Electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide an electric vehicle that shares a position of a replaceable battery pack with a vehicle side while suppressing an increase in the number of terminals.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle in which a plurality of replaceable battery packs are arranged in a vehicle cabin comprises: a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle cabin; and a control device that, when the plurality of antennas detect radio waves transmitted from communication devices provided respectively in the plurality of replaceable battery packs from a pedestal position of a battery terminal pedestal for connecting at least one of the plurality of replaceable battery packs to the electric vehicle, identifies an arrangement position of the specific replaceable battery pack connected to the electric vehicle through the battery terminal pedestal from the plurality of replaceable battery packs on the basis of radio wave intensity of the radio waves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Detachable vehicle batteries that are detachably mounted on electric vehicles are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-029080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, due to their replaceable nature, replaceable battery packs such as detachable vehicle batteries are susceptible to theft. For example, it is conceivable that each of the replaceable battery packs is provided with a communication terminal that can communicate with the electric vehicle via a communication cord, and that theft can be detected when the communication cord is unplugged from the communication terminal.

[0005] However, providing a communication terminal on a replaceable battery pack increases the number of times the communication cord needs to be inserted and removed, potentially making replacing the replaceable battery pack more time-consuming. Furthermore, if one of multiple replaceable battery packs is stolen, it is difficult to identify which battery pack has been stolen unless the location of the battery pack is shared with the electric vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle in which the position of a replaceable battery pack is shared with the vehicle side while suppressing an increase in the number of terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electric vehicle of the present invention is an electric vehicle having a plurality of replaceable battery packs arranged in the vehicle cabin, and is equipped with a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle cabin, and a control device that, when the plurality of antennas detect radio waves emitted by a communication device provided in each of the plurality of replaceable battery packs from the seating position of a battery terminal seat for connecting at least one of the plurality of replaceable battery packs to the electric vehicle, identifies the position of a specific replaceable battery pack from the plurality of replaceable battery packs connected to the electric vehicle via the battery terminal seat based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves.

[0008] In the above configuration, when the control device identifies the placement position, the control device may determine that the specific replaceable battery pack is connected to the battery terminal seat.

[0009] In the aforementioned configuration, the control device may identify the placement position based on the strength relationship of the radio wave strength.

[0010] In the above configuration, either the replaceable battery pack or the battery terminal base may be equipped with a non-contact tag, and the other either the replaceable battery pack or the battery terminal base may be equipped with a non-contact tag reader, and the control device may identify the placement position based on the radio wave intensity and the reading of the information recorded on the non-contact tag by the non-contact tag reader. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the position of the replaceable battery pack can be shared with the vehicle side while suppressing an increase in the number of terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an example of a vehicle and charger. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram illustrating details of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a replaceable battery pack. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating details of a charger. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the battery ECU and the EVECU. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the EVECU. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of specifying a placement position using a contactless tag and a contactless tag reader; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 is equipped with a plurality of replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500. The vehicle 10 includes an electric vehicle such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). The plurality of replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 are disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The passenger compartment includes a passenger compartment, a luggage compartment, and the like.

[0015] For example, the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 are disposed in a battery pack storage section 110 provided under the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The replaceable battery pack 300 is disposed in a battery pack storage section 310 provided under a seat in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The replaceable battery packs 400 and 500 are disposed in the luggage compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0016] Here, the battery pack storage section 110 is provided with battery terminal seats 111 and 112 for connecting the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 to the vehicle 10. For example, when the replaceable battery pack 100 is connected to the battery terminal seat 111, the power stored in the replaceable battery pack 100 is supplied to the vehicle 10. Similarly, when the replaceable battery pack 200 is connected to the battery terminal seat 112, the power stored in the replaceable battery pack 200 is supplied to the vehicle 10.

[0017] On the other hand, since the battery pack storage section 310 is not provided with a battery terminal base, the replaceable battery pack 300 placed in the battery pack storage section 310 cannot supply power to the vehicle 10. Similarly, since the luggage compartment of the vehicle 10 is not provided with a battery terminal base, the replaceable battery packs 400, 500 cannot supply power to the vehicle 10.

