Vehicle component exchange prediction device and vehicle component exchange prediction method

Abstract

To further improve convenience for a user of an electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle component exchange prediction device includes: a vehicle communication unit 201 that during a period in which an electric vehicle charges its own battery from a charging station 2, acquires, from the electric vehicle, deterioration-related information that can identify a degree of deterioration of a component of the electric vehicle; and a timing prediction unit 205 that predicts a timing of exchanging the component of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201, whereby the deterioration-related information that can identify the degree of deterioration of the component of the electric vehicle can be acquired from the electric vehicle during a waiting time of charging the battery of the electric vehicle from the charging station 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle part replacement prediction device and a vehicle part replacement prediction method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an electric vehicle that charges an on-board battery with power supplied from a power source external to the vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle that charges an on-board power storage device with power supplied from a charging station via a charging cable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-198156 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an electric vehicle is charged at a charging station, there is a waiting time for charging. To improve convenience for electric vehicle users, there is a demand to make effective use of this waiting time.

[0005] One object of this disclosure is to provide a vehicle part replacement prediction device and a vehicle part replacement prediction method that further improve convenience for users of electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above object is achieved by the combination of features recited in the independent claims, and the subclaims define further advantageous embodiments of the disclosure. The reference numerals in parentheses in the claims correspond to specific means described in the following embodiments as one aspect, and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle part replacement prediction device of the present disclosure includes a deterioration-related information acquisition unit (201, 201b, 31) that acquires, from the electric vehicle (1), deterioration-related information that can identify the degree of deterioration of the parts of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b), and a replacement timing prediction unit (205, 33) that predicts the timing of replacement of the parts of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle part replacement prediction method of the present disclosure includes a degradation-related information acquisition step executed by at least one processor, which acquires, from an electric vehicle (1), degradation-related information capable of identifying the degree of degradation of a part of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b), and a replacement timing prediction step which predicts the timing of replacement of the part of the electric vehicle using the degradation-related information acquired in the degradation-related information acquisition step.

[0009] According to these, it is possible to acquire from the electric vehicle deterioration-related information capable of identifying the degree of deterioration of the electric vehicle's components while the electric vehicle's battery is being charged by an external charger. This deterioration-related information can then be used to predict the timing of replacing the electric vehicle's components. This makes it possible to more effectively utilize the waiting time for charging the electric vehicle's battery. As a result, convenience for users of electric vehicles is further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle system 9. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle-side unit 10. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a charging stand 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of charging-related processes in the vehicle system 9. FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle system 9a. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a charging stand 2a. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a server 3a. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of charging-related processes in the vehicle system 9a. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle system 9b. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle-side unit 10b. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a charging stand 2b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A number of embodiments for the purpose of disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, parts having the same functions as parts shown in the drawings used in the previous explanations in the number of embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. For parts given the same reference numerals, the explanations in other embodiments may be referred to.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) <General Configuration of Vehicle System 9> This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle system 9 shown in FIG. 1 includes an electric vehicle 1, a charging station 2, a server 3, and a user terminal 4. Examples of the electric vehicle 1 include an EV (Electric Vehicle) and a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle). The electric vehicle 1 may also be a range extender vehicle that drives a motor using power generated by an engine. The electric vehicle 1 includes a vehicle-side unit 10. The vehicle-side unit 10 will be described later.

[0013] The charging stand 2 is used to charge the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1, which will be described later. The charging stand 2 corresponds to an external charger for the electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 and the charging stand 2 are connected by a cable Ca during charging. A power supply plug is provided at one end of the cable Ca. The other end of the cable Ca is, for example, permanently connected to the charging stand 2. The power supply plug of the cable Ca is detachably connected to an inlet 12, which will be described later, of the vehicle-side unit 10. Connecting the power supply plug of the cable Ca to the inlet 12 enables power to be supplied from the charging stand 2 to the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1. The cable Ca includes a power line for power supply. Power is supplied from the charging stand 2 to the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 via this power line. The cable Ca also includes a signal line for communication. Communication between the charging stand 2 and the vehicle-side unit 10 is performed via this communication line. The charging stand 2 can adopt a rapid charging method as its charging method. In this embodiment, the CHAdeMO (registered trademark) standard is used as the rapid charging method.

[0014] The server 3 communicates with the charging stand 2 via a network. The server 3 pre-stores identification information for identifying authorized users. The server 3 performs authentication to allow charging. The server 3 performs authentication by comparing the authorized user's identification information with the identification information transmitted from the charging stand 2. The server 3 is also assumed to be a server of a dealer used by the user of the electric vehicle 1. The server 3 also makes reservations for the dealer to store the electric vehicle 1.

[0015] The user terminal 4 is a portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 1. The user terminal 4 may be a multi-function mobile phone such as a smartphone. The user terminal 4 has a function to communicate via a network. The user terminal 4 has a function to display information. The user terminal 4 has a function to accept input from the user.

[0016] <General Configuration of Vehicle-Side Unit 10> Next, a schematic configuration of the vehicle-side unit 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle-side unit 10 includes a battery 11, an inlet unit 12, a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) 13, and a charging ECU 14. The TPMS 13 and the charging ECU 14 are connected to, for example, an in-vehicle LAN (see the LAN in Fig. 2).

