Battery replacement fee determination system

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement fee determination system which takes deterioration cf batteries into consideration when replacing batteries.SOLUTION: A battery replacement fee determination system is provided, comprising a measurement device and a server, where the measurement device is configured to determine an ID and the degree of deterioration of a battery and transmit the same to a server, and the server comprises an information acquisition unit, grade classification unit, grade price computation unit, charging power fee computation unit, attachment price computation unit, inventory management database, buyback price computation unit, and settlement fee computation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery replacement fee determination system that takes into account the degree of deterioration of a battery. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with growing awareness of environmental protection, electric vehicles, hybrid cars, electric motorcycles, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "vehicles") equipped with power storage systems and batteries are becoming more and more popular. Batteries, also known as "storage batteries" or "secondary batteries," can be charged and discharged, and are therefore considered to contribute to the sustainable use of energy resources and to reducing the burden on the environment. In recent years in particular, there has been an accelerating shift from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles in order to achieve a carbon-neutral society. However, one of the challenges facing electric vehicles is that they have a shorter driving range than conventional liquid fuel vehicles such as gasoline and diesel vehicles.

[0003] The driving range of an electric vehicle is limited by the storage capacity of the battery installed in the vehicle, and when the battery level becomes low during driving, it needs to be charged. There are two charging methods: battery charging, in which the battery installed in the vehicle is charged, and battery replacement, in which the battery is replaced. Battery charging is a conventional method in which a battery that has fallen below a certain level of charge is charged at a charging station without being removed from the vehicle. However, this method requires several hours to charge the battery. To solve this problem, a quick charging method has been developed, but even quick charging takes several tens of minutes, which is longer than refueling with gasoline, and quick charging puts a strain on the battery, which is said to ultimately shorten its lifespan.

[0004] A new method that has attracted attention is the battery exchange system. When a battery reaches a certain charge level or less, it is removed from the vehicle at a battery exchange station and replaced with a pre-charged battery. This method is said to be able to further reduce the time required for charging than quick charging (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-185382 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 117058807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The driving range of an electric vehicle depends on the battery's storage capacity. It is known that this storage capacity deteriorates and decreases when certain conditions are continued, such as repeated charging and discharging, or when the battery is left fully charged. In other words, a new battery and a battery that has deteriorated will have different storage capacities, even if they are the same product. For example, if the storage capacity of a new battery is 100% (0% deterioration), a battery that is 20% deteriorated will have 80% storage capacity. However, in either case, when the battery is fully charged, the charge rate will be displayed as 100%. Therefore, although both appear to have the same driving range, a vehicle equipped with a battery with 80% storage capacity can actually only travel 80% of the range of a vehicle with a 100% storage capacity. Battery degradation also affects the frequency of battery replacement. For example, comparing a battery with 0% degradation to a battery with 50% degradation, a battery with 50% degradation would need to be replaced twice as many times as a battery with 0% degradation to achieve the same range. However, replacing the battery requires a visit to a battery replacement center, which also incurs a replacement fee. Because battery replacement is costly and time-consuming, it is preferable to replace the battery less frequently. For users, even if the charge rate is the same at 100%, replacing the battery with one that has 0% degradation has the advantage of providing a longer driving range and reducing the frequency of battery replacement. If a flat rate is set regardless of the degree of degradation, there is a possibility that users will avoid or refuse to install batteries with high levels of degradation, but on the other hand, some users of low-output electric vehicles who drive short distances per day are price-conscious and would rather reduce the cost per distance than the frequency of battery replacement.

[0007] On the other hand, battery exchanges may charge batteries to less than their original capacity to extend their lifespan, since fully charging leads to battery deterioration. Furthermore, from the perspective of easier battery management, they may make all batteries have the same electrical value, setting the same amount of power regardless of the battery's level of deterioration. In either case, demand can be expected if appropriate information is disclosed to users and fair prices are offered.

[0008] There is a need for a battery replacement fee determination system that can meet these various needs and takes into account the degree of battery deterioration.In particular, battery replacement systems, which have become popular in recent years, involve replacing batteries that have been used by others at battery exchange centers.If the deterioration state of the replacement battery is not understood based on its usage history and electrical performance, and reflected in the price, user satisfaction will not be achieved.

[0009] Neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 mentions this point, that is, reflecting the state of deterioration of the battery in the price. Patent Document 1 uses a computer equipped with demand forecasting AI to control the timing of battery charging, preventing battery deterioration by leaving batteries on standby even after full charge without replacement, and is said to achieve user satisfaction by offering discounts to users depending on the time between full charge and replacement. However, Patent Document 1 does not specifically consider the chargeable capacity depending on the degree of deterioration, so it is unclear whether charging a highly deteriorated battery will actually achieve user satisfaction even if the battery is fully charged. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 relates to an automatic vending method at an electricity exchange station, but does not mention taking battery deterioration into consideration when selling batteries.

