Control device for replaceable battery

Abstract

To provide a control device for a replaceable battery capable of ensuring a necessary and sufficient battery capacity in a vehicle as a whole.SOLUTION: A control device for a replaceable battery includes a control section which, in a vehicle having a plurality of replaceable batteries mounted thereon, varies an overall battery capacity by connecting the plurality of replaceable batteries in parallel. The control section acquires, from a replacement battery station, information including at least remaining capacities of replaceable batteries held by the replacement battery station, and calculates, from a current position of the vehicle and a position of the replacement battery station, an SOC consumed when the vehicle travels from the current position to the replacement battery station. The control section determines a replacement number and a target SOC of the replaceable batteries from the calculated consumed SOC, the remaining capacities of the replaceable batteries held by the replacement battery station, and remaining capacities of the replaceable batteries mounted on the vehicle, and controls each of the replaceable batteries so as to satisfy the replacement number and the target SOC which have been determined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a replaceable battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for an electric vehicle equipped with multiple replaceable batteries, which calculates a predicted value of the power required to travel a route and a predicted value of the remaining battery charge at the starting point of the route, and determines the number of batteries to replace based on these predicted values. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-174873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electric vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, a replaceable battery is provided for each drive wheel, and the battery capacity of the replaceable battery is controlled for each drive wheel, which may result in a power surplus or deficiency when viewed as a whole vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a control device for a replaceable battery that can ensure a necessary and sufficient battery capacity for the entire vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device for replaceable batteries according to the present disclosure is provided with a control unit for a vehicle equipped with multiple replaceable batteries, which varies the overall battery capacity by connecting the multiple replaceable batteries in parallel; the control unit acquires information from a replacement battery station including at least the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries held by the replacement battery station; calculates the SOC consumed when traveling from the current position to the replacement battery station based on the current position of the vehicle and the position of the replacement battery station; determines the number of replaceable batteries to be replaced and a target SOC based on the calculated SOC consumed, the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries held by the replacement battery station, and the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries installed in the vehicle; and controls each replaceable battery to satisfy the determined number of replacements and target SOC. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure a necessary and sufficient battery capacity for the entire vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a vehicle equipped with a control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment, a replacement battery station, and a cloud server. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit of a vehicle that constitutes a control device for a replaceable battery according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of control of a replaceable battery executed by a control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of control of a replaceable battery executed by the control device for a replaceable battery according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control method for a replaceable battery executed by a control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0010] (Replaceable battery control device) A control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The control device for a replaceable battery according to an embodiment is for controlling a plurality of replaceable batteries mounted on a vehicle. "Controlling a plurality of replaceable batteries" includes, for example, determining which of the plurality of replaceable batteries to use first, and what level the remaining charge (remaining battery charge) of the replaceable batteries should be.

[0011] A control device for a replaceable battery according to the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The vehicle 1 is configured to communicate with a replacement battery station 2 and a cloud server 3 via a network N, enabling the exchange of various information. This network N is configured, for example, from an internet network, a mobile phone network, or the like. In this embodiment, the replacement battery station 2 may be referred to as "replacement battery station A" or "replacement battery station B" (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0012] Vehicle 1 includes a motor 11, a plurality of replaceable batteries (battery packs) 12, a control unit 13, a communication unit 14, and wheels (drive wheels) 15. Note that Fig. 1 illustrates only the components of vehicle 1 that realize the functions of the control device for the replaceable batteries according to the embodiment, and other components are not illustrated. Also, of the components of vehicle 1, control unit 13 functions as the control device for the replaceable batteries.

[0013] The motor 11 is a drive source for the vehicle 1. The motor 11 operates using power supplied from a replaceable battery 12, and drives each wheel 15.