[0018] The replaceable battery packs 300, 400, and 500 are mounted on the vehicle 10 as spares in case the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 are no longer able to output the power required to drive the vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as a dead battery state). This allows the driver or passengers of the vehicle 10 to replace either of the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 with either of the replaceable battery packs 300, 400, and 500.

[0019] Furthermore, if the replaceable battery pack 300, 400, or 500 runs out of battery, the driver can use the replaceable battery pack 600, 700 of the charger 20 installed outside the vehicle, such as in a public facility or commercial facility. The replaceable battery pack 600, 700 has been fully charged by the charger 20. Therefore, the driver can replace any of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 with any of the replaceable battery packs 600, 700. This prevents the vehicle 10 from running out of battery power.

[0020] As will be described in detail later, multiple antennas ATN1 and ATN2 are arranged inside the vehicle 10. Antenna ATN2 is arranged at the rear of the vehicle inside the vehicle 10. Antenna ATN2 may be arranged on the right rear side of the vehicle, and another antenna (not shown) different from antennas ATN1 and ATN2 may be arranged on the left rear side of the vehicle. Antennas ATN1 and ATN2 can detect radio waves WL emitted by replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500. Radio waves WL include, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). Radio waves WL may also include Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0021] The vehicle 10 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, vehicle 10 includes battery terminal seats 111, 112 and antennas ATN1, ATN2 described above, as well as a PCU (Power Control Unit) 11, a motor generator (denoted as MG in Fig. 2) 12, a power transmission gear 13, and drive wheels 14. Vehicle 10 also includes a DC / DC converter 15, an auxiliary battery 16, and an EVECU (Electric Vehicle Electronic Control Unit) 17. Battery terminal seat 111 and PCU 11 are electrically connected by a high-voltage power line PL1. Battery terminal seat 112 and PCU 11 are electrically connected by a high-voltage power line NL1.

[0023] Each of the battery terminal seats 111 and 112 includes a pair of connection terminals (not shown). One of the pair of connection terminals provided on the battery terminal seat 111 is connected to the P terminal (positive terminal) 101 of the replaceable battery pack 100, and the other is connected to the N terminal (negative terminal) 102 of the replaceable battery pack 100. One of the pair of connection terminals provided on the battery terminal seat 112 is connected to the P terminal 201 of the replaceable battery pack 200, and the other is connected to the N terminal 202 of the replaceable battery pack 200. The other of the pair of connection terminals provided on the battery terminal seat 111 and one of the pair of connection terminals provided on the battery terminal seat 112 are electrically connected by a power line ML1. This allows the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 to be connected in series.

[0024] The PCU 11 drives the motor generator 12 using power supplied from the replaceable battery packs 100, 200. The PCU 11 includes, for example, an inverter and a converter. The motor generator 12 is a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a rotor in which a permanent magnet is embedded. The rotor of the motor generator 12 is mechanically connected to drive wheels 14 via a power transmission gear 13.

[0025] The motor generator 12 generates kinetic energy using AC power supplied from the PCU 11. This kinetic energy is transmitted to the power transmission gear 13, causing the drive wheels 14 to rotate. This causes the vehicle 10 to travel.

[0026] DC / DC converter 15 is electrically connected between high-voltage power lines PL1, NL1 and low-voltage power lines PL2, NL2. DC / DC converter 15 steps down the voltage between high-voltage power lines PL1, NL1 and supplies the power to low-voltage power lines PL2, NL2. DC / DC converter 15 operates in accordance with control signals from EVECU 17. The low-voltage power lines PL2, NL2 are connected to auxiliary battery 16, which supplies power of about 12 volts.

[0027] The EVECU 17 is an example of a control device and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc. The EVECU 17 operates using power supplied from the DC / DC converter 15 or the auxiliary battery 16. The EVECU 17 is connected to the antennas ATN1 and ATN2. The EVECU 17 identifies the locations of the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2.

[0028] More specifically, the EVECU 17 monitors the radio wave detection status of the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 and determines whether the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 have detected radio waves. If the EVECU 17 determines that the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 have detected radio waves, it estimates the radio wave intensity of the radio waves detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2. After estimating the radio wave intensity, the EVECU 17 identifies the location of the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 based on the relationship between the positions of the battery terminal seats 111 and 112 in the vehicle cabin and the radio wave intensity, which is stored in the memory of the EVECU 17.

