Battery remaining capacity display method and display device

Abstract

To improve an operation rate of a rental electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A battery remaining quantity display method for displaying a battery remaining quantity of a rental electric vehicle, includes: setting an allocated battery capacity which is allocated to a user of an electric vehicle; and displaying, on a display of the electric vehicle, remaining quantity information based on the allocated battery capacity. The display of the remaining quantity information includes: displaying that a battery remaining quantity at a start of lending to the user is 100%; displaying that a battery remaining quantity that is decreased from an actual battery remaining quantity at the start of lending by the allocated battery capacity is 0%; and displaying the battery remaining quantity so as to be decreased within a range from 100% to 0% in accordance with reduction of the actual battery remaining quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and a display device for displaying the remaining battery charge of an electric vehicle rented to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle reservation system used for car sharing using electric vehicles. This vehicle reservation system calculates the amount of electricity required to use an electric vehicle, taking into account the elevation difference of the driving route and the user's driving method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-219749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Charging an electric vehicle (BEV) takes time. For this reason, if one BEV is rented to multiple users in a day, it may not be possible to rent the same BEV in a fully charged state to the second or subsequent users. As a result, BEVs with a high remaining battery charge are given priority for rental, and users tend to avoid BEVs that are not fully charged. This leads to a decrease in the utilization rate of each BEV.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method and display device for displaying remaining battery capacity that can improve the operating rate of rental electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method for displaying a remaining battery capacity according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying a remaining battery capacity of an electric vehicle for rental, and includes setting an allocated battery capacity to be allocated to a user of the electric vehicle, and displaying remaining capacity information based on the allocated battery capacity on a display of the electric vehicle. The display of remaining capacity information includes displaying the remaining battery capacity at the start of rental to the user as 100%, displaying the remaining battery capacity when the actual remaining battery capacity at the start of rental has decreased by the allocated battery capacity as 0%, and displaying the remaining battery capacity so that it decreases between 100% and 0% according to the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity.

[0007] A method for displaying remaining battery capacity according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying remaining battery capacity of an electric vehicle for rental, and includes setting an allocated battery capacity to be allocated to a user of the electric vehicle, and displaying remaining capacity information based on the allocated battery capacity on a display of the electric vehicle. The display of remaining capacity information includes displaying the allocated battery capacity or the distance that can be traveled with the allocated battery capacity as the remaining battery capacity at the start of rental to the user, displaying the remaining battery capacity as 0 when the actual remaining battery capacity at the start of rental has decreased by the allocated battery capacity, and displaying the remaining battery capacity so that it decreases between the allocated battery capacity or the distance and 0 in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity.

[0008] A method for displaying a remaining battery capacity according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying a remaining battery capacity of an electric vehicle for rental, and includes setting an allocated battery capacity to be allocated to a user of the electric vehicle, and displaying remaining capacity information based on the allocated battery capacity on a display of the electric vehicle using a battery mark resembling a battery. The display of remaining capacity information includes graphically displaying the remaining battery capacity on the battery mark indicating the total battery capacity, while correlating the actual remaining battery capacity at the start of rental to the user with the upper limit of the allocated battery capacity, and decreasing the remaining battery capacity within the allocated battery capacity as the actual remaining battery capacity decreases.

[0009] A battery remaining capacity display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a device for displaying the remaining battery capacity of a rental electric vehicle, and includes a display and a processor that causes the display to display remaining capacity information based on an allocated battery capacity allocated to a user of the electric vehicle. The display of remaining capacity information on this display device is the same as the display of remaining capacity information in the battery remaining capacity display method according to the first aspect described above.

[0010] A battery remaining capacity display device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a device for displaying the remaining battery capacity of a rental electric vehicle, and includes a display and a processor that causes the display to display remaining capacity information based on an allocated battery capacity allocated to a user of the electric vehicle. The display of remaining capacity information on this display device is the same as the display of remaining capacity information in the battery remaining capacity display method according to the second aspect described above.

