside.

[0020] With this configuration, the electric vehicle can easily acquire from the outside information obtained by adding the replacement cost information to the second battery information.

[0021] The third battery replacement method of the present disclosure is a battery selection method for selecting a second battery from among at least one replacement battery included in a battery replacement device that replaces a first battery mounted on an electric vehicle with a second battery. The method includes a step in which the battery replacement device receives from the outside battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle and electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and a step in which the battery replacement device selects candidates for at least one second battery from at least one replacement battery using the received battery mounting information and electrical requirement information and battery information regarding at least one replacement battery included in the battery replacement device.

[0022] According to the above configuration, 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 that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement. As a result, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the use of a battery that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] 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 the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0026] <Configuration of the Battery Exchange System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery exchange system including a battery exchange device according to the present embodiment. Note that the Z direction shown in the figure indicates the moving direction of the battery mounting table 31 described later.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, this battery swapping system 1 includes a battery swapping device 100 and an electric vehicle 200. 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). Note that the battery 201 is an example of the "first battery" of the present disclosure.

[0028] The battery 201 stores electric power used to drive 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.

[0029] The battery swapping device 100 includes a battery swapping device main body 100a where battery swapping is performed, and a storage 100b in which at least one 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 (battery swapping device main body 100a). Note that the battery 101 is an example of the "at least one replacement battery" and the "second battery" of the present disclosure.

[0030] The battery 101 stored in the storage 100b is moved to a temporary storage area 40 provided in the underfloor area U and then transported to the electric vehicle 200. A driving device 30 is provided in the underfloor area U.

[0031] The battery swapping device 100 (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 part 32, and a conveying part 33.

[0032] 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 by the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The memory 12 further records battery information, which is information regarding the battery shape, battery arrangement direction, voltage, output power, and capacity (remaining capacity) of each battery 101. Note that the information regarding the battery arrangement direction of each battery 101 includes the position information of the connector connected to the electric vehicle 200 in the battery. The processor 11 controls the drive device 30.

[0033] 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. Communication is possible in both directions 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. In this embodiment, an example is shown 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. Note that the processor 11 and the communication unit 13 are examples of the "control unit" and the "communication unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0034] The battery swapping device 100 is provided with a vehicle stop area 103. When an operation to instruct the start of battery swapping 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.

[0035] The elevating unit 32 raises and lowers the electric vehicle 200 by ascending and descending while holding the electric vehicle 200 from below. The elevating unit 32 includes a pair of elevating bars 32a. The electric vehicle 200 is supported from below by the pair of elevating bars 32a. Battery replacement (attachment and detachment of the battery) is performed while the electric vehicle 200 is horizontally held by the pair of elevating bars 32a.

[0036] The battery mounting table 31 is configured to be able to ascend and descend in the Z direction. When the battery mounting table 31 ascends to the height position of the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 is mounted on the battery mounting table 31. Also, when the battery mounting table 31 on which the battery 101 is mounted ascends to the height position of the bottom of the electric vehicle 200, the battery 101 is attached to the electric vehicle 200.

[0037] The conveying unit 33 is configured to be able to convey the batteries 101 and 201. Specifically, the conveying unit 33 conveys the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 and mounted on the battery mounting table 31 to the temporary storage place 40. Also, the conveying unit 33 conveys the battery 101 conveyed from the storage warehouse 100b to the temporary storage place 40 to the battery mounting table 31.

[0038] In the 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 replacement 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 replacement.

[0039] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the processor 11 of the battery swapping device 100 selects a battery 101 suitable for the electric vehicle 200 using the battery mounting information, the electrical requirement information, and the battery information regarding the battery 101 that the battery swapping device 100 has, which will be described later. Details will be described below.

[0040] <Battery swapping method (battery selection method)> Next, with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3, a battery replacement method by the battery replacement system 1 (a battery selection method by the battery replacement device 100) will be described. In the sequences shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control of the electric vehicle 200 is executed by the ECU 203, and the control of the battery replacement device 100 is executed by the processor 11.

[0041] In step S10, the electric vehicle 200 transmits a trigger signal for starting battery replacement to the battery replacement device 100 through the communication device 202.