[0014] The replaceable battery 12 is, for example, a battery pack such as a lithium-ion battery. A plurality of replaceable batteries 12 are mounted inside the vehicle 1 and supply power to the motor 11. The replaceable batteries 12 are configured to be connected in parallel as needed under the control of the control unit 13, which will be described later. In this way, by connecting some or all of the replaceable batteries 12 in parallel, the overall battery capacity becomes variable. When some or all of the replaceable batteries 12 are connected in parallel to be used as a single battery, for example, a relay, a transistor, a boost converter, etc. are used.

[0015] Each of the replaceable batteries 12 has the power performance required to drive the vehicle 1. In other words, rather than one replaceable battery 12 being responsible for driving one wheel 15, each replaceable battery 12 has the performance to drive all of the wheels 15. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if the vehicle 1 is equipped with four replaceable batteries 12 and each replaceable battery 12 has a capacity of 15 kWh, the total capacity of the battery can be considered to be 60 kWh. In this embodiment, the replaceable batteries 12 may be referred to as "replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d" (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0016] The control unit 13 is an electronic control unit (ECU) whose main components are a microcomputer including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The control unit 13 executes various programs to comprehensively control the operations of various components of the vehicle 1.

[0017] In a vehicle 1 equipped with multiple replaceable batteries 12, the control unit 13 varies the overall battery capacity by connecting the multiple replaceable batteries 12 in parallel or disconnecting multiple replaceable batteries 12 connected in parallel. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the control unit 13 functions as an information acquisition unit 131, a route generation unit 132, an SOC determination unit 133, and a battery control unit 134.

[0018] The information acquisition unit 131 acquires information from the replacement battery station 2 that includes at least the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries 12 held by the replacement battery station 2. Examples of information that the information acquisition unit 131 acquires from the replacement battery station 2 include the following:

[0019] (1) The number of replaceable batteries 12 that can be replaced by the battery station 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "number of replaceable batteries"). (2) The remaining capacity of the replaceable battery 12 that can be replaced by the replacement battery station 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "remaining replaceable battery capacity"). (3) The number of replaceable batteries 12 that the battery station 2 wishes to replace (hereinafter referred to as the "number of batteries desired to be replaced"). (4) The remaining capacity of the replaceable battery 12 that the battery station 2 wishes to replace (hereinafter referred to as the "requested battery remaining capacity") (5) The number of replaceable batteries 12 other than the replaceable battery 12 that the replacement battery station 2 desires to replace. (6) The remaining capacity of the replaceable battery 12 other than the replaceable battery 12 that the replacement battery station 2 requests to replace (7) Location information of Battery Replacement Station 2

[0020] The information acquisition unit 131 may acquire the above information (1) to (7) via the cloud server 3, rather than from the replacement battery station 2. In this case, the above information (1) to (7) is transmitted in advance from the replacement battery station 2 to the cloud server 3.

[0021] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 131 acquires information necessary for calculating the consumed SOC in the SOC determination unit 133 from an external road information server or the like. Examples of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 131 from the road information server include information about the gradient of the road on the route generated by the route generation unit 132, the speed limit, and the vehicle speed at which the vehicle 1 has traveled in the past (hereinafter referred to as "road information"). Note that the information acquisition unit 131 may acquire the road information via the cloud server 3. In this case, the road information is transmitted to the cloud server 3 in advance from the road information server.

[0022] The route generation unit 132 generates a route (travel route) for the vehicle 1 to travel. Examples of routes generated by the route generation unit 132 include a route from the current location of the vehicle 1 to the exchange battery station 2, and a route from the current location of the vehicle 1 to a predetermined destination via the exchange battery station 2. The current location of the vehicle 1 can be obtained, for example, by a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1. The exchange battery stations 2 to be included on the route may be specified by the vehicle 1, or an exchange battery station 2 located near the route to the destination may be automatically selected.

[0023] For example, if the vehicle 1 has in advance the location information of the exchange battery station 2, the route generation unit 132 generates the above route based on the location information of the exchange battery station 2 that it has and the current location of the vehicle 1. Also, for example, if the vehicle 1 acquires the location information of the exchange battery station 2 from the exchange battery station 2, the route generation unit 132 generates the above route based on the acquired location information of the exchange battery station 2 and the current location of the vehicle 1.