[0011] A battery remaining capacity display device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a device for displaying the remaining battery capacity of a rental electric vehicle, and includes a display and a processor that causes the display to display remaining capacity information based on an allocated battery capacity allocated to a user of the electric vehicle using a battery mark resembling a battery. The display of remaining capacity information on this display device is the same as the display of remaining capacity information in the battery remaining capacity display method according to the third aspect described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the remaining battery capacity is not displayed on the display device using the actual remaining battery capacity itself. Instead, the display device displays remaining capacity information based on the allocated battery capacity assigned to the user in a manner specified in each of the above-mentioned aspects. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operating rate of rental electric vehicles due to the inability to rent them out in a fully charged state. In other words, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the electric vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display system to which a "method for displaying remaining battery capacity" according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram for explaining a problem caused by using an actual remaining battery amount qa to provide information on the remaining battery amount q to a user. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a remaining battery capacity q according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow relating to the display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fifth modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that elements common to the drawings will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0015] 1. System Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display system 1 to which a "method for displaying remaining battery capacity" according to an embodiment is applied. The display system 1 includes a server 10 and a battery electric vehicle (BEV) 20 capable of communicating with the server 10. Although only one BEV 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as an example, basically, a plurality of BEVs 20 are connected to the server 10 so as to be able to communicate with the server 10. The BEV 20 is a vehicle for rental to a user. The BEV 20 may also be an autonomous vehicle.

[0016] The server 10 is a computer that executes various processes related to the display of information on the remaining battery capacity q ("remaining capacity information Iq" described below). Specifically, the server 10 includes a communication device 12, a processor 14, and a storage device 16. The server 10 (communication device 12) is connected to the BEV 20 (communication device 28) via a communication network 2, such as wirelessly. The processor 14 executes the various processes described above. The storage device 16 stores various information. The processor 14 executes various computer programs, thereby realizing various processes by the server 10. The various computer programs are stored in the storage device 16 or recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Note that there may be multiple processors 14 and multiple storage devices 16.

[0017] As an example, the display system 1 also serves as a system for managing a rental service for the BEV 20. More specifically, the rental service may be, for example, a car sharing service or a car rental service. The server 10 also performs various processes related to the rental service, such as reserving a BEV 20. For this purpose, the server 10 is communicatively connected to a user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 is operated by a user who wishes to rent a BEV 20. The user terminal 40 is, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer, and includes a processor, a storage device, and a communication device. While FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates only one user terminal 40, essentially, the user terminals 40 of multiple users are communicatively connected to the server 10. Note that a user can participate in the rental service by, for example, installing a dedicated application on the user terminal 40 and registering for the rental service.

[0018] The BEV 20 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 22, a communication device 28, a battery 30, a battery remaining capacity sensor 32, and an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 34.

[0019] The ECU 22 is a computer mounted on the BEV 20. The ECU 22, together with the server 10, executes various processes related to the display of information on the remaining battery capacity q (remaining capacity information Iq). Specifically, the ECU 22 includes a processor 24 and a storage device 26. The processor 24 executes various processes. The storage device 26 stores various information. The processor 24 executes various computer programs, thereby realizing various processes by the ECU 22. The various computer programs are stored in the storage device 16 or in a computer-readable recording medium. The ECU 22 may be composed of multiple ECUs.

[0020] The communication device 28 includes a processor and communicates with the server 10 via the communication network 2. The battery 30 is charged with power supplied from an external power source. The power stored in the battery 30 is supplied to an electric motor that drives the BEV 20. The battery remaining capacity sensor 32 detects the remaining battery capacity q (kWh) of the battery 30. The battery remaining capacity sensor 32 detects the remaining battery capacity q based on, for example, at least one of the voltage of the battery 30 and the current flowing in and out of the battery 30. In the following description, the remaining battery capacity q detected by the battery remaining capacity sensor 32 is referred to as the "actual remaining battery capacity qa."

[0021] The HMI device 34 includes a display 36. The display 36 is, for example, a display (e.g., a meter panel or a touch panel) mounted on the instrument panel of the BEV 20. Alternatively, the display 36 may be, for example, a head-up display (HUD) that displays information on the windshield of the BEV 20. The display of the display 36 includes displaying information about the remaining battery level q of the battery 30. The display 36 can display the information about the remaining battery level q to the user of the BEV 20. The HMI device 34 may also include, for example, a speaker or a buzzer.

[0022] In the BEV 20 having the above-described configuration, the configuration including the ECU 22 (processor 24) and the display 36 corresponds to an example of a "display device" according to the present disclosure.

[0023] 2. Battery level display Charging an electric vehicle (BEV) takes time. The following method is one example of a method for renting a single BEV to multiple users. That is, the rental company fully charges the BEV and then rents the BEV to multiple users within the range of the BEV's total battery capacity qt. In this example, the rental company rents the BEV to multiple users every cycle (e.g., one day) during which the rental company performs maintenance to fully charge the BEV. As a result, the BEV cannot be rented in a fully charged state to any user beyond the first user.