[0042] In step S20, the battery replacement device 100 determines whether it has received the trigger signal in step S10. If the trigger signal has been received (Yes in step S10), the process proceeds to step S30. If the trigger signal has not been received (No in step S10), the process of step S20 is repeated.

[0043] In step S30, the battery replacement device 100 transmits 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 through the communication unit 13.

[0044] In step S40, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the response in step S30. If the response in step S30 has been received (Yes in step S40), the process proceeds to step S50. If the response in step S30 has not been received (No in step S40), the process of step S40 is repeated.

[0045] In step S50, the electric vehicle 200 transmits a vehicle request, which is a request from the electric vehicle 200 for the battery to be replaced in the battery replacement device 100, to the battery replacement device 100 through the communication device 202. Specifically, the vehicle request includes battery mounting information and electrical requirement information.

[0046] The battery mounting information includes information on the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200. The information on the battery mounting position includes information on the area where the battery is arranged in the electric vehicle 200 (including information on the size and shape), and information on the relative position of the above area with respect to the vehicle body, etc. The information on the battery arrangement direction includes the position information of the connector connected to the battery in the electric vehicle 200.

[0047] The electrical requirement information includes information on the voltage (upper limit value, lower limit value, and rated value) required by the electric vehicle 200. Each of the above voltage values is a value required based on the specifications of the electric vehicle 200.

[0048] The electrical requirement information further includes information on the output power (rated output) required for the battery 101. The information on the output power may further include the maximum output. The above output power may be a value predetermined based on the specifications of the electric vehicle 200, or a value that varies based on the driving history and driving plan (destination and planned driving route), etc.

[0049] The electrical requirement information further includes information on the remaining capacity (SOC (State Of Charge)) required for the battery 101 (such as the lower limit value of the remaining capacity). The above remaining capacity may be a predetermined value, or a value that varies based on the driving history and driving plan (destination and planned driving route), etc. of the electric vehicle 200.

[0050] In step S60, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the vehicle request in step S50. If it has received the vehicle request (Yes in step S60), the process proceeds to step S70. If it has not received the vehicle request (No in step S60), the process of step S60 is repeated.

[0051] In step S70, the battery swapping device 100 selects a candidate battery 101 that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200. Specifically, the battery swapping device 100 compares the information on the battery mounting position, the battery arrangement direction, and the voltage included in the vehicle request received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information corresponding to each piece of information in the vehicle request included in the battery information of each battery 101, and selects at least one candidate battery that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200 from among the batteries 101 possessed by the battery swapping device 100. The details of the processing in step S70 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0052] In step S80, the battery swapping device 100 transmits the selection result in step S70 to the electric vehicle 200 through the communication unit 13. The information on the selection result transmitted from the battery swapping device 100 includes a candidate list of batteries 101 that are compatible with the electric vehicle 200 and the battery information of each candidate battery 101.

[0053] In step S90, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the selection result in step S80. If the selection result has been received (Yes in step S90), the process proceeds to step S100. If the selection result has not been received (No in step S90), the processing in step S90 is repeated.

[0054] In step S100, the electric vehicle 200 determines the battery to be mounted on the electric vehicle 200 from among the selection results received in step S90. Specifically, the electric vehicle 200 displays the received selection result (at least one candidate battery that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200) on an HMI (Human Machine Interface), not shown, mounted on the electric vehicle 200, and determines the battery to be mounted on the electric vehicle 200 by the user's selection from among the displayed at least one candidate battery. If there is only information on one battery 101 included in the selection result received in step S90, the electric vehicle 200 may determine that one battery 101 is the battery to be mounted on the vehicle.

[0055] In step S110, the electric vehicle 200 transmits, via the communication device 202, the information of the battery to be mounted on the electric vehicle 200 determined in step S100 to the battery swapping device 100.

[0056] In step S120, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the selection result of step S110. If it has received the selection result (Yes in step S120), the process proceeds to step S70. If it has not received the selection result (No in step S120), the process of step S120 is repeated.

[0057] In step S130, the battery swapping device 100 transmits, via the communication unit 13, a reply (a signal indicating that the selection result has been received) to the electric vehicle 200 for the selection result of step S110.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, in step S140, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the selection result of step S130 (FIG. 2). If it has received the selection result (Yes in step S140), the process proceeds to step S150. If it has not received the selection result (No in step S140), the process of step S140 is repeated.

