Electric vehicle charging system

Abstract

To provide an electric vehicle charging system that does not require infrastructure development, does not require complex control, and does not cause unnecessary waiting time, can reliably and efficiently charge an electric vehicle with a low battery, and enables long-distance driving of the electric vehicle at low cost.SOLUTION: A container 11 is provided with a charging battery 12, a battery container 14 incorporating charging / discharging means 13 for charging / discharging the charging battery 12, and a container transport vehicle which moves with the battery container 14 mounted thereon so as to be able to load and unload, and the charged battery container 14 is delivered by the container transport vehicle to the standby position of the electric vehicle 10 whose battery has run out, and the battery of the electric vehicle 10 is charged from the charging battery 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system for an electric vehicle for charging a battery of the electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric vehicles have become commercially available in recent years, and their widespread use is desirable from an environmental perspective. Electric vehicle batteries are generally charged using grid power (commercial power), making it difficult to recharge mid-trip. Therefore, they must be fully charged before starting a journey. However, the distance they can travel on a single charge (cruising range) is short, and if they are caught in traffic on a highway or other road, the battery may run out, making them unsuitable for long-distance travel. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a charging system that charges electric vehicle batteries using charging equipment installed at any location, such as a street corner. Patent Documents 2 and 3 also propose battery supply (exchange) systems that exchange low-power batteries with charged ones at battery exchange stations installed along the electric vehicle's travel route. Furthermore, Patent Document 4 proposes an electric vehicle management system that uses a rescue vehicle equipped with a charging means to recharge and restore the battery of an electric vehicle that has run out of power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-253461 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-353548 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-3803 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190412 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the charging system of Patent Document 1, even if each charging station is miniaturized and installation location constraints are reduced, the system still requires the installation of many charging stations, necessitating a large overall occupied space, resulting in cost problems. The battery supply (exchange) systems of Patent Documents 2 and 3 also require a large occupied space to install many battery exchange stations, making them more susceptible to installation location constraints. Furthermore, each electric vehicle must have a structure that allows for easy battery replacement, resulting in cost and time required for system construction. In particular, it is difficult and unfeasible to standardize the battery type (standardization) of all electric vehicles, as in Patent Document 2. In a system like Patent Document 3, which determines battery exchange stations where batteries can be replaced based on information such as the type and quantity of batteries installed in the target electric vehicle and then makes battery replacement reservations, installing a battery exchange station for each battery type would significantly increase the number of battery exchange stations and require a large occupied space. Furthermore, attempting to accommodate the replacement of multiple types of batteries at a single battery exchange station would require a large amount of battery storage space, complicate inventory management, and require careful attention to avoid mix-ups, resulting in poor operability.

[0005] On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, a rescue vehicle equipped with a charging means charges the battery of an electric vehicle that has run out of battery power, eliminating the need for installation space for equipment like in Patent Documents 1 to 3. However, complex control is required to appropriately manage the placement of rescue vehicles according to the status of the electric vehicle being rescued. Even if a rescue vehicle is deployed to approach the target electric vehicle in preparation for a battery shortage, it takes time to actually move the rescue vehicle to the location of the electric vehicle that has run out of battery power. Therefore, the electric vehicle must be left stopped and wait for the rescue vehicle to arrive, or the rescue vehicle must get there first and wait for the electric vehicle to arrive, resulting in wasted wait time. Furthermore, while the rescue vehicle is charging the battery of the electric vehicle, the rescue vehicle remains stopped and cannot move on to rescue other electric vehicles, lengthening the time it is tied up and reducing work efficiency. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an electric vehicle charging system that does not require infrastructure development, does not require complex control, and does not cause unnecessary waiting time, can reliably and efficiently charge an electric vehicle with a low battery, and enables the electric vehicle to travel long distances at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, which meets the above-mentioned objective, is an electric vehicle charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, comprising: The container is provided with a charging battery, a battery container incorporating a charging / discharging means for charging / discharging the charging battery, and a container transport vehicle that moves with the battery container mounted thereon so that it can be loaded and unloaded, and the charged battery container is delivered by the container transport vehicle to a standby position for the electric vehicle with a dead battery, and the battery of the electric vehicle is charged from the charging battery.