[0010] In view of the above problems with battery replacement systems, the present invention focuses on the SOH (State of Health) and aims to provide a battery replacement fee determination system that takes into account the degree of battery deterioration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and embodiments of the present invention may include the following configurations. [1] A battery replacement fee determination system that determines the battery replacement fee when removing a battery that has been used until now and installing a new battery, a measuring device; A server; Including, The measuring device includes a measuring instrument capable of measuring information necessary for determining the ID and deterioration state of the removed battery; a communication unit that communicates with the server an ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining a deterioration state; Equipped with The server includes an information acquisition unit, a grade classification unit, a grade price calculation unit, a charging power fee calculation unit, an attachment price calculation unit, an inventory management database, a buyback price calculation unit, and a settlement fee calculation unit, The information acquisition unit transmits the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state transmitted from the measurement device to the grade classification unit, the charging power fee calculation unit, and the buyback price calculation unit; the grade classification unit classifies the removed battery into a plurality of grades based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining a deterioration state transmitted from the information acquisition unit, and transmits the result to the grade price calculation unit; the grade price calculation unit calculates added value of the batteries classified into the plurality of grades transmitted from the grade classification unit, and stores the result in the inventory management database; the charging power fee calculation unit calculates the charging power fee for the removed battery based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state, and stores the result in the inventory management database; The repurchase price calculation unit calculates the repurchase price of the removed battery based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state transmitted from the information acquisition unit, and transmits the result to the settlement fee calculation unit; The installation price calculation unit reads the ID of the newly installed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state, which are issued from the inventory management database, calculates the replacement fee for the newly installed battery, and transmits the result to the settlement fee calculation unit; The settlement fee calculation unit indicates, as a settlement fee, an amount obtained by deducting the repurchase price of the removed battery transmitted from the repurchase price calculation unit from the replacement fee of the newly installed battery transmitted from the installation item price calculation unit. Battery replacement fee determination system. [2] The battery replacement fee determination system described in [1], wherein the information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the removed battery or the newly installed battery, on which the grade classification unit is based, is the SOH, impedance, and / or whether or not the removed battery or the newly installed battery can be connected in parallel. [3] The battery replacement fee determination system described in [2], wherein the grade classification unit classifies the batteries in order from highest to lowest SOH based on the SOH of the removed battery acquired by the information acquisition unit. [4] The battery replacement fee determination system described in [2], wherein the grade classification unit classifies the removed battery by combining the SOH and impedance measurement values ​​acquired by the information acquisition unit, and classifies them in order of highest SOH value, and in order of lowest impedance value if the SOH is the same. [5] The battery replacement fee determination system described in [2], wherein the grade classification unit classifies the multiple removed batteries acquired by the information acquisition unit by combining batteries with similar SOH and / or impedance, then arranges them in order of highest SOH value, or in order of lowest impedance if the SOH is the same, and then groups batteries that can be connected in parallel in order of highest SOH value, and classifies batteries that cannot be connected in parallel separately. [6] A battery replacement fee determination system according to [2], which calculates the replacement fee for the newly installed battery using the following formula:

number

[0012] According to the present invention, when replacing a battery, a battery replacement fee can be selected taking into account the degree of battery deterioration, thereby enabling the user to select a battery that will provide high user satisfaction and increasing user satisfaction.

[0013] A particular advantage of the present invention is that it allows users to select a battery and price that suits their intended use. While battery replacement is costly, in the case of electric vehicles, users who travel short distances and do not frequently replace their batteries require a battery that is as inexpensive as possible, since frequency of replacement is not an issue. On the other hand, users who travel long distances may have few battery replacement stations depending on their destination, so they require a battery that requires less frequent replacement, even if it is somewhat more expensive. Furthermore, users of high-power electric vehicles require a battery that can connect multiple batteries. Thus, users have different requirements for battery quality and price depending on their intended use and how often they use their vehicle. The present invention allows users to select the quality and price of the battery themselves, thereby increasing user satisfaction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] A flowchart showing an overview of the work process for replacing the battery of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a measuring device used when replacing a battery in an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A system processing configuration diagram within a server of an electric vehicle battery replacement fee determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Flowchart for determining added value for grade [Figure 5] An image showing the change in battery replacement fees for each SOH in an electric vehicle, which is one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The battery of the present invention includes currently and future available storage batteries, including lithium ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, lead acid batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, sodium sulfur batteries, magnesium batteries, and all-solid-state batteries, among which lithium ion batteries, which have a low environmental impact, are preferred.

[0016] The present invention includes a measuring device 100 and a server 200, and can be used to determine the replacement fee for a battery installed in a system or machine that has a battery. The following describes a system for determining the replacement fee for a battery installed in an electric vehicle, which is one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a user of an electric vehicle equipped with a low-power battery first visits an electric vehicle battery exchange center (S1) and removes the battery from the vehicle (S2). The removal method is not particularly limited, and the battery may be removed using a device or manually. The removed battery is measured using a measuring device 100 to determine the battery ID and battery information required to determine the battery's deterioration state (S3), and then placed in a charger 300 or charging holder for charging (S4). This operation may be performed by the user or by an employee at the battery exchange center. The user then selects a new battery from storage (S5) and installs it in the vehicle (S6). The installation may be performed using a device or manually. The user pays the fee for the installed battery at a payment machine 400 (S7) and leaves the center (S8). The server 200 executes various controls based on the ID information of the removed battery, information received from the measuring device, information of the newly installed battery, as well as information stored in the inventory management database.

[0017] <Measuring equipment> In an embodiment of the present invention, a user can visit a battery exchange center and freely select a new battery to install. Therefore, the user may be replacing the battery with one from a different manufacturer or a different model than the battery they were previously using. Each battery contains device information such as internal resistance, temperature characteristics of charge / discharge current, and capacity. Furthermore, since the user may be using a battery previously used by someone else, the usage history is particularly important in determining the quality of the battery. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain information for identifying the battery and information for indicating the battery state. Therefore, the present invention has a measurement device 100. An example of the measurement device 100 as one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

[0018] The measuring device 100 of the present invention comprises a measuring instrument 180 capable of measuring the ID of a removed battery 10 and battery information necessary to determine the deterioration state of the removed battery 10, and a communication unit 170 that communicates the ID and the information with a server 200. The battery ID is information used to identify the battery, including the battery type (manufacturer, model number, etc.) and rated specifications (temperature, voltage, current, capacity, etc. that must be met during charging and discharging). If necessary, it may also include signals for controlling the switch built into the battery. Battery information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the battery includes the SOH, impedance, and / or whether or not the battery can be connected in parallel.