[0059] In step S150, the electric vehicle 200 transmits, via the communication device 202, the individual vehicle information of the electric vehicle 200 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle information") to the battery swapping device 100. The vehicle information includes information unique to the electric vehicle 200 (personal information such as VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or vehicle number).

[0060] In step S160, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the vehicle information of step S150. If it has received the vehicle information (Yes in step S160), the process proceeds to step S170. If it has not received the vehicle information (No in step S160), the process of step S160 is repeated.

[0061] In step S170, the battery swapping device 100 transmits, via the communication unit 13, a reply (a signal indicating that the vehicle information has been received) to the electric vehicle 200 for the vehicle information in step S150.

[0062] In step S180, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the reply in step S170. If the reply has been received (Yes in step S180), the process proceeds to step S190. If the reply has not been received (No in step S180), the process of step S180 is repeated.

[0063] In step S190, the electric vehicle 200 transmits, via the communication device 202, an instruction to start the battery swapping operation to the battery swapping device 100.

[0064] In step S200, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether it has received the operation instruction in step S200. If the operation instruction has been received (Yes in step S200), the process proceeds to step S210. If the operation instruction has not been received (No in step S200), the process of step S200 is repeated.

[0065] In step S210, the battery swapping device 100 performs an operation of replacing the battery 201 of the electric vehicle 200 with the battery 101 selected as the battery to be mounted on the vehicle in step S100.

[0066] In step S220, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether the battery swapping operation has ended. If the end of the operation has been received (Yes in step S220), the process proceeds to step S230. If the end of the operation has not been received (No in step S220), the process of step S220 is repeated.

[0067] In step S230, the battery swapping device 100 notifies the electric vehicle 200, via the communication unit 13, that the battery swapping operation has ended.

[0068] In step S240, the electric vehicle 200 determines whether it has received the response of step S230. If the response has been received (Yes in step S240), the process ends. If the response has not been received (No in step S240), the process of step S240 is repeated.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed processing flow of step S70 in FIG. 2. Step S70 includes the processes of steps S71A to S73. The battery swapping device 100 selects a battery 101 that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200 from the batteries 101 included in the battery swapping device 100. Note that the processes of steps S71A to S73 are performed for all the batteries 101 included in the battery swapping device 100. Specific descriptions are given below.

[0070] In step S71A, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 is compatible with the battery mounting information (battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction) received from the electric vehicle 200 (whether it is compatible with the electric vehicle 200).

[0071] More specifically, the battery swapping device 100 collates the information on the battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information on the battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction included in the battery information of each battery 101, respectively. Then, the battery swapping device 100 determines a battery 101 that matches both the battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction received from the electric vehicle 200 as a battery that is compatible with the battery mounting information (battery mounting position and battery arrangement direction) received from the electric vehicle 200.

[0072] For the battery 101 that is compatible with the battery mounting information (Yes in step S71A), the process proceeds to step S71B. For the battery 101 that is not compatible with the battery mounting information (No in step S71B), the process proceeds to step S72.

[0073] In step S71B, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 conforms to the electrical requirement information (upper and lower voltage limits) received from the electric vehicle 200 (whether it conforms to the electric vehicle 200).

[0074] More specifically, the battery swapping device 100 collates the information regarding the upper and lower voltage limits required by the electric vehicle 200, which is included in the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200, with the information regarding the voltage of the battery 101 included in the battery information of each battery 101. Then, the battery swapping device 100 determines a battery 101 belonging to the voltage range defined by the electrical requirement information (upper and lower voltage limits) received from the electric vehicle 200 as a battery that conforms to the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200.

[0075] For the battery 101 that conforms to the electrical requirement information (Yes in step S71B), the process proceeds to step S73. For the battery 101 that does not conform to the electrical requirement information (No in step S71B), the process proceeds to step S72.

[0076] In step S72, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that does not satisfy the conditions of step S71A or step S71B is a battery that does not conform to the vehicle requirements (battery mounting information and electrical requirement information) from the electric vehicle 200.

[0077] In step S73, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that satisfies both conditions of step S71A and step S71B is a battery that conforms to the vehicle requirements from the electric vehicle 200.

