Vehicle, display system, and method for replacing power storage device

Abstract

To suppress a user from having a feeling of strangeness and a misunderstanding regarding a state or performance of a vehicle (or a power storage device loaded on the vehicle), after the power storage device is attached to a vehicle body.SOLUTION: A vehicle is provided with a vehicle body to which a power storage device can be detachably attached. The vehicle body comprises a first control device. When the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device notifies a user of at least one of a state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, a property of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, a state of the vehicle having the power storage device attached to the vehicle body and performance of the vehicle having the power storage device attached to the vehicle body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a display system, and a method for replacing a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-101504 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle including a vehicle body to which a power storage device is detachable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, the power storage device mounted on the vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is replaceable. However, the newly attached power storage device to the vehicle body may have characteristics different from those of the initial power storage device that the vehicle originally had. Also, the performance of the vehicle after a new power storage device is attached to the vehicle body may become different from the initial performance of the vehicle. Further, the state of the power storage device before replacement and the power storage device after replacement in the vehicle may be significantly different. Moreover, the state of the vehicle may change significantly due to the replacement of the power storage device. Therefore, when the power storage device mounted on the vehicle is replaced with another power storage device, there is a possibility of giving the user of the vehicle a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding.

[0005] The present disclosure is to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the state or performance of the vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle) after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to an aspect according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the following vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a vehicle body to which a power storage device is detachable. The vehicle body includes a first control device. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device is configured to notify the user of at least one of the state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the control device included in the vehicle body notifies the user of the first information indicating the state and / or characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, or the second information indicating the state and / or performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, or both the first information and the second information. Thereby, it is possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the state or performance of the vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle) after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

[0008] The first control device includes a storage device that stores first specification information indicating the characteristics of the initial power storage device that the vehicle originally included. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device is configured to notify the user of the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body in a manner comparable to the characteristics of the initial power storage device indicated by the first specification information.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the user can confirm the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body by comparing them with the characteristics of the initial power storage device. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the difference in the characteristics of the power storage device between the initial and current states. Further, when the power storage device provided in the vehicle has characteristics inferior to those of the power storage device (initial power storage device) at the time of a new vehicle due to replacement of the power storage device, the user can recognize that the cause lies in the replacement of the power storage device. Thereby, it is possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the characteristics of the power storage device mounted on the vehicle. The first specification information may be stored in the storage device, for example, when the vehicle is shipped.

[0010] The characteristics of the power storage device to be notified include at least one of the maximum output power, the maximum regeneration power, and the capacity of the power storage device.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the characteristics of the power storage device that are particularly likely to affect the performance of the vehicle.

[0012] The first control device includes a storage device that stores second specification information indicating the initial performance of the vehicle. The first control device is configured to notify the user, in a manner comparable to the initial performance indicated by the second specification information, of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body when the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the user can confirm the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body by comparing it with the initial performance. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the difference in the performance of the vehicle between the initial and current states. Further, when the vehicle has performance inferior to that at the time of a new vehicle due to replacement of the power storage device, the user can recognize that the cause lies in the replacement of the power storage device. Thereby, it is possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the performance of the vehicle. The second specification information may be stored in the storage device, for example, when the vehicle is shipped.

[0014] The performance of the vehicle to be notified includes at least one of the output performance of the vehicle based on the power of the power storage device, the regenerative charging performance of the power storage device in the vehicle, and the maximum cruising range of the vehicle based on the power of the power storage device.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the performance of the vehicle that is easily affected by the replacement of the power storage device becomes easier for the user to recognize after the replacement of the power storage device.

[0016] The first control device includes a storage device that stores second specification information indicating the initial performance of the vehicle. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device determines whether the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body is lower than the initial performance indicated by the second specification information. When it is determined that the performance of the vehicle is lower than the initial performance, the first control device notifies the user of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. When it is determined that the performance of the vehicle is not lower than the initial performance, the first control device does not notify the user of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

[0017] It is not preferable from the viewpoint of vehicle quality assurance and the like that the initial vehicle performance (specifications) indicated by the second specification information cannot be obtained due to the replacement of the power storage device. In this regard, according to the above configuration, when the performance indicated by the second specification information cannot be obtained due to the replacement of the power storage device, the deteriorated vehicle performance is notified to the user. Thereby, it is suppressed that the user misunderstands the performance of the vehicle. The user can continue to use the vehicle after understanding that the performance of the vehicle has deteriorated.

[0018] The power storage device is a battery pack including a second control device. The vehicle body further includes a power source. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the second control device is activated by the power supplied from the power source, and the activated second control device transmits information about the power storage device attached to the vehicle body to the first control device.

[0019] In the above vehicle, even when a battery pack without a power source for starting the second control device is attached to the vehicle body, the vehicle body (first control device) can obtain information regarding the power storage device from the power storage device (second control device) by supplying power from the power source provided in the vehicle body to the second control device. Note that the power source provided in the vehicle body may be a low-voltage power source that outputs power at a voltage lower than the voltage of the battery provided in the power storage device. The low-voltage power source may be configured to supply power to the first control device. The low-voltage power source may be an auxiliary battery.

[0020] The above information to be transmitted includes the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body. The first control device calculates the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body using the information received from the second control device.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the first control device can appropriately obtain the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body using the information (including the characteristics of the power storage device) received from the second control device.

[0022] The vehicle further includes a display device. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device notifies the display device of at least one of the state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the display device displays the information notified from the first control device to the user.

[0023] According to the above configuration, regarding the state or performance of the above-described vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle), notification to the user terminal (display device mounted on the vehicle) and display to the user are appropriately performed. Visualization makes it easier for the user to notice.

[0024] According to the form according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the following display system is provided. The display system includes any one of the vehicles described above and a portable terminal that can be carried by a user. When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device notifies at least one of the state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body to the portable terminal, and the portable terminal displays the information notified from the first control device to the user.

[0025] According to the above display system, regarding the state or performance of the vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle) described above, notification to the user terminal (portable terminal) and display to the user are appropriately performed. Visualization makes it easier for the user to notice.

[0026] According to the aspect related to the third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for replacing a power storage device shown below is provided. The method for replacing the power storage device includes removing the first power storage device from a vehicle including a first control device and the first power storage device, attaching a second power storage device including a second control device to the vehicle body instead of the first power storage device, and in a state where the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device obtains information regarding the second power storage device from the second control device, and the first control device uses the information obtained from the second control device to determine the state of the second power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the second power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. And notifying at least one of them to the user.

[0027] Also by the above method, similar to the vehicle described above, it is possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the state or performance of the vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle) after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

[0028] Notifying the user includes the first control device calculating the performance of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body using the information acquired from the second control device, and the first control device notifying the user of the calculated performance of the vehicle.