[0019] In addition to the measuring device 180 and the communication unit 170, the measuring device 100 of the present invention may also include a control unit 140, a main circuit unit 130, a barcode reader 110, a battery communication unit 120, and the like. The control unit 140 controls operations such as measuring SOC, SOH, and impedance, and charging and discharging to prevent conflicts between each other, and issues commands to the charging and discharging unit to input and output voltages and currents required for measuring SOC, SOH, and impedance, and to send measured values ​​to the server 200 via the communication unit 170. The main circuit unit 130 exchanges power between the replaceable battery and the charger 300 via terminal contacts used for charging and discharging in accordance with commands from the control unit 140. Note that when the present invention is applied to a demand response (hereinafter also referred to as "DR") or an energy storage system (hereinafter also referred to as "ESS"), the term "charger" may be read as "charger / discharger."

[0020] The barcode reading unit 110 and the battery communication unit 120 are used to read information about the battery. For ease of identification, the battery ID may be displayed two-dimensionally using a QR code, barcode, or the like. In such cases, it is preferable to read the barcode or the like attached to the battery using the barcode reading unit 110 and read the ID and model number that identify the individual battery using an optical method. Reading by the barcode reading unit 110 and then further reading via the battery communication unit 120 may be performed redundantly. This makes it possible to prevent barcodes from becoming unreadable due to soiling or being tampered with. A charging / discharging cable may be provided to exchange power and information between the battery and the measuring device, or wireless communication may be used instead of a cable.

[0021] <Measuring instrument> The measuring device 180 will also be described with reference to FIG. 2. The measuring device 180 measures battery information necessary to determine the battery's state of deterioration. Specifically, it measures the SOH, SOC, impedance, and whether parallel connection is possible. In FIG. 2, the device that measures the SOC and the device that measures the SOH are collectively shown as the SOH / SOC measurement unit 150. There are no limitations on the device as long as the measuring device 180 can measure the SOH, SOC, impedance, and whether parallel connection is possible. The SOH of the removed battery 10 is measured by the SOH measurement unit, and the SOC is measured by the SOC measurement unit. If a SOH / SOC measurement unit equivalent to that of the present invention is implemented inside the battery, that data may be extracted. In addition, the impedance of the removed battery 10 is measured by the impedance measurement unit 160. It is preferable that the SOH be calculated when the battery's charge / discharge current is stable, so the SOH may be measured while the battery is being charged using a measuring device with a charger that has a charge / discharge unit.

[0022] <Communications Department> The measuring device 100 includes a communication unit 170 that exchanges information with the server 200 to determine the ID of the removed battery 10 and the deterioration state.

[0023] <SOHについて> The driving range of an electric vehicle depends on the battery's storage capacity, which is known to deteriorate depending on the number of charge / discharge cycles, the frequency of leaving the battery unused after being fully charged, the length of time the battery has been used, and the environment in which it is used.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, this "battery capacity" is evaluated by "SOH (State of Health)." SOH indicates the ratio of the capacity loss after deterioration to the full charge capacity when new. It is one of the important parameters for evaluating the lifespan of a battery.

[0025] If the battery is not degraded, the actual capacity retention rate relative to the full charge capacity when new is high, and the SOH is calculated to be high. On the other hand, if the battery is degraded, the capacity retention rate relative to the full charge capacity when new is low, and the SOH is calculated to be low.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the SOH is measured using the measuring device 100, but the measurement method is not particularly limited as long as the measurement conditions are the same to produce roughly the same results. A method that simultaneously obtains the internal resistance (DC impedance or AC impedance) of the battery is preferred, and a measurement method that takes into account the capacity of the storage battery in accordance with the electrical characteristics of the vehicle is preferred.

[0027] One example of a method for measuring SOH is to use an equivalent circuit model. Patent Publications 2022-21070, 2023-175531, and 2022-170227 are useful references for methods using equivalent circuit models. The method described in "Performance Evaluation of Lithium-Ion Secondary Batteries," edited and written by Noboru Koyama (published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, July 2019), may also be used. International Publication No. 2017 / 022037 is useful for methods for calculating SOH without using an equivalent circuit model.

[0028] <About impedance> In the present invention, the battery replacement fee is determined based on the battery's SOH, but it is more preferable that the replacement fee take into consideration impedance (DC impedance or AC impedance).

[0029] Generally, the usable battery capacity changes depending on the vehicle's performance, and the impedance of a replacement battery also changes when its configuration changes, so by evaluating the impedance as well, it is possible to understand the degree of battery deterioration that cannot be determined by SOH alone. This can be explained by the following formula. The current (I) at the vehicle's maximum output (W) is W=VI, where V is the vehicle voltage, and Z is the battery impedance.

number

[0030] The battery voltage drop (dV) is given by Equation 2, and this value is related to the discharge end voltage; the larger the value, the less usable battery capacity there is.

number

[0031] When batteries with different impedances are connected in parallel, there will be a difference in current due to the difference in impedance. For example, consider the case where batteries connected in parallel have different impedances due to degradation, but the rated current and actual capacity (capacity after degradation) are the same. In this case, let's say the impedance of battery A is 10mΩ, the impedance of battery B is 15mΩ, and the rated current is 1A. If battery A and battery B are connected in parallel and a current of 2A is passed through them, Ohm's law shows that different currents will flow through the batteries: 1.2A to battery A and 0.8A to battery B.