[0024] Specifically, Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the problem arising from the use of actual remaining battery capacity qa to provide information on remaining battery capacity q to users. The example of the BEV rental method used in this explanation is the one described above, in which one BEV is rented to multiple users (e.g., four users) U1 to U4. The battery of this BEV is fully charged when it is rented to the first user U1.

[0025] The total battery capacity (remaining chargeable / dischargeable capacity) qt of the battery shown in Figure 2 is equal to the actual remaining battery capacity qa when the battery is fully charged, for example, 50 kWh. Furthermore, when the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending to user U1 is displayed as SOC (State Of Charge), it becomes 100%. SOC is one method of displaying the remaining battery capacity, and corresponds to the battery's charging rate, i.e., the current remaining battery capacity as a percentage of the remaining battery capacity when the battery is fully charged.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 2, due to the use of the battery by user U1, the actual remaining battery capacity qa at the start of lending to the second user U2 has decreased to 37.5 kWh (SOC 75%). Similarly, at the start of lending to the third user U3, the actual remaining battery capacity qa has decreased to 25 kWh (SOC 50%). At the start of lending to the fourth user U4, the actual remaining battery capacity qa has decreased to 12.5 kWh (SOC 25%).

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, if a fully charged BEV is lent to multiple users in a single day, it may take a long time to charge the BEV, and the second or subsequent users may not be able to rent it out fully charged. As a result, BEVs with a high remaining battery charge are given priority for rental, and users tend to avoid BEVs that are not fully charged. This leads to a decrease in the utilization rate per BEV.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for displaying the remaining battery power q according to an embodiment. As with Fig. 2, Fig. 3 shows an example in which one BEV 20 is lent to four users U1 to U4 in one day.

[0029] In view of the above-mentioned problems, in this embodiment, an "allocated battery capacity qr" is set to display the remaining battery capacity q on the display 36 of the BEV 20. The allocated battery capacity qr is the remaining battery capacity q allocated to each of the users U1 to U4. Each of the users U1 to U4 borrows the BEV 20 assuming that the allocated battery capacity qr is the remaining battery capacity q that can be used while borrowing the BEV 20.

[0030] Specifically, the allocated battery capacity qr is, for example, a fixed value allocated equally to four users U1 to U4. For example, if the total battery capacity qt is 50 kWh, the allocated battery capacity qr is 12.5 kWh. In addition, the number of users to be rented when setting the allocated battery capacity qr is determined, for example, taking into consideration the average driving distance per user and the power consumption of the BEV 20. An example of the allocated battery capacity qr, which is 12.5 kWh, is a distance that can be traveled, for example, 80 km. The method for setting the allocated battery capacity qr is not particularly limited, and may be determined, for example, according to the desired driving distance presented by each user when reserving the BEV 20. In other words, the allocated battery capacity qr may differ depending on the user. Furthermore, to specify the allocated battery capacity qr, for example, a predetermined driving distance (e.g., 80 km) may be used as one unit, and one or more units may be selected as the desired driving distance by the user when reserving the BEV 20.

[0031] More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the actual remaining battery capacity qa, the allocated battery capacity qr of user U1 who borrows in a fully charged state is specified to be in the range of 50 kWh to 37.5 kWh. Similarly, the allocated battery capacity qr of user U2 is specified to be in the range of 37.5 kWh to 25 kWh. The allocated battery capacity qr of user U3 is specified to be in the range of 25 kWh to 12.5 kWh. And the allocated battery capacity qr of user U4 is specified to be in the range of 12.5 kWh to 0 kWh.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, "remaining amount information Iq," which is information on the remaining battery amount q based on the allocated battery capacity qr, is displayed on the display 36 of the BEV 20. Here, FIG. 4 is referenced in addition to FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a specific display of the remaining amount information Iq according to this embodiment. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the remaining amount information Iq is the remaining battery amount q displayed as a percentage in terms of SOC. That is, in this example, the remaining amount information Iq is displayed as a numerical value on the display 36. In the following description, the remaining battery amount q displayed on the display 36 will be referred to as "displayed remaining amount qd" to distinguish it from the actual remaining battery amount qa. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the displayed SOCd (displayed remaining amount qd), which is the SOC displayed on the display 36, and the actual remaining battery amount qa (actual SOC).

