Information processing system, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve the technology for estimating the degree of degradation of vehicle-powered batteries. [Solution] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 23 that, when the vehicle 10 provides the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15, calculates the first lifespan of the battery 15 from the first elapsed years and first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 from the first actual number of charge cycles. If the vehicle 10 does not provide the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles, the control unit 23 estimates the second elapsed years of the battery 15 from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle 10, estimates the second degree of degradation and second actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15 by applying the second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information, calculates an estimated value for the second lifespan of the battery 15 from the second elapsed years and second degree of degradation, and calculates an estimated value for the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 from the second actual number of charge cycles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques related to estimating the degree of deterioration of a battery that drives a vehicle are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for presenting an appropriate usage method of a battery according to the usage status of the battery of an electric vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technique for estimating the degree of deterioration of a battery after 2 to 3 years. Therefore, there has been room for improvement in techniques related to estimating the degree of deterioration of a battery that drives a vehicle.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve techniques related to estimating the degree of deterioration of a battery that drives a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing system including a vehicle and an information processing apparatus that calculates the durability years of a battery that drives the vehicle, wherein the information processing apparatus requests the vehicle to provide driving data, and the vehicle provides the driving data to a second user who purchased the vehicle when a first user who sold the vehicle agrees to provide the driving data to the second user. The vehicle provides the information processing device with the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery, calculated based on data measured by the battery sensor. When the information processing device receives the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles from the vehicle, it calculates the first durability period of the battery by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the first elapsed years from the battery's warranty period by the first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery by subtracting the first actual number of charge cycles from the battery's warranty number of charge cycles. The vehicle then communicates to the second user that the first user has provided the information processing device to the second user. If the vehicle does not agree to provide the aforementioned driving data, it notifies the information processing device that it will not provide the aforementioned driving data, and if the vehicle does not provide the aforementioned first elapsed years, the aforementioned first degree of deterioration, and the aforementioned first actual number of charge cycles, the information processing device estimates the second elapsed years of the battery from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle, estimates the second degree of deterioration and the aforementioned second actual number of charge cycles of the battery by applying the aforementioned second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information, calculates an estimated value for the second lifespan of the battery from the aforementioned second elapsed years and the aforementioned second degree of deterioration, and calculates an estimated value for the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the aforementioned second actual number of charge cycles.

[0007] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device for calculating the lifespan of a battery that drives a vehicle, and comprises a control unit that, when the vehicle provides the vehicle with a first elapsed age, a first degree of degradation, and a first actual number of charge cycles of the battery, calculates the first lifespan of the battery from the first elapsed age and the first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the first actual number of charge cycles, and when the vehicle does not provide the vehicle with the first elapsed age, a first degree of degradation, and a first actual number of charge cycles, estimates the second elapsed age of the battery from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle, estimates the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery by applying the second elapsed age to predetermined statistical information, calculates an estimated value of the second lifespan of the battery from the second elapsed age and the second degree of degradation, and calculates an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the second actual number of charge cycles.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes an information processing device for calculating the lifespan of a battery that drives a vehicle to perform the following actions when the vehicle provides the vehicle with a first elapsed age, a first degree of degradation, and a first actual number of charge cycles of the battery: calculate the first lifespan of the battery from the first elapsed age and the first degree of degradation, and calculate the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the first actual number of charge cycles. If the vehicle does not provide the vehicle with a first elapsed age, a first degree of degradation, and a first actual number of charge cycles, the program causes the vehicle to estimate a second elapsed age of the battery from the total mileage and the date of manufacture of the vehicle: estimate the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery by applying the second elapsed age to predetermined statistical information; calculate an estimated value of the second lifespan of the battery from the second elapsed age and the second degree of degradation; and calculate an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the second actual number of charge cycles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technique for estimating the degree of degradation of a vehicle-powered battery is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of how an information processing system works. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of specified statistical information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. The information processing system 1 comprises a vehicle 10 and an information processing device 20 that calculates the lifespan of a battery 15 that drives the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 are communicably connected to a network 2, which includes, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0012] Vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (electric vehicle) equipped with a drive battery (hereinafter simply referred to as "battery"). An electric vehicle is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0013] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer such as a server. The information processing device 20 can communicate with the vehicle 10 via the network 2.

[0014] (Vehicle configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a measurement unit 13, a control unit 14, and a battery 15.

[0015] The communication unit 11 is equipped with a communication interface for wireless connection to the network 2. The communication interface for connecting to the network 2 corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the network 2.

[0016] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. The storage unit 12 stores any information used for the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs and application programs.