[0032] Ideally, when batteries are connected in parallel, the same current should flow to each battery, but due to differences in impedance, the current flowing differs, resulting in the following problems: Battery A exceeds its rated capacity, so it cannot draw 2A in parallel (current limiting is required). When batteries are used, there are differences in the rate at which they lose capacity. In particular, in the case of batteries with OCV-SOC characteristics such as lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries, the current of battery A decreases near the end of discharge (it becomes unable to discharge), and the power of battery B cannot be fully used. To prevent the above inefficiencies, it is preferable to match the impedances so that the difference in current between battery A and battery B is as small as possible, or to combine batteries with capacities according to the impedance values ​​so that they can be used in roughly the same way. In the present invention, batteries are graded based on evaluation criteria that take into account not only SOH but also impedance and whether or not they can be connected in parallel. This allows the user to empirically determine the difference in mileage due to differences in the impedance from the way the amount of power is reduced during everyday driving, or to calculate and estimate the mileage, etc. in advance based on the impedance, which is preferable as it provides the user with more basis for selecting a battery. For the method of measuring DC impedance, refer to International Publication No. 2016 / 136788, and for the method of measuring AC impedance, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-179652.

[0033] <SOCについて> SOC (State of Charge) is the ratio of the amount of electricity charged to the battery's current capacity, and indicates the remaining power. 100% indicates a full charge, and 50% indicates 50% of the battery's capacity. The SOC required for billing after removing the battery from the vehicle should be measured in a short time without charging or discharging, so it is preferable to estimate it using a method that uses the SOC-OCV curve.

[0034] <server> The present invention includes a server 200. Each unit of the server will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The server 200 includes an information acquisition unit 210, a grade classification unit 220, a grade price calculation unit 230, a charging power fee calculation unit 240, an attachment price calculation unit 270, an inventory management database (hereinafter sometimes referred to as inventory management DB) 260, a buyback price calculation unit 250, and a settlement fee calculation unit 280.

[0035] <Information acquisition section> The information acquisition unit 210 acquires the ID of the removed battery 10 and battery information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the battery from the measuring device 100. The battery information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the battery includes the SOH, impedance, and / or whether or not parallel connection is possible. The ID and information acquired by the information acquisition unit 210 are transmitted to the grade classification unit 220, the charging power fee calculation unit 240, and the buyback price calculation unit 250.

[0036] <Grade Classification Department and Grade Price Calculation Department> In the present invention, it is preferable to set the replacement fee taking into account the battery's SOH and impedance (DC impedance or AC impedance). However, simply displaying the SOH and impedance is not user-friendly. SOH and impedance are detailed numbers, and only knowledgeable users can determine the quality of a battery from the numbers. Therefore, in order to make it easier for any user to select a battery without requiring excessive knowledge or consideration, the present invention classifies batteries into multiple grades based on SOH and impedance information.

[0037] Therefore, the server 200 of the present invention is equipped with a grade classification unit 220 that classifies the removed battery 10 into multiple grades based on the battery ID acquired by the information acquisition unit 210 and the battery information necessary to determine the battery's deterioration state, and a grade price calculation unit 230 that calculates the added value for the grade.

[0038] The grade classification unit 220 classifies the removed battery 10 into multiple grades, but from the perspective of reducing the burden of battery management at battery exchange centers and being user-friendly, the grades may be broad rather than narrowly classified to make it easier for users to select a battery based on the vehicle model and planned driving distance. Classification into four to six grades is preferable, but is not limited to this.

[0039] A preferred method for grading based on SOH is to grade batteries according to the magnitude of SOH. There are no specific limitations on the numerical range of SOH for each grade. For example, it is preferable to classify batteries into multiple categories ranging from SOH 50% to 100%. Since batteries with an SOH ≦ 50% are not suitable for use in electric vehicles, it is preferable to classify batteries according to 50% ≦ SOH ≦ 100%.

[0040] An example of four grades is shown in Table 1, but is not limited to this. Added value decreases in the order of grade A, B, and C. Grade A batteries are capable of long-distance driving, Grade B batteries have a medium storage capacity and are suitable for city driving, and Grade C batteries have a small storage capacity and are suitable for driving to and from lessons or for local shopping trips. On the other hand, batteries of other grades are not suitable for electric vehicle use because it is difficult to provide a stable power supply to the vehicle. They are either reused for other purposes or disassembled and the raw materials recycled.

[0041] Table 1 shows an example of grading based on SOH and impedance, but is not limited to this. Electric motors, such as those used in electric vehicles, are generally divided into several classes, ranging from 20 kW to 150 kW, with large differences in output. To increase battery capacity, several batteries may be used in parallel. A high SOH results in low impedance, while a low SOH results in high impedance. However, when connecting batteries in parallel to a vehicle, it is preferable to match the impedances so that current flows evenly from each battery. If the current does not flow evenly, the SOC of the battery with the larger current will decrease first, and overheating due to the current difference will occur, leading to accelerated deterioration and other problems, resulting in inefficient battery utilization. Therefore, to use batteries in parallel, it is necessary to match the SOH and impedance. However, since perfect matching is practically impossible, it is preferable to grade batteries so that variations in current distribution are kept within an acceptable range.

[0042] For example, users of small electric motors, such as those in light vehicles, can pursue economy by selecting a low-priced battery grade since there is no need to connect batteries in parallel. On the other hand, users of large electric motors, such as those in trucks, can select a grade taking into account not only the mileage but also the number of parallel connections. For users, it is advantageous in terms of ease of selection if it is easy to understand the "combinations that can be connected in parallel" depending on the grade. The grade classification method of the grade classification unit 220 is preferably, but not limited to, the following method.

