Judgment system and judgment method

Abstract

To provide a determination system and determination method that allows for more appropriate management of energy storage devices with a lower cost configuration using a storage device. [Solution] The determination system of the embodiment is a determination system for determining whether an energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, and comprises a housing device having a plurality of housing sections for housing the energy storage device, the housing device comprising a first housing section that determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product by a first determination method, and a second housing section that determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product by a second determination method different from the first determination method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a determination system and a determination method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to enable more people to access affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy, research and development on secondary batteries that contribute to energy efficiency has been carried out. In this regard, there is known a battery type determination device including a current collector, an output control unit that instructs a current application circuit to apply a specific current to a battery having a wound body or a laminate, a magnetic field characteristic measurement unit that measures magnetic field characteristics generated in the battery when a current is applied from the output control unit, a storage unit that stores a specified value of magnetic field characteristics corresponding to the type of the battery, and a determination unit that determines the type of the target battery by comparing the specified value with the measurement value of the magnetic field characteristic measurement unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in the field of secondary battery technology, by using the technology shown in Patent Document 1, it is possible to identify batteries (energy storage devices) that do not have an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip capable of outputting an identification signal, as well as counterfeit products (e.g., imitations) in which the contents of the battery (e.g., the energy storage unit) have been replaced. Therefore, if this technology can be applied to a housing device that houses removable batteries in slots for charging, the housing device can determine whether a removable battery is genuine or counterfeit. However, implementing the above-mentioned functions in all slots of the housing device would be costly and impractical, so there is a need for a method to determine batteries more appropriately with a less expensive configuration.

[0005] This application was made in view of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a determination system and determination method that allows for more appropriate management of energy storage devices with a less expensive configuration using a storage device. This will ultimately contribute to energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The determination system and determination method according to this invention employ the following configuration. (1) A determination system according to one aspect of the present invention is a determination system for determining whether an energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, comprising a housing device having a plurality of housing sections for housing the energy storage device, wherein the housing device comprises a first housing section that determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product by a first determination method, and a second housing section that determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product by a second determination method different from the first determination method.

[0007] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, the number of second storage units among the plurality of storage units is less than the number of first storage units.

[0008] (3) In the embodiment of (1) above, the second determination method has higher determination accuracy than the first determination method.

[0009] (4) In the embodiment of (1) above, the housing device further comprises a control unit that controls the housing of the energy storage devices in the plurality of housing sections, and the control unit permits the lending of the energy storage devices even if the first determination method determines that there is a suspicion that they are counterfeit.

[0010] (5) In the embodiment of (4) above, the control unit controls the lending of other energy storage devices so that the energy storage device can be stored in the second storage unit when the energy storage device is returned after being determined to be suspected of being a counterfeit product based on the determination result of the first determination method.

[0011] (6) In the embodiment of (4) above, the control unit controls the system so as not to lend out any energy storage device that has been determined by the second determination method to be a non-genuine or counterfeit product.

[0012] (7): In the embodiment of (1) above, the first determination method applies a specific current to the energy storage device, determines the inductance value of the energy storage device based on the applied current value and the voltage value measured as a voltage response to the current value, and determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or suspected to be a counterfeit product based on a predetermined specified value of inductance and the inductance value.

[0013] (8) In the embodiment of (1) above, the second determination method applies a specific current to the energy storage device and determines whether the energy storage device is genuine or counterfeit based on the measured value of the magnetic field characteristics generated in the energy storage device as a result of the application of the current and a specified value of the magnetic field characteristics according to the type of energy storage device.

[0014] (9): Another aspect of the present invention relates to a determination method for determining whether an energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, wherein a computer of a storage device having a plurality of storage compartments for housing the energy storage device determines by a first determination method whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product, and for the energy storage device that has been determined to be suspected to be a counterfeit product, it determines by a second determination method different from the first determination method whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, the determination by the first determination method is performed on the energy storage device housed in the first storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments, and the determination by the second determination method is performed on the energy storage device housed in the second storage compartment different from the first storage compartment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the embodiments described in (1) to (9) above, the energy storage device can be managed more appropriately with a less expensive configuration by using the storage device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the battery replacement system 1 to which the determination system of the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the electric vehicle 10 of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the battery replacement device 200. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the battery replacement device 200 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram to explain the contents of the suspected counterfeit product list 286. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the management server 300 in the embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the contents of user management table 352. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the contents of status table 354. [Figure 9]It is a flowchart showing an example of the determination process in the embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of the first determination process. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the second determination process. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example when the electric vehicle 10 executes the first determination process.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the determination system and determination method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a battery replacement system 1 to which the determination system of the embodiment is applied. The battery replacement system 1 includes, for example, a detachable battery (an example of a power storage device) 100, a battery replacement device (a housing device) 200, and a management server (an example of a management device) 300. Note that a plurality of battery replacement devices 200 may be provided at a predetermined location (area) in the battery replacement system 1. The battery replacement device 200 and the management server 300 can communicate with each other via a network NW. Also, an electric vehicle 10 may be communicably connected to the network NW, such as the management server 300. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. The determination system may be the "battery replacement system 1", or may be a combination of the "battery replacement device 200" and the "management server 300", or may be the "battery replacement device 200".

[0019] The detachable battery 100 is a rechargeable battery that has a structure that allows it to be attached to and removed from the electric vehicle 10 and the battery exchange device 200, and is also capable of being charged and discharged. The detachable battery 100 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery (LIB), a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a solid-state battery, but is not limited to these. The removal (takeout) of the detachable battery 100 from the battery exchange device 200, its return to the battery exchange device 200, and its attachment to and removal from the electric vehicle 10 are performed, for example, by the occupants (users) of the electric vehicle 10. The detachable battery 100 may also be used for other purposes (for example, a mobile portable power supply). Next, the electric vehicle 10, the battery exchange device 200, and the management server 300 will be described in detail.

[0020] [Electric vehicle 10] The electric vehicle 10 is a vehicle equipped with a removable battery 100 housed in a battery exchange device 200. In the example shown in Figure 1, a saddle-type electric vehicle (electric motorcycle) 10-1 and an indoor-type electric vehicle (electric four-wheeled vehicle) 10-2 are shown, both powered by an electric motor supplied by the removable battery 100. For example, the electric vehicle 10-1 shown in Figure 1 can be equipped with two removable batteries 100, and the electric vehicle 10-2 can be equipped with three removable batteries 100. Thus, the number of removable batteries that can be installed varies depending on the type and shape of the electric vehicle 10. Furthermore, the removable batteries that can be used may differ depending on the vehicle type. Hereafter, the electric motorcycle will be mainly referred to as "electric vehicle 10" in the explanation.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the electric vehicle 10 of the embodiment. The electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, a battery connection unit 12, a vehicle control unit 14, a driving force output device 16, a vehicle sensor 18, an HMI (Human-machine Interface) 20, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 22, and a vehicle-side communication unit 24.