[0017] The battery 11 is a battery for driving the electric vehicle 1 and supplies power to the motor that is the driving force source. This battery 11 corresponds to an on-board battery. For example, the battery 11 includes a plurality of battery cells electrically connected in series. For example, secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries can be used as the battery cells.

[0018] The inlet 12 is connected to the aforementioned power plug. Connecting the power plug to the inlet 12 enables the battery 11 to be charged from the charging stand 2. The inlet 12 has a detection sensor that detects connection with the power plug and a locking mechanism that prevents unintentional removal of the power plug. The inlet 12 is attached to the body of the electric vehicle 1. The inlet 12 has multiple terminals. Some of the multiple terminals are connected to the power lines of the cable Ca. Other terminals are connected to the signal lines of the cable Ca. For example, when the detection sensor detects connection between the power plug and the inlet 12, a connection signal is output to the signal line. The connection signal is a signal that indicates that the power plug and the inlet 12 are connected.

[0019] The TPMS 13 is a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors the air pressure of the tires of the electric vehicle 1. The TPMS 13 includes a sensor unit 131, a TPMS communication device 132, and a TPMS ECU 133.

[0020] The sensor unit 131 is provided on each tire of the electric vehicle 1. For example, the sensor unit 131 is configured integrally with a tire valve. For example, the sensor unit 131 is attached to a disc wheel of the tire. For example, the sensor unit 131 includes an air pressure sensor, a wireless communication unit, and a microcomputer. The air pressure sensor detects the tire pressure. The wireless communication unit transmits and receives information via wireless communication. The microcomputer causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the tire information. The wireless communication unit receives signals transmitted via LF band radio waves, for example, and transmits signals via UHF band radio waves. The LF band radio waves are, for example, radio waves of 30 kHz to 300 kHz. The UHF band radio waves are, for example, radio waves of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. The tire information may include tire pressure, tire identification information, and tire position. The tire pressure is the detection result of the air pressure sensor. The tire identification information is information for identifying each tire. The tire position is the mounting position of the tire, such as the right front wheel, left front wheel, right rear wheel, or left rear wheel.

[0021] The sensor unit 131 receives a transmission request signal transmitted by an LF antenna (described later) via LF radio waves using a wireless communication unit. Upon receiving this transmission request signal, the sensor unit 131 detects the tire pressure using an air pressure sensor. The sensor unit 131 then transmits tire information including the detected tire pressure via UHF radio waves.

[0022] The TPMS communication device 132 includes an LF transmitter and a UHF receiver. The LF transmitter has an LF antenna. The LF transmitter transmits information via the LF antenna using radio waves in the LF band. The LF transmitter transmits a transmission request signal under the control of the TPMS ECU 133. The UHF receiver has a UHF antenna. The UHF receiver receives tire information transmitted from the sensor unit 131 via UHF radio waves using the UHF antenna. The UHF receiver outputs the received tire information to the TPMS ECU 133 via a communication line.

[0023] The TPMS ECU 133 is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with a processor, memory, I / O, and a bus connecting these. The TPMS ECU 133 executes a control program stored in the memory to perform processing related to monitoring tire pressure.

[0024] The TPMS ECU 133 sends a transmission request signal to the TPMS communication device 132 via the communication line. As a result, the transmission request signal is transmitted from the LF communication unit of the TPMS communication device 132. The TPMS ECU 133 also acquires the tire information output from the TPMS communication device 132. The TPMS ECU 133 may store the acquired tire information in a non-volatile memory. The TPMS ECU 133 may issue a notification when the tire pressure included in the acquired tire information is not within a normal range. The notification may be issued by a display or the like mounted on the electric vehicle 1.

[0025] The charging ECU 14 is an electronic control device that manages charging of the battery 11. The charging ECU 14 is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with a processor, memory, I / O, and a bus connecting these. The charging ECU 14 monitors the charging state of the battery 11 and controls operations related to charging. The charging ECU 14 includes a communication unit 141 as a functional block that communicates with the charging stand 2 via the signal line of the cable Ca.

[0026] The charging ECU 14 acquires battery information such as the cell voltage and cell temperature of the battery 11. The charging ECU 14 uses this battery information to calculate the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 11. The charging ECU 14 sequentially calculates the SOC of the battery 11 and identifies the remaining charge amount. The charging ECU 14 uses the battery information to calculate the SOH (State Of Health) of the battery 11. The SOH may be a capacity maintenance rate or a resistance increase rate of the battery 11. The capacity maintenance rate is the ratio of the current battery capacity to the initial battery capacity. The resistance increase rate is the ratio of the current battery internal resistance to the initial battery internal resistance.