[0033] Specifically, the display of the remaining capacity information Iq includes displaying the remaining battery capacity (displayed remaining capacity qd0) at the start of lending to the user as 100% SOC. The display of the remaining capacity information Iq also includes displaying the actual remaining battery capacity qa1 (displayed remaining capacity qd1) as 0% when the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending has decreased by the allocated battery capacity qr. As shown in FIG. 4, the display of the remaining capacity information Iq also includes displaying the displayed SOCd (displayed remaining capacity qd) to decrease between 100% (displayed remaining capacity qd0) and 0% (displayed remaining capacity qd1) in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity qa. The displayed SOCd is displayed to change, for example, in 1% increments.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the remaining battery capacity information Iq is not displayed to the user using the actual remaining battery capacity qa itself. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 3, when lending to each user U1 to U4 begins, the displayed SOCd is displayed as 100%, not as a value corresponding to the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at that time. Then, after lending begins, when each user U1 to U4 has consumed the actual remaining battery capacity qa by the allocated battery capacity qr, the displayed SOCd is displayed as 0%, not as a value corresponding to the actual remaining battery capacity qa1 at that time.

[0035] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to display of remaining battery information Iq according to an embodiment. The processing of this flowchart (in other words, processing that realizes the "method for displaying remaining battery capacity" according to the present disclosure) is executed, as an example, by cooperation between the server 10 and the ECU 22 of the BEV 20. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed for each user who rents the BEV 20.

[0036] In step S100, the server 10 (processor 14) determines whether or not it is time to start lending the BEV 20 to a certain user. For example, the server 10 determines whether or not it is time to start lending the BEV 20 based on the results of communication between the server 10 and the user terminal 40 of the user when lending of the BEV 20 starts.

[0037] If the rental start timing has arrived in step S100, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the server 10 sets the allocated battery capacity qr using the method already described.

[0038] Next, in step S104, the server 10 transmits to the BEV 20 the allocated battery capacity qr set in step S102.

[0039] On the other hand, in step S200, the ECU 22 (processor 24) of the BEV 20 determines whether or not the allocated battery capacity qr has been received from the server 10. As a result, if the allocated battery capacity qr has been received, the ECU 22 stores the received allocated battery capacity qr in the storage device 26 in step S202.

[0040] Next, in step S204, the ECU 22 uses the remaining battery capacity sensor 32 to detect the current actual remaining battery capacity qa of the battery 30.

[0041] Next, in step S206, the ECU 22 determines whether the current actual remaining battery capacity qa detected in step S204 is the first time. If the determination result is Yes, the ECU 22 stores the currently detected actual remaining battery capacity qa in the storage device 26 as the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending in step S208.

[0042] After step S208, or if the determination result in step S206 is No, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the ECU 22 calculates a display SOCd (corresponding to the current display remaining capacity qd), which is the current SOC to be displayed on the display 36, and displays it on the display 36. The display SOCd is calculated by the following equation (1). SOCd=(qa-qa0+qr) / qr×100% ···(1)

[0043] Next, in step S212, the ECU 22 determines whether the rental end time for the BEV 20 to the user has arrived. For example, the server 10 determines whether the rental end time has arrived based on the results of communication between the server 10 and the user terminal 40 of the user that is performed when the rental of the BEV 20 is to end. If the determination result is No, the ECU 22 repeatedly executes the processing from step S204 onward. As a result, the displayed SOCd is updated according to the decrease in the actual remaining battery power qa. On the other hand, if the determination result is Yes, the processing proceeds to End.

[0044] In addition, unlike the processing shown in Figure 5 described above, for example, the server 10 may receive the actual battery remaining amount qa (including the actual battery remaining amount qa0 at the start of rental) from the BEV 20, calculate the display SOCd based on the received actual battery remaining amount qa, and transmit the calculated display SOCd to the BEV 20.

[0045] 3.Effects As described above, according to this embodiment, the remaining battery information Iq is displayed to users not using the actual remaining battery capacity qa itself, but using the display SOCd based on the allocated battery capacity qr. The display SOCd is displayed as 100% when lending to each user begins, and is displayed as 0% when each user consumes the actual remaining battery capacity qa by the allocated battery capacity qr after lending begins. In other words, even if the actual remaining battery capacity qa at the start of lending to each user is not fully charged, it is possible to lend the BEV 20 to each user by displaying it as fully charged (SOC 100%). This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operating rate of the lendable BEV 20 due to the inability to lend it out in a fully charged state. In other words, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the lendable BEV 20.

[0046] 4. Other display examples of remaining battery information Iq The remaining amount information Iq may be displayed on the display 36 as described below, instead of the example shown in FIGS.