[0043] (1) List creation based on SOH First, the grade classification unit 220 classifies the batteries in order of SOH from highest to lowest based on the SOH of the removed battery 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 210, and creates an SOH list. (2) Adding and sorting impedance values Next, the grade classification unit 220 classifies the removed batteries 10 by combining the SOH and impedance measurements acquired by the information acquisition unit 210, sorting them in descending order of SOH value, and, if the SOH is the same, sorting them in ascending order of impedance. More specifically, based on the impedance of the battery 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 210, the grade classification unit 220 adds the impedance measurement value to the SOH list (1). If the SOH is the same, the batteries are sorted in descending order of impedance measurement value. (3) Formation of parallel connection groups The grade classification unit 220 classifies the multiple removed batteries acquired by the information acquisition unit 210 by combining batteries with similar SOH and / or impedance values, then sorts them in descending order of SOH value, or in descending order of impedance if the SOH is the same, and then groups batteries that can be connected in parallel. More specifically, the grade classification unit 220 groups the multiple batteries sorted in (2) by those with similar SOH values ​​and impedance values, and groups the grouped batteries into a single group that can be connected in parallel. This grouping is expected to result in efficient battery use and a longer battery life. (4) The grade classification unit 220 classifies the batteries that have been grouped together in (3) as being capable of parallel connection into grades of the highest SOH value (e.g., grades A, B, and C in Table 1), and treats those that cannot be grouped together as batteries that cannot be connected in parallel (e.g., grade D in Table 1). When classifying the grades, the grades may be divided according to the number of parallel connections of the batteries, such as grades A1 to A3 and grades B1 to B3. Note that a battery that the grade classification unit 220 has determined to be out of grade will cease to function as a battery for an electric vehicle.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] The grade price calculation unit 230 calculates the added value of the batteries classified into the plurality of grades sent from the grade classification unit 220 and stores the result in the inventory management DB 260.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a specific method for determining the added value of a battery classified into grades (hereinafter also referred to as "added value for a grade"). When the grade price calculation unit 230 receives information from the grade classification unit 220, it starts the process shown in Fig. 4. First, the grade price calculation unit 230 sets a formula for calculating added value for the grade (S231). The formula for calculating added value for the grade is preferably determined from the following three patterns of formulas 3-1 to 3-3. The calculation of the following formula 3-1 is performed in S232, the calculation of the following formula 3-2 is performed in S233 and S233-1, and the calculation of formula 3-3 is performed in S234, S234-1, and S234-2, and the added value for the grade is determined in 235.

[0047] Equation 3-1 depends only on SOH and can be applied when the battery exchange station only has equipment to measure SOH, when there is little difference in the power consumption of the equipment to which the batteries are connected, or when there is no need to consider parallel connection of batteries. If there are differences in the power consumption of devices to which the battery is connected (for example, models of electric vehicles), it is preferable to use Equation 3-2, as taking into account differences in impedance will make it easier for users to select a battery. Among these, Equation 3-3 is particularly preferable because it can be said to be a diagnostic method for optimizing battery performance. Because it takes into account parallel battery connections, it is possible to reduce the frequency of battery replacement and loss, which is also beneficial for users. The battery exchange center can decide which formula to use based on factors such as the vehicle model, and the formula to be used is entered and determined in S231, allowing subsequent processing to proceed.

[0048]

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[0049] The added value for a grade is preferably evaluated as a combination of the value attributable to SOH (value attributable to the frequency of battery replacement), the value attributable to impedance (which has an equivalent relationship to SOH, but the smaller the value, the more valuable it is), and the value attributable to the number of parallel batteries (the value of combining SOH and impedance for multiple batteries connected in parallel). The variables relating to the value due to SOH, the value due to impedance, and the value due to the number of parallel connections are variables that can be set by the battery exchange from a terminal of the server 200 from a commercial perspective.

[0050] Next, each element used in the calculations of Equations 3-1 to 3-3 will be described. The added value for a grade is a value attributable to the frequency of battery replacement. The grade price calculation unit 230 obtains information from the information acquisition unit 210, and calculates it based on the value attributable to the SOH in Equation 3-1. The value (yen) attributable to SOH means the price set in descending order of grade A, B, C, etc., based on the grading system based on SOH. To explain this more specifically, if we assume that the driving distance is the same for SOH 100% and SOH 50%, a battery with SOH 100% will only need to be replaced once, whereas a battery with SOH 50% will need to be replaced twice. This avoided burden can be expressed as added value for the grade.

[0051] An example of calculation of added value for a grade is shown in Equation 4.

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[0052] The elements of Equation 4 are listed in Table 2. [Table 2]

[0053] Equation 4 will be explained in detail. ·2×x×y2 is the round trip distance from the user's parking lot to the exchange point multiplied by the maintenance cost per mile traveled, which indicates the total maintenance cost for the trip. (2×t1+t2)×y1 is the sum of the round trip travel time (2×t1) and the battery replacement time (t2), multiplied by the labor cost and the vehicle usage cost, and represents the total cost associated with the labor required for travel and replacement. If the vehicle is used commercially, such as for taxi or delivery services, lost profits due to operational interruptions may also be included. ·z is the fixed cost of replacement, which remains constant from replacement to replacement. For elements of the formula where the user has the decision-making power, the median value may be calculated by aggregating average distance, vehicle type, and frequency of visits based on the member information of the battery exchange center, etc. For elements where the battery exchange center has the decision-making power, the calculation may be based on actual work hours, labor costs, depreciation costs, target profit margins, etc.

[0054] The value (yen) attributable to impedance means that when the SOH is the same, the price is set in descending order of grade A, B, C, etc. As the battery deteriorates, the impedance increases and the battery capacity cannot be fully used, especially when outputting a large current, so the smaller the impedance value, the more valuable it is. The battery voltage drop (dV) is given by Equation 2 (dV = ZI), and this value is related to the discharge end voltage (VL). As mentioned above, the larger the value, the less usable battery capacity there is (see

[0030] ).