[0027] When the charging ECU 14 detects that the inlet 12 and the power plug are connected, the charging ECU 14 electrically connects the power plug to the battery 11 to start charging the battery 11. When starting charging of the battery 11, the communication unit 141 may transmit identification information of the electric vehicle 1 and a power supply request signal to the charging stand 2. The identification information is information that identifies each individual electric vehicle 1. The charging ECU 14 controls a locking mechanism of the inlet 12 to lock the connection between the power plug and the inlet 12. The charging ECU 14 adjusts the charge amount based on the remaining charge amount of the battery 11. The charging ECU 14 determines whether the battery 11 is fully charged based on the calculated SOC. Then, if it is determined that the battery 11 is fully charged, the communication unit 141 may transmit a power supply stop signal to the charging stand 2. When the communication unit 141 receives a request from the charging stand 2, the charging ECU 14 performs processing in accordance with the request.

[0028] <Outline of charging station 2> Next, a schematic configuration of the charging stand 2 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the charging stand 2 includes a control device 20 and a power supply unit 21. The power supply unit 21 supplies power from a power supply source to the electric vehicle 1 via the power line of the cable Ca under the control of the control device 20. The power supply unit 21 may be a relay or the like that turns on and off the supply of current under the control of the control device 20.

[0029] The control device 20 is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with a processor, memory, I / O, and a bus connecting these. The control device 20 executes various processes by executing control programs stored in the memory. The memory referred to here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that non-temporarily stores computer-readable programs and data. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 20 includes functional blocks of a vehicle communication unit 201, a charging permission unit 202, a network (hereinafter referred to as NW) communication unit 203, a charging control unit 204, a timing prediction unit 205, and a prediction result output unit 206. This control device 20 corresponds to a vehicle part replacement prediction device. Execution of processing of each functional block of the control device 20 by a computer corresponds to execution of a vehicle part replacement prediction method. Some or all of the functions executed by the control device 20 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs or the like. Some or all of the functional blocks included in the control device 20 may be realized by a combination of software executed by a processor and hardware components.

[0031] When the inlet 12 and the power plug are connected, the vehicle communication unit 201 communicates with the communication unit 141 via the signal line of the cable Ca. When identification information and a power supply request signal are transmitted from the communication unit 141, the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires the identification information and the power supply request signal. When a power supply stop signal is transmitted from the communication unit 141, the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires the power supply stop signal.

[0032] The charging permission unit 202 permits charging. The charging permission unit 202 sends the identification information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201 to the server 3. The identification information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201 is transmitted to the server 3 from the NW communication unit 203. The NW communication unit 203 communicates with terminals and servers connected to the network via the network. The server 3 establishes authentication when a match is established between the legitimate identification information and the identification information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201. The charging permission unit 202 may permit charging when authentication is established by the server 3. When authentication is not established by the server 3, the charging permission unit 202 does not permit charging.

[0033] When the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires a power supply request signal and charging is permitted by the charging permission unit 202, the charging control unit 204 starts power supply to the electric vehicle 1. On the other hand, when the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires a power supply stop signal, the charging control unit 204 stops power supply to the electric vehicle 1. The charging control unit 204 starts and stops power supply by controlling the power supply unit 21. The period from when power supply to the electric vehicle 1 starts to when power supply is stopped is called the charging period.

[0034] During the charging period, the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires information from the electric vehicle 1 that can identify the degree of deterioration of the parts of the electric vehicle 1 (hereinafter, deterioration-related information). The vehicle communication unit 201 acquires the deterioration-related information from the communication unit 141 via the signal line of the cable Ca. This vehicle communication unit 201 corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition unit. The processing in this vehicle communication unit 201 corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition step. The vehicle communication unit 201 may transmit a request for deterioration-related information to the communication unit 141, thereby causing the communication unit 141 to transmit the deterioration-related information. The vehicle communication unit 201 may request the deterioration-related information when the charging stand 2 starts supplying power to the electric vehicle 1. The deterioration-related information may be transmitted by bit assignment in a data area for communication in accordance with the CHAdeMO standard.

[0035] It is preferable that the vehicle communication unit 201 acquires the SOH of the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 as the deterioration-related information. This makes it possible to acquire the SOH of the battery 11 during the waiting time until the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 is charged by the charging station 2. When the communication unit 141 receives a request for the SOH from the vehicle communication unit 201, it acquires the SOH calculated by the charging ECU 14. Then, the communication unit 141 transmits the acquired SOH to the vehicle communication unit 201.

[0036] The vehicle communication unit 201 may acquire the tire pressure detected by the TPMS 13 as the deterioration-related information. This makes it possible to acquire the tire pressure detected by the TPMS 13 during a waiting time for charging the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 from the charging station 2. When the communication unit 141 receives a tire pressure request from the vehicle communication unit 201, the communication unit 141 acquires the tire pressure detected by the TPMS 13 from the TPMS ECU 133. Then, the communication unit 141 transmits the acquired tire pressure to the vehicle communication unit 201.