[0007] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, it is preferable that a container installation location where the battery container is to be installed is set in advance along a travel route of the electric vehicle, and the charged battery container is delivered to the container installation location by the container transport vehicle and installed there.

[0008] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the charged battery container can be delivered to the container installation location by the container transport vehicle and installed there before the electric vehicle arrives at the container installation location, in accordance with the driving schedule of the electric vehicle.

[0009] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging can be collected by the container transport vehicle, and after the charging battery is charged, it can be delivered to the container installation location again by the container transport vehicle.

[0010] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, when the charged battery container is delivered to the container installation site by the container transport vehicle and installed there, the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation site and used for charging can be collected by the container transport vehicle.

[0011] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, a charging station equipped with ground-mounted charging means connectable to the charging battery of the battery container may be installed at the container installation location.

[0012] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the charging / discharging means of the battery container preferably includes a DC rapid charger and an AC normal charger.

[0013] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, it is further preferable that the charging / discharging means of the battery container has a grid-connected inverter and a power supply outlet.

[0014] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the charging / discharging means of the battery container may include a pantograph-type ultra-fast charger.

[0015] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, it is preferable to include a management means for managing the delivery and collection of the battery containers by the container transport vehicle based on user data obtained from the user of the electric vehicle, including individual information, driving route, and driving schedule of the electric vehicle that is the target of the service.

[0016] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the management means can have a data processing unit that, based on the user data, sets the container installation location, sets the delivery time of the charged battery container to the container installation location, sets the collection time of the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging, and selects a charging point where the charging battery of the used battery container will be charged, and determines the instructions to be given to the container transport vehicle.

[0017] In the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention, the battery container is equipped with a remaining charge detection means that detects the remaining charge of the charging battery, and a container-side communication means that notifies the management means of the remaining charge data of the charging battery detected by the remaining charge detection means, and the remaining charge data is notified to the management means from the battery container that has been previously installed at the container installation location via the container-side communication means, and the data processing unit can set the container installation location, the delivery time for the charged battery container, and the collection time for the used battery container, taking into account the remaining charge data in addition to the user data.

[0018] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the management means has an instruction unit that notifies the container transport vehicle of the instruction content determined by the data processing unit.

[0019] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, a power supply means for receiving power from a renewable energy power generation company and a power supply side communication means for notifying the management means of information on whether the power supply means can be used may be installed at the charging point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The electric vehicle charging system of the present invention loads a charged battery container onto a container transport vehicle, delivers it to a waiting location for an electric vehicle with a dead battery, and charges it. Therefore, there is no need to develop infrastructure such as charging stations, and it is possible to use available space in various facilities, etc., so no occupied space is required and the system can be built at low cost.

[0021] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, container installation locations where battery containers are to be installed are set in advance along the electric vehicle's travel route, and the charged battery containers are delivered to and installed at the container installation locations by container transport vehicles.As the electric vehicle travels along its travel route, the battery can be charged as needed using the charged battery containers that have been installed in advance at the container installation locations, allowing the electric vehicle to travel long distances without running out of battery.

[0022] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, when a charged battery container is delivered to and installed by a container transport vehicle to the container installation location before the electric vehicle arrives at the container installation location in accordance with the electric vehicle's driving schedule, there is no wasted waiting time other than the time it takes for the battery to be charged, and the electric vehicle can be driven according to a plan without making unnecessary movements.

[0023] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, when a used battery container that has been installed at a container installation site and used for charging is collected by a container transport vehicle, the charging battery is charged, and the battery is then delivered to the container installation site by the container transport vehicle again, the used battery container can be collected and the charged battery container can be installed as appropriate, minimizing the time that the container installation site is occupied by the used battery container, and the collected battery container can be repeatedly charged and used efficiently.

