Battery sharing system

Abstract

To perform more suitable battery control between combination vehicles.SOLUTION: A battery sharing system includes a battery control unit for performing charging / discharging control of a battery in an own vehicle and monitoring a battery state of the battery, and a sharing control unit 32 for sharing power consumption information of respective vehicles V and battery state information of the respective vehicles between the respective vehicles V of combination vehicles, and controlling power reception to the battery of the own vehicle from a battery of a vehicle other than the own vehicle or power supply to the battery of the vehicle other than the own vehicle from the battery of the own vehicle, and the sharing control unit operates an equal distribution power consumption amount equally allocated between the respective vehicles of the combination vehicles on the basis of a total power consumption amount to be consumed by the respective vehicles of the combination vehicles, and performs power consumption control of the battery of the own vehicle on the basis of the equal distribution power consumption amount, while the sharing control unit performs power reception / supply control of the battery of the own vehicle on the basis of the total power consumption amount and SOC values of the batteries of the respective vehicles of the combination vehicles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery sharing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In vehicles equipped with rotating machines as drive sources, attempts have been made to operate a plurality of such vehicles as connected vehicles. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a battery sharing system that is a technology for managing energy between each of the connected vehicles, and controls charge distribution between the electric energy storage system of one vehicle and the electric energy storage system of the other vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-506255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional battery sharing systems have room for improvement in controlling the batteries of each vehicle in a linked fleet.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery sharing system that can perform more suitable battery control between vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery sharing system that is provided in each of a plurality of vehicles each equipped with a battery and a rotating machine as a drive source, and that controls the power supply and supply of each of the batteries among each of the plurality of connected vehicles that are physically and electrically connected to each other. The system includes a battery control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the battery of the vehicle itself and monitors the battery state of the battery, and a sharing control unit that allows each of the connected vehicles to share power consumption information and battery state information of each of the connected vehicles, and controls the power supply and supply of power from the battery of a vehicle other than the vehicle itself to the battery of the vehicle itself, wherein the sharing control unit calculates an evenly allocated amount of power consumption that is evenly allocated among the vehicles of the connected vehicles based on the total amount of power consumption consumed by each of the connected vehicles, and controls the power consumption of the battery of the vehicle itself based on the evenly allocated amount of power consumption, and also controls the power supply and supply of power to the battery of the vehicle itself based on the total amount of power consumption and the SOC value of the battery of each of the connected vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The battery sharing system according to the present invention allows each of the connected vehicles to operate with equal power consumption (equally distributed power consumption). Meanwhile, the battery sharing system according to the present invention controls the power supply and reception of the battery of the connected vehicle based on the total power consumption of each of the connected vehicles and the SOC value of the battery of each of the connected vehicles. As a result, the battery sharing system according to the present invention can, for example, receive power from vehicles other than the connected vehicle to reduce the power consumption of the battery of the connected vehicle when the remaining battery charge of the connected vehicle is low, and supply power to vehicles other than the connected vehicle to increase the power consumption of the battery of the connected vehicle when the remaining battery charge of the connected vehicle is sufficient, thereby enabling more optimal battery control according to actual conditions between the connected vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a battery sharing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating articulated vehicles. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image of a coupler. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the connection between the batteries. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A battery sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment of a battery sharing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 indicates a battery sharing system of this embodiment. This battery sharing system 1 is provided in each of a plurality of vehicles V, each of which has a battery 11 and a rotating machine 12 as a drive source (Fig. 1). The vehicles V are electric vehicles (for example, BEVs: Battery Electric Vehicles) that drive the rotating machine 12 with power supplied from the battery 11. The battery sharing system 1 is operated in each of the vehicles V in a combination vehicle CV in which the plurality of vehicles V are physically and electrically connected. In the combination vehicle CV shown here, three vehicles V (V1 to V3) are connected together (Fig. 2).

[0012] The vehicle V has a first coupler 21 at its front end and a second coupler 22 at its rear end (FIGS. 1 and 3). In a combined vehicle CV, the first coupler 21 of the following vehicle V is coupled to the second coupler 22 of the leading vehicle V, thereby physically connecting the vehicles V and establishing an electrical connection between the batteries 11 of the vehicles V (FIG. 4).

[0013] Incidentally, by operating this articulated vehicle CV as an autonomous vehicle, the optimal service desired by the occupants of each vehicle V is provided. Furthermore, by operating this articulated vehicle CV as an autonomous vehicle, the occupants may be able to move between each vehicle V.

[0014] The battery sharing system 1 includes a battery control unit 31 and a sharing control unit 32 (FIG. 1).