[0029] In the above method, the first control device appropriately calculates the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. Then, the user can recognize the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the state or performance of the vehicle (or the power storage device mounted on the vehicle) after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

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Figure 6

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Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] 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 descriptions are not repeated.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 10 and a battery pack 20. The vehicle body 10 is the part of the vehicle 100 other than the battery pack 20. The vehicle 100 is configured to be able to travel using the electric power stored in the battery pack 20. The battery pack 20 corresponds to an example of the "power storage device" according to the present disclosure. The vehicle 100 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that does not include an internal combustion engine. However, it is not limited to this, and the vehicle 100 may be a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) that includes an internal combustion engine, or may be another electric vehicle (xEV).

[0034] The vehicle body 10 includes circuits CR11 and CR12. The battery pack 20 includes circuits CR21 and CR22. The circuit CR12 includes an auxiliary battery 17. The circuit CR21 includes a battery 21. The auxiliary battery 17 corresponds to a low-voltage power source that outputs electric power at a voltage lower than the voltage of the battery 21. The circuit CR21 applies the voltage (high voltage) from the battery 21 to the circuit CR11. The circuit CR11 receives the application of the voltage (high voltage) from the battery 21. The circuit CR12 applies the voltage (low voltage) from the auxiliary battery 17 to the circuit CR22. The circuit CR22 receives the application of the voltage (low voltage) from the auxiliary battery 17. A DC / DC converter 16 is provided between the circuit CR11 and the circuit CR12.

[0035] The circuit CR11 inside the vehicle body 10 includes an MG (Motor Generator) 11a, an inverter 11b, a DC charging relay 14a, a DC inlet 14b, an AC charger 15a, and an AC inlet 15b. A leakage detector 12 is provided in the circuit CR11. In the circuit CR21 inside the battery pack 20, a BMS (Battery Management System) 22a and a leakage detector 22b are provided. The vehicle body 10 further includes a terminal T11 to which the battery pack 20 is detachable, and an SMR13 (first relay) disposed between the terminal T11 and the circuit CR11. The circuit CR11 (high-voltage power line) is connected to the terminal T11 via the SMR13. The battery pack 20 further includes a terminal T21 to which the vehicle body 10 is detachable, and an SMR23 (second relay) disposed between the terminal T21 and the circuit CR21. The circuit CR21 (high-voltage power line) is connected to the terminal T21 via the SMR23. "SMR" means a System Main Relay.

[0036] The battery 21 is a secondary battery such as, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a sodium-ion battery. The type of the secondary battery may be a liquid secondary battery or an all-solid-state secondary battery. A plurality of secondary batteries may form a battery pack.

[0037] The vehicle body 10 further includes a terminal T12. The circuit CR12 (low-voltage power line) inside the vehicle body 10 is connected to the terminal T12. Also, the communication line CL1 (broken line in FIG. 1) inside the vehicle body 10 is connected to the terminal T12. The battery pack 20 further includes a terminal T22. The circuit CR22 (low-voltage power line) inside the battery pack 20 is connected to the terminal T22. Also, the communication line CL2 (broken line in FIG. 1) inside the battery pack 20 is connected to the terminal T22.

[0038] The auxiliary battery 17 is an in-vehicle battery that supplies electric power for driving auxiliary devices mounted on the vehicle 100. The auxiliary battery 17 outputs DC power to the circuit CR12 (low-voltage power line). The circuit CR12 further includes the ECUs 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d in addition to the auxiliary battery 17. The circuit CR22 further includes the ECUs 28a, 28b. The auxiliary battery 17 supplies power to each of the ECUs 18a to 18d and 28a, 28b connected to the low-voltage power line, for example. "ECU" means an Electronic Control Unit.

[0039] The ECU 18a corresponds to a control device (EV-ECU) that overall controls various controls related to the vehicle 100. The ECU 18b corresponds to a control device (Plg-ECU) that detects the state of each of the DC inlet 14b and the AC inlet 15b. The ECU 18c corresponds to a control device (Bat-C-ECU) that controls the DC charging relay 14a and the AC charger 15a. The ECU 18d corresponds to a control device (first leakage ECU) that monitors the leakage state of the circuit CR11. The ECU 28a corresponds to a control device (Bat-ECU) that monitors the state of the battery 21 and controls the SMR 23. The ECU 28b corresponds to a control device (second leakage ECU) that monitors the leakage state of the circuit CR21.

[0040] Each ECU includes a processor and a storage device. The storage device is configured to be able to store the stored information. In addition to the program, various information used in the program is stored in the storage device. In this embodiment, various controls are executed by the processor executing the program stored in the storage device. However, these processes may be executed only by hardware (electronic circuits) without using software.

[0041] In the vehicle 100, each ECU is communicably connected to each other via an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle network is, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network). The ECU 18a acquires information from other ECUs, controls the inverter 11b, the DC / DC converter 16, and the SMR 13, and transmits control commands to the ECU 18c and the ECU 28a.

[0042] The leakage current detector 12 detects the leakage current state (e.g., insulation resistance) of the circuit CR11 and outputs the detected leakage current state to the ECU 18d. The BMS 22a detects the state (current, voltage, temperature, etc.) of the battery 21 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 28a. The leakage current detector 22b detects the leakage current state (e.g., insulation resistance) of the circuit CR21 and outputs the detected leakage current state to the ECU 28b. When the circuits CR11 and CR21 are connected, the leakage current detector 12 or 22b detects the leakage current state of the circuit formed by the circuits CR11 and CR21. On the other hand, when the battery pack 20 is removed from the vehicle body 10, the leakage current detector 12 detects the leakage current state of the circuit CR11, and the leakage current detector 22b detects the leakage current state of the circuit CR21. The ECU 18a acquires information indicating the battery state and the leakage current state from the ECUs 18d, 28a, and 28b.

[0043] The DC / DC converter 16 steps up / down DC power between the circuit CR11 and the circuit CR12. Specifically, the DC / DC converter 16 steps down the DC power from the battery 21 and outputs it to the auxiliary battery 17. The ECU 18a may control the DC / DC converter 16 so that power is supplied from the battery 21 (main battery) to the auxiliary battery 17 when the remaining charge of the auxiliary battery 17 decreases. The capacity of the battery 21 is larger than the capacity of the auxiliary battery 17. Each of the SMRs 13 and 23 switches the connection / disconnection of the circuit between the circuit CR11 and the circuit CR21. When applying the voltage of the battery 21 to the circuit CR11, the ECU 18a closes both the SMRs 13 and 23 (connection state), and when not applying the voltage of the battery 21 to the circuit CR11, the ECU 18a opens at least one of the SMRs 13 and 23 (disconnection state).

[0044] The terminals T21 and T22 of the battery pack 20 are configured to be detachable from the terminals T11 and T12 of the vehicle body 10, respectively. When the terminals T21 and T22 are connected to the terminals T11 and T12, the battery pack 20 is mounted on the vehicle body 10, and the vehicle 100 is completed. In the vehicle 100, a circuit CR11 in the vehicle body 10 is connected to a circuit CR21 in the battery pack 20 via SMR13 and 23. Also, a circuit CR12 in the vehicle body 10 is connected to a circuit CR22 in the battery pack 20. Also, communication lines CL1 and CL2 are connected to each other. These communication lines constitute an in-vehicle network (e.g., CAN) of the vehicle 100.