[0037] The timing prediction unit 205 predicts the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 using the deterioration-related information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201. This makes it possible to predict the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 using the deterioration-related information acquired while waiting for the battery 11 to be charged. This makes it possible to more effectively utilize the waiting time for the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 to be charged. As a result, convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1 is further improved. This timing prediction unit 205 corresponds to a replacement timing prediction unit. Furthermore, the processing by this timing prediction unit 205 corresponds to a replacement timing prediction step. It is preferable that the timing prediction unit 205 predicts the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 during the charging period. This makes it possible to predict the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 during the charging period. As a result, convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1 is further improved. The replacement timing may be represented by the date on which replacement becomes necessary, or may be represented by the remaining date and time from the current point in time until the date on which replacement becomes necessary.

[0038] The timing prediction unit 205 may predict the timing of battery 11 replacement using the SOH acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201. This makes it possible to predict the timing of battery 11 replacement using the waiting time for charging. For example, the timing prediction unit 205 may predict the replacement timing based on a correspondence relationship between the SOH and the replacement timing of the battery 11 that is previously associated. A map or the like may be used to determine this correspondence relationship.

[0039] The timing prediction unit 205 may predict the timing of tire replacement using the tire pressure acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201. This makes it possible to predict the timing of tire replacement using the waiting time for charging. For example, the timing prediction unit 205 may predict the timing of tire replacement based on a correspondence relationship between tire pressure and tire replacement timing that is established in advance. This correspondence relationship may be determined using a map or the like.

[0040] The prediction result output unit 206 outputs the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 205. This allows the user of the electric vehicle 1, a dealer used by the user of the electric vehicle 1, or the like to confirm the replacement timing. The prediction result output unit 206 may output the replacement timing to a user terminal 4 connected to the network via the NW communication unit 203. This allows the user of the electric vehicle 1 to confirm the replacement timing by, for example, displaying it on the user terminal 4. The prediction result output unit 206 may also output the replacement timing to a server 3 connected to the network via the NW communication unit 203. This allows the dealer's terminal to obtain the replacement timing from the server 3, and the dealer can confirm the replacement timing. Additionally, if a display is provided in the charging stand 2, the prediction result output unit 206 may output the predicted replacement timing to the display. This allows the user of the electric vehicle 1 to confirm the replacement timing by viewing it on the display.

[0041] The NW communication unit 203 also includes a reservation processing unit 231 and a reservation information notification unit 232 as sub-functional blocks. The reservation processing unit 231 processes the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 to the server 3 based on the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 205. This warehousing reservation is a warehousing reservation with a dealer for part replacement. This makes it easy to have the electric vehicle 1 brought into the dealer at the timing when the part replacement of the electric vehicle 1 is required. This further improves convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1.

[0042] The processing of a warehousing reservation to the server 3 may be as follows. The reservation processing unit 231 transmits the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 205 to the server 3. The server 3 determines the date and time when the vehicle can be brought into warehousing at the dealer from the transmitted replacement timing, and makes the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1. The NW communication unit 203 acquires information about the confirmed next warehousing reservation from the server 3. The information about the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 will be referred to as warehousing reservation information below. The warehousing reservation information may be, for example, the scheduled date and time of entry.

[0043] The server 3 may be configured to allow the user to select candidate dates and times for when the vehicle can be brought into the dealer. In this case, the following procedure may be followed: First, the server 3 transmits candidate dates and times to the user terminal 4. Next, the user is asked to select a candidate date and time on the user terminal 4. The candidate date and time selected on the user terminal 4 is then received by the server 3. Communication between the server 3 and the user terminal 4 may be performed via a network.

[0044] The reservation information notification unit 232 notifies the user terminal 4 of information about the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 processed by the reservation processing unit 231. This allows the user to easily check the warehousing reservation information. This further improves convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1. The reservation information notification unit 232 simply transmits the warehousing reservation information to the user terminal 4 via a network. When the user terminal 4 receives the warehousing reservation information, it simply notifies the user by displaying the warehousing reservation information. The timing for displaying the warehousing reservation information on the user terminal 4 may be the timing when an input requesting display of the warehousing reservation information is received from the user.

[0045] <Charging-related processing in vehicle system 9> Next, an example of the flow of processing related to charging in the vehicle system 9 (hereinafter referred to as charging-related processing) will be described using the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 4, a case where authentication of the electric vehicle 1 is successful will be described.

[0046] First, at t1, the power plug of the charging stand 2 and the inlet 12 of the electric vehicle 1 are connected. At t2, the communication unit 141 of the electric vehicle 1 transmits identification information and a power supply request signal to the charging stand 2. The vehicle communication unit 201 of the charging stand 2 receives and acquires this identification information and power supply request signal. At t3, the NW communication unit 203 of the charging stand 2 transmits the identification information acquired at t2 to the server 3. The server 3 receives this identification information.

[0047] At t4, the server 3 compares the identification information received at t3 with the legitimate identification information and performs authentication. The following explanation will be given taking the case where authentication is successful as an example. At t5, the server 3 responds to the charging stand 2 that authentication has been successful. At t6, the charging control unit 204 of the charging stand 2 starts power supply to the electric vehicle 1.

[0048] At t7, the vehicle communication unit 201 of the charging stand 2 transmits a request for deterioration-related information to the electric vehicle 1. This request for deterioration-related information is received by the communication unit 141 of the electric vehicle 1. At t8, the communication unit 141 acquires the deterioration-related information in the electric vehicle 1. When acquiring the SOH, the communication unit 141 acquires the SOH of the battery 11 from the charging ECU 14. When acquiring the tire air pressure, the communication unit 141 acquires tire information from the TPMS 13.