[0024] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, when a charged battery container is delivered to a container installation site by a container transport vehicle and installed, and a used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation site and used for charging is collected by the container transport vehicle, the container transport vehicle does not move empty, so the installation of charged battery containers and the collection of used battery containers can be carried out efficiently, and charging work can be carried out continuously and stably for a large number of electric vehicles.

[0025] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, if a charging station equipped with ground-mounted charging means that can be connected to the charging battery of the battery container is installed at the container installation location, the charging / discharging means of the battery container can be made smaller to increase the capacity of the charging battery, making it possible to charge multiple electric vehicles from a single battery container in a short period of time.

[0026] In the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention, if the charging / discharging means of the battery container has a DC rapid charger and an AC standard charger, the user can select the DC rapid charger or the AC standard charger as appropriate to easily and reliably charge the battery of the electric vehicle.

[0027] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, when the charging / discharging means of the battery container has a grid-connected inverter and a power supply outlet, in addition to using the grid-connected inverter to charge the charging battery of the battery container, it is also possible to use the grid-connected inverter or the power supply outlet to charge various devices other than the electric vehicle battery, allowing the charging battery to function as a power source in an emergency, thereby providing excellent versatility and functionality.

[0028] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, if the charging / discharging means of the battery container has a pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger, an electric vehicle that is compatible with the pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger can be charged in an extremely short time.

[0029] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, if a management means is provided that manages the delivery and collection of battery containers by container transport vehicles based on user data obtained from electric vehicle users, including individual information about the electric vehicle that is the target of the service, the driving route, and the driving schedule, the battery containers can be delivered and collected reliably and efficiently in a short time, preventing the user's electric vehicle from running out of battery and supporting long-distance driving.

[0030] In the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention, if the management means has a data processing unit that sets the container installation location, sets the delivery time of the charged battery container to the container installation location, sets the collection time of the used battery container that has previously been installed at the container installation location and used for charging, and selects the charging point where the charging battery of the used battery container will be charged, based on user data, each setting and selection can be automated and the operation of the container transport vehicle can be managed, allowing the delivery and collection of the battery container to be carried out smoothly in a short amount of time, resulting in excellent labor savings and practicality.

[0031] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, the battery container is equipped with a remaining charge detection means that detects the remaining charge of the charging battery, and a container-side communication means that notifies the management means of the remaining charge data of the charging battery detected by the remaining charge detection means. The remaining charge data is notified to the management means from the battery container that has been previously installed at the container installation location via the container-side communication means. As a result, when the data processing unit takes into consideration the remaining charge data in addition to the user data when setting the container installation location, the delivery time of the charged battery container, and the collection time of the used battery container, the remaining charge data of the charging battery can be easily obtained and centrally managed. The power charged in the charging battery can be used effectively without waste, and the battery of the target electric vehicle can be reliably charged in the battery container installed at the container installation location, thereby improving the reliability of battery container delivery management.

[0032] In the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention, if the management means has an instruction unit that notifies the container transport vehicle of the instruction content determined by the data processing unit, multiple container transport vehicles can be used efficiently to install and recover battery containers in a short period of time.

[0033] In the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, if a power supply means that receives power from a renewable energy power generation company and a power supply side communication means that notifies the management means of information on the availability of the power supply means are installed at the charging point, it is possible to effectively use renewable energy to efficiently charge the charging batteries of used battery containers, resulting in excellent environmental protection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a charging state by a battery container of the electric vehicle charging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2](A) is a side view showing the battery container loaded onto a container transport vehicle of the electric vehicle charging system, and (B) is a side view showing the loading and unloading of the battery container by the container transport vehicle of the electric vehicle charging system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a modified example of the battery container of the electric vehicle charging system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the electric vehicle charging system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric vehicle charging system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The electric vehicle charging system (hereinafter also simply referred to as the charging system) according to the first embodiment of the present invention is for charging the battery of an electric vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 1, this electric vehicle charging system first has a battery container 14 in which a charging battery 12 and charging / discharging means 13 for charging and discharging the charging battery 12 are built into a container 11. The electric vehicle charging system also has a container transport vehicle 15 that moves while carrying the battery container 14 so that it can be loaded and unloaded, as shown in Figures 2(A) and (B). This allows the electric vehicle charging system to deliver a charged battery container 14 (a battery container with a charged charging battery is called a charged battery container) by the container transport vehicle 15 to a waiting position for the electric vehicle 10 with a dead battery, and charge the battery of the electric vehicle 10 from the charging battery 12.