[0045] MG11a functions as a motor for running. The inverter 11b functions as a PCU (Power Control Unit) for MG11a. The inverter 11b drives MG11a using the electric power supplied from the battery 21. MG11a converts the electric power into torque and rotates the drive wheels of the vehicle 100. Also, MG11a performs regenerative power generation, for example, when the vehicle 100 decelerates, and charges the battery 21.

[0046] Each of the DC inlet 14b and the AC inlet 15b has a terminal for detecting the connection / disconnection of a charging cable (charging plug), and outputs a signal indicating whether the charging cable is connected to the ECU 18b. The ECU 18a acquires information indicating the inlet state from the ECU 18b and transmits a control command to the ECU 18c. In the vehicle 100, charging control is executed by the cooperation of the ECUs 18a to 18c. The DC inlet 14b receives DC power from outside the vehicle. When charging the battery 21 with the DC power input to the DC inlet 14b, the ECU 18a closes the SMRs 13 and 23, and the ECU 18c closes the DC charging relay 14a. The AC inlet 15b receives AC power from outside the vehicle. The AC charger 15a performs AC / DC conversion. The ECU 18c controls the AC charger 15a in a state where both the SMRs 13 and 23 are in the closed state and AC power is input to the AC charger 15a from outside the vehicle via the AC inlet 15b. The AC charger 15a converts the AC power into DC power according to a control command from the ECU 18c and outputs the DC power to the battery 21.

[0047] The vehicle body 10 further includes an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 19a and a communication device 19b. Note that the HMI 19a and the communication device 19b also receive power supply from the auxiliary battery 17.

[0048] The HMI 19a includes an input device and a display device provided on the vehicle body 10. The HMI 19a may include a touch panel display. The input device may include an operation unit (e.g., a button) provided on the steering wheel. The input device may include a smart speaker that accepts voice input. The input device outputs a signal corresponding to an input from the user to the ECU 18a. The display device may include a meter panel or a head-up display. The display device may change the display direction (the orientation of the screen) according to an instruction from the ECU 18a. The display device may perform a display based on XR technology (a technology that combines the real physical space and the virtual space) such as VR (Virtual Reality) or AR (Augmented Reality).

[0049] The communication device 19b is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200 and a server 380 (Fig. 2) described later. The ECU 18a performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200 through the communication device 19b. The mobile terminal 200 corresponds to a portable terminal that can be carried by a user. The mobile terminal 200 is, for example, a smartphone equipped with a touch panel display. However, it is not limited to this, and a laptop, a portable game machine, a wearable device, an electronic key, etc. can also be adopted as the mobile terminal 200.

[0050] The vehicle body 10 is also equipped with various sensors (in-vehicle sensors 19c) not shown in the figure. The in-vehicle sensors 19c may include a sensor that detects the state (current, voltage, temperature, etc.) of the auxiliary battery 17, a sensor that detects the charging power (charging voltage and charging current), and a sensor that detects the input power and output power of the inverter 11b. The ECU 18a is configured to obtain the detection results of these sensors directly or via other ECUs.

[0051] In this embodiment, the HMI 19a includes a start switch. Generally, the start switch is referred to as a "power switch" or an "ignition switch", etc. The start switch accepts a start operation and a stop operation for respectively requesting to start and stop the control system (including each ECU) of the vehicle 100, and a Ready-ON operation and a Ready-OFF operation for respectively requesting to put the vehicle 100 in the Ready-ON state and the Ready-OFF state. One user operation may correspond to a plurality of requests. For example, the start operation and the Ready-ON operation may be the same operation. Also, the stop operation and the Ready-OFF operation may be the same operation. Each operation may be a remote operation (e.g., a request by wireless communication).

[0052] The Ready-ON state is a state in which the voltage of the battery 21 is applied to the circuit CR11. In the Ready-ON state, both of the SMRs 13 and 23 are in the closed state, and power is supplied from the battery 21 to the vehicle drive device. The vehicle drive device includes the MG11a and the inverter 11b described above. The Ready-OFF state is a state in which the voltage of the battery 21 is not applied to the circuit CR11. In the Ready-OFF state, at least one of the SMRs 13 and 23 is in the open state, and power is not supplied from the battery 21 to the vehicle drive device.

[0053] The battery pack (battery pack 20) mounted on the vehicle 100 is replaceable with another battery pack. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery replacement system for replacing the battery pack. The battery replacement system 300 shown in FIG. 2 is implemented, for example, in a battery replacement station.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery replacement system 300 is configured to remove the battery pack mounted on the vehicle 100 from the vehicle body 10 and attach another battery pack to the vehicle body 10. Hereinafter, the battery pack (first power storage device) recovered from the vehicle 100 is referred to as "battery pack B1". Also, the battery pack (second power storage device) attached to the vehicle 100 in place of the battery pack B1 is referred to as "battery pack B2". Each of the battery packs B1 and B2 has the same configuration as the battery pack 20 shown in FIG. 1. The battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10 functions as the battery pack 20 (FIG. 1) in the vehicle 100.

[0055] The battery pack B1 according to this embodiment corresponds to the initial power storage device initially equipped in the vehicle 100 (for example, at the time of shipment). The storage device of the ECU 18a stores in advance the first specification information indicating the characteristics of the initial power storage device initially equipped in the vehicle 100 and the second specification information indicating the initial performance of the vehicle 100. The first specification information indicates, for example, the maximum output power, the maximum regeneration power, the capacity, and the charging time, which will be described later, regarding the initial power storage device (battery pack B1). Also, although details will be described later, the second specification information indicates the output performance, the regenerative charging performance, the maximum cruising range, and the performance of each in-vehicle device of the vehicle 100 in the initial state (for example, at the time of shipment). The first specification information and the second specification information may be stored in the storage device of the ECU 18a, for example, at the time of shipment of the vehicle 100.

[0056] The battery exchange system 300 according to this embodiment includes a first storage device 310, a second storage device 320, a recovery device 330, a filling device 340, an exchange device 350, a server 380, and a display device 390. The first storage device 310 stores a plurality of battery packs to be supplied to vehicles. The first storage device 310 includes a charger and a supply device in addition to a pack storage section (for example, a storage). The second storage device 320 stores a plurality of battery packs recovered from a plurality of vehicles. The second storage device 320 includes an inspection device and a sorting device in addition to a pack storage section (for example, a storage). The server 380 includes a processor, a storage device, and a communication device, and functions as a control device. The storage device stores information (for example, battery information, which will be described later) regarding each battery pack existing in the battery exchange system 300, distinguished by the identification information of the battery pack. The display device 390 displays information according to an instruction from the server 380.

[0057] Hereinafter, a method for replacing a power storage device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the method for replacing the power storage device according to this embodiment. For example, after the vehicle 100 parks in a predetermined area within the battery replacement station, the ECU 18a starts the processing flow of S11 to S14 shown in FIG. 3. The ECU 18a may start the processing flow in response to a request from, for example, the user terminal of the vehicle 100. The ECU 18a and the server 380 are configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with each other.