[0049] At t9, the communication unit 141 transmits the acquired deterioration-related information to the charging stand 2. The vehicle communication unit 201 of the charging stand 2 receives and acquires this deterioration-related information. At t10, the timing prediction unit 205 of the charging stand 2 predicts the timing for replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 using the deterioration-related information acquired at t9.

[0050] At t11, the reservation processing unit 231 transmits the replacement timing predicted at t10 to the server 3. This replacement timing is received by the server 3. At t12, the server 3 makes the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 based on the transmitted replacement timing. At t13, the server 3 transmits warehousing reservation information for the warehousing reservation made at t12 to the charging stand 2. This warehousing reservation information is received by the NW communication unit 203.

[0051] At t14, the reservation information notification unit 232 transmits the warehousing reservation information received by the NW communication unit 203 to the user terminal 4. This warehousing reservation information is received by the user terminal 4. At t15, the user terminal 4 notifies the user of this warehousing reservation information.

[0052] At t16, the communication unit 141 of the electric vehicle 1 transmits a power feeding stop signal to the charging stand 2. This power feeding stop signal is received and acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201 of the charging stand 2. At t17, the charging control unit 204 of the charging stand 2 stops power feeding to the electric vehicle 1. At t18, the connection between the power feeding plug of the charging stand 2 and the inlet unit 12 of the electric vehicle 1 is released.

[0053] 4 shows a configuration in which the timing for replacing parts of the electric vehicle 1 and the reservation for the next warehousing of the electric vehicle 1 are predicted during the charging period, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the timing for replacing parts of the electric vehicle 1 and the reservation for the next warehousing of the electric vehicle 1 are not predicted during the charging period may also be adopted.

[0054] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the timing of replacement of a part of the electric vehicle 1 is predicted at the charging station 2, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the configuration of the following second embodiment may also be used. An example of the configuration of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0055] <General Configuration of Vehicle System 9a> The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle system 9a shown in Fig. 5 includes an electric vehicle 1, a charging stand 2a, a server 3a, and a user terminal 4. The vehicle system 9a of the second embodiment includes the charging stand 2a instead of the charging stand 2. The vehicle system 9a of the second embodiment includes the server 3a instead of the server 3. Except for these points, the vehicle system 9a of the second embodiment is similar to the vehicle system 9 of the first embodiment.

[0056] <Outline of charging station 2a> Next, the schematic configuration of the charging stand 2a will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the charging stand 2a includes a control device 20a and a power supply unit 21. As shown in Fig. 6, the control device 20a includes, as functional blocks, a vehicle communication unit 201, a charging permission unit 202, a NW communication unit 203a, and a charging control unit 204. The charging stand 2a does not include a timing prediction unit 205. The charging stand 2a includes the NW communication unit 203a instead of the NW communication unit 203. Except for these points, the charging stand 2a is similar to the charging stand 2 of the first embodiment.

[0057] The NW communication unit 203a communicates with terminals and servers connected to the network via the network. The NW communication unit 203a transmits the identification information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201 to the server 3a. The NW communication unit 203a receives warehousing reservation information transmitted from the server 3a. The NW communication unit 203a acquires information on the confirmed next warehousing reservation from the server 3a.

[0058] <Schematic configuration of server 3a> Next, the schematic configuration of the server 3a will be explained. The server 3a is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with a processor, memory, I / O, and a bus connecting these. The server 3a executes various processes by executing control programs stored in the memory. The memory referred to here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that non-temporarily stores computer-readable programs and data. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the server 3a includes, as functional blocks, a network communication unit 31, an authentication unit 32, a timing prediction unit 33, a prediction result output unit 34, and a reservation processing unit 35. This server 3a also corresponds to a vehicle part replacement prediction device. Execution of the processing of each functional block of the server 3a by a computer corresponds to execution of a vehicle part replacement prediction method. Some or all of the functions executed by the server 3a may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs or the like. Some or all of the functional blocks included in the server 3a may be realized by a combination of software executed by a processor and hardware components.

[0060] The NW communication unit 31 receives and acquires the identification information transmitted from the NW communication unit 203a of the charging stand 2a. The NW communication unit 31 indirectly receives and acquires the identification information acquired by the charging stand 2a from the electric vehicle 1. The authentication unit 32 compares the identification information acquired by the NW communication unit 31 with legitimate identification information and performs authentication. The NW communication unit 31 transmits the authentication result of the authentication unit 32 to the NW communication unit 203a.

[0061] The NW communication unit 31 receives and acquires the deterioration-related information transmitted from the NW communication unit 203a of the charging stand 2a. The NW communication unit 31 indirectly receives and acquires the deterioration-related information that the charging stand 2a has acquired from the electric vehicle 1. This NW communication unit 31 also corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition unit. Furthermore, the processing in this NW communication unit 31 also corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition step.