[0055] The discharge end voltage (VL) can be expressed by the following formula:

number

[0056] When the impedance is large or the load current is large, the voltage drop increases, reducing the actual usable battery capacity. This is because the battery terminal voltage reaches the discharge end voltage before the SOC reaches 0%. In other words, as the battery deteriorates and the impedance increases, the actual usable battery capacity decreases. In addition, the higher the maximum output of a vehicle, the greater the impedance, resulting in a larger voltage drop and a reduction in the actual usable battery capacity. (See Equation 1

[0029] ) In this way, the decrease in the actual usable battery capacity is correlated with the decrease in SOH and also occurs due to the decrease in impedance and current. Therefore, taking impedance into consideration makes it easier for users to select a battery, so it is preferable to use Equation 3-2.

[0057] The value (yen) attributable to the number of parallel connections is the value attributable to the number of batteries that can be connected in parallel, and multiple values ​​can be listed. By connecting batteries in parallel, the overall battery capacity increases, and the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced. Furthermore, when batteries are connected in parallel, their impedances must be matched. If the impedances of the batteries differ when connected in parallel, the currents flowing will be uneven. This creates the risk that excessive current will flow to the battery with the smaller impedance, exceeding the rated capacity, so it becomes necessary to limit the overall load current. This limitation motivates matching the impedances of the batteries, and the avoidance of this cost can be considered the value of connecting batteries in parallel.

[0058] Furthermore, it is rare for the SOC of batteries connected in parallel to reach 0% at the same time. If one battery reaches 0% SOC, it may be necessary to replace the entire battery even if the other batteries still have usable power. In this case, the avoidance of losses calculated based on the amount of power that becomes unusable can be considered the value attributable to the number of parallel connections. Specifically, for example, if there are batteries A and B connected in parallel, each with a capacity of 100kWh and an SOH of 100%, and when A reaches 0% SOC, B's SOC is 10%, then 10kWh of the 200kWh will remain unused. This 5% (10kWh / 200kWh) is the added value attributable to the number of parallel connections.

[0059] <Charging Power Fee Calculation Unit> The charging power fee calculation unit 240 calculates the charging power fee for the removed battery 10 from the ID of the removed battery 10 and information necessary to determine the deterioration state, and stores the result in the inventory management DB 260. The charging power fee is calculated according to the following formula.

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[0060] The electricity rate refers to the unit price at which the battery exchange station purchases electricity from the electric power company, and if the station has power generation facilities such as solar power generation facilities, the electricity rate may be applied. The charging loss coefficient is the amount of power consumed due to power loss that occurs during charging. Generally, even if 10 kWh of power is transmitted from the power grid, the power charged to the battery does not reach 10 kWh. This is because power is lost during charging due to heat generation, auxiliary losses in the charger, heat generation efficiency of the battery, and auxiliary losses in the battery cooling device, etc. Therefore, it is preferable to take this charging loss coefficient into account when calculating the cost of charging. For example, if a 10% conversion loss occurs in a power conversion device, etc. during charging, the charging loss coefficient would be 1 / (1-0.10) = 1.11. Rated capacity is the amount of electricity that a battery can discharge under certain conditions, as specified by the manufacturer for the product.

[0061] <Inventory management database> 3, the inventory management DB 260 stores the ID of the removed battery 10 and information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the battery transmitted from the information acquisition unit 210, added value information for the grade of the removed battery 10 transmitted from the grade price calculation unit 230, and information on the charging fee for the removed battery 10 transmitted from the charging power fee calculation unit 240. In addition, the inventory management DB 260 transmits the ID of the newly installed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state to the installation item price calculation unit 270.

[0062] <Repurchase Price Calculation Department> To travel to a battery exchange station, the user drives the vehicle equipped with the battery to be replaced. Therefore, it is unlikely that the SOC will be 0% when the user arrives at the battery exchange station. Furthermore, due to concerns that the battery may become inoperable while driving, the user will have some remaining battery power when the battery is replaced at the battery exchange station. In the present invention, the server 200 includes a buyback price calculation unit 250 that calculates the buyback price of the removed battery 10 based on the removed battery information, specifically the SOC value. By "buying back" the remaining battery power, it is possible to compensate for the economic loss of users who are forced to leave a certain amount of remaining battery power.

[0063] Batteries with a lot of remaining power require less charging, which is beneficial for battery exchanges. If the savings can be passed on to users in the form of discounts, user satisfaction will increase.

[0064] In the present invention, the repurchase price calculation unit 250 calculates the repurchase price of the removed battery 10 based on the ID acquired by the information acquisition unit 210 and the battery information required to determine the battery's degradation state, and transmits the result to the settlement fee calculation unit 280. The repurchase price calculation unit 250 calculates the remaining energy amount using Equation 7, and calculates the repurchase price using Equation 8. The remaining energy can be calculated using the following formula:

number

[0065] For example, if a battery returns 100kWh with an SOH of 80% and an SOC of 20%, Remaining energy (kWh) = 100kWh x 0.8 x 0.2 = 16kWh, To make the above collected batteries SOC 100%, Charging energy (kWh) = 100kWh×0.8×1-remaining energy = 80kWh - 16kWh = 64kWh, so if the battery exchange center charges 64kWh, it can rent out the battery at 100% SOC. In this way, if the battery exchange center buys back the remaining power and offers a corresponding discount, user satisfaction can be increased.

[0066] The buyback price can be calculated using the following formula: Note that coefficient C is a coefficient for the buyback price, and is a variable that can be set from a commercial perspective by the battery exchange center from the terminal of server 200. Details will be described later.