[0029] For example, when the replaceable battery pack 100 transmits radio waves, the radio wave intensity detected by the antenna ATN1 may be stronger than the radio wave intensity detected by the antenna ATN2. In this case, the EVECU 17 can infer that the replaceable battery pack 100 is placed and connected to the battery terminal seat 111, not the battery terminal seat 112.

[0030] In this way, the EVECU 17 can refer to the memory and identify the location of the replaceable battery pack 100 as the battery terminal seat 111. Therefore, the replaceable battery pack 100 does not need to be provided with a communication terminal for identifying the location of the replaceable battery pack 100, separate from the P terminal 101 and the N terminal 102. This allows the vehicle 10 to share the location of the replaceable battery pack 100 with the vehicle 10 side through the EVECU 17, while minimizing the number of terminals.

[0031] For example, when the replaceable battery pack 500 (see FIG. 1) transmits radio waves, the radio wave intensity detected by the antenna ATN2 may be stronger than the radio wave intensity detected by the antenna ATN1. In this case, it can be assumed that the EVECU 17 is not located on the battery terminal seats 111, 112 and is not connected. Furthermore, if another antenna as described above is provided in the vehicle cabin in addition to the antennas ATN1, ATN2, the EVECU 17 can accurately identify the location of the replaceable battery pack 100 and the like based on the radio wave intensities of the three. Specifically, the EVECU 17 can identify the location not only in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 but also in the width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0032] Additionally, the memory described above stores a program executed by the CPU. The program may correspond to a flowchart described later. For example, when signals from various sensors provided in the vehicle 10 are input to the EVECU 17, the EVECU 17 generates control signals for controlling various devices including the PCU 11 based on the signals and the program. When the EVECU 17 generates a control signal, it outputs the control signal to the device to be controlled, thereby controlling the operation of the device.

[0033] Next, the replaceable battery pack 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. Note that the replaceable battery packs 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 have the same configuration as the replaceable battery pack 100, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] In addition to the P terminal 101 and N terminal 102 described above, the replaceable battery pack 100 also includes a plurality of battery cells 103, a plurality of temperature sensors (denoted as T in FIG. 3) 104, and a current sensor (denoted as I in FIG. 3) 105. The replaceable battery pack 100 also includes a battery ECU 106, system main relays 107A and 107B, a fuse 108, and a wireless communication device 109.

[0035] The plurality of battery cells 103 are stacked and connected in series. Each of the plurality of temperature sensors 104 includes a thermistor. Each of the plurality of temperature sensors 104 is connected to a battery ECU 106. The plurality of temperature sensors 104 are arranged in association with the plurality of battery cells 103 individually. This allows the plurality of temperature sensors 104 to measure the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells 103 individually.

[0036] The current sensor 105 is provided between the negative terminal of the battery BT, which includes multiple battery cells 103, and the system main relay 107A. The current sensor 105 detects the current input to the battery BT. In other words, the current sensor 105 detects the current flowing through the bus bar 105A between the negative terminal of the battery BT and the system main relay 107A. The current sensor 105 outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the battery ECU 106.

[0037] One end of the system main relay 107A is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the battery BT via a current sensor 105. The other end of the system main relay 107A is electrically connected to a battery terminal base 112 via an N terminal 102. One end of the system main relay 107B is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the battery BT. The other end of the system main relay 107B is electrically connected to the PCU 11 via a fuse 108 and a P terminal 101.

[0038] The battery ECU 106 includes a voltage monitoring IC (Integrated Circuit) 106A in addition to the CPU and memory described above. Information relating to charging and discharging of the battery BT is stored in advance in the memory of the battery ECU 106. The information relating to charging and discharging includes, for example, a charging voltage lower limit, a charging voltage upper limit, a minimum charging current value, a discharging current upper limit, and a discharging voltage lower limit. The information relating to charging and discharging is determined based on the specifications of the battery BT.

[0039] The voltage monitoring IC 106A detects the voltage of each of the multiple battery cells 103. The battery ECU 106 can use a signal indicating the detection result of the voltage monitoring IC 106A. The voltage monitoring IC 106A may also detect the voltage between the terminals of the battery BT. In this case, the battery ECU 106 may use the signal indicating the detection result of the voltage monitoring IC 106A. The battery ECU 106 controls the open / closed states of the system main relays 107A and 107B based on the signal indicating the detection result of the voltage monitoring IC 106A, the signal indicating the detection result of the temperature sensor 104, and the signal indicating the detection result of the current sensor 105.