[0078] Note that when it is determined in step S70 that all batteries 101 are batteries that do not conform to the vehicle requirements, in step S80 shown in FIG. 2, the battery swapping device 100 may notify the electric vehicle 200 of the selection result that there is no battery 101 that conforms to the electric vehicle 200.

[0079] As described above, in the present embodiment, the battery replacement device 100 selects a battery 101 that meets the vehicle requirements by using battery mounting information regarding the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle 200, electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the battery 101, and 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. 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 that is more suitable for the electric vehicle 200 (and the user's usage).

[0080] In the above embodiment, in step S80 shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the information transmitted by the battery replacement device 100 includes a list of candidates for the battery 101 that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200 and the battery information of the candidate battery 101 has been shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The information transmitted by the battery replacement device 100 in step S80 may also include information regarding the cost required for replacing the battery 101 that is compatible with the electric vehicle 200. With this configuration, the electric vehicle 200 can easily acquire information regarding the cost for replacing the battery 201 from the outside, and it is possible to suppress the use of a battery 101 that is not suitable for the vehicle for battery replacement.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the battery swapping device 100 determines whether the battery 101 included in the battery swapping device 100 conforms to the vehicle requirements (battery mounting position, battery arrangement direction, and upper and lower limit values of voltage) from the electric vehicle 200, and then selects at least one candidate battery that conforms to the electric vehicle 200 from the batteries 101 included in the battery swapping device 100. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the battery swapping device 100 (processor 11) may use the information on voltage, output power, and capacity (remaining capacity) included in the electrical requirement information among the vehicle requirements from the electric vehicle 200 to identify a battery 101 that conforms to the electric vehicle 200 from the batteries 101 included in the battery swapping device 100. Furthermore, priorities may be set for each piece of information included in the electrical requirement information. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the process executed in step S73 shown in FIG. 4. Step S73 includes the processes of steps S73A to S77. The battery swapping device 100 sets priorities for each piece of information included in the electrical requirement information, and identifies a battery 101 that conforms to the electric vehicle 200 from the batteries 101 included in the battery swapping device 100. Specific description will be given below.

[0083] In step S73A, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 conforms to the electrical requirement information (rated voltage) received from the electric vehicle 200.

[0084] More specifically, the battery swapping device 100 collates the information on the voltage of the electric vehicle 200 (rated voltage) included in the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information on the voltage of each battery 101 included in the battery 101 information of each battery 101. Then, when the voltage of the battery 101 matches the voltage (rated voltage) required by the electric vehicle 200, the battery swapping device 100 determines that the battery 101 conforms to the electrical requirement information (rated voltage).

[0085] For a battery 101 that is compatible with the electrical requirement information (Yes in step S73A), the process proceeds to step S73B. For a battery 101 that is not compatible with the electrical requirement information (No in step S73A), the process proceeds to step S74.

[0086] In step S73B, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 is compatible with the electrical requirement information (output power) received from the electric vehicle 200.

[0087] More specifically, the battery swapping device 100 collates information regarding the output power (rated output) required for the battery 101 included in the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information regarding the output power of the battery 101 included in the battery information of each battery 101. Then, the battery swapping device 100 determines a battery 101 having an output power equal to or higher than the output voltage (rated output) required for the battery 101 as a battery compatible with the electrical requirement information (rated output).

[0088] For a battery 101 that is compatible with the electrical requirement information (Yes in step S73B), the process proceeds to step S75. For a battery 101 that is not compatible with the electrical requirement information (No in step S73B), the process proceeds to step S75.

[0089] In step S73C, the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 satisfies the requirement of the electrical requirement information (remaining capacity).

[0090] More specifically, the battery swapping device 100 collates information regarding the lower limit value of the remaining capacity required for the battery 101 included in the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information regarding the remaining capacity of the battery 101 included in the battery information of each battery 101. Then, the battery swapping device 100 determines a battery 101 having a remaining capacity exceeding the lower limit of the remaining capacity required for the battery 101 as a battery compatible with the electrical requirement information (remaining capacity).

[0091] For a battery 101 that does not match the electrical requirement information (No in step S73C), the process proceeds to step S76. For a battery 101 that matches the electrical requirement information (Yes in step S73C), the process proceeds to step S77.

