Parts management system

Abstract

To propose product specifications from a downstream manufacturer to an upstream manufacturer.SOLUTION: A plurality of components constituting a battery cell and performance information of the battery cell constituted by combining the plurality of components are managed in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for managing the combination of parts that make up a product. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "EV companies") decide the specifications of the battery systems to be installed in their EVs based on the EV model, expected usage, etc. Battery system manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "battery companies") determine the specifications of the battery cells in accordance with the specifications provided by the EV companies. Battery cell manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "cell companies") determine the specifications of the components that make up the battery cells in accordance with the specifications provided by the battery companies. For example, a separator manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as a "separator company") determines the separator material and structure according to the specifications provided by the cell company. Hereafter, companies that provide cell parts or materials, such as separator companies, will be referred to as "parts companies." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-230366 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, required specifications are typically provided by upstream parties such as EV companies to downstream parties such as parts companies, who then procure materials and manufacture parts according to the specifications provided to the upstream companies.

[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a technique for downstream manufacturers to propose product specifications to upstream manufacturers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plurality of components constituting a battery cell and performance information of the battery cell formed by combining the plurality of components are managed in association with each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, downstream manufacturers can more easily propose product specifications to upstream manufacturers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of parts management in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] EV companies determine the specifications of the battery system based on how the EV will be used and the environment in which it will be used (hereinafter collectively referred to as "usage conditions"). "Specifications" here refers to performance and price. A battery system is a collection of cells. The cells are configured as secondary batteries. A battery system is constructed by packaging multiple cells together to create a battery pack, and then adding various support structures, cooling systems, various electronic circuits, etc.

[0010] EV usage varies depending on the region and vehicle type. For example, the climate, road conditions, and driving conditions are different between Hokkaido and Tokyo. In addition, there are EVs that frequently stop and start, such as delivery vehicles, and there are EVs that travel long distances continuously, such as large trucks. Therefore, the specifications of an EV must be determined according to the expected usage conditions. The specifications of the battery system must be determined based on the specifications of the EV.

[0011] After determining the specifications for the battery system, the specifications for the cells are determined. A cell is composed of various parts and materials (hereinafter simply referred to as "parts") such as a separator, electrolyte, additives, positive electrode, and negative electrode. The specifications required for components such as separators are determined according to the cell specifications.

[0012] Separator companies offer multiple types of separators to meet a variety of required specifications. Separator companies may also develop new separators to meet specific requirements. The separators vary in structure, size, material, etc. depending on the required specifications. The same applies to the other parts.

[0013] The combination of parts that make up the cells is determined to suit the specifications of various EVs. For example, a certain specification X1 for an EV can be met by a cell (type T9) that is configured by combining a separator S1, a positive electrode material W6, a negative electrode material U3, and an electrolyte V7. In this case, "Type T9 (S1, W6, U3, V7)" and specification X1 are registered in association with each other. In the following, the combination of parts contained in a certain type of cell will be referred to as "cell configuration information." In the above example, type T9 (S1, W6, U3, V7) is the cell configuration information corresponding to specification X1. Hereinafter, this will be expressed as "cell configuration information (T9)."

[0014] The price range and vibration resistance of the battery system are defined according to the EV specification X1, and the current-voltage characteristics and support structure of the battery system are also determined accordingly. The information that defines the structure and materials other than the cells in a battery system is called "system configuration information." That is, the specifications of the battery system include cell configuration information and system configuration information.

[0015] In the following, the battery system specification corresponding to the EV specification X1 is referred to as "Y1", and the battery system (Y1) is associated with the cell configuration information (T9) and the system configuration information (Z6).

[0016] In this embodiment, it is not the upstream EV company but the downstream separator company that proposes the battery system (Y1) that corresponds to the specification X1. Furthermore, the separator company in this embodiment operates a battery sales company and an EV leasing company.

[0017] First, the separator company assumes EV specification X1 and identifies battery system specification Y1 that corresponds to specification X1. The separator company refers to the cell configuration information (T9) corresponding to the specification Y1 and selects the separator S1.

[0018] The separator company delivers the separator S1 to the battery company, provides the cell configuration information (T9) and system configuration information (Z6) corresponding to the specification Y1, and requests the battery company to manufacture the battery system.

[0019] The battery company procures parts other than the separator (S1, W6, U3, V7) according to the cell configuration information (T9). The battery company combines the procured parts and manufactures a battery system (Y1) that meets the specification Y1 according to the system configuration information (Z6). The separator company purchases a battery system (Y1) from the battery company. In this way, the separator company assumes EV specification X1, delivers separator S1 to a battery company, commissions the manufacture of a battery system (Y1), and purchases the manufactured battery system (Y1).

[0020] The separator company sells the manufactured battery system (Y1) to the EV company. At this time, the separator company explains that this battery system (Y1) is the optimal configuration for an EV that assumes usage conditions corresponding to specification X1. The EV company will manufacture an EV (X1) equipped with a battery system (Y1).

[0021] Next, the separator company purchases an EV (X1) from the EV company and leases the EV (X1) to regions or customers where usage conditions corresponding to specification X1 are expected. Through their EV leasing business, separator companies can obtain a variety of information regarding EV usage. For example, it is possible to identify detailed specifications required for a battery system based on the usage conditions of an EV, such as the average number of times an EV rented in Hokkaido is charged per day, the average value and fluctuation range (standard deviation) of the SOC (State of Charge), average temperature, and vibration.

[0022] Traditionally, parts companies such as separator companies have manufactured parts according to requests from battery companies and received payment. In this type of "one-time sale" business, it was difficult to obtain detailed information about the usage of the battery system, issues that arose during use, and the specifications that users desired. According to the parts management system shown in this embodiment, parts companies or battery companies can obtain various data when a battery system is in use, such as changes in internal resistance, current, and voltage, and can therefore gather information that is useful for developing battery systems. Based on this information, component or battery companies can identify more optimal specifications for battery systems.

[0023] In this embodiment, the separator company operates a battery sales company and an EV leasing company, but it may operate only one of the battery sales company and the EV leasing company. Alternatively, the separator company, battery sales company, and EV leasing company may each be separate entities.

Claims

[Claim 1] A parts management system that manages a plurality of parts that make up a battery cell in association with performance information of the battery cell that is formed by combining the plurality of parts.

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