[0022] The battery connection section 12 is electrically connected to the connection section of the removable battery 100 when the removable battery 100 is installed in the electric vehicle 10. The battery connection section 12 includes, for example, connection terminals for power lines for receiving power supply from the removable battery 100, and connection terminals for communication lines for data communication between the removable battery 100 and the vehicle control unit 14.

[0023] The vehicle control unit 14 acquires measurement results from the vehicle sensors 18, obtains a value (SOC: State of Charge) representing the charge state of the energy storage unit 120 from the removable battery 100, and obtains the position of the electric vehicle 10 from the GNSS receiver 22. Based on the acquired data, the vehicle control unit 14 controls the driving force output device 16 in response to an operation on an operator (not shown) or through autonomous driving. The vehicle control unit 14 may also transmit the position information of the electric vehicle 10 acquired from the GNSS receiver 22 to a management server 300 or the like via a network NW.

[0024] The driving force output device 16 includes, for example, an electric motor, an inverter, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the inverter. The ECU controls the power supplied to the electric motor from the removable battery 100 by, for example, controlling the inverter. In this way, the ECU controls the driving force (torque) that the electric motor outputs to the drive wheels. Furthermore, the driving force output device 16 can operate the electric motor as a regenerative brake by controlling the output frequency of the inverter to be lower than the rotational speed of the drive wheels, thereby converting the braking energy of the drive wheels into electrical energy and charging the removable battery 100.

[0025] The vehicle sensor 18 includes a speed sensor, acceleration sensor, rotational speed sensor, odometer, and various other sensors mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The vehicle sensor 18 outputs the measurement results to the vehicle control unit 14.

[0026] The HMI20 outputs various information to the user of the electric vehicle 10 and accepts input operations from the occupant. The HMI20 includes, for example, various display devices such as a HUD (Head Up Display) and a meter display unit (which may be a touch panel), a speaker, and the like.

[0027] The GNSS receiver 22 determines the position of the electric vehicle 10 based on radio waves arriving from GNSS satellites, such as GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites.

[0028] The vehicle-side communication unit 24 communicates with the management server 300 via the network NW. The vehicle-side communication unit 24 transmits, for example, the location information of the electric vehicle 10, which has been determined by the GNSS receiver 22, to the management server 300 at any time, along with the vehicle ID, which is identification information for identifying the vehicle. Here, "any time" refers to, for example, timing at predetermined time intervals or predetermined distances, timing when the electric vehicle 10 is started or stopped, or timing at a predetermined time. The vehicle-side communication unit 24 may also transmit the location of the electric vehicle 10 to the management server 300 at the time it receives an inquiry from the management server 300 regarding the location of the electric vehicle 10. In addition to the location information of the electric vehicle 10, the vehicle-side communication unit 24 may also transmit the charge status of the two removable batteries 100 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 to the management server 300. Furthermore, the vehicle-side communication unit 24 may communicate with the battery exchange device 200 via the network NW.

[0029] [Battery replacement device 200] The battery exchange device 200 is a device that charges and exchanges (returns and lends) the removable battery 100, which is the power source of the electric vehicle 10. The battery exchange device 200 performs the replacement service of the removable battery 100 using the battery exchange system 1 shown in the example in Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3 is a front view of the battery replacement device 200. As shown in Figure 3, the external shape of the battery replacement device 200 is, for example, a rectangular box shape, but is not limited to this. The battery replacement device 200 comprises a plurality of slot sections (housing sections) 210-1 to 210-12 and a display section 215. Hereinafter, unless each of the plurality of slot sections 210-1 to 210-12 is described separately, they will be collectively referred to simply as "slot section 210". The layout, such as the number and arrangement of the slot sections 210 in the embodiment, is not limited to the example in Figure 3.

[0031] The slot portion 210 extends, for example, inclined downward from front to rear, and has openings into which the removable batteries 100 are individually inserted. The slot portion 210 accommodates the removable battery 100 with at least a part of it (e.g., the battery connection portion) or with at least a part of it (e.g., the handle portion) exposed. The slot portion 210 may also be equipped with a pair of light-emitting units LT, for example, to allow the user to see the light from the lamp. The light-emitting units LT include, for example, light guides that direct the light from the lamp to the outside. The pair of light-emitting units LT are positioned so that they are visible from the outside even when the removable batteries 100 are housed in the slot portion 210.

[0032] Identification information such as slot IDs (PIDs) that are exclusively assigned to multiple slot sections 210 are set to have a priority order according to their position, for example. For example, the priority order of the identification information of the 12 slot sections 210-1 to 210-12 is set to decrease in the order from slot section 210-1 to slot section 210-12, so that the priority order decreases from relatively high priority to low priority.

[0033] The battery replacement devices 200 may be arranged in a line, for example, with multiple devices adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. In this case, each slot ID (PID) of the multiple battery replacement devices 200 will be assigned an exclusive ID.

[0034] The display unit 215 includes, for example, an input / output device that serves as a user interface and a read / write device. The input / output device is, for example, a touch panel using a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a microphone for voice input, and a speaker for sound output. The read / write device transmits and receives various types of information with a user device used, for example, for user authentication.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the battery replacement device 200 according to the embodiment. The battery replacement device 200 includes, for example, a plurality of slot sections 210, a plurality of battery connection sections 220, a charging section 230, a display section 215, a reading section 240, an authentication section 245, a communication section 250, and a control section 260.

[0036] The slot section 210 is a mechanism for receiving and charging the removable battery 100. Before the battery exchange device 200 returns or lends the removable battery 100 to the user, it authenticates the user using the authentication unit 245, which will be described later. The authentication unit 245, for example, permits the user who has successfully authenticated to return the used removable battery 100 or to lend a charged removable battery 100.