[0024] The SOC determination unit 133 determines the target SOC for each replaceable battery 12 installed in the vehicle 1. First, the SOC determination unit 133 calculates the SOC consumed when traveling from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the replacement battery station 2, based on the current position of the vehicle 1 and the position of the replacement battery station 2 on the route generated by the route generation unit 132. Note that when calculating the SOC consumed, road information on the route generated by the route generation unit 132, information on the specifications of the vehicle 1 (e.g., electricity consumption), etc. may be taken into consideration.

[0025] Next, the SOC determination unit 133 determines the number of replaceable batteries 12 that the vehicle 1 will replace at the battery exchange station 2 based on the calculated consumed SOC, the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12 held by the battery exchange station 2, and the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12 installed in the vehicle 1. At the same time, the SOC determination unit 133 determines a target SOC for the replaceable batteries 12 installed in the vehicle 1.

[0026] The battery control unit 134 controls the replaceable batteries 12 mounted on the vehicle 1. The battery control unit 134 controls each replaceable battery 12 so as to satisfy the number of replaceable batteries 12 and the target SOC determined by the SOC determination unit 133. An example of control of the replaceable batteries 12 by the battery control unit 134 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0027] 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of control of the replaceable batteries 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) by the battery control unit 134. In this example, it is assumed that the vehicle 1 needs to replace the replaceable batteries 12 along the way to reach the destination, and that there are sufficient replaceable batteries 12 with high remaining power stored at a replacement battery station A along the route. The phrase "a case where the replaceable batteries 12 need to be replaced along the way" refers to a case where the vehicle 1 cannot reach the destination even if all of the remaining power of the replaceable batteries 12 in the vehicle 1 is consumed.

[0028] In this case, the route generation unit 132 first generates a route for traveling from the current location of the vehicle 1 to the destination via the exchange battery station A. Next, the SOC determination unit 133 calculates the SOC consumed when the vehicle 1 travels from the current location to the exchange battery station A.

[0029] Next, the SOC determination unit 133 determines the number of replaceable batteries 12 to replace, based on, for example, the SOC consumed from the current location to the replacement battery station A, the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12 at the replacement battery station A, and the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12 in the vehicle 1. At the same time, the SOC determination unit 133 determines the target SOC for the replaceable batteries 12 in the vehicle 1.

[0030] The battery control unit 134 then controls each replaceable battery 12 so as to satisfy the determined number of batteries 12 to be replaced and the target SOC. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, consider a case where, at the current location of the vehicle 1, the remaining charge of the replaceable battery 12a is 0%, the remaining charge of the replaceable battery 12b is 60%, and the remaining charges of the replaceable batteries 12c and 12d are 100%. Also consider a case where the SOC determination unit 133 has determined that "number of batteries 12 to be replaced: 2 (replace the replaceable batteries 12a and 12b)" and "target SOC of the replaceable batteries 12c and 12d: 100% (maintain full battery level)".

[0031] In this case, the battery control unit 134 uses the replaceable battery 12b with 60% remaining charge first when driving the motor 11, thereby preventing the number of batteries that need to be replaced from increasing. At the same time, the battery control unit 134 uses only the replaceable battery 12b in order to maintain the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12c and 12d at 100%. Note that, although the explanation here is based on the assumption that the replaceable battery 12b with 60% remaining charge is replaced in addition to the replaceable battery 12a with 0% remaining charge, it is also possible to replace only the replaceable battery 12a with 0% remaining charge, or the number of batteries to be replaced may be adjusted as appropriate taking into account the effort required for replacement on the vehicle 1 side, etc.

[0032] 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of control of the replaceable batteries 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) by the battery control unit 134. In this example, it is assumed that the vehicle 1 has sufficient remaining power to arrive at home (destination), but the remaining power of the replaceable batteries 12 stocked at a replacement battery station B along the route is low. In this case, information regarding the number of batteries desired for replacement and the remaining power of the batteries desired for replacement has been transmitted from replacement battery station B to the vehicle 1, and a situation has arisen in which replacement of the replaceable batteries 12 is requested.