[0092] In step S77, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that satisfies the conditions of steps S73A, S73B, and S73C is a battery that matches the electric vehicle 200 with the highest priority.

[0093] In step S76, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that satisfies the conditions of steps S73A and S73B but does not satisfy the condition of step S73C is a battery that matches the electric vehicle 200 with the second highest priority.

[0094] In step S75, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that satisfies the condition of step S73A but does not satisfy the condition of step S73B is a battery that matches the electric vehicle 200 with the third highest priority.

[0095] In step S74, the battery swapping device 100 determines that a battery 101 that does not satisfy the condition of step S73A is a battery that matches the electric vehicle 200 with the fourth highest priority.

[0096] In step S80 shown in FIG. 2, the battery swapping device 100 may transmit only the information of the battery 101 with the highest priority to the electric vehicle 200. Further, the battery swapping device 100 may transmit only the information of one of the batteries 101 with the highest priority (for example, the battery 101 with the largest remaining capacity or the battery 101 with the highest SOH (State Of Health)) to the electric vehicle 200. 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 electric vehicle 200. Further, the battery swapping device 100 may transmit the information of all the batteries 101 determined to be compatible with the electric vehicle 200 together with the priority information to the electric vehicle 200.

[0097] In the above embodiment, an example was shown 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. 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. Also, 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.

[0098] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which when determining whether the battery 101 conforms to the vehicle requirements, the conformity is determined in the order of battery mounting information and voltage range. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The order of the above determination items may be other than the above example. For example, after determining the voltage range, the battery mounting information may be determined.

[0099] In the above, an example was shown in which the battery swapping device 100 selects the battery 101 that conforms to the electric vehicle 200 by providing priority to the information of the vehicle requirements. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, only the battery 101 that satisfies all of the vehicle requirements may be determined as the battery 101 that conforms to the electric vehicle 200. Specifically, satisfying all of the vehicle requirements refers to satisfying all of the conditions of step S71A and step S71B shown in FIG. 3, and step S73A, step S73B, and step S73C shown in FIG. 4.

[0100] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the electric vehicle 200 and the battery swapping device 100 communicate directly. 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.

[0101] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the battery 101 is stored in the battery swapping device 100. 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.

[0102] In the above embodiment, an example in which the battery 101 is selected based on the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction has been shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 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.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the electrical requirement information includes information on the output power required for the battery 101, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The electrical requirement information may further include information on the input power (rated input) required for the battery 101. The information on the input power may further include information on the maximum input. The input 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.

[0104] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the battery replacement device 101 may determine whether each battery 101 satisfies the requirement for information on the input power (rated input). More specifically, the battery replacement device 100 collates the information on the input power (rated input) required for the battery 101 included in the electrical requirement information received from the electric vehicle 200 with the information on the input power of the battery 101 included in the battery information of each battery 101. Then, the battery replacement device 100 determines a battery 101 having an input voltage equal to or higher than the input voltage (rated output) required for the battery 101 as a battery that conforms to the electrical requirement information (rated input).

[0105] Note that the information on the input power in the compatible battery certification flowchart shown in FIG. 5 may be set to have a higher priority than both the information on the output voltage and the remaining capacity, or one of the information on the output voltage and the remaining capacity, or may be set to have a lower priority than both the information on the output voltage and the remaining capacity. Note that which priority is higher may be preset in the electric vehicle 200, or may be arbitrarily set by the user. Also, 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.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the battery 101 recognized as a compatible battery in step S73 shown in FIG. 4 is further ranked according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the battery swapping device 100 determines whether each battery 101 recognized as a compatible battery in step S73 shown in FIG. 4 conforms to the electrical requirement information, a score is given to the battery 101 according to whether it conforms, and the priority of the battery 101 may be determined according to the total score. The determination of whether it conforms to the electrical requirement information is made for each piece of information included in the electrical requirement information, that is, the information on voltage, output power, input power, and remaining capacity.