[0037] Each of the multiple slot sections 210 has a battery connection section 220 on its bottom surface. The battery connection section 220 is electrically connected to the connection section of the removable battery 100 when the removable battery 100 is housed in a slot section. The battery connection section 220 includes, for example, a power line connection terminal for supplying power to the removable battery 100, and a communication line connection terminal for data communication between the removable battery 100 and the control unit 260. The battery connection section 220 may read identification information of the removable battery 100 (e.g., battery ID) from an IC chip or the like provided on the removable battery 100 when connected and output it to the control unit 260.

[0038] The charging unit 230 is connected to the energy storage unit of the removable battery 100 via a plurality of battery connection units 220. The charging unit 230 may be provided for each of the plurality of battery connection units 220, or it may be provided as a common configuration for the plurality of battery connection units 220. A power supply for supplying power to the energy storage unit of the removable battery 100 is connected to the charging unit 230. The charging unit 230 converts the power supplied from the power supply into, for example, DC and supplies it to the energy storage unit.

[0039] The display unit 215, with the configuration described above, accepts input operations and voice inputs from the user for predetermined information (e.g., authentication information), and displays various information regarding the operation of receiving and lending the detachable battery 100 in each slot unit 210.

[0040] The reading unit 240 reads authentication information and other information from, for example, a user card, which is an example of a medium held by the user. Authentication information includes, for example, identification information that identifies the user (e.g., user ID) and a password. The user card is, for example, a contactless IC card. Alternatively, the user card may be a contact-type IC card. Also, the user card may be issued for each electric vehicle 10 used by the user. In this case, the authentication information includes a card ID and a vehicle ID as identification information that identifies the user card. The medium held by the user may also be an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. Furthermore, the manner in which the reading unit 240 acquires authentication information is not limited to acquisition by communication, but may also be by optically reading information from a code image such as a two-dimensional code. The reading unit 240 outputs the read authentication information to the control unit 260.

[0041] The authentication unit 245 determines whether to allow the user to use the battery replacement device 200 based on the authentication information received from the display unit 215 or the authentication information read by the reading unit 240. The authentication information may be obtained, for example, from the voice of the user collected by the microphone (not shown) of the battery replacement device 200. For example, the authentication unit 245 uses the authentication information to compare it with the authentication list 282 stored in the storage unit 280, and determines that the user's authentication was successful if the authentication list 282 contains information that matches the authentication information. The authentication list 282 is authentication information for comparison that is distributed by the management server 300 at predetermined timings or intervals. The authentication information for comparison includes authentication information for one or more users. For example, the authentication information for comparison includes information such as the user ID, card ID, password, expiration date, number of detachable batteries 100 that can be lent (installed in the electric vehicle 10), and status of the user ID, card ID, password, expiration date, and available number of detachable batteries 100 that can be installed in the electric vehicle 10, for use with the battery replacement device 200. The expiration date is, for example, the last day of the period during which the battery exchange device 200 can be used. The number of available removable batteries 100 is, for example, the number of removable batteries 100 that can be installed in the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID. The status is information indicating the usage status of the battery exchange system 1 in the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID. The usage status includes, for example, states such as the removable battery 100 being on loan, authentication for battery exchange in progress, or temporary or permanent suspension of use due to unauthorized use by the user, etc.

[0042] If the authentication unit 245 determines that user authentication has been successful, it determines whether the user meets the predetermined usage conditions. The predetermined usage conditions include, for example, that the current date (usage date) has not expired on an expiration date included in the authentication list 282. The predetermined usage conditions may also include that the user has not engaged in fraudulent use or other actions that have resulted in the device being unusable (usage suspended). For example, if the authentication unit 245 determines that the current date has not expired on an expiration date included in the authentication list 282, it permits the user to use (return and borrow) the battery replacement device 200.

[0043] Furthermore, if the authentication list 282 does not contain any information that matches the authentication information, the authentication unit 245 may send authentication information to the management server 300 via the communication unit 250 to request authentication. In other words, the authentication unit 245 may be provided on the management server 300 side. In this case, the authentication unit 245 obtains the authentication result and verification authentication information from the management server 300 as a result of the request, and if the user's authentication was successful, it uses the verification authentication information to determine whether the predetermined usage conditions are met. If the predetermined usage conditions are met, it permits the user to use the battery replacement device 200.

[0044] Furthermore, if user authentication is unsuccessful or if the predetermined usage conditions are not met, the authentication unit 245 notifies the user by displaying information on the display unit 215 indicating that the service is unavailable. Note that the authentication using the user ID, etc., as described above does not necessarily need to be performed every time the service is exchanged. In addition, the authentication unit 245 may perform biometric authentication using the user's fingerprint information, voiceprint information, iris information, or other biometric information instead of (or in addition to) the authentication described above. In this case, the matching biometric information is stored in the authentication list 282, and the authentication unit 245 performs authentication by comparing the biometric information with the matching biometric information.

[0045] The communication unit 250 communicates with the management server 300 and other devices via the network NW. For example, the communication unit 250 transmits information processed by the control unit 260, information input by the display unit 215, information read by the reading unit 240, and authentication results from the authentication unit 245 to the management server 300. The communication unit 250 also outputs information received from the management server 300 and other devices to the control unit 260.

[0046] The control unit 260 includes, for example, a replacement control unit 262, a charging control unit 264, a battery information upload unit 266, a usage information upload unit 268, a determination unit 270, and a storage unit 280. The replacement control unit 262, the charging control unit 264, the battery information upload unit 266, the usage information upload unit 268, and the determination unit 270 are implemented, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Furthermore, some or all of these functions may be implemented by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The above-mentioned program may be stored in advance in the storage device (storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium) of the battery replacement device 200, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD, CD-ROM, or memory card, and installed in the storage device of the battery replacement device 200 when the storage medium (non-transient storage medium) is inserted into a drive device or card slot, etc.

[0047] The storage unit 280 may be implemented by the various storage devices described above, or by EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 280 stores, for example, an authentication list 282, battery information 284, a suspected counterfeit product list 286, a program, and various other information. The authentication list 282 is information that is referenced during user authentication, distributed by the management server 300. The battery information 284 stores, for example, a battery ID assigned to one or more removable batteries 100 managed within the battery replacement device 200, and SOC information (an example of battery status) for each removable battery 100. The suspected counterfeit product list 286 registers information about removable batteries 100 that have been determined by the first determination unit 272 (described later) to be suspected of being counterfeit (counterfeit).