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, in S11, the ECU 18a transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as "replacement request signal") for requesting replacement of the battery pack to the server 380. The replacement request signal includes the identification information (vehicle ID) of the vehicle 100. In the subsequent S12, the ECU 18a determines whether the battery pack has been replaced. While the replacement of the battery pack is not completed (NO in S12), the determination in S12 is repeatedly executed.

[0059] When the server 380 receives the above replacement request signal, it starts the processing flow of S31 to S34. In S31, the server 380 selects a battery pack for the vehicle 100 from among the plurality of battery packs (inventory) held by the first storage device 310. If it is determined that there is no battery pack suitable for the vehicle 100 in the inventory, the server 380 may cause the display device 390 to display a message for situation explanation and abort the battery replacement process. When the battery pack is selected in S31, in the subsequent S32, the server 380 controls the replacement device 350 so that the battery pack B1 is removed from the vehicle body 10. Thereby, the vehicle body 10 and the battery pack B1 are separated.

[0060] Although not shown in the flowchart, a reuse process is executed for the removed battery pack B1. Specifically, the recovery device 330 conveys (recovers) the battery pack B1 from the replacement device 350 to the second storage device 320. Then, the plurality of battery packs stored in the second storage device 320 are inspected in order by the inspection device, and the sorting device sorts those battery packs according to the inspection results for each use. Each battery pack is reused for the corresponding use (in-vehicle use, stationary use, etc.). However, battery packs that cannot be reused as they are are disassembled and recycled as materials or discarded. The battery packs (for in-vehicle use) reused in the battery replacement system 300 are conveyed to the first storage device 310 by the filling device 340. The conveyed battery packs are filled in the first storage device 310.

[0061] In S33, the server 380 controls the charger of the first storage device 310 so that the battery 21 in the battery pack (battery pack B2) selected in S31 is charged. By performing the battery charging immediately before supplying it to the vehicle, the deterioration of the battery is suppressed. However, it is not limited to this, and the charging timing can be changed as appropriate. For example, the charging of the battery pack may be started at the timing when the battery pack is filled in the first storage device 310. When the charging is completed, the server 380 controls the supply device of the first storage device 310 so that the battery pack B2 is conveyed (supplied) from the first storage device 310 to the replacement device 350. Subsequently, the server 380 controls the replacement device 350 so that the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. At this time, the SMR23 of the battery pack B2 is in the open state. In the subsequent S34, the server 380 controls the replacement device 350 so that the battery pack B2 is fixed to the vehicle body 10 (for example, fastened with bolts). After fixing the battery pack B2, the server 380 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as "replacement completion signal") indicating the completion of the attachment of the battery pack to the ECU18a.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows an example in which the removal and the attachment of the battery pack are performed at different positions. The adjustment of the vehicle position may be performed before the removal of the battery pack, before the attachment of the battery pack (after the removal of the battery pack), or both. A conveying device (for example, a conveyor type conveying device) or a conveying robot (not shown) may move the vehicle. However, the removal and the attachment of the battery pack may be performed at the same position. The replacement (removal and attachment) of the battery pack may be performed with the vehicle being stationary. The conveying method of each of the recovery device 330, the supply device, and the filling device 340 is also arbitrary. These conveying methods may be a conveyor method or a method using a conveying robot.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the replacement device 350. Referring to FIG. 4, the replacement device 350 is configured to replace a battery pack attached to a vehicle body with another battery pack. Specifically, the replacement device 350 includes a vehicle body holding part 351, a battery holding part 352, a battery adjusting part 353, and a battery fixing part 354. The battery holding part 352 has a plate-like member, a positioning pin 352a provided on the plate-like member, and a conveying part 352b. The conveying part 352b includes, for example, rollers that can be raised, lowered, and rotated. The battery adjusting part 353 is configured to be able to adjust the position and angle of the battery pack held by the battery holding part 352 by changing the position and angle of a positioning member (for example, an L-shaped block arranged at a corner of the battery pack). The battery fixing part 354 is connected to the battery holding part 352. The battery fixing part 354 is configured to fix the battery pack held by the battery holding part 352 to the vehicle body or release the fixation between the vehicle body and the battery pack using a power tool. The battery fixing part 354 may include a power tool for tightening and loosening bolts. Although not shown, the replacement device 350 further includes an actuator (for example, a motor) for driving each part.

[0064] The battery pack of the vehicle 100 is replaced by the replacement device 350 in the procedure described below, for example. Before the replacement operation starts, the replacement device 350 is in the state A shown in FIG. 4. That is, the vehicle body holding part 351 and the battery holding part 352 are located below the vehicle 100. The replacement device 350 may detect the position of the vehicle 100 using various sensors and / or cameras. When the replacement device 350 receives a command to remove the battery pack (S32 in FIG. 3) from the server 380, the vehicle body holding part 351 and the battery holding part 352 rise toward the vehicle 100, and the replacement device 350 becomes the state B shown in FIG. 4. Although not shown, in the state B, the battery adjustment part 353 also rises to the same height as the battery holding part 352. In the state B, the vehicle body 10 is held by the vehicle body holding part 351. The vehicle body holding part 351 may lift the vehicle body 10 and hold it in a floating state. On the other hand, the battery pack 20 (battery pack B1) is held by the battery holding part 352. At this time, the positioning pin 352a is inserted into a hole provided in the bottom surface of the battery pack 20. Thereby, the battery pack 20 and the battery holding part 352 (and the battery fixing part 354) are in a predetermined positional relationship. Then, the battery fixing part 354 releases the fixing (for example, bolt fastening) between the vehicle body 10 and the battery pack 20. Thereby, the vehicle body 10 and the battery pack 20 can be separated. After the fixing is released, the battery holding part 352 descends away from the vehicle body 10 while holding the battery pack 20, and the replacement device 350 becomes the state C shown in FIG. 4. Thereby, the battery pack 20 is removed from the vehicle body 10. Although not shown, in the state C, the battery adjustment part 353 also descends to the same height as the battery holding part 352. Subsequently, the transport part 352b detaches the battery pack 20 held by the battery holding part 352 from the positioning pin 352a, transports the battery pack 20, and delivers it to the recovery device 330 (FIG. 2).