[0040] The wireless communication device 109 is connected to the battery ECU 106. The wireless communication device 109 receives power from the battery ECU 106 and transmits radio waves WL. The radio waves WL transmitted by the wireless communication device 109 include a battery identifier that identifies the replaceable battery pack 100. This battery identifier allows the EVECU 17 (see FIG. 2) to distinguish the radio waves WL transmitted from the replaceable battery pack 100 from the radio waves WL transmitted from the replaceable battery packs 200, 300, 400, and 500 (see FIG. 2).

[0041] Next, the charger 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0042] The charger 20 includes a plurality of charging units 21 and 22 and a power supply unit 23. The charger 20 also includes a plurality of charge management ECUs 24 and 25 and an integrated ECU .

[0043] Both charging units 21 and 22 are connected to a power supply unit 23. The power supply unit 23 is equipped with a power cord 20C for connection to an AC power source. The power supply unit 23 converts AC voltage power supplied via the power cord 20C into DC voltage power. This allows the power supply unit 23 to supply DC voltage power to the charging units 21 and 22. Therefore, when a replaceable battery pack 600 is connected to the charging unit 21, the charging unit 21 charges the replaceable battery pack 600. Similarly, when a replaceable battery pack 700 is connected to the charging unit 22, the charging unit 22 charges the replaceable battery pack 700.

[0044] The charge management ECU 24 manages whether or not the replaceable battery pack 600 is connected to the charging unit 21, the charging state of the replaceable battery pack 600, etc. For example, when the replaceable battery pack 600 is not connected to the charging unit 21, the charge management ECU 24 determines that the replaceable battery pack 600 is being lent out. When the replaceable battery pack 600 is connected to the charging unit 21, the charge management ECU 24 determines that the replaceable battery pack 600 is waiting to be lent out.

[0045] The charge management ECU 24 is equipped with an antenna 24A, which detects radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 600. The radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 600 contain charge state information such as the charge rate, charge amount, and charge level of the replaceable battery pack 600. This allows the charge management ECU 24 to manage the charge state of the replaceable battery pack 600.

[0046] Similarly, the charge management ECU 25 manages whether or not the replaceable battery pack 700 is connected to the charging unit 22, the charging state of the replaceable battery pack 700, etc. The charge management ECU 25 is equipped with an antenna 25A, which detects radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 700. Based on the charging state information contained in the radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 700, the charge management ECU 25 can manage the charging state of the replaceable battery pack 700, etc.

[0047] The integrated ECU 26 is connected to the charge management ECUs 24 and 25. The integrated ECU 26 transmits the usage status of the replaceable battery packs 600 and 700 (specifically, the rental management status, such as whether the battery packs are being rented or waiting to be rented) by the charge management ECUs 24 and 25 to the communication network NW. The communication network NW includes, for example, a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. The communication network NW is connected to a server (not shown) that manages the usage status of the replaceable battery packs 600 and 700. As will be described in detail later, for example, the integrated ECU 26 accesses the server to perform a check regarding the release of the pairing of the replaceable battery pack 600 with the vehicle 10.

[0048] If the unpairing is confirmed, the integrated ECU 26 allows the use of the replaceable battery pack 600 in vehicles other than the vehicle 10. Conversely, if the unpairing is not confirmed, the integrated ECU 26 restricts the use of the replaceable battery pack 600 in vehicles other than the vehicle 10. This is because, even though the replaceable battery pack 600 is limited to use in the vehicle 10 by pairing, it may have been stolen from the vehicle 10, returned to the charger 20 as stolen property, and connected thereto.

[0049] Next, the operation of the EVECU 17 in cooperation with the battery ECU 106 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] For example, when a replaceable battery pack 100 mounted on a vehicle 10 is connected to a charger 20, the replaceable battery pack 100 may be loaned from the charger 20. In this case, the battery ECU 106 first determines whether the replaceable battery pack 100 has been detached from the charger 20 (step S1). If the replaceable battery pack 100 is connected to the charger 20, the battery ECU 106 determines that the replaceable battery pack 100 has not been detached from the charger 20 (step S1: NO). In this case, the battery ECU 106 repeats the processing of step S1. If the driver of the vehicle 10 removes the replaceable battery pack 100 from the charger 20, the battery ECU 106 determines that the replaceable battery pack 100 has been detached from the charger 20 (step S1: YES).