[0033] In this case, the route generation unit 132 first generates a route for traveling from the current location of the vehicle 1 to the home via the exchange battery station B. Next, the SOC determination unit 133 calculates the SOC consumed when traveling from the current location of the vehicle 1 to the exchange battery station B, and the SOC consumed when traveling from the exchange battery station B to the home.

[0034] Next, the SOC determination unit 133 determines the number of replaceable batteries 12 to replace based on, for example, the SOC consumed from the current location to battery exchange station B, the SOC consumed from battery exchange station B to home, the remaining charge of the battery exchange station B, and the remaining charge of the battery exchange station B. At the same time, the SOC determination unit 133 determines a target SOC for the battery exchange station B.

[0035] The battery control unit 134 then controls each replaceable battery 12 so as to satisfy the determined number of batteries 12 to be replaced and the target SOC. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, consider a case where the remaining capacity of each of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d is 100% at the current location of the vehicle 1. Also consider a case where the SOC determination unit 133 determines that "number of batteries 12 to be replaced: 3 (replace any three of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d)" and "target SOC of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d: 100% (maintain full battery level)."

[0036] In this case, the battery control unit 134 uses only one of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d when driving the motor 11, thereby preventing a decrease in the number of batteries to be replaced. At the same time, the battery control unit 134 uses only one of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in order to maintain 100% remaining capacity in any three of the replaceable batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Note that when a replaceable battery 12 with a high remaining capacity is transferred from the vehicle 1 to the battery exchange station B, as in this example, an incentive may be provided to the user of the vehicle 1 by concluding a contract or the like between the operator of the battery exchange station B and the user of the vehicle 1.

[0037] Here, the control of the replaceable batteries 12 by the battery control unit 134 is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4. For example, in Figure 3, at the current location of vehicle 1, there may be a sufficient stock of replaceable batteries 12 with high remaining capacity at replacement battery station A, but when vehicle 1 arrives at replacement battery station A, it is possible that the replaceable batteries 12 have already been replaced by another vehicle. In this case, even when vehicle 1 arrives at replacement battery station A, it may not be possible to replace the desired number of replaceable batteries 12.

[0038] Therefore, whenever there is a change in the number of replaceable batteries and the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries 12 held by the exchange battery station A, the exchange battery station A may transmit information about the number of replaceable batteries and the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries to the vehicle 1. In response to this, the vehicle 1 can replace the replaceable batteries 12 by accessing another exchange battery station located, for example, near the route.

[0039] 4, for example, it is possible that the remaining charge of the replaceable batteries 12 stocked at battery exchange station B is low at the current location of vehicle 1, but that the battery 12 has already been replaced by another vehicle when vehicle 1 arrives at battery exchange station B. In this case, even if vehicle 1 arrives at battery exchange station B, it will not be necessary to replace the battery 12, which could result in a wasted trip.

[0040] Therefore, whenever there is a change in the number of batteries desired to be replaced and the remaining battery charge of the replaceable batteries 12 held by the exchange battery station B, the exchange battery station B may transmit information regarding the number of batteries desired to be replaced and the remaining battery charge to the vehicle 1. In response to this, the vehicle 1 can, for example, continue driving to its home without replacing the replaceable batteries 12, or it can replace the replaceable batteries 12 by accessing another exchange battery station located near the route.

[0041] The communication unit 14 is configured by, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module), etc. The communication unit 14 exchanges information with the replacement battery station 2 and the cloud server 3 through communication via the network N.

[0042] The battery exchange station 2 is a base station that holds a plurality of replaceable batteries 12. The batteries 12 held by the battery exchange station 2 are the same as those installed in the vehicle 1. The battery exchange station 2 exchanges the battery 12 with the vehicle 1 based on a request from the vehicle 1 or a request from the battery exchange station 2.