[0017] The measurement unit 13 includes a sensor 13A. The sensor 13A is a battery sensor that constantly measures data such as temperature changes, voltage fluctuations, and charge-discharge cycles of the battery 15 that drives the vehicle 10 described later. However, the sensor 13A is not limited to these.

[0018] The control unit 14 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the entire vehicle 10.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the control unit 14 functions as a battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 14A. The battery ECU 14A cooperates with the sensor 13A to control the charge-discharge cycle of the battery 15 and calculate and manage indicators such as the charge rate, years of service, degree of deterioration, and actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15.

[0020] The battery 15 is a drive battery that serves as a power source for the vehicle 10 to run. The battery 15 is, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion battery, or a all-solid-state battery, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0021] (Configuration of the information processing device) As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0022] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interfaces connected to the network 2 correspond to, for example, mobile communication standards or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with the vehicle 10 via the network 2.

[0023] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. The storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, and predetermined statistical information, etc.

[0024] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 20.

[0025] (Operation flow of the information processing device) Referring to Figure 2, the operation of the information processing system 1 and information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] S101: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 requests the vehicle 10 to provide driving data.

[0027] The driving data includes the driving records of the vehicle 10, and data measuring the condition of the battery 15 that drives the vehicle 10, including its age, degree of degradation, and actual number of charge cycles. The total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle 10 are publicly available data and are not included in the driving data. The age refers to the number of years elapsed since the manufacturing date of the vehicle 10. The degree of degradation refers to the ratio of usable energy Wp to the battery capacity W of the battery 15 (Wp / W). The usable energy Wp is the amount of energy (kWh) that can actually be drawn from the battery 15. The actual number of charge cycles is the number of times the "new" battery 15 has been charged.

[0028] S102: The control unit 14 of the vehicle 10 checks whether the first user who sold the vehicle 10 has agreed to provide the driving data to the second user who purchased the vehicle 10. If the first user agrees to provide the driving data, the process proceeds to S103; otherwise, the process proceeds to S105.

[0029] Since the driving data includes personal information such as the driving records of vehicle 10 by the first user and the driving style of vehicle 10, the first user's consent is required to transfer it to the second user.

[0030] S103: The control unit 14 (battery ECU 14A) calculates the first elapsed years, the first degree of degradation, and the first actual number of charge cycles for the battery 15.

[0031] Sensor 13A is a battery sensor that continuously measures data such as temperature changes, voltage fluctuations, and charge / discharge cycles of the battery 15. Based on the data measured by sensor 13A, the battery ECU 14A calculates the first elapsed years, first degradation level, and first actual charge cycles of the battery 15. The "first" attached to the first elapsed years, first degradation level, and first actual charge cycles, as well as the first lifespan and first remaining charge cycles described later, means that the data was calculated by the battery ECU 14A.

[0032] S104: The control unit 14 provides the information processing device 20 with the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15.

[0033] S105: The control unit 14 notifies the information processing device 20 that it will not provide driving data.

[0034] S106: The control unit 23 checks whether the vehicle 10 has provided the first elapsed years, the first degree of deterioration, and the first actual number of charging cycles. If the vehicle 10 has provided the data, the unit proceeds to S107; otherwise, the unit proceeds to S109.

[0035] S107: The control unit 23 calculates the first lifespan of the battery 15 from the first elapsed years and the first degree of degradation.

[0036] The control unit 23 calculates the first lifespan of the battery by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the first elapsed years (elapsed years) from the warranty period of the battery 15 by the first degree of degradation (degree of degradation), as shown in equation (1) below. The warranty period is the warranty period for the battery 15 provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle 10. For example, if the warranty period is 8 years, the first elapsed years (elapsed years) is 4 years, and the first degree of degradation (degree of degradation) is 0.75 (75%), the first lifespan (lifespan) is calculated to be 3 years. Durability = (Warranty period - Elapsed years) × Degree of deterioration (1)

[0037] S108: The control unit 23 calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles for the battery 15 from the first actual number of charge cycles.

[0038] The control unit 23 calculates the remaining number of charge cycles for the battery 15 by subtracting the first actual number of charge cycles (actual number of charge cycles) from the guaranteed number of charge cycles for the battery 15, as shown in equation (2) below. Remaining number of charges = Guaranteed number of charges - Actual number of charges (2)

[0039] S109: The control unit 23 estimates the second elapsed years of the battery 15 from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle 10.

[0040] In the following, the "2nd" in "2nd elapsed years," "2nd degree of degradation," "2nd actual number of charge cycles," "2nd lifespan," and "2nd remaining number of charge cycles" means that these are estimated data (estimated values) estimated by the control unit 23, not data calculated by the battery ECU 14A. For example, if the manufacturing date of the vehicle 10 is January 15, 2021, and the current date is January 22, 2025, the control unit 23 estimates the 2nd elapsed years to be 4 years.