[0048] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the suspected counterfeit product list 286. The suspected counterfeit product list 286 is, for example, information where a battery ID is associated with a user ID. The suspected counterfeit product list 286 may also include information (determination date and time) regarding the date and time when the first determination process was performed by the first determination unit 272 on the removable battery 100 corresponding to the battery ID. Furthermore, the user ID may include a first user ID and a second user ID. The first user ID is the identification information of the user who lent the removable battery 100 in question immediately before it was determined that the removable battery 100 was suspected of being a counterfeit product. The second user ID is the identification information of the user who lent the removable battery 100 after it was determined that it was suspected of being a counterfeit product.

[0049] The exchange control unit 262 controls the return of used removable batteries 100 installed in the electric vehicle 10 and the lending of charged removable batteries 100 based on the authentication result from the authentication unit 245. For example, the exchange control unit 262 opens the slot 210 for accommodating the used removable battery 100 when it is returned, and opens the slot 210 in which the charged removable battery 100 is accommodating when it is lent out. The exchange control unit 262 may also control the removable batteries 100 to be lent out based on the determination result from the determination unit 270, etc., so that a predetermined slot among the slots 210-1 to 210-12 is open (in a state where a removable battery 100 can be accommodating) at a predetermined timing. The exchange control unit 262 may also lock the slot in which a removable battery 100 determined to be a non-genuine or defective product is accommodating, so that it cannot be lent out to the user.

[0050] The charging control unit 264 controls the charging unit 230 so that the charging unit 120 is charged to a predetermined charge state (e.g., State of Charge) based on the charging status of the charging unit 120 obtained from the removable battery 100 via a signal line. The charging control unit 264 repeatedly measures the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the removable battery while it is being charged (or connected) at predetermined intervals. The State of Charge of the charging unit 120 is transmitted to the charging control unit 264 sequentially, for example, and the charging control unit 264 associates the battery ID of the removable battery 100 with the State of Charge information and stores it in the storage unit 280 as battery information 284.

[0051] The battery information upload unit 266 counts the number of removable batteries 100 that have completed charging (charged to a predetermined SOC) at any given time (number of charged batteries), and transmits this count to the management server 300 along with its own station ID (identification information that identifies the battery exchange device 200) and battery ID.

[0052] The usage information upload unit 268 transmits the usage status of the battery exchange device 200 for each user and its own station ID as usage information to the management server 300 at any time. This "any time" refers, for example, to the time when authentication by the authentication unit 245 is permitted and a removable battery is exchanged (e.g., returned and borrowed). The usage status may include, for example, the user ID, card ID, the battery ID of the returned removable battery 100, the battery ID of the borrowed removable battery 100, and the date and time of exchange (usage date and time). The usage information upload unit 268 may also transmit the judgment results from the judgment unit 270 (for example, the suspected counterfeit product list 286 contains information about removable batteries 100 determined to be counterfeit and the users who used them) to the management server 300 at any time. The information uploaded by the battery information upload unit 266 or the usage information upload unit 268 may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 280.

[0053] The determination unit 270 determines the type of the removable battery 100 using at least two determination methods. Determining the type of the removable battery 100 means, for example, determining whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product (which may also be called an original product) or a counterfeit product (which may also be called a counterfeit product or imitation product). The determination unit 270 includes, for example, a first determination unit 272 and a second determination unit 274. The first determination unit 272 determines whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product or suspected to be a counterfeit product using a first determination method, which will be described later. The second determination unit 274 determines whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product or a counterfeit product using a second determination method, which is different from the first determination method, which will be described later.

[0054] Here, the battery replacement device 200 makes a determination on each of the removable batteries 100 housed in the aforementioned slot sections 210 using either the first determination method or the second determination method. In other words, each of the slot sections 210-1 to 210-12 is in a state where either the first determination method or the second determination method can be used for determination. Hereafter, the slot section in which the first determination method can be executed will be referred to as the "first slot section," and the slot section in which the second determination method can be executed will be referred to as the "second slot section." The first slot section is an example of the "first housing section," and the second slot section is an example of the "second housing section."

[0055] The second determination method has higher determination accuracy (performance) (can determine more accurately) than the first determination method. However, the second determination method is more costly (equipment costs, etc.) than the first determination method. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of second slots among the multiple slots included in the battery exchange device 200 (storage device) is less than the number of first slots. For example, of the slots 210-1 to 210-12, 11 slots from 210-2 to 210-12 are designated as the first slots, and 1 slot 210-1 is designated as the second slot. Alternatively, there may be 10 first slots and 2 second slots, or 9 first slots and 3 second slots. When multiple battery exchange devices 200 are arranged in parallel, the number of second slots may be less than the number of first slots, based on the total number of slots in the multiple battery exchange devices. This allows for more appropriate decision-making processes to be performed depending on the situation, while keeping the equipment cost (installation cost) of the battery replacement device 200 down.

[0056] [Management Server 300] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of a management server 300 in an embodiment. The management server 300 includes, for example, a server-side communication unit 310, an acquisition unit 320, a registration unit 330, a management unit 340, and a server-side storage unit 350. The acquisition unit 320, the registration unit 330, and the management unit 340 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Furthermore, some or all of these functions may be realized by hardware such as an LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The above-mentioned program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium) such as the HDD or flash memory of the management server 300, or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD, CD-ROM, or memory card, and installed in the storage device of the management server 300 when the storage medium (non-transient storage medium) is inserted into a drive device or card slot.

[0057] The server-side storage unit 350 may be implemented using the various storage devices described above, or by EEPROM, ROM, RAM, etc. For example, the server-side storage unit 350 stores a user management table 352, a status table 354, programs, and various other information.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an example of the contents of the user management table 352. The user management table 352 contains information such as user ID and card ID, password, expiration date, number of batteries that can be installed, usable battery type, status, information on batteries currently on loan, usage history, and detailed information. For example, the user ID (or card ID) and password are examples of information required for user authentication.

[0059] The expiration date is set, for example, when registering for use of the battery replacement system 1 or when paying the usage fee. The expiration date may be a fixed period (for example, one year from the time of registration or renewal), or it may be an expiration date set in conjunction with the expiration date (vehicle inspection date) stipulated in the vehicle inspection (automobile renewal inspection stipulated by the government, etc.) of the electric vehicle 10. The number of batteries that can be installed is the number of batteries that the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID can be equipped with. The usable battery type is information such as the type, size, and model number of the removable battery 100 that can be used by the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID.