[0036] The capacity (size) of the container 11 is selected as appropriate, and the capacity of the built-in rechargeable battery 12 is also selected as appropriate according to the capacity of the container 11. As the rechargeable battery 12, a lithium ion battery or a lead battery is preferably used, but is not limited to these, and any battery that can store and discharge electricity may be used as appropriate. For example, a storage battery such as a capacitor may be used. These batteries and storage batteries may be used individually or in combination of multiple types. The battery container 14 preferably has a DC rapid charger and an AC normal charger (not shown) as the charging / discharging means 13, but may have only one of them. CHAdeMO (registered trademark) is preferably used as the DC rapid charger, but the connector specifications, charging method, and communication method of the DC rapid charger are not limited and can be selected appropriately. The voltage of an AC normal charger is generally 100V or 200V, but an AC normal charger compatible with multiple different voltages can be provided, selected appropriately depending on the specifications of the electric vehicle 10.

[0037] The battery container 14 may also have a grid-connected inverter and a power supply outlet (not shown) as the charging / discharging means 13. In addition to using the grid-connected inverter to charge the charging battery 12 of the battery container 14, the grid-connected inverter or the power supply outlet may also be used to charge various devices other than the battery of the electric vehicle 10, allowing the charging battery 12 to function as a power source in an emergency. The power supply outlet is generally 100V AC, but 200V AC may also be provided. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, this electric vehicle charging system can also use a battery container 14a equipped with a pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a as a charging / discharging device. The pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a is preferably used to charge the battery of a large electric vehicle 10a, such as a bus. During transportation of the battery container 14a, the pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a is housed inside the container 11, and is removed to the outside by opening the ceiling of the container 11 when in use (charging). A mechanism for inserting and removing the pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a from the container 11 can be selected as appropriate, but a mechanism for rotating, sliding, or extending each part is preferably used, and multiple mechanisms may be combined. The storage position (removal position) of the pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a can be selected as appropriate depending on the installation position of the power receiver (not shown) of the large electric vehicle 10a. For example, the pantograph-type ultra-rapid charger 13a may be inserted and removed from the side of the container 11. As described above, the versatility of a battery container can be improved by providing it with charging / discharging means of various types and specifications, and the combination of these charging / discharging means and the number of each charging / discharging means, etc. can be selected as appropriate.

[0038] The battery container 14 used in this charging system can be delivered and installed as needed using a container transport vehicle 15, and then collected when not needed. This eliminates the need for infrastructure development and allows temporary installation in vacant spaces in various facilities. Therefore, no dedicated space is required for installing equipment, and a charging system can be constructed at low cost. The battery container 14 is equipped with a charging battery 12 and charging means 13. As shown in FIG. 1, a user can simply connect the charging means 13 to the battery of the electric vehicle 10 to easily and reliably charge the battery in a short time. The charging battery 12 has a capacity sufficient to fully charge the battery of at least one electric vehicle 10, and preferably has a capacity sufficient to fully charge the batteries of multiple electric vehicles 10 (e.g., 2 to 5), although this is not limited thereto.

[0039] Furthermore, in this charging system, a container installation location where the battery container 14 is to be installed can be set in advance along the driving route of the electric vehicle 10, and the charged battery container 14 can be delivered to the container installation location by a container transport vehicle 15 and installed. In this case, the container installation location can be set by obtaining in advance from the user of the electric vehicle 10 information such as the driving schedule, including the departure point, departure date and time, destination, arrival date and time, driving route, and stopovers, as well as information about the model of the electric vehicle 10, battery capacity, etc., and the container installation location can be notified to the user of the electric vehicle 10. This makes it possible to deliver the charged battery container 14 to the container installation location by the container transport vehicle 15 and install it before the electric vehicle 10 arrives at the container installation location, in accordance with the driving schedule of the electric vehicle 10. As a result, the time that the container installation location is occupied by the battery container 14 can be minimized, allowing the battery container 14 to be used efficiently.