[0015] The battery control unit 31 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V. This battery control unit 31 converts AC sent from an external AC charger (a so-called normal charger) into DC using an AC / DC converter in the on-board charger 13, and charges the battery 11 of the host vehicle V (FIG. 1). In addition, this battery control unit 31 charges the battery 11 of the host vehicle V with DC sent from an external DC charger (a so-called quick charger) (FIG. 1).

[0016] Furthermore, the battery control unit 31 monitors the battery state of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V. For example, the battery control unit 31 monitors the state of charge (SOC) and temperature of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V. The battery control unit 31 transmits battery state information of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V to the sharing control unit 32.

[0017] The sharing control unit 32 calculates the amount of power consumed by the entire host vehicle V based on the battery status information of the host vehicle V. This sharing control unit 32 is responsible for communication with the sharing control unit 32 of a vehicle V coupled to the host vehicle V (hereinafter referred to as a "connected vehicle") This sharing control unit 32 is connected to the sharing control unit 32 of the connected vehicle V via the coupled first coupler 21 and second coupler 22.

[0018] The sharing control unit 32 transmits power consumption information and battery status information of the host vehicle V to the sharing control unit 32 of the connected vehicle V, while receiving power consumption information and battery status information of the connected vehicle V from the sharing control unit 32 of the connected vehicle V. In addition, the sharing control unit 32 transmits the received power consumption information and battery status information of the connected vehicle V to the sharing control unit 32 of another connected vehicle V.

[0019] The transmission and reception of this power consumption information and battery status information is performed by the sharing control unit 32 of each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV. Thus, the sharing control unit 32 can cause each vehicle V including the host vehicle V (i.e., each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV) to share the power consumption information of each vehicle V and the battery status information of each vehicle V. Based on the power consumption information of each vehicle V, the sharing control unit 32 calculates the sum of the amounts of power consumption (total amount of power consumption) of each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV.

[0020] This battery sharing system 1 controls the power supply and reception of each battery 11 between each vehicle V of the connected vehicles CV. A sharing control unit 32 controls the power reception from the battery 11 of a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V to the battery 11 of the host vehicle V, or the power supply from the battery 11 of the host vehicle V to the battery 11 of a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V. The vehicle V is equipped with a first step-up DC / DC converter 14 that supplies power to the vehicle V traveling in front, and a second step-up DC / DC converter 15 that supplies power to the following vehicle V (FIG. 1). The sharing control unit 32 receives power from the second DC / DC converter 15 of the vehicle V traveling in front, and supplies power from the first DC / DC converter 14 of the host vehicle V to the vehicle V traveling in front, via a first coupler 21 and a second coupler 22 that are coupled in front of the host vehicle V. In addition, the sharing control unit 32 receives power from the first DC / DC converter 14 of the following vehicle V via the first coupler 21 and the second coupler 22 connected behind the host vehicle V, and supplies power to the following vehicle V from the second DC / DC converter 15 of the host vehicle V.

[0021] The sharing control unit 32 calculates the amount of power consumption equally allocated among the vehicles V of the combination vehicles CV (hereinafter referred to as "equally allocated power consumption amount") based on the total amount of power consumption consumed by each vehicle V of the combination vehicles CV. Then, the sharing control unit 32 controls the power consumption of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V based on the equally allocated power consumption amount.

[0022] On the other hand, the sharing control unit 32 controls the power supply and reception of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V based on the total amount of power consumed by each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV and the SOC value of the battery 11 of each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV.

[0023] When the SOC value of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is equal to or lower than the reference SOC value, the sharing control unit 32 receives power from a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V that has a battery 11 with an SOC value greater than the reference SOC value, and when the SOC value of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is greater than the reference SOC value, the sharing control unit 32 supplies power to a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V that has a battery 11 with an SOC value less than the reference SOC value.

[0024] For example, when the SOC value of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is equal to or lower than a reference SOC value, the sharing control unit 32 receives electric power from a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V, with an agreement with an occupant of the vehicle V having a battery 11 with an SOC value higher than the reference SOC value, to reduce the amount of power consumption of the host vehicle V relative to the amount of equally distributed power consumption. Furthermore, when the SOC value of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is higher than the reference SOC value, the sharing control unit 32 supplies electric power to a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V, with an agreement with an occupant of the vehicle V having a battery 11 with an SOC value lower than the reference SOC value, to increase the amount of power consumption of the host vehicle V relative to the amount of equally distributed power consumption.

[0025] For example, the reference SOC value is the upper limit of the SOC value at which charging is required rather than discharging. In this case, the battery sharing system 1 can extend the cruising distance of the vehicle V when the remaining charge of the battery 11 is low.