[0051] When the replaceable battery pack 100 is removed from the charger 20, the EVECU 17 determines whether the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 have detected radio waves (step S2). The processing order of steps S1 and S2 may be reversed. Furthermore, the processing of steps S1 and S2 may be executed in parallel. For example, until the replaceable battery pack 100 is installed in the vehicle 10, there may be a case where the radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 100 do not reach the antennas ATN1 and ATN2. In this case, the EVECU 17 determines that the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 have not detected radio waves (step S2: NO).

[0052] When the replaceable battery pack 100 approaches the vehicle 10, the radio waves emitted by the replaceable battery pack 100 are more likely to reach the antennas ATN1 and ATN2. When the radio waves from the replaceable battery pack 100 reach the antennas ATN1 and ATN2, the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 can detect the radio waves. As a result, the EVECU 17 determines that the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 have detected the radio waves (step S2: YES).

[0053] When the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 detect radio waves, the EVECU 17 identifies the location of the replaceable battery pack 100 (step S3). As described above, the EVECU 17 identifies the location of the replaceable battery pack 100, which is an example of a specific replaceable battery pack, based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2.

[0054] For example, depending on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2, the replaceable battery pack 100 may be placed outside the vehicle cabin (for example, on the road) of the vehicle 10. Therefore, when the radio wave intensity is weak, the EVECU 17 can determine that the replaceable battery pack 100 is located outside the vehicle cabin.

[0055] On the other hand, depending on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2, the replaceable battery pack 100 may be placed inside the vehicle interior (for example, the passenger compartment or luggage compartment) of the vehicle 10. Therefore, if the radio wave intensity is strong, the EVECU 17 can identify that the replaceable battery pack 100 is located inside the vehicle interior. The EVECU 17 can determine whether the radio wave intensity is strong or weak based on a threshold intensity.

[0056] Here, the EVECU 17 determines whether the replacement battery pack 100 is located inside the vehicle (step S4). If the replacement battery pack 100 is located outside the vehicle (step S4: NO), the EVECU 17 skips the subsequent processing and ends the processing. This prevents the replacement battery pack 100 from being paired with the vehicle 10, as will be described later, when the replacement battery pack 100 is placed outside the vehicle, such as on the road.

[0057] On the other hand, if the placement position is within the vehicle interior (step S4: YES), the EVECU 17 determines whether or not there is a connection destination (step S5). For example, if the placement position of the replaceable battery pack 100 corresponds to the position of the battery terminal seat 111, the EVECU 17 determines that there is a connection destination (step S5: YES). Even if the placement position of the replaceable battery pack 100 corresponds to the position of the battery terminal seat 112, the EVECU 17 determines that there is a connection destination. On the other hand, if the placement position of the replaceable battery pack 100 corresponds to the position of the trunk, the EVECU 17 determines that there is no connection destination (step S5: NO).

[0058] If there is a connection destination, the EVECU 17 determines that the connection between the replaceable battery pack 100 and the battery terminal seat 111 is complete (step S6). That is, the EVECU 17 determines that the replaceable battery pack 100 is connected to the battery terminal seat 111. If there is no connection destination, the EVECU 17 skips the processing of step S6. This allows the EVECU 17 to identify whether the replaceable battery pack 100 is installed to supply power to the vehicle 10 or is installed as a spare.

[0059] When the processing of step S6 is executed, or when the processing of step S6 is skipped, the EVECU 17 performs pairing between the replaceable battery pack 100 and the vehicle 10 (step S7). More specifically, the EVECU 17 first transmits radio waves WL including identification information for identifying the vehicle 10 from either the antenna ATN1 or ATN2. The radio wave WL is received by the wireless communication device 109 of the replaceable battery pack 100 and extracts the identification information. The battery ECU 106 acquires the identification information from the wireless communication device 109 and stores it in its memory. In this way, the EVECU 17 performs pairing between the replaceable battery pack 100 and the vehicle 10.