[0040] The container installation location can be selected as appropriate at any position on the driving route, but it is preferable to select the container installation location and deliver and install the battery containers 14 taking into consideration the number of electric vehicles 10 that will use the charging system, and the driving routes and driving schedules of each electric vehicle 10. For example, by setting the container installation location on a driving route that is common to multiple electric vehicles 10, or on a driving route that multiple electric vehicles 10 travel on in a short period of time, it is possible to charge the batteries of more electric vehicles 10 with fewer battery containers 14, thereby improving the efficiency of the delivery work of the battery containers 14. However, the intervals and number of container installation locations need to be selected within a range that does not cause the batteries to run out, taking into consideration the planned driving distance and battery capacity of each electric vehicle 10, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, if the premises of a service area or parking area on a highway are set up as a container installation location, parking lots and other vacant spaces can be used effectively, promoting the use of the electric vehicle 10 on the highway. In particular, since drivers need to take regular breaks when traveling on a highway, using these breaks to charge the battery can eliminate unnecessary waiting time, and the electric vehicle 10 can be used for vehicles such as long-distance trucks and express buses, allowing for planned operation. Furthermore, if the premises of various facilities such as gas stations or stores in town are set up as a container installation location, the electric vehicle 10 can be promoted. Furthermore, if a battery container 14 is set up on the premises (premises) of a factory, transport carts (a type of electric vehicle) used to transport various cargoes and the like within the factory can be charged as needed and transport work can be performed efficiently.

[0042] In this charging system, a used battery container 14 that was previously installed at a container installation site and used for charging can be collected by a container transport vehicle 15, and after the charging battery 12 is charged, it can be delivered to the container installation site again by the container transport vehicle 15. At this time, the delivery destination of the recharged battery container 14 can be selected as appropriate, and may be the same as or different from the previous container installation site. Note that by collecting the used battery container 14 when the charged battery container 14 is delivered to the container installation site by the container transport vehicle 15 and installed, it is possible to efficiently exchange the used battery container 14 for a charged battery container 14, and it is possible to continuously charge a large number of electric vehicles 10.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), a container transport vehicle 15 used to deliver the battery container 14 preferably includes a chassis 16 on which the battery container 14 is mounted, and loading / unloading means 17 attached to the chassis 16 for loading and unloading the battery container 14. The loading / unloading means 17 has a substantially L-shaped arm 19 that is rotated by a hydraulic cylinder 18, and a hook 20 is attached to the tip (free end) of the arm 19. An engaged portion 21 with which the hook 20 engages is attached to one longitudinal end of the battery container 14. Therefore, by driving the hydraulic cylinder 18 to rotate the arm 19 with the hook 20 engaged with the engaged portion 21, the battery container 14 can be easily loaded and unloaded. If transfer wheels 22, 23 are attached to the bottom of the container 11, the transfer operation can be easily performed.

[0044] The structure and operation of the loading and unloading means 17 are not limited to those described above and can be selected as appropriate. The number and spacing of the transfer wheels can also be selected as appropriate. The engine (power source) of the container transport vehicle 15 can be selected as appropriate, but if an electric vehicle is used as the container transport vehicle 15, the battery of the container transport vehicle 15 can be charged using some of the electricity charged in the charging battery 12 of the battery container 14 mounted on the container transport vehicle 15, thereby extending the cruising range of the container transport vehicle 15 and enabling the battery container 14 to be delivered to distant container installation locations at low cost, thereby expanding the service area of ​​the charging system.