[0060] The status information per user is related to the service usage status (e.g., battery on loan, authentication in progress, service suspended). The loaned battery information is the identification information of the removable battery 100 currently on loan to the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID. The loaned battery information may also include information on whether the loaned removable battery 100 has been determined to be suspected of being a counterfeit product based on the information in the suspected counterfeit product list 286. The usage history is related to the past usage history of the battery exchange system 1 associated with the user ID and card ID. The usage history includes, for example, the station ID of the battery exchange device 200 used, the date and time of use, etc. The usage history may also include, for example, information uploaded by the usage information upload unit 268. The detailed information includes, for example, personal information of the user obtained at the time of registration, such as the user's address, age, and gender. The detailed information may also include performance information and vehicle type information of the electric vehicle 10 associated with the card ID. The performance information of the electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, the driving range when equipped with one fully charged removable battery 100.

[0061] Figure 8 shows an example of the contents of the status table 354. The status table 354 stores, for example, information regarding the usage status of each removable battery 100. Specifically, the status table 354 is information in which a station ID or vehicle ID and a status flag are associated with the battery ID. The station ID is the identification information of the battery exchange device 200 when the removable battery 100 corresponding to the battery ID is housed in the battery exchange device 200. The vehicle ID is the identification information of the electric vehicle 10 when the removable battery 100 corresponding to the battery ID is housed in the electric vehicle 10. In addition to (or instead of) the vehicle ID, user ID information may also be included. The status flag is information for identifying the battery status based on the determination result by the determination unit 270. In the example shown in Figure 8, "0" is set when the removable battery 100 is normal (genuine), "1" is set when it is suspected of being a counterfeit, and "2" is set when it is determined to be a counterfeit. However, the content and type of the flags are not limited to these, and for example, a flag indicating that there is a problem with the removable battery may be set. The information shown in Figure 8 is generated based on information processed by, for example, the battery information upload unit 266, the usage information upload unit 268, the determination unit 270, etc., and information obtained from the electric vehicle 10.

[0062] The server-side communication unit 310 communicates with the battery exchange device 200, the electric vehicle 10, etc., via the network NW. The server-side communication unit 310 may also communicate with user-accessible terminal devices (for example, smartphones or tablet devices) via the network NW.

[0063] The acquisition unit 320 acquires information from the battery exchange device 200, the electric vehicle 10, etc., via the network NW. For example, the acquisition unit 320 acquires information processed by the battery information upload unit 266, the usage information upload unit 268, and the determination unit 270 of the battery exchange device 200. The acquired information may be output to other configurations or stored in the server-side storage unit 350.

[0064] The registration unit 330 registers information (user information) about users who use the services of this system. For example, the registration unit 330 sends inquiry information to terminal devices or electric vehicles 10 used by users to register various information in the user management table 352, and registers user information in the user management table 352 based on the user's response to the inquiry.

[0065] The management unit 340 manages user information and the usage status of the removable battery 100 (including authentication). For example, the management unit 340 manages the content of the verification authentication information required when authentication is performed in the battery replacement device 200, and manages the timing of the distribution of the verification authentication information. In addition, when an authentication inquiry is received from the battery replacement device 200, the management unit 340 may perform authentication using the authentication information obtained along with the inquiry and the user management table 352, and send the authentication result and verification authentication information based on the authentication result to the battery replacement device 200.

[0066] Furthermore, the management unit 340 receives requests for new user registrations and changes to registration details, and instructs the registration unit 330 to update the user management table 352 based on the received information. The management unit 340 also updates the status table 354 based on information obtained from the battery exchange device 200 and the electric vehicle 10. The management unit 340 may also manage, for example, the billing status and expiration date for each user ID or card ID. The management unit 340 may also manage whether the removable battery 100 is genuine or counterfeit based on information obtained from the battery exchange device 200, and may implement management to prohibit the lending of counterfeit batteries to the battery exchange device 200. The management unit 340 may also implement control to share information by providing information obtained from multiple battery exchange devices 200 and electric vehicles 10 to other battery exchange devices 200.

[0067] [Determination method by the determination unit 270] Next, the determination methods (first determination method, second determination method) performed by the determination unit 270 described above will be explained in detail.

[0068] [First judgment method] The first determination unit 272, as a first determination method, acquires the L component (inductance) of the impedance of the removable battery 100 as an electrical characteristic value, and determines whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product or suspected to be a counterfeit product based on this value. Normally, the L component of the battery impedance depends on the shape of the battery's components and does not depend much on the battery's temperature, SOC, or degradation state. Also, the L component changes depending on the shape of the electrodes and terminals of the battery. Therefore, by comparing the value of the L component (measured value) with a specified value (including a predetermined range), it is possible to determine whether there is a suspicion that the contents (energy storage part) have been illegally replaced and the product is a counterfeit product. Information regarding the specified value may be stored in advance in the storage unit 280, or it may be obtained from the management server 300. The same applies to other specified values ​​described later. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the impedance value may include impedance components other than the L component (inductance), such as components R1 and C1 representing the negative electrode reaction resistance, components R2 and C2 representing the positive electrode reaction resistance, and a component CPE representing the diffusion resistance.

[0069] As the first determination method, for example, the method shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-68657 filed by the present applicant can be used, but other known methods may also be used. Specifically, the first determination unit 272 applies a specific current to the removable battery 100 and measures the voltage response of the removable battery 100 to the applied current. Next, the first determination unit 272 determines the inductance value of the removable battery 100 based on the current value applied to the removable battery 100 and the voltage value measured as the voltage response, and compares the determined inductance value (measured value) of the target battery with a specified inductance value corresponding to the type of removable battery 100 (battery type, etc.). The first determination unit 272 determines that the product is genuine (or not suspected of being counterfeit) if the measured value is within the range of the specified value, and determines that there is suspicion of it being counterfeit if it exceeds the range of the specified value.

[0070] Furthermore, the first determination unit 272 may determine whether the detachable battery 100 is a battery of a predetermined type based on a comparison of the measured value and the specified value described above. For example, if the detachable battery 100 comprises a winding body of electrodes and separators, a plurality of cells having the winding body, and terminals for the cells, the inductance value changes depending on the shape of the electrodes or the shape of the terminals. Also, if the detachable battery 100 comprises a busbar connecting the terminals of the plurality of cells having the winding body, the inductance value changes depending on the shape of the busbar. Therefore, the first determination method may make a determination regarding the type of detachable battery 100 based on these changes. If the first determination unit 272 determines that the detachable battery 100 is a battery of a predetermined type, it determines that the detachable battery 100 is a genuine product, and if it determines that the detachable battery 100 is not a battery of a predetermined type, it determines that there is suspicion that the detachable battery 100 is a counterfeit product.