[0065] After that, based on the instruction to attach the battery pack from the server 380 (S33 in FIG. 3), the battery pack 20 (battery pack B2) is supplied from the first storage device 310 to the battery holding unit 352. Then, by adjusting the position and angle of the battery pack 20 by the battery adjustment unit 353, the positioning pin 352a is inserted into the hole provided in the bottom surface of the battery pack 20. Subsequently, the battery holding unit 352 rises toward the vehicle body 10 while holding the battery pack 20, and the replacement device 350 returns to state B again. Thereby, the battery pack 20 held by the battery holding unit 352 is attached to the vehicle body 10. When the replacement device 350 receives a battery pack fixing instruction (S34 in FIG. 3) from the server 380, the battery fixing unit 354 fixes (for example, bolts) the battery pack 20 held by the battery holding unit 352 to the vehicle body 10. After the fixing is completed, the vehicle body holding unit 351 and the battery holding unit 352 descend away from the vehicle body 10, and the replacement device 350 returns to state A. Thereby, the replacement work is completed. Note that the configuration of the replacement device and the procedure of the replacement work described above are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. Also, automation of the replacement work is not essential. The user may manually replace the battery pack (power storage device) without communication between the battery replacement system (station) and the vehicle.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the connection mode between the terminals T11 and T12 of the vehicle body 10 and the terminals T21 and T22 of the battery pack B2. Referring to FIG. 5, when the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 in the above procedure, the terminals T21 and T22 of the battery pack B2 are connected to the terminals T11 and T12 of the vehicle body 10, respectively. Thereby, the vehicle body 10 and the battery pack B2 are in the connection state as shown in FIG. 1. By attaching the battery pack B2 to the vehicle body 10, a low-voltage power line (circuits CR12, CR22) and a communication line (communication lines CL1, CL2) are connected between the vehicle body 10 and the battery pack B2. Then, the processing flow of S21 to S24 shown in FIG. 3 is started.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3 again, in S21, the ECU 28a in the battery pack B2 is activated by the power supplied from the power source (auxiliary battery 17) in the vehicle body 10. Subsequently, in S22, the activated ECU 28a transmits battery information regarding the battery pack B2 to the ECU 18a.

[0068] In this embodiment, the battery information indicates the state of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone (the battery pack B2 in a state separated from the vehicle body 10). The battery information indicates, for example, the state of the battery 21 detected by the BMS 22a in the battery pack B2. The state of the battery 21 indicated by the battery information includes, for example, the voltage of the battery 21, the SOC (State Of Charge), the temperature, and the leakage state. The SOC indicates the remaining charge amount, and is, for example, the ratio of the current charge amount to the charge amount in the fully charged state, expressed as 0 to 100%. The voltage of the battery 21 can vary according to the SOC of the battery 21. Further, the battery information further indicates the characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone. The characteristics of the battery 21 indicated by the battery information include, for example, the maximum output power of the battery 21, the maximum regenerative power, the capacity, and the charging time. The maximum output power of the battery 21 indicates the maximum power value (kW) that can be output from the battery 21. The maximum regenerative power of the battery 21 indicates the maximum value (kW) of the regenerative power that can be input to the battery 21. The charging time indicates the time until a predetermined charge of the battery 21 is completed. The predetermined charge is, for example, a charge that raises the SOC of the battery 21 from 10% to 80% by DC charging (direct current charging) with a supply power of 90 kW at an ambient temperature of 25°C. The capacity of the battery 21 corresponds to the amount of electricity (kWh) stored in the fully charged battery 21. For example, the storage device of the ECU 28a in the battery pack B2 stores in advance the specification information indicating the characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2.

[0069] After transmitting the battery information, at S23, ECU28a determines whether it has received an SMR on command (S102 in FIG. 6 described later) from the vehicle body 10. With SMR23 maintained in the open state, ECU28a waits for the SMR on command from the vehicle body 10 at S23. When ECU28a receives the SMR on command (YES at S23), at S24, ECU28a switches SMR23 from the open state (cut-off state) to the closed state (connected state).

[0070] On the other hand, when the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, ECU18a receives an exchange completion signal (S34) from the server 380. As a result, it is determined YES at S12, and the process proceeds to S13. At S13, ECU18a determines whether it has received the battery information from ECU28a. When ECU18a receives the battery information (YES at S13), at S14, ECU18a executes the processing flow shown in FIG. 6.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by ECU18a in the vehicle body 10 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. Referring to FIG. 6, at S101, based on the battery information (S22 in FIG. 3) acquired from ECU28a, ECU18a determines whether the state and characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone are appropriate. If any of the battery parameters (such as voltage) indicated by the battery information are not within a predetermined appropriate range, ECU18a may determine NO at S101. Also, if all the battery parameters indicated by the battery information are within the appropriate range, ECU18a may determine YES at S101. The appropriate range may be set according to the drive system (for example, circuit CR11 and control system) of the vehicle 100.

[0072] When it is determined that the state and characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone are appropriate (YES in S101), the ECU18a transmits, in S102, a signal (SMR on command) instructing the closing drive of the SMR23 to the ECU28a. As a result, the SMR23 becomes closed (S24 in FIG. 3). Subsequently, in S103, the ECU18a notifies the user of the state and characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone indicated by the battery information regarding the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10. Specifically, the ECU18a notifies the state and characteristics of the battery pack B2 to the user terminal of the vehicle 100. The user terminal may be the display device of the HMI19a, the mobile terminal 200, or both of them. When receiving the notification in S103, the user terminal displays the information notified from the ECU18a to the user. The user terminal displays, for example, the screen Sc1.

[0073] The screen Sc1 includes a message indicating that the battery replacement has been completed and the state and characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone. Specifically, the screen Sc1 shows the state of the battery 21 (for example, SOC and temperature). Further, the screen Sc1 displays, in a manner comparable to the characteristics of the battery pack B1 (initial power storage device) indicated by the first specification information stored in the storage device of the ECU18a, the characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone (for example, maximum output power, maximum regeneration power, and capacity) indicated by the battery information regarding the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10 to the user. The screen Sc1 displays, for example, the ratio of the characteristics of the battery pack B2 (current battery characteristics) to the characteristics of the battery pack B1 (initial battery characteristics). Thereby, the user can grasp the degree of deterioration of the characteristics (performance) of the in-vehicle battery. For example, if the current battery characteristics are 80% of the initial battery characteristics, it means that the battery characteristics have deteriorated by 20%. Furthermore, the screen Sc1 also displays the charging time of the battery 21 indicated by the battery information. As described above, by presenting to the user the state and characteristics of the in-vehicle battery after replacement recognized by the vehicle 100 at the time of battery replacement, the user can distinguish between performance degradation due to battery replacement and performance degradation due to failure.

[0074] In the subsequent S104, the ECU 18a calculates the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, using the battery information (S22 in FIG. 3) acquired from the ECU 28a and the second specification information stored in the storage device of the ECU 18a. Here, the second specification information indicates the initial performance of the vehicle 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "standard specification"). The standard specification indicated by the second specification information includes the output performance of the vehicle 100 based on the power of the battery pack B1 (for example, maximum output power or maximum output torque), the regenerative charging performance of the battery pack B1 in the vehicle 100 (for example, maximum regenerative power), and the maximum cruising range of the vehicle 100 based on the power of the battery pack B1. Further, the second specification information further indicates the initial performance of each device (for example, MG11a, inverter 11b, DC charging relay 14a, DC inlet 14b, AC charger 15a, and AC inlet 15b) mounted on the vehicle body 10. In this embodiment, the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 includes the output performance of the vehicle 100 based on the power of the battery pack B2, the regenerative charging performance of the battery pack B2 in the vehicle 100, and the maximum cruising range of the vehicle 100 based on the power of the battery pack B2.

