Profit return system

Abstract

To promote high performance of a battery system.SOLUTION: By purchasing a product from a manufacturer and lending the purchased product to a user, the usage fee of the product is collected from the user, and a part of the usage fee is paid to the manufacturer.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for managing profits derived from renting products. [Background technology]

[0002] Battery system manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "battery companies") manufacture battery systems by procuring various parts from parts manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "parts companies"). Battery companies make money by selling battery systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 064818 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The lower the cost of procuring components, the easier it is for battery companies to make profits. Additionally, the more battery systems sold, the greater the profits battery companies make. A longer battery system lifespan will curb replacement demand. Therefore, improving the performance of battery systems, especially extending their lifespan, does not necessarily translate into profits for battery companies.

[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a technology for promoting high performance of battery systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A profit return system in one aspect of the present invention purchases products manufactured by a manufacturer from the manufacturer, rents the purchased products to users, collects product usage fees from the users, and pays a portion of the usage fees to the manufacturer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to promote high performance of battery systems. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In this embodiment, the explanation will be based on the assumption that there are a battery company that manufactures battery systems, a parts company that manufactures battery system parts, an EV company that manufactures EVs (Electric Vehicles), a car leasing company that leases EVs, and a user who leases an EV.

[0009] As a representative of parts companies, we will consider a separator company that provides separators. Separators are important components that make up the cells included in battery systems (secondary batteries). Assume that separator S provided by a certain separator company has a long service life but is relatively expensive.

[0010] Separator companies provide high-quality, high-priced separators S to battery companies. A battery company manufactures a battery system equipped with separator S (hereinafter referred to as "battery system (S)"). The performance of the battery system, especially its service life, is highly dependent on the quality of the separator, so the expected service life of the battery system (S) is long.

[0011] A separator company purchases a battery system (S) from a battery company. Even if a battery company develops a high-performance battery system, the battery system (S) can be reliably purchased from the separator company that provided the separator S.

[0012] Separator companies sell battery systems (S) to EV companies. EV companies manufacture EVs equipped with battery systems (S) (hereinafter referred to as "EV(S)"). Car leasing companies purchase EV(S) from EV companies. The selling price of the EV(S) is "P1".

[0013] Car leasing companies lease EV(S) to various users on fixed-term or open-term contracts. Users pay a periodic fee for using the EV(S) to the car leasing company. For example, let the monthly usage fee for EV(S) be "C". Also, assume that C×50=P1. If a car leasing company rents out an EV(S) for a total of 50 months, it can cover the purchase price P1 of the EV(S) through usage fees, and the usage fees C from the 51st month onwards will become profits for the car leasing company. In other words, car leasing companies can exceed the break-even point when the rental period for EV(S) exceeds 50 months.

[0014] In this embodiment, a portion of the car leasing company's profit P2=C×n−P1 (n is the cumulative number of months of rental) is returned to the battery company. In other words, when the purchased EV (S) exceeds the break-even point and generates profit P2, the car leasing company distributes a predetermined percentage of profit P2, for example, 30%, to the battery company that manufactured the battery system (S) (hereinafter referred to as "dividend"). Therefore, the greater the cumulative number of months an EV(S) has been rented out, in other words, the longer the useful life of the EV(S), the more dividends the battery company can receive. The service life of an EV(S) depends heavily on the service life of the battery system(S). The service life of the battery system (S) depends largely on the service life of the separator S.

[0015] Below, we will explain the above-mentioned profit return system from the perspective of each company.

[0016] 1. Battery companies It is in the interest of battery companies to develop long-life battery systems. In addition, the use of high-performance separator S contributes to extending the life of the battery system. Because longer battery life translates into profits, battery companies may be motivated to source or develop higher-quality components in addition to separator S. Furthermore, even if the battery system (S) becomes expensive, the separator company will certainly purchase the battery system, so there is little development risk. Alternatively, it is possible to increase demand for the battery system (S) by strategically setting the sales price of the battery system (S) low in anticipation of dividends. If demand for the battery system (S) increases, the selling price of the battery system (S) can be lowered due to mass production effects. Battery companies can also use the dividends they receive from battery systems (S) to fund the development of new battery systems.

[0017] 2. Separator companies Even though Separator S is expensive, it is easy to mass-produce Separator S by getting battery companies to adopt it. Mass production can reduce the manufacturing costs of the separator S. Even if a battery system (S) equipped with a separator S is expensive, car leasing companies will be able to make a profit more easily from an EV (S) equipped with a long-life battery system (S). If demand for EV(S) increases, it will become easier for separator companies to mass-sell their own separator S. It should be noted that the separator company may not be responsible for both development and production of the separator S, but may be responsible for only one of development and production. For example, a separator company may only design the separator S, outsource the production of the separator S to a contract manufacturing company, and deliver the manufactured separator S to a battery company.