[0060] As with the replaceable battery pack 100, the EVECU 17 also performs pairing for each of the replaceable battery packs 200, 300, 400, and 500 placed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The EVECU 17 continues the process of step S7 until all pairings are completed (step S8: NO). When pairing is completed (step S8: YES), the EVECU 17 limits the vehicles eligible for use of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 (step S9) and terminates the process. That is, the EVECU 17 limits the vehicles eligible for use of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 to the vehicle 10.

[0061] As a result, even if at least one of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is stolen, the vehicle that can use the battery packs is limited to the vehicle 10, and therefore, even if an attempt is made to use the battery packs in a vehicle other than the vehicle 10, the use of the battery packs in the other vehicle is restricted. As will be described in detail later, inconsistencies between the identification information of the vehicle 10 stored in the replaceable battery pack 100, etc., and the identification information of the other vehicle are detected, and the use of the battery packs in the other vehicle is restricted.

[0062] In other words, theft of the replaceable battery pack 100 or the like will render its use in other vehicles useless, which ultimately leads to theft prevention. Note that the identification information stored in the replaceable battery pack 100 is erased when the replaceable battery pack 100 is connected to the charger 20. This allows the replaceable battery pack 100 to be reused in other vehicles.

[0063] Next, the independent operation of the EVECU 17 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] First, when the replaceable battery pack 600 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the EVECU 17 determines whether pairing has been completed (step S11). If the replaceable battery pack 600 already stores identification information of the vehicle 10 or a vehicle other than the vehicle 10, the EVECU 17 determines that pairing has been completed (step S11: YES). For example, if the replaceable battery pack 600 was previously loaned from the charger 20 and connected to the vehicle 10 at least once, the identification information of the vehicle 10 is already stored in the replaceable battery pack 600. When such a replaceable battery pack 600 is mounted on the vehicle 10 again, the EVECU 17 determines that pairing has been completed. Furthermore, if the replaceable battery pack 600 was not loaned from the charger 20 and was stolen from a vehicle other than the vehicle 10, the identification information of the other vehicle is stored in the replaceable battery pack 600. In such a case, the EVECU 17 also determines that pairing has been completed. On the other hand, if such identification information is not stored in the replaceable battery pack 600, the EVECU 17 determines that pairing has not been completed (step S11: NO). For example, if the replaceable battery pack 600 is returned to the charger 20 and reconnected, and then the replaceable battery pack 600 is rented out again from the charger 20, the identification information is erased as a result of normal operation. In such a case, the EVECU 17 determines that pairing has not been completed. If pairing has not been completed, the EVECU 17 may execute the process of either step S1 or S7 described above, or may end the process.

[0065] After the process of step S11 is completed, the EVECU 17 then determines whether the battery is already paired with the target vehicle (step S12). For example, if the target vehicle for the replaceable battery pack 600 is the vehicle 10 and the identification information of the vehicle 10 is stored in the replaceable battery pack 600, the EVECU 17 determines that the battery is already paired (step S12: YES). In this case, the EVECU 17 permits the use of the replaceable battery pack 600 in the vehicle 10 (step S13) and ends the process.

[0066] On the other hand, if the vehicle to which the replaceable battery pack 600 is to be used is the vehicle 10, but the replaceable battery pack 600 stores identification information of a vehicle other than the vehicle 10, the EVECU 17 determines that the battery is not a paired battery (step S12: NO). In this case, the EVECU 17 denies use of the replaceable battery pack 600 in the vehicle 10 (step S14) and ends the process. This results in wasted use of the replaceable battery pack 600 in another vehicle due to theft of the replaceable battery pack 600, which ultimately triggers theft prevention.

[0067] Next, an example of improving the accuracy of identifying the position where the replaceable battery pack 100 or the like is placed will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] For example, the replaceable battery pack 100 may be mounted on the vehicle 10 as a power supply target, and the replaceable battery pack 200 may be placed on top of the replaceable battery pack 100 as a spare. If the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 are placed on top of each other in this way, the EVECU 17 may mistakenly recognize the replaceable battery packs 100 and 200 as being placed in the same position, which may reduce the accuracy of identifying their positions.

[0069] Therefore, for example, each of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200 may include a non-contact tag 31, 32, and the battery terminal base 111 may include a non-contact tag reader 33. In this case, the EVECU 17 identifies the location based on the radio wave intensity of the radio waves WL emitted by each of the replaceable battery packs 100, 200 and whether or not the non-contact tag reader 33 has read predetermined information recorded in the non-contact tag 31, 32.