[0075] The performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 is determined by the performance of both the vehicle body 10 (particularly, the above-mentioned each device) and the battery pack B2. For example, even if the maximum output of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 is 150 kW, if the vehicle drive device (MG11a and inverter 11b) on the vehicle body 10 side can only handle up to 120 kW, the vehicle 100 can only exhibit the performance of 120 kW output. Therefore, in S104, the ECU 18a calculates the performance of the vehicle 100 using the battery information regarding the battery pack B2 and the second specification information regarding the vehicle body 10. Note that the ECU 18a may calculate the performance of the vehicle 100 by further considering the degree of deterioration of each device mounted on the vehicle body 10 from the initial stage.

[0076] In the subsequent S105, the ECU 18a determines whether the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is lower than a predetermined reference performance. In this embodiment, the standard specification (initial performance) indicated by the above-described second specification information is used as the reference performance. The ECU 18a determines YES in S105 when any of the performance (output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is lower than the reference performance (standard specification). Also, the ECU 18a determines NO in S105 when all of the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is equal to or higher than the reference performance (standard specification).

[0077] When it is determined that the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is lower than the reference performance (YES in S105), the ECU 18a notifies the user of the state and performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 in S106. Specifically, the ECU 18a notifies the user terminal of the vehicle 100 of the state and characteristics of the vehicle 100. The ECU 18a may acquire the state of the vehicle 100 using at least one of the above-described battery information and the detection result by the in-vehicle sensor 19c. The user terminal may be the display device of the HMI 19a, the mobile terminal 200, or both of them. When receiving the notification in S106, the user terminal displays the information notified by the ECU 18a to the user. The user terminal displays, for example, the screen Sc2.

[0078] The screen Sc2 displays to the user the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 in a manner comparable to the initial performance (standard specification) indicated by the second specification information. Specifically, the screen Sc2 makes the two sets of data comparable by aligning the origin (0 point) of both sets of data for display. The screen Sc2 includes a message indicating that the performance of the vehicle 100 has deteriorated due to battery replacement, images M11, M21, M31 (standard specification lines) indicated by dashed lines, images M12, M22, M32 (potential bars) indicated by solid lines, and images M13, M23, M33 (status bars) indicated by hatching. The images M11, M21, M31 respectively indicate the maximum output torque, maximum regenerative charging power, and maximum cruising range in the standard specification of the vehicle 100. The images M12, M22, M32 respectively indicate the performance of the vehicle 100 (maximum output torque, maximum regenerative charging power, maximum cruising range in the optimal state) after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. The images M13, M23, M33 respectively indicate the performance (maximum output torque, maximum regenerative charging power, maximum cruising range) that the vehicle 100 can exhibit in the current state.

[0079] In this embodiment, the ECU 18a causes the user terminal to display only the performance (output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, which is inferior to the standard specifications. When all of the output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range are inferior to the standard specifications, the ECU 18a causes the user terminal to display, for example, the screen Sc2 shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand, when only one of the output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range is inferior to the standard specifications, the ECU 18a causes the user terminal to display, for example, any one of the screens Sc2A, Sc2B, and Sc2C shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the screen Sc2 shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7, the screen Sc2A displays the output performance of the deteriorated vehicle 100 together with a message indicating that the output performance has deteriorated due to battery replacement. The screen Sc2B displays the regenerative charging performance of the deteriorated vehicle 100 together with a message indicating that the regenerative charging performance has deteriorated due to battery replacement. The screen Sc2C displays the maximum cruising range of the deteriorated vehicle 100 together with a message indicating that the maximum cruising range has deteriorated due to battery replacement.

[0080] Referring again to FIG. 6, when the process of S106 is executed, the process proceeds to S107. Further, when it is determined that the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is not lower than the reference performance (NO in S105), the process proceeds to S107 without performing the process of S106. In this case, the ECU 18a does not notify the user of the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10.

[0081] In S107, the ECU 18a switches the SMR 13 from the open state (cut-off state) to the closed state (connected state). As a result, the vehicle 100 becomes the Ready-ON state, and the voltage of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 is applied to the circuit CR11. Then, S14 in FIG. 3, and thus the processing flow related to battery replacement ends.

[0082] If it is determined that either the state or characteristics of the battery 21 in the battery pack B2 alone are not appropriate (NO in S101), the ECU 18a makes a predetermined notification to the user terminal of the vehicle 100 (for example, the HMI 19a and / or the mobile terminal 200) in S108. Thereby, the processing flow shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0083] When receiving the notification in S108, the user terminal, for example, displays the screen Sc3. The screen Sc3 displays the messages M1, M2 and the operation units M3, M4. The message M1 prompts the user of the vehicle 100 to replace the battery pack. The message M2 shows an explanation regarding the operation units M3, M4. When the operation unit M3 is operated, after the user terminal requests the ECU 18a to replace the battery pack, the display of the screen Sc3 ends. The ECU 18a restarts the processing flow of S11 to S14 shown in FIG. 3 in response to the request from the user terminal. Thereby, the battery pack B2 mounted on the vehicle 100 is replaced with another battery pack. On the other hand, when the operation unit M4 is operated, the user terminal ends the display of the screen Sc3 without requesting the replacement of the battery pack.

[0084] As described above, the method for replacing the power storage device according to this embodiment includes the respective processes shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In S32 of FIG. 3, the battery pack B1 is removed from the vehicle 100 including the vehicle body 10 including the ECU18a (first control device). In S33 of FIG. 3, the battery pack B2 including the ECU28a (second control device) is attached to the vehicle body 10 instead of the battery pack B1. With the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10, the ECU18a waits to receive battery information regarding the battery pack B2 (S13 in FIG. 3), and the ECU18a acquires the battery information from the ECU28a by the process of S22 in FIG. 3. In S103 of FIG. 6, the ECU18a notifies the user of the state of the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10 and the characteristics of the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10 by using the battery information acquired from the battery pack B2. In S106 of FIG. 6, the ECU18a notifies the user of the state of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 and the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. For this reason, the user can distinguish between performance degradation due to battery replacement and performance degradation due to a failure. According to such a method, after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, it is possible to suppress giving the user a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding regarding the state or performance of the vehicle 100 (or the battery pack B2 mounted on the vehicle 100).