[0071] The first slot section described above is equipped with a configuration for acquiring the information necessary to perform the judgment using the first judgment method described above. This configuration is less expensive than the configuration for acquiring the information necessary to perform the judgment using the second judgment method. Furthermore, since the first judgment method uses a small amount of data for judgment, it is possible to perform judgment in a short time. However, the judgment accuracy is lower than that of the second judgment method. Therefore, the first judgment method is used as a simplified diagnosis.

[0072] [Second judgment method] The second determination unit 274 determines, as a second determination method, whether the removable battery 100 is genuine (or counterfeit) based on the magnetic field characteristics (current distribution) generated by applying a measuring current to the removable battery 100. Since the magnetic field characteristics show a distribution corresponding to the physical characteristics of the battery mechanism, it is possible to determine whether it is genuine (or counterfeit) by comparing this distribution with a specified value. If the locations (characteristic points) that show characteristic magnetic field characteristics are known in advance, it is sufficient to measure the magnetic field at least at such characteristic points, and it is not necessarily required to measure the magnetic field over the entire surface of the removable battery 100.

[0073] As a second determination method, for example, the method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7366102 filed by the present applicant can be used, but other known methods may also be used. Specifically, the second determination unit 274 applies a specific current (for example, a sine wave or a square wave) to a detachable battery 100 having a current collector and a winding or laminated body, and measures the magnetic field characteristics generated in the detachable battery 100 as a result of the applied current. Next, the second determination unit 274 compares a predetermined value of the magnetic field characteristics corresponding to a specific type of detachable battery 100 with the measured value of the magnetic field characteristics generated by the current flowing through the current collector of the detachable battery 100 as a result of the applied current, to determine whether the detachable battery 100 is genuine (or counterfeit).

[0074] Furthermore, the second determination unit 274 may, instead of (or in addition to) comparing the magnetic field characteristics with a specified value, compare them with magnetic field characteristics measured in the past (for example, the previous time). For example, the second determination unit 274 determines that the product is genuine (not counterfeit) if the measured value of the magnetic field characteristics is within the tolerance range based on the previous measured value or the specified value, and determines that it is not genuine (counterfeit) otherwise.

[0075] For example, the second determination unit 274 may measure the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the connection between the current collector and the winding or laminated body, and use the measured magnetic field to determine the type of battery. Alternatively, the second determination unit 274 may determine whether the removable battery 100 is genuine (or counterfeit) based on the amount of change in the removable battery 100 from the magnetic field characteristics measured previously.

[0076] The second slot section described above is equipped with a configuration for acquiring the information necessary to perform the judgment using the first judgment method described above. However, this configuration is more expensive than the configuration for acquiring the information necessary for performing the judgment using the first judgment method. Also, the second judgment method takes more time because it uses a larger amount of data than the first judgment method. However, the judgment accuracy is higher than that of the first judgment method. Therefore, the second judgment method is used for detailed diagnosis.

[0077] In addition to the above-mentioned determination, the determination unit 270 may also determine whether the removable battery 100 is defective (has an abnormality) based on the measurement results of the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the removable battery 100 measured by the charge control unit 264.

[0078] [Decision Processing Flow] Next, the determination process in the determination system based on the first and second determination methods described above will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 9 is a flowchart of an example of the determination process in the embodiment. In the example in Figure 9, the process after the removable battery 100 has been returned to the battery replacement device 200 is shown. It is also assumed that the battery ID of the removable battery 100 has been acquired when the removable battery 100 is housed (connected) in the slot 210.

[0079] In the example shown in Figure 9, the control unit 260 of the battery replacement device 200 performs user authentication (step S100). In step S100, the determination unit 270 compares the information entered by the user (e.g., user ID, password) with the user information included in the authentication list 282 to determine whether to permit use. If use is permitted through user authentication, the process from step S102 onwards is performed; otherwise, a notification prompting user registration is issued, or the process in this flowchart is terminated. The following explanation assumes that user use has been permitted through user authentication.

[0080] Next, the charging control unit 264 refers to the suspected counterfeit product list 286 and determines whether the authenticated user information (user ID) and the battery ID of the removable battery 100 are registered in the suspected counterfeit product list 286 (step S102). In this case, the user information (user ID) may be either the first user ID or the second user ID. If it is determined that the information is not registered in the suspected counterfeit product list 286, the charging control unit 264 determines whether the returned removable battery 100 is housed in the first slot (step S104). If it is determined that the battery is housed in the first slot, the first determination unit 272 executes a first determination process based on the first determination method (step S106). Details of the first determination process will be described later. Next, the determination unit 270 determines whether the removable battery 100 is suspected of being a counterfeit product based on the result of the first determination process (step S108). If it is determined that the product is suspected to be counterfeit, the first determination unit 272 associates the battery ID of the removable battery 100 with the user information (user ID) and registers it in the suspected counterfeit product list 286 (step S110).

[0081] Furthermore, in the process of step S102, if it is determined that the user information (user ID) and battery ID are registered in the suspected counterfeit product list 286, the charging control unit 264 determines whether or not the returned removable battery 100 is housed in the second slot (step S112). If it is determined that it is housed in the second slot, the second determination unit 274 executes a second determination process based on the second determination method (step S114). Details of the second determination process will be described later. Next, the determination unit 270 determines whether or not the removable battery 100 is a counterfeit product based on the result of the second determination process (step S116). If it is determined that it is not a counterfeit product, the second determination unit 274 clears the suspicion that it is a counterfeit product (step S118). In the process of step S118, the second determination unit 274 deletes the battery ID and associated user ID information of the target removable battery 100 from the suspected counterfeit product list 286.

[0082] If, after processing in step S110, after processing in step S118, or after processing in step S108, it is determined that there is no suspicion of counterfeit products, or if, in step S112, it is determined that the removable battery 100 is not housed in the second slot, the charge control unit 264 charges the removable battery 100 so that it reaches a predetermined power state (SOC) (step S120). Next, the determination unit 270 determines whether the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the removable battery 100 during charging are behaving normally (step S122). In the process of step S122, for example, if at least one of the current value, voltage value, and temperature exceeds the allowable range, it is determined that the behavior is not normal, and otherwise it is determined that the behavior is normal. If it is determined that the behavior is normal, the charging information is sent to the management server 300 (step S124). Furthermore, if, during the process of step S122, it is determined that the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the removable battery 100 during charging are not behaving normally, the charging control unit 264 determines that it is a defective product (step S126) and stops charging (step S128).