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[0067] <Attachment Price Calculation Department> The attached product price calculation unit 270 calculates the price of the battery to be attached as the replacement fee. When the user selects a new battery to be installed, the ID of the battery is sent to inventory management DB 260, and is checked against the information stored in inventory management DB 260 regarding added value for the grade, charging power fee, and labor fee for replacement, and the information is read out to installation price calculation unit 270. Based on the sent information, installation price calculation unit 270 calculates the replacement fee for the new battery to be installed by the user using Equation 9, and sends the result to settlement fee calculation unit 280.

number

[0068] The added value for each grade can be calculated using Equation 3, and the charging electricity fee can be calculated using Equation 6. Coefficient A (coefficient for battery demand) and coefficient B (coefficient for exchange fee) in Equation 9, labor cost for exchange, and coefficient C (coefficient for buyback price) in Equation 8 are variables that can be input from a commercial perspective by the battery exchange center from a terminal on server 200. They can be used in the calculation formulas from commercial coefficient database 290 in server 200 via inventory management DB 260.

[0069] For example, if the utilization rate of the chargers at the battery exchange station is high and charging is not in time, the profit margin can be increased by increasing the coefficient of the buyback price (coefficient C) to collect batteries with a large amount of remaining energy (i.e., SOC), or by increasing the coefficient related to the exchange fee (coefficient B). Alternatively, if the utilization rate of the chargers at the battery exchange station is low and charging is in time, the coefficient of the buyback price (coefficient C) can be lowered to collect batteries with a small amount of remaining energy (i.e., SOC), or by lowering the coefficient related to the exchange fee (coefficient B), the turnover rate can be increased. In areas with high labor costs, the labor fee for exchange can be set high.

[0070] Figure 5 shows an image of the replacement fee of the present invention. In Figure 5, the horizontal axis represents SOH and the vertical axis represents the replacement fee (yen). The replacement fee is calculated using Equation 9, which includes the added value for the grade, the charging power fee, and the labor cost for replacement. Batteries with a high SOH have a smaller capacity loss from the rated capacity, and therefore can be charged with a larger amount of power, resulting in a higher charging power fee. Furthermore, a higher SOH means a higher grade, and the added value for the grade also increases.

[0071] On the other hand, the labor cost for replacement is the cost required for each replacement and is the same regardless of the battery grade. Therefore, if the replacement fee is charged to the user, the cost will be a straight line including the labor cost of the replacement. However, from the user's perspective, if they replace the battery with one with a low SOH, the price per unit of battery energy will be higher due to the labor cost of the replacement, so it is economically rational to select a battery with a high SOH. However, since batteries are circulated at battery exchange centers, they include batteries that have deteriorated over time. Therefore, from the perspective of efficient resource utilization, it is preferable for users to use not only batteries with high SOH but also those with low SOH. On the other hand, from the user's perspective, the use of batteries with low SOH is to be avoided from an economic standpoint. Therefore, in order to increase user satisfaction with batteries with a low SOH, the present invention incorporates added value for grade into the replacement fee, allowing users to select a battery according to their intended use and frequency of vehicle use. As shown in Equation 3, added value for grade includes at least the value attributable to replacement frequency. The lower the SOH and the more frequently a battery is replaced, the more time and effort it requires for users, so the added value for grade decreases, and as a result, it becomes possible to offer the battery to users at a lower price.

[0072] The battery exchange center may set the replacement fee for a newly installed battery classified into each grade as a price associated with that grade, which may be a weighted average, median, or other price that is acceptable to users of the battery class.

[0073] <Settlement Fee Calculation Department> The settlement fee calculation unit 280 displays the settlement fee obtained by subtracting the repurchase price of the removed battery 10 transmitted from the repurchase price calculation unit 250 from the replacement fee for the newly installed battery transmitted from the installation item price calculation unit 270. Specifically, the settlement fee to be paid by the user is determined by the following formula.

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[0074] The battery exchange fee determination system of the present invention can be applied not only to batteries of electric vehicles but also to other devices and storage battery systems that use batteries, such as portable power sources and stationary storage batteries.

[0075] One aspect of the present invention is its application to demand response (DR) and energy storage systems (ESS). DR refers to changing the power demand pattern by limiting power usage during peak or high-load periods, thereby achieving a balance between power supply and demand. Charging can be reduced by charging during times when electricity rates are low and by avoiding sudden spikes in demand when trading with the power company. For example, if a battery exchange station is conducting DR and receives a request from a DR aggregator (a communication intermediary between a utility company and its customers) to increase electricity demand, it can create electricity demand by charging the batteries of stored electric vehicles during that time period. This is preferable because the batteries can be used effectively even during the storage period.

[0076] In the present invention, batteries are classified into a plurality of grades according to the degree of deterioration based on the SOH, so that the deterioration state of the battery can be seen at a glance. Of the stored batteries, it is preferable to use, for example, batteries that are infrequently selected by users or batteries with a small SOH value for charging and discharging. Alternatively, batteries that have been classified as unsuitable for electric vehicle applications (out-of-grade) as shown in Table 1 may be used. This is because out-of-grade batteries are stored at logistics centers and other locations while awaiting reuse as grid storage batteries (described later), but since it takes a certain amount of time before they can be used again, the storage period can be effectively utilized by using them for charging and discharging in response to DR requests.

[0077] To increase the number of batteries being charged, users may be given incentives such as increasing the repurchase price for batteries and decreasing the exchange fee. On the other hand, if a DR aggregator requests that users reduce their electricity demand, the repurchase price for batteries may be increased, allowing users to discharge batteries that are currently being charged. Also, depending on user trends, charging may occur during peak hours of electricity demand. Because charging electric vehicle batteries requires a large amount of electricity, it is expected that charging will take time. Therefore, battery exchanges may reflect the reduction in the amount of electricity they can provide within the same time frame in the battery settlement fee.