[0085] In the above embodiment, after the battery exchange system 300 fixes the battery pack B2 to the vehicle body 10, the ECU18a gives a notification regarding battery exchange to the user (S103, S106 in FIG. 6). However, it is not limited to this, and the ECU18a may give the above notification before fixing the battery pack B2. Instead of the processing flow shown in FIG. 3, the ECU18a may execute the processing flow shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the method shown in FIG. 3. The method shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the method shown in FIG. 3 except that S14A is adopted instead of S14 (FIG. 3), and S33A, S34A to S34C are adopted instead of S33, S34 (FIG. 3).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 8, in this modification, after the server 380 attaches the battery pack B2 to the vehicle body 10 in S33A and before fixing the battery pack B2 to the vehicle body 10, the server 380 transmits a replacement completion signal to the ECU 18a. Then, when the ECU 18a receives the replacement completion signal, it is determined as YES in S12. After transmitting the replacement completion signal, the server 380 determines in S34A and S34B whether it has received a replacement request and a fixing request from the vehicle body 10, respectively. While the server 380 has not received either request (NO in both S34A and S34B), the determinations in S34A and S34B are repeated.

[0087] When the server 380 receives a replacement request (S109D in FIG. 9 described later) (YES in S34A), the process returns to S31. The server 380 selects another battery pack in S31, removes the battery pack B2 from the vehicle body 10 in S32, and attaches the battery pack selected in S31 to the vehicle body 10 in S33A. On the other hand, when the server 380 receives a fixing request (S109B in FIG. 9 described later) (YES in S34B), the process proceeds to S34C. In S34C, the battery pack (for example, the battery pack B2) attached to the vehicle body 10 in S33A is fixed to the vehicle body 10. After fixing the battery pack, the server 380 transmits a signal notifying the completion of battery fixing (hereinafter referred to as the "replacement and fixing signal") to the ECU 18a.

[0088] In S14A, instead of the processing flow shown in FIG. 6, the ECU 18a executes the processing flow shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first modification of the method shown in FIG. 6.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 9, in S101, ECU18a executes the same determination as S101 in FIG. 6. If it is determined as NO in S101, then in S108, ECU18a causes the user terminal to display screen Sc3 (FIG. 6). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S109A. On the other hand, if it is determined as YES in S101, then ECU18a executes the processes of S104 and S105 which are the same as the process flow in FIG. 6. And if it is determined that the performance of vehicle 100 calculated in S104 is lower than the reference performance (YES in S105), then in S106A, ECU18a causes the user terminal to display screen Sc4. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S109A. Screen Sc4 displays the performance of vehicle 100 (e.g., maximum cruising range) that has deteriorated from the standard specification due to battery replacement, message M41, and operation units M42, M43. Message M41 shows an explanation regarding operation units M42, M43.

[0090] In S109A, ECU18a determines whether a battery replacement request has been received from the user. Specifically, ECU18a determines whether either the operation unit M3 (FIG. 6) of screen Sc3 or the operation unit M42 of screen Sc4 has been operated. If operation unit M3 or M42 has been operated (YES in S109A), then in S109D, after ECU18a transmits an exchange request signal to server 380, the process proceeds to S12 in FIG. 8.

[0091] When the operation unit M4 (Fig. 6) of the screen Sc3 or the operation unit M43 of the screen Sc4 is operated by the other party, it is determined as NO in S109A. Also, when it is determined as YES in S101 and NO in S105, it is also determined as NO in S109A. When it is determined as NO in S109A, the process proceeds to S109B. In S109B, the ECU18a transmits a signal (fixing request) for requesting the fixing of the battery pack B2 to the server 380. Then, in S109C, the ECU18a determines whether the fixing of the battery pack B2 is completed based on whether an exchange fixing signal is received from the server 380. When the battery pack B2 is fixed to the vehicle body 10 by the process of S34C in Fig. 8 and an exchange fixing signal is transmitted from the server 380 to the ECU18a, it is determined as YES in S109C and the process proceeds to S102. Then, the voltage of the battery 21 is applied to the circuit CR11 by the processes of S102 and S107.

[0092] In the above-described method shown in Figs. 8 and 9, before the battery exchange system 300 fixes the power storage device (battery pack) to the vehicle body 10, the ECU18a notifies the user of the performance of the vehicle 100 after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body 10 (S106A). The user who has received the notification can decide whether to replace the power storage device. Also, according to such a configuration, when the removal of the power storage device is requested in S109D, since the power storage device is not fixed, it is possible to save the time and effort for releasing the fixing regarding the removal of the power storage device.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, before setting the vehicle 100 to the Ready-ON state, the performance of the vehicle 100 after the power storage device (battery pack) is attached to the vehicle body 10 is calculated (S104 in FIG. 6), and the user is notified of the performance of the vehicle 100 that has deteriorated from the standard specifications due to the replacement of the power storage device (S106 in FIG. 6). Thereby, after attaching the power storage device to the vehicle body 10 and before starting the running of the vehicle 100, the user can be notified of the performance degradation of the vehicle 100. However, it is not limited to this, and the ECU 18a may execute the processing flow shown in FIG. 10 instead of the processing flow shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second modification of the method shown in FIG. 6. In the processing flow shown in FIG. 10, the timing of S107 is changed between S102 and S103. And S104A is executed instead of S104 (FIG. 6).

[0094] Referring to FIG. 10, in this modification, the same determination as S101 in the processing flow of FIG. 6 is executed. And when it is determined as YES in S101, after the processes of S102, S107, and S103 are executed in order, the process proceeds to S104A. In S104A, the ECU 18a calculates the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, using the battery information acquired from the ECU 28a (S22 in FIG. 3), the second specification information stored in the storage device of the ECU 18a, and the result detected by the in-vehicle sensor 19c in the Ready-ON state vehicle 100. By the ECU 18a calculating the performance of the vehicle 100 using the sensor detection value in the Ready-ON state vehicle 100, it becomes easier to obtain more accurate performance of the vehicle 100. In the subsequent S105, the ECU 18a determines whether to perform the notification in S106 based on the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104A.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the ECU 18a causes the user terminal to display only the performance (output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, which is inferior to the standard specifications (see, for example, FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ECU 18a may cause the user terminal to display the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, regardless of whether it is inferior to the standard specifications.

[0096] Instead of the processing flow shown in FIG. 6, the ECU 18a may execute the processing flow shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a third modification of the method shown in FIG. 6.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 11, in this modification, the ECU 18a calculates the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 by the same process as S104 in the process flow of FIG. 6, and then notifies the user of the calculated performance of the vehicle 100 in S106B.