[0083] If, after processing in step S128, or during processing in step S116, the detachable battery 100 is determined to be counterfeit, the exchange control unit 262 locks the slot containing the detachable battery 100 to prohibit its lending (step S130), and sends information based on the determination result (for example, information indicating the battery ID of the detachable battery 100, that lending has been prohibited, and the reason for this prohibition) to the management server 300. This completes the processing in this flowchart. In the processing in Figure 9, it is possible that the detachable battery 100 registered in the suspected counterfeit product list may be lent to another user. In that case, the identification information of the newly lent user (user ID) and the identification information of the detachable battery (battery ID) are associated and registered in the suspected counterfeit product list 286.

[0084] [Step S106: First determination process] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the first determination process. In the example shown in Figure 10, the first determination unit 272 controls a current output unit (not shown) provided in the first slot and applies a determination current to the target detachable battery 100 (step S106A). For example, the first determination unit 272 applies a sinusoidal alternating current that changes with a period of about 5kHz to 1kHz, which contributes to the appearance of the L component of impedance, to the detachable battery 100 as the determination current.

[0085] Next, the first determination unit 272 measures the output voltage of the removable battery 100 when an identification current is applied using a voltage measurement unit (not shown) provided in the first slot (step S106B). Next, the first determination unit 272 obtains the electrical characteristic value of the removable battery 100 by calculation using the measured voltage response data of the removable battery 100. Specifically, the first determination unit 272 calculates the value of the L component of the impedance of the removable battery 100 as the electrical characteristic value (step S106C). In this case, the L component of the impedance can be obtained, for example, by the equations "jR(ω)=jωL" and "ω=2πf". In the above equations, f represents the frequency of the AC and ω represents its angular frequency. R(ω) represents the resistance value and is obtained by Ohm's law using the current value and voltage value. j represents the imaginary unit and L represents the L component of the impedance.

[0086] Next, the first determination unit 272 determines whether the detachable battery 100 is genuine or suspected to be counterfeit based on the calculated value of the L component of the impedance (L component measurement value). Specifically, the first determination unit 272 compares the L component measurement value with a predetermined L component value for each detachable battery 100 and determines whether the L component measurement value is within the range of the predetermined value (step S106D). If it determines that the L component measurement value is within the range of the predetermined value, the first determination unit 272 determines that the detachable battery 100 is genuine (no suspicion of being counterfeit) (step S106E). On the other hand, if it determines in step S106D that the L component measurement value is not within the range of the predetermined value, the first determination unit 272 determines that the detachable battery 100 is suspected to be counterfeit (step S106F). This completes the processing of this flowchart.

[0087] [Step S114: Second determination process] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the second determination process. In the example in Figure 11, the second determination unit 274 controls a current output unit (not shown) provided in the second slot to apply a determination current that generates a magnetic field to the detachable battery 100 (step S114A). Next, the second determination unit 274 measures the current value induced by the magnetic field using a measurement unit (not shown) provided in the second slot (step S114B). Specifically, it outputs a probe signal corresponding to the magnetic field characteristics near the current collector of the detachable battery 100. For example, the measurement unit can use a coil sensor, a reed sensor, a Hall element, an MR (Magneto Resistive) sensor, an MI (Magneto-Impedance) sensor, etc. For example, the second determination unit 274 acquires a probe signal indicating the current value induced by the magnetic field and acquires the magnetic field characteristics by calculating the magnetic field component based on the current value indicated by the probe signal (step S114C).

[0088] Next, the second determination unit 274 determines whether the detachable battery 100 is genuine (or counterfeit) based on the measurement results of the magnetic field characteristics. Specifically, the second determination unit 274 determines whether the measured magnetic field component is within the error range of the previous measurement or within a predetermined specified range (step S114D). If either of these conditions is met, the second determination unit 274 determines that the detachable battery 100 is genuine (not counterfeit) (step S114E). If neither of these conditions is met, the second determination unit 274 determines that the detachable battery 100 is not genuine (counterfeit) (step S114F). This completes the processing of this flowchart.

[0089] [Differentiation] In this embodiment, the exchange control unit 262 may control the lending of other removable batteries 100 so that the second slot becomes empty (ready to accommodate another removable battery 100) before the removable battery 100 suspected of being counterfeit is returned to the slot 210. In this case, if a removable battery 100 that has been determined to be suspected of being counterfeit by the first determination process is lent out, the exchange control unit 262 will prioritize lending out the removable battery 100 already accommodated in the second slot (a removable battery 100 that is not counterfeit). The exchange control unit 262 may also output a message to the display unit 215 or control the system so that another removable battery 100 cannot be accommodated in the empty second slot, or it may not be opened (acceptance of accommodation is not permitted). Furthermore, when a removable battery 100 that has been determined to be a counterfeit product is returned, the exchange control unit 262 may illuminate the light-emitting unit LT of the second slot or output a message to that effect on the display unit 215 to guide the user to place the battery in the second slot (or to replace a removable battery 100 that has already been placed in the second slot). This can prevent the removable battery 100 that has been determined to be a counterfeit product by the first determination method from being repeatedly lent out, and enable determination by the second determination method to be made earlier.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the exchange control unit 262 may cause the light-emitting units LT to emit light in different colors so that the first slot and the second slot can be visually identified by the user.

[0091] In addition, in this embodiment, the determination unit 270 may perform the second determination process on the removable battery 100 housed in the second slot, regardless of whether or not the first determination process has been performed.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least one of the functions of the management server 300 may be provided in the battery replacement device 200 or the electric vehicle 10, and at least one of the functions of the battery replacement device 200 may be provided in the management server 300 or the electric vehicle 10.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the determination process using the first determination method may be performed by a device other than the battery exchange device 200 (onboard the product). The other device may be, for example, the electric vehicle 10, or another charging device. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of when the electric vehicle 10 performs the first determination process. In the example of Figure 12, the vehicle control unit 14 performs the first determination process in the configuration of the electric vehicle 10 shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the electric vehicle 10 is provided with a configuration for performing determination using the first determination method.

[0094] In the example shown in Figure 11, when the vehicle control unit 14 detects that the detachable battery 100 has been connected to the battery connection unit 12 (step S200), it performs a first determination process based on the first determination method described above (step S202). The specified values ​​for the first determination process may be stored in advance in a memory (not shown) provided in the electric vehicle 10, or they may be obtained by the vehicle-side communication unit 24 communicating with the management server 300 or the battery replacement device 200.