[0041] S110: The control unit 23 searches for statistical information applicable to the vehicle type 10 from among predetermined statistical information stored in the memory unit 22.

[0042] The predetermined statistical information in this embodiment is statistical data obtained by aggregating the battery degradation level and the actual number of charging cycles from multiple vehicles classified for each vehicle type, against the number of years elapsed since the vehicle's manufacturing date. However, the statistical information included in the predetermined statistical information is not limited to the battery degradation level and the actual number of charging cycles. Figure 3 shows an example of the predetermined statistical information. Figure 3 shows statistical data of the average value of the battery degradation level Y against the number of years elapsed X since the manufacturing date for multiple vehicles of the same type as vehicle 10. However, the statistical data of the battery degradation level Y against the number of years elapsed X is not limited to the average value, but may be the average value ± 2σ (σ is the standard deviation). Although not shown in Figure 3, the predetermined statistical information also includes statistical data of the average value of the actual number of charging cycles Z against the number of years elapsed X.

[0043] S111: The control unit 23 estimates the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15 by applying the second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information.

[0044] If the second elapsed time since the manufacturing date of the vehicle 10 is 4 years, the control unit 23 estimates that the second degradation level (degradation level Y) of the battery 15 is 0.75 (75%) by applying 4 years to the elapsed time X in the statistical information shown in Figure 3. The control unit 23 also estimates the second actual number of charge cycles (actual number of charge cycles Z) of the battery 15 by applying 4 years to the elapsed time X in statistical information different from that shown in Figure 3.

[0045] S112: The control unit 23 calculates an estimated value for the second lifespan of the battery 15 from the second elapsed time and the second degree of degradation.

[0046] The control unit 23 uses the above-described formula (1) to calculate an estimated second lifespan of the battery 15 by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the second elapsed years from the warranty period of the battery 15 by the second degree of degradation. For example, if the warranty period is 8 years, the second elapsed years (elapsed years) is 4 years, and the second degree of degradation (degree of degradation) is 0.75 (75%), the first lifespan (lifespan) is calculated to be 3 years.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lifespan of the battery 15 is defined as the point at which the degradation level falls below the threshold α (70%). As shown in Figure 3, when the elapsed years X of the vehicle 10 are 4 years, the degradation level Y of the battery 15 is estimated to be 0.75 (75%). Furthermore, after 7 years have passed since the elapsed years X, the degradation level Y falls below the threshold α (70%). For this reason, the control unit 23 may estimate the second lifespan to be 3 years based on the statistical information in Figure 3.

[0048] S113: The control unit 23 calculates an estimated value for the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 from the second actual number of charge cycles.

[0049] The control unit 23 uses equation (2) described above to calculate an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles for the battery 15 by subtracting the second actual number of charge cycles from the guaranteed number of charge cycles for the battery 15.

[0050] S114: The control unit 23 determines when the battery needs to be replaced based on the first lifespan and first remaining charge cycles of the battery 15, or the second lifespan and second remaining charge cycles of the battery 15, and presents the vehicle 10 with the timing when the battery needs to be replaced.

[0051] If the battery has a lifespan of 3 years, the control unit 23 will inform the second user of the vehicle 10 that battery replacement within 3 years is a guideline. The control unit 23 may also suggest future usage to the second user of the vehicle 10 based on the degree of degradation and the number of remaining charge cycles. For example, (i) if the degree of degradation is 75% and the number of remaining charge cycles is 1,000, the control unit 23 may determine that the battery 15 is degraded but has plenty of charge cycles left and suggest extending the life of the battery 15 by frequent rapid charging that does not exceed 80%. Also, (ii) if the degree of degradation is 85% and the number of remaining charge cycles is 300, the control unit 23 may determine that the battery 15 is not degraded but has not plenty of charge cycles left and suggest extending the life of the battery 15 by performing long-duration normal charging at night. Also, (iii) if the degree of degradation is below the threshold α (70%), the control unit 23 may determine that the battery 15 has reached the end of its lifespan and suggest that battery replacement is immediately necessary.

[0052] As described above, if the vehicle 10 provides the vehicle 10 with the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15, the information processing device 20 calculates the first lifespan of the battery 15 from the first elapsed years and first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 from the first actual number of charge cycles. If the vehicle 10 does not provide the vehicle 10 with the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles, the information processing device 20 estimates the second elapsed years of the battery 15 from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle 10, and estimates the second degree of degradation and second actual number of charge cycles of the battery 15 by applying the second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information. The information processing device 20 calculates an estimated value for the second lifespan of the battery 15 from the second elapsed years and second degree of degradation, and calculates an estimated value for the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 from the second actual number of charge cycles.