[0062] The NW communication unit 31 preferably acquires the SOH of the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 as the deterioration-related information. This makes it possible to acquire the SOH of the battery 11 during a waiting time until the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1 is charged from the charging station 2. The NW communication unit 31 may also acquire the tire pressure detected by the TPMS 13 of the electric vehicle 1 as the deterioration-related information.

[0063] The timing prediction unit 33 predicts the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 by using the deterioration-related information acquired by the NW communication unit 31. This makes it possible to predict the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 by using the deterioration-related information acquired during a waiting time for charging the battery 11. This makes it possible to more effectively utilize the waiting time for charging the battery 11 of the electric vehicle 1. As a result, convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1 is further improved. This timing prediction unit 33 also corresponds to a replacement timing prediction unit. Furthermore, the processing by this timing prediction unit 33 also corresponds to a replacement timing prediction step. It is preferable that the timing prediction unit 33 predicts the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 during a charging period, similar to the timing prediction unit 205. This makes it possible to predict the timing of replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 during a charging period. As a result, convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1 is further improved.

[0064] The timing prediction unit 33 may use the SOH acquired by the NW communication unit 31 to predict the timing to replace the battery 11 in the same manner as the timing prediction unit 205. This makes it possible to predict the timing to replace the battery 11 by utilizing the waiting time for charging. The timing prediction unit 33 may use the tire air pressure acquired by the NW communication unit 31 to predict the timing to replace the tire in the same manner as the timing prediction unit 205. This makes it possible to predict the timing to replace the tire by utilizing the waiting time for charging.

[0065] The prediction result output unit 34 outputs the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 33. This allows the user of the electric vehicle 1, a dealer used by the user of the electric vehicle 1, or the like to check the replacement timing. The prediction result output unit 34 may output the replacement timing to a user terminal 4 connected to the network via the NW communication unit 31. This allows the user of the electric vehicle 1 to check the replacement timing by, for example, displaying it on the user terminal 4. The prediction result output unit 34 may also output the replacement timing to the charging stand 2a via the NW communication unit 31. This allows the predicted replacement timing to be output to the display if the charging stand 2 is provided with a display. As a result, the user of the electric vehicle 1 can check the replacement timing by viewing it on the display.

[0066] The reservation processing unit 35 processes the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 based on the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 33. This makes it easier to have the electric vehicle 1 brought into the dealer at the timing when the part of the electric vehicle 1 needs to be replaced. This further improves convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1. The server 3a determines the date and time when the electric vehicle can be brought into the dealer from the replacement timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 33, and makes the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1. The server 3a may be configured to have the user select candidate dates and times when the electric vehicle 1 can be brought into the dealer, similar to the server 3.

[0067] The NW communication unit 31 also includes a reservation information notification unit 311 as a sub-functional block. The reservation information notification unit 311 notifies the user terminal 4 of information about the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle 1 processed by the reservation processing unit 35. This allows the user to easily check the warehousing reservation information. This further improves convenience for the user of the electric vehicle 1. The reservation information notification unit 311 simply transmits the warehousing reservation information to the user terminal 4 via the network. When the user terminal 4 receives the warehousing reservation information, it simply notifies the user by displaying the warehousing reservation information.

[0068] <Charging-related processing in vehicle system 9a> Next, an example of the flow of charging-related processing in the vehicle system 9a will be described using the sequence diagram of Fig. 8. In the example of Fig. 8, a case where authentication of the electric vehicle 1 is successful will be described.

[0069] First, the processing from t21 to t29 is the same as the processing from t1 to t9. At t30, the NW communication unit 203a transmits the deterioration-related information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201 to the server 3a. The NW communication unit 31 of the server 3a receives and acquires this deterioration-related information. At t31, the timing prediction unit 33 predicts the timing for replacing a part of the electric vehicle 1 using the deterioration-related information acquired at t31.

[0070] At t32, the reservation processing unit 35 makes a reservation for the next warehousing of the electric vehicle 1 based on the replacement timing predicted at t31. At t33, the reservation information notification unit 311 transmits warehousing reservation information for the warehousing reservation made at t32 to the user terminal 4. This warehousing reservation information is received by the user terminal 4. At t34, the user terminal 4 notifies the user of this warehousing reservation information. The processing from t35 to t37 is the same as the processing from t16 to t18.

[0071] Here, the configuration has been shown in which the vehicle communication unit 201 of the charging stand 2a transmits a request for degradation-related information to the electric vehicle 1, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the NW communication unit 31 of the server 3a may transmit a request for degradation-related information to the electric vehicle 1 via the charging stand 2a. In this case, the NW communication unit 31 may be configured to transmit a request for degradation-related information when it receives information from the charging stand 2a that power supply to the electric vehicle 1 has started.