[0078] These price fluctuations can be adjusted on an hourly basis in line with the energy trading market. It is desirable for battery exchanges to set settlement fees while taking into account the profits of DR, as this allows users to indirectly benefit from DR operations.

[0079] Alternatively, EV batteries can be reused to provide a sustainable ESS, which is particularly desirable given the growing interest in life cycle assessment of storage batteries and the need to develop environmentally friendly reuse models.

[0080] Batteries for electric vehicles are preferably small and lightweight, and have a high battery current (in other words, low impedance). For this reason, batteries other than the grades shown in Table 1 are not suitable for electric vehicles, but they can be reused as grid storage batteries. This is because grid storage batteries can be large, and the length of time is more important than the magnitude of the current flowing through the battery, and at the same time, miniaturization is not as important as for vehicles.

[0081] On the other hand, there are several points to keep in mind when collecting batteries with unknown usage histories and assembling them into a grid storage battery. For example, batteries with unknown degradation status are difficult to reuse, and assembling a grid storage battery requires matching impedance and SOH. When selling a grid storage battery as a used product, a warranty may be required. In this regard, by using the battery replacement fee determination system of the present invention, information such as usage history and SOH linked to the battery ID can be obtained, allowing for efficient assembly of grid storage batteries. Furthermore, while a warranty is required when selling used batteries, data such as SOH measured by the present invention can also be used as diagnostic material.

[0082] Even if the battery is further degraded and ultimately can no longer be used as a battery, the rare metals contained in the battery can be recycled. In this way, used or partially degraded EV batteries can be reused to provide energy solutions for homes and businesses. Alternatively, batteries stored at battery exchange centers can be used as a power source for smart grids and used to operate evacuation shelters during disasters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Removed battery 100 Measuring Device 150 SOH / SOC measurement section 160 Impedance measurement unit 170 Communications Department 180 Measuring instruments 200 servers 210 Information Acquisition Department 220 Grade Classification Department 230 Grade Price Calculation Department 240 Charging power charge calculation unit 250 Repurchase Price Calculation Department 260 Inventory Management Database 270 Attachment Price Calculation Unit 280 Payment Calculation Department 300 charger 400 Payment machine

Claims

1. A battery replacement fee determination system that determines the battery replacement fee when removing a battery that has been used until now and installing a new battery, a measuring device; A server; Including, The measuring device includes a measuring instrument capable of measuring information necessary for determining the ID and deterioration state of the removed battery; a communication unit that communicates with the server an ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining a deterioration state; Equipped with The server includes an information acquisition unit, a grade classification unit, a grade price calculation unit, a charging power fee calculation unit, an attachment price calculation unit, an inventory management database, a buyback price calculation unit, and a settlement fee calculation unit, The information acquisition unit transmits the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state transmitted from the measurement device to the grade classification unit, the charging power fee calculation unit, and the buyback price calculation unit, the grade classification unit classifies the removed battery into a plurality of grades based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining a deterioration state transmitted from the information acquisition unit, and transmits the result to the grade price calculation unit; the grade price calculation unit calculates added value of the batteries classified into the plurality of grades transmitted from the grade classification unit, and stores the result in the inventory management database; the charging power fee calculation unit calculates the charging power fee for the removed battery based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state, and stores the result in the inventory management database; The repurchase price calculation unit calculates the repurchase price of the removed battery based on the ID of the removed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state transmitted from the information acquisition unit, and transmits the result to the settlement fee calculation unit; The installation price calculation unit reads the ID of the newly installed battery and information necessary for determining the deterioration state, which are issued from the inventory management database, calculates the replacement fee for the newly installed battery, and transmits the result to the settlement fee calculation unit; The settlement fee calculation unit indicates, as a settlement fee, an amount obtained by deducting the repurchase price of the removed battery transmitted from the repurchase price calculation unit from the replacement fee of the newly installed battery transmitted from the installation item price calculation unit. Battery replacement fee determination system.

2. 2. The battery replacement fee determination system of claim 1, wherein the information necessary for determining the deterioration state of the removed battery or the newly installed battery, on which the grade classification unit is based, is the SOH, impedance, and / or whether or not the removed battery or the newly installed battery can be connected in parallel.

3. The battery replacement fee determination system of claim 2, wherein the grade classification unit classifies the batteries in order of SOH from highest to lowest based on the SOH of the removed batteries acquired by the information acquisition unit.

4. The battery replacement fee determination system of claim 2, wherein the grade classification unit classifies the removed battery by combining the SOH and impedance measurement values ​​acquired by the information acquisition unit, and classifies the batteries in order of highest SOH value, and in order of lowest impedance value if the SOH is the same.

5. The battery replacement fee determination system of claim 2, wherein the grade classification unit classifies the multiple removed batteries acquired by the information acquisition unit by combining batteries with similar SOH and / or impedance, then arranges them in order of highest SOH value, or in order of lowest impedance if the SOH is the same, and then groups batteries that can be connected in parallel in order of highest SOH value, and classifies batteries that cannot be connected in parallel separately.

6. 3. The battery replacement fee determination system according to claim 2, wherein the replacement fee for the newly installed battery is calculated using the following formula: [Equation 1]

7. The battery replacement fee determination system according to claim 1 , wherein a price linked to the grade is set as the replacement fee for the newly installed battery classified into each grade.

8. The battery exchange fee determination system according to claim 1 , wherein the grade classification unit classifies a battery classified as unsuitable for electric vehicle use as a battery used in a demand response and / or energy storage system.

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