[0053] With this configuration, if the vehicle 10 does not provide the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles for the battery 15, the second lifespan and second remaining number of charge cycles for the battery 15 are estimated based on the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle 10 and predetermined statistical information. Therefore, even if the first user who sold the vehicle 10 does not agree to the transfer of driving data, the second user who purchased the vehicle 10 can obtain estimated values ​​for the lifespan and remaining number of charge cycles of the battery 15 and determine when the battery needs to be replaced. Thus, the technology for estimating the degree of degradation of the battery that drives the vehicle is improved.

[0054] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0055] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to distribute the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. For example, a server device connected to the network 2 in a communicative manner may manage predetermined statistical information and provide said statistical information to the information processing device 20 via the network 2.

[0056] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores said program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Information Processing System 2 Network 10 vehicles 11,21 Communications Department 12,22 Storage section 13 Measurement Unit 13A Sensor (Battery Sensor) 14,23 Control Unit 14A Battery ECU 15 batteries 20 Information Processing Devices

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a vehicle and an information processing device for calculating the lifespan of a battery that drives the vehicle, The aforementioned information processing device is We requested the aforementioned vehicle to provide driving data, The aforementioned vehicle is If the first user who sold the vehicle agrees to provide the driving data to the second user who purchased the vehicle, The information processing device is provided with the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery, calculated based on data measured by the battery sensor. The aforementioned information processing device is If the vehicle is provided with the first elapsed years, the first degree of deterioration, and the first number of actual charging cycles, The first lifespan of the battery is calculated by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the first elapsed years from the warranty period of the battery by the first degree of degradation. The first remaining number of charge cycles for the battery is calculated by subtracting the first actual number of charge cycles from the guaranteed number of charge cycles for the battery. The aforementioned vehicle is If the first user does not consent to providing the driving data to the second user, the first user notifies the information processing device that the driving data will not be provided. The aforementioned information processing device is If the vehicle does not provide the first elapsed years, the first degree of deterioration, and the first number of actual charging cycles, The second elapsed period of the battery is estimated from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle. By applying the aforementioned second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information, the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery are estimated. From the second elapsed years and the second degree of degradation, an estimated value for the second lifespan of the battery is calculated. An information processing system that calculates an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles for the battery from the second actual number of charge cycles.

2. An information processing device for calculating the lifespan of a battery that drives a vehicle, When the vehicle provides the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery, the control unit calculates the first lifespan of the battery from the first elapsed years and the first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the first actual number of charge cycles. The control unit, if the vehicle does not provide the first elapsed years, the first degree of degradation, and the first actual number of charge cycles, estimates the second elapsed years of the battery from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle, estimates the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery by applying the second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information, calculates an estimated value of the second lifespan of the battery from the second elapsed years and the second degree of degradation, and calculates an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery from the second actual number of charge cycles, is an information processing device.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit calculates the first durability period of the battery by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the first elapsed years from the warranty period of the battery by the first degree of degradation, and calculates the first remaining number of charge cycles of the battery by subtracting the first actual number of charge cycles from the warranty number of charge cycles of the battery.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit calculates an estimated value of the second lifespan of the battery by multiplying the number of years obtained by subtracting the second elapsed years from the guaranteed lifespan of the battery by the second degree of degradation, and calculates an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery by subtracting the second actual number of charge cycles from the guaranteed number of charge cycles of the battery.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned predetermined statistical information is an information processing device that statistically analyzes the degree of battery degradation and the number of actual charging cycles, which are aggregated from multiple vehicles classified by vehicle type, against the number of years elapsed since the vehicle's manufacturing date.

6. An information processing device that calculates the lifespan of a vehicle's battery, If the vehicle provides the first elapsed years, first degree of degradation, and first actual number of charge cycles of the battery, The first lifespan of the battery is calculated from the first elapsed years and the first degree of degradation. The first number of remaining charge cycles for the battery is calculated from the first actual number of charge cycles, and the following is performed: If the vehicle does not provide the first elapsed years, the first degree of deterioration, and the first actual number of charging cycles, The second elapsed period of the battery is estimated from the total mileage and manufacturing date of the vehicle, By applying the aforementioned second elapsed years to predetermined statistical information, the second degree of degradation and the second actual number of charge cycles of the battery are estimated, From the second elapsed years and the second degree of degradation, an estimated value of the second lifespan of the battery is calculated, From the second actual number of charge cycles, an estimated value of the second remaining number of charge cycles of the battery is calculated, A program that executes something.

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