[0072] (Embodiment 3) In the above-described embodiment, the charging station 2, 2a acquires deterioration-related information from the electric vehicle 1 through communication via the signal line of the cable Ca, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the configuration of the following embodiment 3 may also be used. An example of the configuration of embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0073] <Schematic configuration of vehicle system 9b> The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle system 9b shown in Fig. 9 includes an electric vehicle 1, a charging stand 2b, a server 3, and a user terminal 4. The vehicle system 9b of embodiment 3 includes a charging stand 2b instead of the charging stand 2. The electric vehicle 1 of embodiment 3 includes a vehicle-side unit 10b instead of the vehicle-side unit 10. Except for these points, the vehicle system 9b of embodiment 3 is similar to the vehicle system 9 of embodiment 1.

[0074] <General Configuration of Vehicle-Side Unit 10b> Next, a schematic configuration of the vehicle-side unit 10b will be described. As shown in Fig. 10, the vehicle-side unit 10b includes a battery 11, an inlet 12, an on-board sensor 13, a TPMS 13, a charging ECU 14, and a wireless communication device 15. The TPMS 13, the charging ECU 14, and the wireless communication device 15 are connected to, for example, an in-vehicle LAN (see the LAN in Fig. 10). The vehicle-side unit 10b is similar to the vehicle-side unit 10 of the first embodiment except for including the wireless communication device 15.

[0075] The wireless communication device 15 is a communication module for communicating via wireless communication. The wireless communication device 15 performs short-range wireless communication according to, for example, a short-range wireless communication standard. The wireless communication device 15 may be configured to perform short-range wireless communication according to, for example, a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). When the wireless communication device 15 receives a request for deterioration-related information from the charging stand 2b, it collects diagnosis-related information. Then, it transmits the collected deterioration-related information to the charging stand 2b via wireless communication.

[0076] When the wireless communication device 15 receives a request for the SOH from the vehicle communication unit 201b, it may acquire the SOH of the battery 11 calculated by the charging ECU 14. Then, the wireless communication device 15 may transmit the acquired SOH to the vehicle communication unit 201b by wireless communication. When the wireless communication device 15 receives a request for tire pressure from the vehicle communication unit 201b, it may acquire the tire pressure detected by the TPMS 13. Then, the wireless communication device 15 may transmit the acquired tire pressure to the vehicle communication unit 201b by wireless communication.

[0077] <Outline of charging station 2b> Next, a schematic configuration of the charging stand 2b will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, the charging stand 2b includes a control device 20b and a power supply unit 21. As shown in Fig. 11, the control device 20b includes, as functional blocks, a vehicle communication unit 201b, a charging permission unit 202, a NW communication unit 203, a charging control unit 204, a timing prediction unit 205, and a prediction result output unit 206. The charging stand 2b is similar to the charging stand 2 of the first embodiment except that the charging stand 2b includes the vehicle communication unit 201b instead of the vehicle communication unit 201. The charging stand 2b also corresponds to a charger external to the electric vehicle 1.

[0078] The vehicle communication unit 201b is similar to the vehicle communication unit 201 of the first embodiment, except that it can also transmit and receive information to and from the wireless communication device 15 via wireless communication. The vehicle communication unit 201b receives deterioration-related information transmitted from the wireless communication device 15. The vehicle communication unit 201b transmits a request for deterioration-related information to the wireless communication device 15 via wireless communication. That is, in the third embodiment, communication related to authentication is performed via the signal line of the cable Ca. On the other hand, communication related to the deterioration-related information is performed wirelessly. The vehicle communication unit 201b may be configured to include a component that communicates via the signal line of the cable Ca and a component that communicates wirelessly. This vehicle communication unit 201b also corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition unit. The processing in this vehicle communication unit 201b also corresponds to a deterioration-related information acquisition step.

[0079] In the third embodiment, the communication related to authentication is performed via the signal line of the cable Ca, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the communication related to authentication may also be performed wirelessly. Furthermore, the configuration of the third embodiment may be combined with the configuration of the second embodiment.

[0080] (Embodiment 4) In the above-described embodiment, the server 3, 3a performs authentication for permitting charging, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, instead of the server 3, 3a performing authentication, the charging stand 2, 2a, 2b may perform authentication. In this case, the charging stand 2, 2a, 2b may compare the identification information acquired by the vehicle communication unit 201, 201b with the authentic identification information registered in advance.

[0081] (Embodiment 5) Note that the deterioration-related information and prediction of the timing of replacing parts of the electric vehicle 1 are not limited to the examples described in the above-described embodiment. As the deterioration-related information, information other than the SOH and tire pressure that can predict the timing of replacing parts of the electric vehicle 1 may be used.

[0082] (Embodiment 6) In the above-described embodiment, the authentication of permission to charge and the reservation of the next entry of the electric vehicle 1 are performed by the same server 3, 3a, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the authentication of permission to charge and the reservation of the next entry of the electric vehicle 1 may be performed by different servers.

[0083] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the control unit and method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special-purpose computer comprising a processor programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the apparatus and method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special-purpose hardware logic circuit. Alternatively, the apparatus and method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by combining a processor executing a computer program with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium.