[0043] For example, in the case of a request from vehicle 1, the exchange battery station 2 receives from vehicle 1 a replaceable battery 12 with 0% or a low remaining charge, and in exchange hands over to vehicle 1 a replaceable battery 12 with 100% remaining charge (full) (see FIG. 3). Also, in the case of a request from the exchange battery station 2, for example, the exchange battery station 2 hands over to vehicle 1 a replaceable battery 12 with 0% or a low remaining charge, and in exchange hands over to vehicle 1 a replaceable battery 12 with 100% remaining charge (see FIG. 4). Note that while this embodiment describes an example in which information and a replaceable battery 12 are exchanged between the exchange battery station 2 and one vehicle 1, in reality, information and replaceable batteries 12 are exchanged between the exchange battery station 2 and an unspecified number of vehicles.

[0044] The cloud server 3 is realized by a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The cloud server 3 transmits the above information (1) to (7) acquired in advance from the exchange battery station 2 to the vehicle 1 as needed.

[0045] Furthermore, the cloud server 3 may also perform some of the functions of the control unit 13 of the vehicle 1. For example, the cloud server 3 may perform the functions of the route generation unit 132 and the SOC determination unit 133, which are part of the functions of the control unit 13. This reduces the calculation load on the control unit 13 of the vehicle 1.

[0046] (Replaceable battery control method) The flow of the control method for the replaceable battery according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] First, the information acquisition unit 131 acquires information from the exchange battery station 2 that includes at least the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries 12 held by the exchange battery station 2 (step S1). Next, the route generation unit 132 generates a route that includes at least a route from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the exchange battery station 2 based on the information acquired in step S1 (step S2).

[0048] Next, the SOC determination unit 133 calculates the SOC consumed when the vehicle 1 travels from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the replacement battery station 2, based on the current position of the vehicle 1 and the position of the replacement battery station 2 on the route generated by the route generation unit 132 (step S3). Next, the SOC determination unit 133 determines the number of replacement batteries 12 that the vehicle 1 will replace at the replacement battery station 2, and the target SOC for each replacement battery 12, based on the consumed SOC calculated in step S3, the remaining charge of the replacement batteries 12 held by the replacement battery station 2, and the remaining charge of the replacement batteries 12 installed in the vehicle 1 (step S4).

[0049] Next, the battery control unit 134 controls each replaceable battery 12 so as to satisfy the replacement number and target SOC determined in step S5 (step S5), and then this process is completed.

[0050] The control device for replaceable batteries according to the embodiment described above determines the number of replaceable batteries 12 to be replaced and the target SOC from the consumed SOC from the current location of the vehicle 1 to the battery exchange station 2, the remaining charge of the batteries 12 at the battery exchange station 2, and the remaining charge of the batteries 12 in the vehicle 1. By controlling each battery 12 so as to satisfy the determined number of batteries to be replaced and the target SOC, it is possible to ensure sufficient battery capacity for the entire vehicle 1.

[0051] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 vehicle 11 Motor 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Replaceable battery (battery pack) 13 Control Unit 131 Information Acquisition Department 132 Route Generation Unit 133 SOC Determination Department 134 Battery control unit 14 Communications Department 15 wheels 2 Battery Replacement Station 3. Cloud Server N Network

Claims

[Claim 1] In a vehicle equipped with a plurality of replaceable batteries, a control unit is provided that varies the overall battery capacity by connecting the plurality of replaceable batteries in parallel, The control unit acquiring information from a replacement battery station, the information including at least the remaining capacity of a replaceable battery held by the replacement battery station; calculating a consumption SOC when traveling from the current position of the vehicle to the battery exchange station based on the current position of the vehicle and the position of the battery exchange station; determining the number of the replaceable batteries to be replaced and a target SOC based on the calculated consumed SOC, the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries held at the replaceable battery station, and the remaining capacity of the replaceable batteries mounted on the vehicle; controlling each replaceable battery so as to satisfy the determined number of replacement batteries and the target SOC; Replaceable battery control device.

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