[0045] Next, a modified example of the charging system will be described. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The charging system shown in FIG. 4 differs from the above-described embodiment in that, instead of increasing the capacity of the charging battery 25 of the battery container 24 and reducing the size of the charging means 26, a charging station 28 equipped with ground-mounted charging means 27 connectable to the charging battery 25 of the battery container 24 is installed at the container installation site. This allows multiple electric vehicles to be charged in a short period of time from a single battery container 24. Also, an AC / DC converter 29 can be installed in the charging station 28, and a commercial AC power source 30 and the charging battery 25 can be connected by the AC / DC converter 29 to charge the charging battery 25 on site, thereby preventing insufficient charging. Furthermore, auxiliary power generation means 31 such as a solar power generation system may be installed in the charging station 28, and the charging battery 25 may be charged with power generated by the auxiliary power generation means 31.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of an electric vehicle charging system (hereinafter also simply referred to as a charging system) 32 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, this charging system 32 includes a management means 35 that manages the delivery and collection of battery containers 14 by a container transport vehicle 15 based on user data, including individual information, a driving route, and a driving schedule of the electric vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) that is the target of the service, obtained via a communication network 34 from a user 33 of the electric vehicle 10 that uses the charging system 32. The management means 35 includes a communication unit 36 ​​that can be connected to the communication network 34, and can thereby obtain user data from the user 33 via the communication network 34. However, the user data can also be obtained by telephone, fax, written document, or other means other than the communication network 34. The individual information of the electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, the license plate number, vehicle model, and battery capacity. The driving route includes a departure point, destination, and intermediate points (rest stops), and the driving schedule includes a departure date and time, an arrival date and time, a planned date and time of passing through intermediate points, and rest times at rest stops.

[0047] In this charging system 32, maintenance of the battery containers 14 and container transport vehicles 15 and charging of the charging batteries 12 of used battery containers 14 are carried out at one or more bases located within the service area. The management means 35 can then select a charging point 37 for charging the used battery containers 14 (charging batteries 12) from among the one or more bases. The management means 35 has a data processing unit 38 that, based on the acquired user data, sets the container installation location, sets the delivery time of the charged battery container 14 to the set container installation location, sets the collection time of the used battery container 14 that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging, and selects a charging point 37 where the collected used battery container 14 will be charged, and determines the instructions to be given to the container transport vehicle 15.

[0048] The data processing unit 38 is preferably a conventionally known arithmetic processing device (i.e., a computer) having a CPU, ROM, RAM, a communication interface, etc. Processing in the data processing unit 38 is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program. In this case, the battery container 14 used in the charging system 32 is equipped with remaining amount detection means 40 that detects the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 12, and container-side communication means 41 that notifies the management means 35 of the remaining amount data of the rechargeable battery 12 detected by the remaining amount detection means 40 via the communication network 34. The remaining amount data is notified to the management means 35 via the container-side communication means 41 from the battery container 14 that has been previously installed at the container installation location, and the data processing unit 38 can optimize the setting of the container installation location, the setting of the delivery time of the charged battery container 14, and the setting of the collection time of the used battery container 14, taking into account not only the user data but also the remaining amount data. It is preferable that the remaining charge detection means 40 and the container-side communication means 41 are mounted in the battery container 14 (inside the container 11), but when the battery container 14 is installed at a container installation location (a location dedicated to the charging system) where equipment dedicated to the charging system is installed, such as the charging station 28 (Figure 4) described above, the remaining charge detection means 40 and the container-side communication means 41 may be provided at the container installation location (charging station 28).

[0049] Next, the management means 35 has an instruction unit 42 that notifies the container transport vehicle 15 of the instruction content determined by the data processing unit 38. This makes it possible to efficiently deliver and collect battery containers 14 based on the processing results of the data processing unit 38. Specifically, the management means 35 is able to notify the container installation location and delivery time to which charged battery containers 14 are delivered, the container installation location and collection time to which used battery containers 14 are collected, and the charging point 37 to use to charge the collected used battery containers 14, and is able to instruct operations such as which container installation location and by when the charged battery container 14 should be delivered, from which container installation location and by when the used battery container 14 should be collected, and at which charging point 37 the collected used battery container 14 should be charged.