[0070] For example, the contactless tag reader 33 can read the predetermined information of the contactless tag 31 that is closer to the battery terminal base 111 than the replaceable battery pack 200. On the other hand, the contactless tag reader 33 cannot read the predetermined information of the contactless tag 32 that is farther from the battery terminal base 111 than the replaceable battery pack 100. This makes it possible to identify that the replaceable battery pack 100 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as the battery to be supplied with power, and that the replaceable battery pack 200 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as a spare.

[0071] Therefore, if the EVECU 17 and the battery terminal base 111 are electrically connected, the EVECU 17 can accurately identify the location where the replaceable battery pack 100, 200 is placed based on the radio wave intensity and whether or not the predetermined information has been read. The replaceable battery packs 100, 200 may be equipped with the non-contact tag reader 33, and the battery terminal base 111 may be equipped with either the non-contact tag 31 or 32. In this case, it is sufficient that either the non-contact tag 31 or 32 is electrically connected to the EVECU 17. Even in such a case, the EVECU 17 can accurately identify the position where the replaceable battery packs 100, 200 are installed.

[0072] As described above, a vehicle 10, including an electric vehicle, has multiple replaceable battery packs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 arranged in the vehicle cabin. The vehicle 10 is also equipped with multiple antennas ATN1 and ATN2 and an EVECU 17. The antennas ATN1 and ATN2 detect radio waves WL emitted by the wireless communication device 109 provided in the replaceable battery pack 100, for example, from the mounting position of the battery terminal seat 111. When the antennas ATN1 and ATN2 detect such radio waves WL, the EVECU 17 identifies the location of the replaceable battery pack 100 based on the relative field strength of the radio waves WL detected by the antennas ATN1 and ATN2. Specifically, the EVECU 17 identifies the location of a specific replaceable battery pack 100 connected to the vehicle 10 via the battery terminal seat 111 as the position of the battery terminal seat 111.

[0073] The antennas ATN1 and ATN2 can also detect radio waves WL transmitted by a wireless communication device provided in the replaceable battery pack 200 from the mounting position of the battery terminal seat 112. In this case, the position of the replaceable battery pack 200 connected to the vehicle 10 via the battery terminal seat 112 is identified as the position of the battery terminal seat 112. The antennas ATN1 and ATN2 can also detect radio waves WL transmitted by a wireless communication device provided in each of the replaceable battery packs 400 and 500 from the trunk of the vehicle 10. In this case, the position of the replaceable battery packs 400 and 500 mounted in the vehicle 10 is identified as the position of the trunk.

[0074] In this way, the position of the replaceable battery pack 100 can be identified without providing a communication terminal for identifying the position where the replaceable battery pack 100 is placed in the vehicle cabin, separate from the P terminal 101 and the N terminal 102. Because there is no need to insert or remove a communication cord into or from the communication terminal, the labor required for replacing the replaceable battery pack 100 is reduced, improving the workability of the replacement work.

[0075] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 vehicles 17 EVECU 20 charger 100,200 replaceable battery pack 106 Battery ECU 111,112 Battery terminal base ATN1,ATN2 antennas

Claims

1. An electric vehicle having a plurality of replaceable battery packs arranged in a vehicle interior, a plurality of antennas arranged in the vehicle interior; a control device that, when the plurality of antennas detect radio waves transmitted from a communication device provided in each of the plurality of replaceable battery packs from a seat position of a battery terminal seat for connecting at least one of the plurality of replaceable battery packs to the electric vehicle, identifies, from the plurality of replaceable battery packs, the location of a specific replaceable battery pack connected to the electric vehicle via the battery terminal seat, based on the field intensity of the radio waves; An electric vehicle equipped with:

2. When the control device identifies the placement position, it determines that the specific replaceable battery pack is connected to the battery terminal seat.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. the control device specifies the placement position based on the intensity relationship of the radio wave intensities.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. one of the replaceable battery pack and the battery terminal base is provided with a non-contact tag; the other of the replaceable battery pack and the battery terminal base is equipped with a non-contact tag reader; the control device specifies the placement position based on the radio wave intensity and the information recorded in the contactless tag read by the contactless tag reader; 3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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