[0098] When all of the performance of the vehicle 100 (for example, output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 meet the standard specifications, the ECU 18a causes, for example, the screen Sc5A to be displayed on the user terminal in S106B. On the other hand, when any of the performance of the vehicle 100 (for example, output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10 is inferior to the standard specifications, the ECU 18a causes, for example, the screen Sc5B to be displayed on the user terminal in S106B. Both the screens Sc5A and Sc5B display the performance of the vehicle 100 (for example, output performance, regenerative charging performance, and maximum cruising range) after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. However, the screen Sc5A further displays a message M5A indicating that the performance that meets the standard specifications is obtained even after the battery replacement. The screen Sc5B further displays a message M5B indicating that at least one performance has deteriorated compared to the standard specifications due to the battery replacement. After the notification in S106B, the vehicle 100 becomes the Ready-ON state by the processes of S102 and S107 similar to the processing flow of FIG. 6. Thereby, the processing flow shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0099] Instead of the processing flow shown in FIG. 6, the ECU 18a may execute the processing flow shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a fourth modification of the method shown in FIG. 6. The processing flow shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing flow shown in FIG. 11 except that S106C is adopted instead of S106B (FIG. 11). Referring to FIG. 12, in S106C, the ECU 18a uses the battery information (S22 in FIG. 3) acquired from the battery pack B2 and the performance of the vehicle 100 calculated in S104 to simultaneously notify the user of the state and characteristics of the battery pack B2 attached to the vehicle body 10 and the state and performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10. For example, the ECU 18a causes the user terminal to display the screen Sc6. The screen Sc6 includes a display section M61 showing the state and characteristics of the battery pack B2, a display section M62 showing the state and performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, and a message M63 indicating whether at least one of the battery performance and the vehicle performance has decreased compared to the initial state due to battery replacement.

[0100] The display mode by the display system including the user terminal (for example, the HMI 19a and / or the mobile terminal 200) is arbitrary. For example, each of the state and performance may be represented by a numerical value or an image (such as a figure, a graph, a chart, an icon, etc.). Also, a plurality of categories related to the state or performance may be distinguished by letters (such as A / B / C), symbols, or colors. The user terminal may display a change in the behavior of the vehicle 100 based on the change in performance as a video. The user terminal may display a video showing the behavior of the vehicle before the performance degradation (for example, initial) and a video showing the behavior of the vehicle after the performance degradation (for example, current) in a comparable manner.

[0101] For example, in S106C of FIG. 12, the ECU 18a may cause the user terminal to display the screen Sc6A or Sc6B shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the display mode. Each of the screens Sc6A and Sc6B includes a display section M61A, M61B showing the state and characteristics of the battery pack B2, a display section M62A, M62B showing the performance of the vehicle 100 after the battery pack B2 is attached to the vehicle body 10, and a message M63A, M63B indicating whether at least one of the battery performance and the vehicle performance has deteriorated compared to the initial state due to battery replacement. In each of the display sections M61A, M61B, the size of the icon D1 changes according to the capacity of the battery pack B2, and the thickness of the arrow D2 changes according to the maximum output power of the battery pack B2. Further, the size of the image D3 (hatched area) in the icon D1 changes according to the SOC of the battery pack B2. In each of the display sections M62A, M62B, the radar chart D10 shows the performance D12 (acceleration performance, power consumption performance, regenerative charging performance, rapid charging performance, and maximum cruising range) of the vehicle 100 in comparison with the standard specification D11. The performance D12 of the vehicle 100 is calculated in S104 of FIG. 12. The above-described battery information (S22 in FIG. 3) may further include the weight of the battery pack B2. The message M63A indicates that both the battery performance and the vehicle performance are equivalent to the initial state even after battery replacement. The message M63B indicates that the battery performance and the vehicle performance have deteriorated compared to the initial state due to battery replacement.

[0102] The configuration of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, at least one of SMRs 13 and 23 may be omitted. Further, at least one of the DC inlet 14b and the AC inlet 15b may be omitted, or they may be changed to a single inlet common to AC / DC. The vehicle body may be configured to enable non-contact charging. The vehicle body may be provided with a solar panel.

[0103] The configuration of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the circuit CR22 in the battery pack may further include a temperature adjustment device driven by the power from the auxiliary battery 17. The temperature adjustment device may include at least one of a heating device that heats the battery 21 and a cooling device that cools the battery 21. Further, the power storage device (battery pack 20) according to the above embodiment does not have a power source for starting the second control device (ECU28a). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power storage device may have a power source for the second control device. Further, the power storage device is not limited to a battery pack and may have a packless structure.

[0104] The above various modifications may be implemented in any combination. The vehicle is not limited to a passenger car and may be a bus, a truck, or a work vehicle (such as a tractor or a forklift). The vehicle may be configured to be capable of unmanned driving by autonomous driving or remote driving.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0106] 100 Vehicle, 10 Vehicle body, 13 SMR, 18a ECU, 20, B1, B2 Battery pack, 21 Battery, 23 SMR, 28a ECU, 300 Battery exchange system, 350 Exchange device.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a vehicle body to which a power storage device is detachable, wherein the vehicle body includes a first control device, and the first control device is configured to notify a user of at least one of a state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, a state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and a performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body when the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body.

2. The first control device includes a storage device that stores specification information indicating characteristics of an initial power storage device initially provided in the vehicle, and the first control device is configured to notify the user, in a manner comparable to the characteristics of the initial power storage device indicated by the specification information, of the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body when the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. The vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The characteristics of the power storage device to be notified include at least one of a maximum output power, a maximum regenerative power, and a capacity of the power storage device. The vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The first control device includes a storage device that stores specification information indicating an initial performance of the vehicle, and the first control device is configured to notify the user, in a manner comparable to the initial performance indicated by the specification information, of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body when the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. The vehicle according to claim 1.

5. The performance of the vehicle to be notified includes at least one of an output performance of the vehicle based on the power of the power storage device, a regenerative charging performance of the power storage device in the vehicle, and a maximum cruising range of the vehicle based on the power of the power storage device. The vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The first control device includes a storage device that stores specification information indicating an initial performance of the vehicle, and the first control device determines whether the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body is lower than the initial performance indicated by the specification information when the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and when it is determined that the performance of the vehicle is lower than the initial performance, the first control device notifies the user of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. When it is determined that the performance of the vehicle is not lower than the initial performance, the first control device does not notify the user of the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. The vehicle according to claim 1.

7. The power storage device is a battery pack including a second control device, The vehicle body further includes a power source, When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the second control device is activated by the power supplied from the power source, and the activated second control device transmits information about the power storage device attached to the vehicle body to the first control device. The vehicle according to claim 1.

8. The transmitted information includes the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, The first control device calculates the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body by using the information received from the second control device. The vehicle according to claim 7.

9. The vehicle further includes a display device, When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device notifies at least one of the state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body to the display device, and the display device displays the information notified from the first control device to the user. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a portable terminal that can be carried by the user, When a power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, the first control device notifies at least one of the state of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the power storage device is attached to the vehicle body to the portable terminal, and the portable terminal displays the information notified from the first control device to the user. A display system.

11. removing the first power storage device from a vehicle including a first control device and the first power storage device; attaching a second power storage device including a second control device to the vehicle body instead of the first power storage device; With the second power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the first control device acquires information regarding the second power storage device from the second control device. Using the information acquired by the first control device from the second control device, the first control device notifies the user of at least one of the state of the second power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the characteristics of the second power storage device attached to the vehicle body, the state of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body, and the performance of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body. A method for replacing a power storage device, comprising the above.

12. The notification to the user The first control device calculates the performance of the vehicle after the second power storage device is attached to the vehicle body using the information acquired by the first control device from the second control device. The first control device notifies the user of the calculated performance of the vehicle. The method for replacing a power storage device according to claim 11, comprising the above.

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