[0050] If the charging system has multiple base stations where the battery containers 14 and container transport vehicles 15 wait, the data processing unit 38 can also select from the multiple base stations a delivery start base station where the charged battery containers 14 are delivered and a collection base station where the used battery containers 14 are collected and wait, and by notifying the container transport vehicle 15 of these from the instruction unit 42, the delivery and collection of the battery containers 14 can be made more efficient. Here, it is preferable that the notification from the instruction unit 42 to the container transport vehicle 15 be made via the communication network 34. When the communication network 34 is used, a communication terminal may be installed in the container transport vehicle 15, or the driver of the container transport vehicle 15 may carry a mobile terminal for communication. Note that instead of the communication network 34, an operator can also give instructions to the driver of the container transport vehicle 15 using radio, telephone, or the like.

[0051] Furthermore, when the data processing unit 38 selects a charging point 37 to be used for charging the collected used battery container 14 and the instructing unit 42 notifies the container transport vehicle 15, the container transport vehicle 15 transports the collected used battery container 14 to the instructed charging point 37. A power supply means 43 for charging the used battery container 14 (the charging battery 12) is installed at the charging point 37. A power supply means 43 that receives power from a renewable energy power generation company is preferably used as this power supply means 43. At this time, a power supply-side communication means 44 that notifies the management means 35 of availability information of the power supply means 43 via the communication network 34 is installed at the charging point 37. This allows the management means 35 to communicate with the charging point 37 and grasp the availability status of the power supply means 43, allowing the data processing unit 38 to select an optimal base as the charging point 37, and allows charging of the used battery container 14 and redelivery of the charged battery container 14 to be performed efficiently in a short time. In Figure 5, there is one battery container 14, one container transport vehicle 15, one user 33, and one charging point 37, but the number of each can be selected appropriately, and even if there are multiple of these, they can be managed by the management means 35.

[0052] Next, the operation of the charging system 32 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the management means 35 first acquires user data including individual information, a driving route, and a driving schedule of the electric vehicle 10 that is the target of the service (S1: user data acquisition step). The management means 35 also acquires remaining charge data of the charging battery 12 from the battery container 14 that was previously installed at the container installation location (S2: remaining charge data acquisition step). Next, based on the acquired user data and remaining charge data, the data processing unit 38 sets the container installation location (S3: container installation location setting step), sets the delivery time of the charged battery container 14 to the set container installation location (S4: delivery time setting step), sets the collection time of the used battery container 14 that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging (S5: collection time setting step), and selects a charging point 37 where the charging battery 12 of the collected used battery container 14 will be charged (S6: charging point selection step), and determines the content of instructions to be sent to each container transport vehicle 15 (S7: instruction content determination step). The instruction content determined by the data processing unit 38 is then notified to the container transport vehicle 15 by the instruction unit 42 (S8: instruction content notification step).

[0053] Upon receiving the notification, the container transport vehicle 15 waits, delivers the battery container 14, or collects the battery container 14 according to the instructions (schedule). The order of steps S1 and S2 and the order of steps S3 to S6 are not in any particular order. Furthermore, as explained above, if the charging system has multiple bases where the battery containers 14 and container transport vehicles 15 wait, the data processing unit 38 performs a delivery start base selection step that selects a delivery start base from which the charged battery container 14 will be delivered, and a collection base selection step that selects a collection base from which the used battery container 14 will be collected and kept waiting. These two steps can be added between steps S2 and S7 as needed, and are not in any particular order.