[0107] The details of the scoring will be described. The battery swapping device 100 collates the information on the voltage (rated voltage) of the electric vehicle 200 included in the electrical requirement information with the information on the voltage of each battery 101 included in the battery information of each battery 101. Then, when the voltage of the battery 101 matches the rated voltage required by the electric vehicle 200, the battery 101 is regarded as a battery that conforms to the electrical requirement information, and a score is given to the battery 101. Similarly, for the electrical requirement information related to the information on output power, input power, and remaining capacity, whether it conforms is determined, and a score is added when it conforms. After the determination is completed for all the information, the battery swapping device 100 compares the total scores of each battery 101 and sets the priority of the battery 101 according to the score.

[0108] Note that by providing a difference in the set value of the score, the priority can be set among each piece of information. For example, when it is set that the priority of the voltage information is higher than the output power, the score given when it is determined that the electrical requirement information related to the voltage information conforms is larger than the score given when it is determined that the electrical requirement information related to the output power information conforms.

[0109] Also, by setting the set values of the scores to be the same, the priorities among the respective pieces of information can be set equivalently. For example, when the priorities of the information on the output power and the input power are equivalent, the score given when it is determined that the electrical requirement information related to the output power information is met is the same as the score given when it is determined that the electrical requirement information related to the input power information is met.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The technical scope shown by the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0111] 1 Battery replacement system, 10 Control device, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Communication unit, 30 Driving device, 31 Mounting table, 32 Lifting unit, 32a Lifting bar, 33 Conveying unit, 40 Temporary storage area, 100 Battery replacement device, 100a Battery replacement device main body, 100b Storage, 101, 201 Battery, 102 Entrance / exit, 103 Vehicle stop area, 200 Electric vehicle, 202 Communication device, 300 Portable terminal, U Under-floor area.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle equipped with a first battery, and a battery replacement device having at least one replacement battery and performing battery replacement for replacing the first battery with a second battery, wherein the electric vehicle transmits externally battery mounting information regarding at least one of a battery mounting position and a battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle, and electrical requirement information regarding electrical characteristics required for the second battery, and the battery replacement device selects at least one candidate for the second battery from the at least one replacement battery using the battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information received from the outside and battery information regarding the at least one replacement battery. A battery replacement system.

2. The electrical requirement information includes at least one of information on voltage, output power, input power, and remaining capacity required for the second battery, and the control unit gives higher priority to the battery mounting information and the voltage information than the information on the output power, the information on the input power, and the information on the remaining capacity, and the control unit gives higher priority in the order of the battery mounting information and the voltage information, and selects at least one candidate for the second battery from the at least one replacement battery. The battery replacement system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit makes the priorities of the information on the output power and the information on the input power coincide. The battery replacement system according to claim 2.

4. The battery replacement device transmits externally information regarding the selected candidate for the second battery and information regarding the replacement cost of the candidate for the second battery. The battery replacement system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A battery replacement device having at least one replacement battery and replacing a first battery mounted on an electric vehicle with a second battery, A communication unit that receives from the outside battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle, and electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery; A control unit that selects at least one candidate for the second battery from the at least one replacement battery, using the received battery mounting information and electrical requirement information, and battery information regarding at least one replacement battery that the battery replacement device has. A battery replacement device comprising:

6. The electrical requirement information includes at least one of information on voltage, output power, input power, and remaining capacity required for the second battery. The control unit gives higher priority to the battery mounting information and the voltage information than the information on output power, input power, and remaining capacity. The control unit gives higher priority in the order of the battery mounting information and the voltage information. The battery replacement device according to claim 5, wherein at least one candidate for the second battery is selected from the at least one replacement battery.

7. The battery replacement device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit makes the priorities of the information on output power and the information on input power coincide.

8. The communication unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which transmits information regarding the selected candidate for the second battery and information regarding the replacement cost of the candidate for the second battery to the outside.

9. A battery selection method for selecting a candidate for the second battery from among at least one replacement battery that a battery replacement device has, in a battery replacement device that replaces a first battery mounted on an electric vehicle with a second battery, comprising: A step in which the battery replacement device receives from the outside battery mounting information regarding at least one of the battery mounting position and the battery arrangement direction in the electric vehicle, and electrical requirement information regarding the electrical characteristics required for the second battery. A battery selection method, comprising: a step of selecting, by the battery replacement device, at least one candidate for the second battery from the at least one replacement battery, using the received battery mounting information and the electrical requirement information, and battery information regarding at least one replacement battery that the battery replacement device has.

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