[0095] Next, the vehicle control unit 14 determines from the result of the first determination process whether the removable battery 100 is suspected to be a counterfeit product (step S204). If it is determined that the battery is suspected to be a counterfeit product, the vehicle control unit 14 notifies the user by outputting information (image or sound) to the HMI 20 indicating that the installed removable battery 100 is suspected to be a counterfeit product (step S206). Next, the vehicle control unit 14 registers a list of suspected counterfeit products in the memory of the electric vehicle 10, associating the user ID with the battery ID (step S208). If it is determined that the battery is not suspected to be a counterfeit product after the processing in step S208 or in the processing in step S204, the vehicle control unit 14 sends the user ID and battery ID to the management server 300 (step S210). In the processing of step S210, if the list of suspected counterfeit products is registered, this information may be sent to the management server 300, or the result of the first determination process may be sent to the management server 300. The management server 300 manages the information obtained from the electric vehicle 10 and also provides it to the battery exchange device 200. This allows the battery exchange device 200 to perform a second judgment method based on the results of the judgment process of the electric vehicle 10, thereby enabling more appropriate judgment processing.

[0096] Similarly, in this embodiment, the determination process using the second determination method may be performed by a device other than the battery replacement device 200. By having other devices perform some of the functions of the battery replacement device 200 in this way, the processing load on the battery replacement device 200 can be reduced.

[0097] As described above, the determination system of the embodiment is a determination system for determining whether a removable battery 100 (an example of an energy storage device) is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, and comprises a battery replacement device 200 (an example of a housing device) having a plurality of slot sections 210 (an example of a housing section) for housing the removable battery 100, and the battery replacement device 200 comprises a first slot section (an example of a first housing section) that determines whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product or suspected to be a counterfeit product by a first determination method, and a second slot section (an example of a second housing section) that determines whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product or a counterfeit product by a second determination method different from the first determination method, thereby enabling more appropriate management of energy storage devices with a less expensive configuration using a housing device.

[0098] For example, in the embodiment, the battery replacement device 200 can determine whether the removable battery 100 is a genuine product (or whether the energy storage device is a counterfeit product) using the first and second determination methods. Therefore, even if the cost of the device performing one of these methods (the second determination method) is relatively higher than the cost of the other, it is possible to suppress an increase in the overall cost of the battery replacement device 200 while suppressing a decrease in the determination accuracy.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, multiple judgment methods can be efficiently utilized, thereby suppressing misjudgments and a decrease in judgment accuracy. In addition, according to the embodiment, the replacement of counterfeit products can be detected, thereby suppressing the circulation of low-quality counterfeit products in the market. Consequently, disadvantages to users, asset holders (businesses), etc. can be reduced.

[0100] The embodiments described above can be expressed as follows. A storage medium for storing computer-readable instructions, which is a storage device having multiple storage compartments for housing energy storage devices, A processor connected to the storage medium, The processor executes the computer-readable instructions to: The first determination method is used to determine whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product. With respect to the energy storage device that has been determined to be suspected of being a counterfeit product, a second determination method different from the first determination method is used to determine whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product. The determination by the first determination method is performed on the energy storage device housed in the first of the multiple housing units, The determination by the second determination method is performed on a power storage device housed in a second housing that is different from the first housing. Judgment system.

[0101] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10…Electric vehicle, 12, 220…Battery connection unit, 14…Vehicle control unit, 16…Driving force output device, 18…Vehicle sensor, 20…HMI, 22…GNSS receiver, 24…Vehicle-side communication unit, 100…Removable battery, 200…Battery replacement device, 210…Slot unit, 215…Display unit, 230…Charging unit, 240…Reading unit, 245…Authentication unit, 250…Communication unit, 260…Control unit, 262…Replacement control unit, 264…Charging control unit, 266…Battery information upload unit, 268…Usage information upload unit, 270…Determination unit, 272…First determination unit, 274…Second determination unit, 280…Storage unit, 300…Management server, 310…Server-side communication unit, 320…Acquisition unit, 330…Registration unit, 340…Management unit, 350…Server-side storage unit

Claims

1. A determination system for determining whether an energy storage device is a genuine or counterfeit product, The storage device comprises a plurality of storage compartments for housing the aforementioned energy storage device, The aforementioned housing device is A first housing unit that determines whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product by a first determination method, The device comprises a second housing unit which determines whether the energy storage device is genuine or counterfeit by a second determination method different from the first determination method, Judgment system.

2. Of the aforementioned plurality of storage compartments, the number of the second storage compartment is less than the number of the first storage compartment. The determination system according to claim 1.

3. The second determination method has higher determination accuracy than the first determination method. The determination system according to claim 1.

4. The housing device further comprises a control unit that controls the housing of the energy storage devices in the plurality of housing sections, The control unit permits the lending of the energy storage device even if it is determined by the first determination method that it is suspected to be a counterfeit product. The determination system according to claim 1.

5. The control unit controls the lending of other energy storage devices so that the energy storage device can be accommodated in the second storage unit when the energy storage device is returned after being determined to be suspected of being a counterfeit product based on the determination result of the first determination method. The determination system according to claim 4.

6. The control unit controls the system so that the energy storage device determined to be non-genuine or counterfeit by the second determination method is not lent out. The determination system according to claim 4.

7. The first determination method involves applying a specific current to the energy storage device, determining the inductance value of the energy storage device based on the applied current value and the voltage value measured as a voltage response to the current value, and determining whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or suspected to be a counterfeit product based on a predetermined specified inductance value and the inductance value. The determination system according to claim 1.

8. The second determination method involves applying a specific current to the energy storage device and determining whether the energy storage device is genuine or counterfeit based on the measured value of the magnetic field characteristics generated in the energy storage device as a result of the application of the current and a specified value of the magnetic field characteristics according to the type of energy storage device. The determination system according to claim 1.

9. A method for determining whether an energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product, The computer of the housing device, which has multiple housing sections for housing the aforementioned energy storage device, The first determination method is used to determine whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or is suspected to be a counterfeit product. With respect to the energy storage device that has been determined to be suspected of being a counterfeit product, a second determination method different from the first determination method is used to determine whether the energy storage device is a genuine product or a counterfeit product. The determination by the first determination method is performed on the energy storage device housed in the first of the plurality of housing units, The determination by the second determination method is performed on a power storage device housed in a second housing that is different from the first housing. Judgment method.

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