[0018] 3. Other parts companies As mentioned above, higher performance battery systems lead to higher profits, so battery companies will actively procure high-quality parts. As a result, "expensive but durable parts" will be preferred over "cheap but less durable parts." This will increase the motivation of parts companies to develop high-quality parts. Furthermore, since high-quality parts will enable manufacturers to earn fair profits, it is expected that innovation in parts will also become more active.

[0019] 4. Car leasing companies Even if the sales price P1 of an EV(S) is high, if future profits can be expected from the longer lifespan of the EV(S), it is economically rational for car leasing companies to purchase the EV(S). Car leasing companies can more easily secure future profits by actively purchasing EVs (S), which have a high chance of being used for a long time. Such profit expectations from car leasing companies motivate them to develop high-quality parts, high-quality battery systems, and high-quality EVs.

[0020] After using the battery system (S) in an EV, car leasing companies may reuse the battery system (S) for secondary purposes such as an ESS (Energy Storage System). Even after a battery system (S) no longer meets the performance requirements for an EV, it may still be able to fully meet the performance requirements for an ESS. The car leasing company may lease the battery system (S) to a new user as a secondary use. The car leasing company may then return a portion of the usage fees obtained from the battery system (S) after secondary use to parts companies, etc. as dividends.

[0021] 5.EV companies EV companies are keen to develop "long-lasting EVs" that are preferred by car leasing companies. Therefore, it will be easier to proactively adopt high-quality battery systems (S) even if they are expensive. In addition, as there will be increased motivation to improve the performance of EVs in areas other than battery systems, EV component companies, such as those that provide tires and steering parts, will also be more motivated to develop high-value-added products.

[0022] As demands for the quality of battery systems, and ultimately EVs, increase, prices can be expected to fall due to mass production effects, even for high-quality products. Furthermore, extending the life of battery systems and the like contributes to reducing waste and emissions of carbon dioxide and other substances during manufacturing, which is also beneficial in terms of environmental conservation.

[0023] The lifespan of the battery system may be predicted based on the past usage history of the battery system. Car leasing companies may reduce the rental fee for EVs when the battery system is nearing the end of its life.

[0024] A parts company such as a separator company may also establish a car leasing company. For example, a car leasing company could be established with investment from multiple parts companies. Car leasing companies collect parts from parts companies and outsource the manufacturing of battery systems to battery companies. The car leasing company then delivers the manufactured battery system to the EV company and purchases the EV from the EV company. After this, car leasing companies can earn royalties from users by leasing EVs and return the profits to the parts companies that invested in them as dividends. Under such a model, parts companies could take the lead in EV production and battery system development through car leasing companies operated by their collectives.

[0025] Although it has been explained that dividends are paid when the total value of EV usage fees exceeds the break-even point, the timing of dividend payments can be set as desired. For example, a portion of the royalties may be earmarked as dividends from the start. Alternatively, the dividend may be paid when the performance indicated by the internal voltage of the battery system falls below a predetermined level, or the dividend may be paid as long as the performance remains above the predetermined level. In addition, when an EV is scrapped, a portion of the accumulated profits may be paid in a lump sum to the battery company as a dividend.

[0026] Dividends may be distributed not only to battery companies but also to parts companies such as separator companies. Battery companies may independently source the components needed for battery systems, manufacture the battery systems, and sell them directly to EV companies.

[0027] EV companies may independently procure the components necessary for EVs, such as battery systems, and sell EVs to car leasing companies. Car leasing companies may then return a portion of their profits to EV companies as dividends.

[0028] Applications other than battery systems are also possible. For example, when constructing a building and receiving rent from tenants, a portion of the rent may be returned to the construction company as a dividend. The longer the building's lifespan, the greater the potential dividend for the builder. Building high-quality buildings that can be used safely for a long time leads to profits, so this will encourage the construction of high-quality buildings. In addition to real estate such as buildings, the above-mentioned profit return system can also be applied to movable property that can be rented, such as ships, aircraft, heavy machinery, and furniture.

[0029] When an EV company purchases a battery system, it may securitize the ownership interest in the battery system against the anticipated royalties from the EV. A portion of the EV usage fees may then be returned to security holders as dividends. Battery companies may offset the carbon dioxide generated by manufacturing battery systems with carbon credits. In addition to the battery system, components such as separators and the EV itself may also be securitized or carbon offset.

Claims

[Claim 1] The manufacturer makes the product, purchasing said product from said manufacturer; renting the purchased product to a user and collecting a usage fee for the product from the user; A profit return system in which a portion of the royalties is paid to the manufacturer.