[0054] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment, and also includes other embodiments and modifications that are possible within the scope of the matters described in the claims. For example, solar panels can be attached to the ceiling of the container, and the charging battery can be supplementarily charged with electricity generated by solar power while the battery container is being delivered or while the battery container is set up at the container installation site and waiting for the arrival of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, it is preferable to attach a user identification device to the container so that only users who have applied to use the system in advance can use (charge) the battery container. For example, users may be identified by reading information registered on a pre-created user card into the user identification device, or by the user entering into the user identification device an ID, password, etc., set when applying to use the system. In this case, if the user identification device has a communication function, the usage status of the battery container and the user's driving status (current location) can be tracked at the base (charging system), and the timing of delivery and collection of the battery container can be adjusted. Furthermore, if a fee box is attached to the container, a specified fee can be collected when the battery container is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10: electric vehicle, 10a: large electric vehicle, 11: container, 12: charging battery, 13: charging / discharging means, 13a: pantograph-type ultra-fast charger (an example of charging / discharging means), 14, 14a: battery container, 15: container transport vehicle, 16: chassis, 17: loading / unloading means, 18: hydraulic cylinder, 19: arm portion, 20: hook, 21: engaged portion, 22, 23: transfer wheels, 24: charging device, 25: charging battery, 26: Charging / discharging means, 27: ground-mounted charging means, 28: charging station, 29: AC / DC converter, 30: commercial AC power source, 31: auxiliary power generation means, 32: electric vehicle charging system (charging system), 33: user, 34: communication network, 35: management means, 36: communication unit, 37: charging point, 38: data processing unit, 40: remaining charge detection means, 41: charging device side communication means, 42: instruction unit, 43: power supply means, 44: power supply side communication means

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, An electric vehicle charging system comprising: a battery container in which a charging battery and a charging / discharging means for charging and discharging the charging battery are built into a container; and a container transport vehicle that moves with the battery container mounted thereon so that it can be loaded and unloaded; the charged battery container is delivered by the container transport vehicle to a waiting position for the electric vehicle with a dead battery, and the battery of the electric vehicle is charged from the charging battery.

2. 2. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein a container installation location where the battery container is to be installed is set in advance along a travel route of the electric vehicle, and the charged battery container is delivered to the container installation location by the container transport vehicle and installed there.

3. 3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein the charged battery container is delivered to the container installation location by the container transport vehicle and installed therein before the electric vehicle arrives at the container installation location in accordance with a driving schedule of the electric vehicle.

4. 3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging is collected by the container transport vehicle, the charging battery is charged, and the used battery container is then delivered to the container installation location again by the container transport vehicle.

5. 3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein, when the charged battery container is delivered to the container installation site by the container transport vehicle and installed, the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation site and used for charging is collected by the container transport vehicle.

6. 3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein a charging station equipped with ground-mounted charging means connectable to the charging battery of the battery container is installed at the container installation location.

7. 2. The charging system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the charging / discharging means of the battery container includes a DC rapid charger and an AC normal charger.

8. 2. The charging system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the charging / discharging means of the battery container includes a grid-connected inverter and a power supply outlet.

9. 2. The charging system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the charging / discharging means of the battery container includes a pantograph-type ultra-fast charger.

10. 3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, further comprising a management means for managing the delivery and collection of the battery container by the container transport vehicle based on user data including individual information, driving route, and driving schedule of the electric vehicle that is the target of the service, obtained from the user of the electric vehicle.

11. 11. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 10, wherein the management means has a data processing unit that determines instructions to the container transport vehicle by setting the container installation location, setting the delivery time of the charged battery container to the container installation location, setting the collection time of the used battery container that was previously installed at the container installation location and used for charging, and selecting a charging point where the charging battery of the used battery container will be charged, based on the user data.

12. 12. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 11, wherein the battery container is equipped with a remaining amount detection means for detecting a remaining amount of the charging battery, and a container-side communication means for notifying the management means of remaining amount data of the charging battery detected by the remaining amount detection means, and the remaining amount data is notified to the management means from the battery container that has been previously installed at the container installation location via the container-side communication means, and the data processing unit takes into consideration the remaining amount data in addition to the user data when setting the container installation location, setting the delivery time of the charged battery container, and setting the collection time of the used battery container.

13. 12. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 11, wherein the management means includes an instruction unit that notifies the container transport vehicle of the instruction content determined by the data processing unit.

14. 12. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 11, wherein the charging point is provided with a power supply means for receiving power from a renewable energy power generation company and a power supply side communication means for notifying the management means of information on whether the power supply means is available.

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