[0084] (Disclosed technical idea) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be written in a multiple dependent form, with subsequent clauses alternatively referencing preceding clauses. Furthermore, some clauses may be written in a multiple dependent form, with subsequent clauses alternatively referencing preceding clauses. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0085] Technical thought 1 a deterioration-related information acquisition unit (201, 201b, 31) that acquires, from an electric vehicle (1), deterioration-related information that can identify a degree of deterioration of a component of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b); a replacement timing prediction unit (205, 33) that predicts replacement timing of a part of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

[0086] Technical thought 2 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to Technical Idea 1, A vehicle part replacement prediction device comprising a prediction result output unit (206, 34) that outputs the replacement timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit.

[0087] Technical thought 3 The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to Technical Idea 1 or 2, A vehicle part replacement prediction device including a reservation processing unit (231, 35) that processes a reservation for the next warehousing of the electric vehicle to a server (3, 3a) of a dealer used by a user of the electric vehicle based on the replacement timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit.

[0088] Technical thought 4 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to Technical Concept 3, A vehicle part replacement prediction device including a reservation information notification unit (232, 311) that notifies a terminal of a user of the electric vehicle of information about the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle processed by the reservation processing unit.

[0089] Technical thought 5 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 4, the deterioration-related information acquisition unit acquires, as the deterioration-related information, a State of Health (SOH) that is information indicating a deterioration state of the battery; The replacement timing prediction unit is a vehicle part replacement prediction device that predicts the replacement timing of the battery using the SOH acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

[0090] technical thought 6 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 5, the deterioration-related information acquisition unit acquires, as the deterioration-related information, tire air pressures detected by a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors tire air pressures of the electric vehicle; The vehicle part replacement prediction device, wherein the replacement timing prediction unit predicts the timing of tire replacement using the tire air pressure acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

[0091] Technical thought 7 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 6, A vehicle part replacement prediction device included in the charger (2, 2b).

[0092] Technical thought 8 A vehicle part replacement prediction device according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 7, The server (3a) is connected to the charger (2a) so as to be able to communicate with the charger (2a), The deterioration-related information acquisition unit (31) is a vehicle part replacement prediction device that acquires the deterioration-related information from the electric vehicle via the charger.

[0093] Technical thought 9 Executed by at least one processor, a deterioration-related information acquisition step of acquiring, from the electric vehicle (1), deterioration-related information capable of identifying a degree of deterioration of a component of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b); a replacement timing prediction step of predicting replacement timing of a part of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired in the deterioration-related information acquisition step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Electric vehicle, 2, 2a, 2b Charging station (external charger), 3a Server (vehicle part replacement prediction device), 9, 9a, 9b Vehicle system, 11 Battery, 20, 20b Control device (vehicle part replacement prediction device), 20a Control device, 31 NW communication unit (deterioration-related information acquisition unit), 33 Timing prediction unit (replacement timing prediction unit), 34 Prediction result output unit, 35 Reservation processing unit, 201, 201b Vehicle communication unit (deterioration-related information acquisition unit), 205 Timing prediction unit (replacement timing prediction unit), 206 Prediction result output unit, 231 Reservation processing unit, 232 Reservation information notification unit, 311 Reservation information notification unit

Claims

1. a deterioration-related information acquisition unit (201, 201b, 31) that acquires, from an electric vehicle (1), deterioration-related information that can identify a degree of deterioration of a component of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b); a replacement timing prediction unit (205, 33) that predicts replacement timing of a part of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

2. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, A vehicle part replacement prediction device comprising a prediction result output unit (206, 34) that outputs the replacement timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit.

3. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, A vehicle part replacement prediction device including a reservation processing unit (231, 35) that processes a reservation for the next warehousing of the electric vehicle to a server (3, 3a) of a dealer used by a user of the electric vehicle based on the replacement timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit.

4. 4. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 3, A vehicle part replacement prediction device including a reservation information notification unit (232, 311) that notifies a terminal of a user of the electric vehicle of information about the next warehousing reservation for the electric vehicle processed by the reservation processing unit.

5. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, the deterioration-related information acquisition unit acquires, as the deterioration-related information, a State of Health (SOH) that is information indicating a deterioration state of the battery; The vehicle part replacement prediction device, wherein the replacement timing prediction unit predicts the replacement timing of the battery using the SOH acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

6. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, the deterioration-related information acquisition unit acquires, as the deterioration-related information, tire air pressures detected by a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors tire air pressures of the electric vehicle; The vehicle part replacement prediction device, wherein the replacement timing prediction unit predicts the timing of tire replacement using the tire air pressure acquired by the deterioration-related information acquisition unit.

7. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, A vehicle part replacement prediction device included in the charger (2, 2b).

8. 2. The vehicle part replacement prediction device according to claim 1, The charger (2a) is included in a server (3a) communicably connected to the server (3a), The deterioration-related information acquisition unit (31) acquires the deterioration-related information from the electric vehicle via the charger.

9. Executed by at least one processor, a deterioration-related information acquisition step of acquiring, from the electric vehicle (1), deterioration-related information capable of identifying a degree of deterioration of components of the electric vehicle (1) while the electric vehicle (1) is charging its own battery (11) from an external charger (2, 2a, 2b); a replacement timing prediction step of predicting replacement timing of a part of the electric vehicle using the deterioration-related information acquired in the deterioration-related information acquisition step.

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