[0026] In addition, based on an electricity purchase and sale contract between the occupants of each vehicle V of the linked vehicles CV, if the vehicle V has entered into an electricity purchase contract, the sharing control unit 32 controls the electricity consumption of the battery 11 of the vehicle V by setting the amount of electricity consumed by the battery 11 to be less than the equally distributed amount of electricity consumed, and if the vehicle V has entered into an electricity sales contract, the sharing control unit 32 controls the electricity consumption of the battery 11 of the vehicle V by setting the amount of electricity consumed by the battery 11 to be greater than the equally distributed amount of electricity consumed.

[0027] For example, in this battery sharing system 1, when it is desired to keep the power consumption of the battery 11 low in preparation for long-distance travel after uncoupling, the occupants of this vehicle V can purchase electricity from the occupants of other vehicles V of the combined vehicle CV, thereby having the other vehicles V bear a larger share of the power consumption required to operate this combined vehicle CV.

[0028] As described above, the battery sharing system 1 of this embodiment can operate each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV with equal power consumption (equally distributed power consumption). Meanwhile, the battery sharing system 1 of this embodiment controls the power supply and reception of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V based on the total power consumption of each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV and the SOC value of the battery 11 of each vehicle V of the combined vehicles CV. As a result, the battery sharing system 1 of this embodiment can, for example, if the remaining charge of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is low, receive power from a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V to reduce the power consumption of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V, and if the remaining charge of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V is sufficient, supply power to a vehicle V other than the host vehicle V to increase the power consumption of the battery 11 of the host vehicle V, thereby performing more optimal battery control that is suited to the actual situation between the vehicles V of the combined vehicles CV. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Battery sharing system 11 Battery 12 Rotating Machines 31 Battery Control Unit 32 Sharing Control Unit CV Combination Vehicle V vehicle

Claims

1. A battery sharing system is provided in each of a plurality of vehicles each having a battery and a rotating machine as a drive source, and controls power supply and reception of each of the batteries between each of the vehicles of a linked vehicle in which the plurality of vehicles are physically and electrically connected, a battery control unit that controls charging and discharging of the battery of the vehicle and monitors the battery state; a sharing control unit that allows each of the connected vehicles to share power consumption information of each of the vehicles and battery state information of each of the vehicles, and controls power reception from the battery of a vehicle other than the vehicle to the battery of the vehicle itself, or power supply from the battery of the vehicle itself to the battery of the vehicle other than the vehicle itself; Equipped with the sharing control unit calculates an evenly distributed amount of power consumption that is allocated equally among the connected vehicles based on a total amount of power consumption consumed by each of the connected vehicles, and controls the power consumption of the battery of the connected vehicle based on the evenly distributed amount of power consumption, while controlling the power supply and receiving of the battery of the connected vehicle based on the total amount of power consumption and an SOC value of the battery of each of the connected vehicles.

2. 2. The battery sharing system according to claim 1, wherein, when the SOC value of the battery of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than a reference SOC value, the sharing control unit receives power from a vehicle other than the host vehicle having a battery with an SOC value higher than the reference SOC value, and when the SOC value of the battery of the host vehicle is higher than the reference SOC value, supplies power to a vehicle other than the host vehicle having a battery with an SOC value lower than the reference SOC value.

3. 3. The battery sharing system according to claim 2, wherein, when the SOC value of the battery of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than a reference SOC value, the sharing control unit receives electric power from the vehicle other than the host vehicle, with an agreement with an occupant of the vehicle other than the host vehicle having a battery with an SOC value higher than the reference SOC value, thereby reducing the amount of electric power consumed by the host vehicle relative to the equally allocated amount of electric power consumption; and when the SOC value of the battery of the host vehicle is higher than the reference SOC value, the sharing control unit supplies electric power to the vehicle other than the host vehicle, with an agreement with an occupant of the vehicle other than the host vehicle having a battery with an SOC value lower than the reference SOC value, thereby increasing the amount of electric power consumed by the host vehicle relative to the equally allocated amount of electric power consumption.

4. 4. The battery sharing system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, based on an electricity purchase contract between the occupants of each of the connected vehicles, if the vehicle has entered into an electricity purchase contract, the sharing control unit controls the electricity consumption of the battery of the vehicle by setting the amount of electricity consumed by the battery of the vehicle to be less than the equally distributed amount of electricity consumption, and if the vehicle has entered into an electricity sales contract, the sharing control unit controls the electricity consumption of the battery of the vehicle by setting the amount of electricity consumed by the battery of the vehicle to be more than the equally distributed amount of electricity consumption.

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