[0047] 4-1. Graphic display of remaining capacity information Iq 6 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example of a specific display of the remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. The remaining amount information Iq may be displayed using a graphic as shown in FIG. 6, instead of using the numerical value of the SOC as shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 6, a battery mark 50 resembling a battery 30 is displayed on the display 36. The battery mark 50 is used to display remaining battery capacity information Iq. More specifically, at the start of rental, the battery mark 50 is displayed to indicate a fully charged state (SOC 100%). That is, at the start of rental, the interior of the battery mark 50 is filled with a bar 52 indicating the displayed remaining capacity qd. Furthermore, when the actual remaining battery capacity qa has decreased by the allocated battery capacity qr since the start of rental, the battery mark 50 is displayed to indicate an empty state (SOC 0%). That is, at this time, the bar 52 is not displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the battery mark 50 is displayed such that, for example, the length of the bar 52 changes between the fully charged state and the empty state in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity qa.

[0049] 4-2. Display of negative range and range higher than 100% 7(A) to 7(C) are diagrams for explaining a second modified example of a specific display of remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment.

[0050] First, FIG. 7(A) is an example (example of a numerical display) in which the remaining capacity information Iq is a displayed remaining capacity qd displayed as a percentage of the SOC, similar to FIG. 4 . As shown in FIG. 7(A), the display of the remaining capacity information Iq may include displaying a negative range R1 of SOC less than 0%. More specifically, according to the above-described formula (1), if the user consumes more remaining battery capacity q than the allocated battery capacity qr, the displayed SOCd will be a negative value. In this case, when the displayed SOCd is a negative value, the ECU 22 may display the displayed SOCd on the display 36 using not only the range from 100% to 0% but also the negative range R1. This makes it easier for the user to understand that the remaining battery capacity q used by the user exceeds the allocated battery capacity qr. The lower limit of the negative range R1 is, for example, the actual remaining battery capacity qa, which corresponds to an actual SOC of 0%.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in the example of FIG. 7A, the display of the remaining capacity information Iq may include displaying a range R2 of SOC greater than 100%. More specifically, according to the above-described formula (1), if the user charges the battery 30 while renting the BEV 20, the displayed SOCd will be greater than 100%. When the displayed SOCd is greater than 100%, the ECU 22 may display the displayed SOCd on the display 36 not only within the range from 100% to 0%, but also within the range R2 greater than 100%. This makes it possible to clearly indicate that the user returned the BEV 20 with a greater actual remaining battery capacity qa than at the start of rental. In addition, if the user returns the BEV 20 with a greater remaining actual battery capacity qa than at the start of rental, the rental fee for the BEV 20 paid by the user may be discounted by the amount of the remaining actual remaining battery capacity qa. As a result, the user can easily grasp the discount amount of the rental fee by taking advantage of the fact that the displayed SOCd is displayed within the range R2. The upper limit of the range R2 is, for example, the actual remaining battery capacity qa, which corresponds to an actual SOC of 100%.

[0052] Furthermore, even when the remaining capacity information Iq is displayed graphically using the battery mark 50 as in the example shown in Fig. 6 above, the display of the negative range R1 may be included. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(B), the negative range R1 may be displayed using, for example, a bar 54 that is different from the bar 52 that indicates that the remaining battery capacity q is between a fully charged state and an empty state.

[0053] Furthermore, even when the remaining capacity information Iq is displayed graphically using the battery mark 50, it may include a display of a range R2 higher than 100%. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(C), the range R2 may be displayed using a bar 56 that is different from the bar 52 that indicates that the remaining battery capacity q is between a fully charged state and an empty state.

[0054] In addition, the display of the remaining amount information Iq by numerical or graphic means may include only one of the display of the negative range R1 and the display of the range R2 higher than 100%.

[0055] 4-3.Battery capacity display Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a third modified example of a specific display of the remaining amount information Iq according to the embodiment. The display of the remaining amount information Iq as a numerical value may be performed using a battery capacity (e.g., kWh) display as shown in Fig. 8, instead of the example using the SOC percentage display as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 shows the relationship between the battery capacity and the actual remaining battery amount qa.

[0056] Specifically, the display of the remaining amount information Iq may include displaying the allocated battery capacity qr (e.g., 12.5 kWh) as the remaining battery amount at the start of lending to the user. The display of the remaining amount information Iq may also include displaying the remaining battery amount (actual remaining battery amount qa1) as 0 (0 kWh) when the remaining battery amount has decreased by the allocated battery capacity qr from the actual remaining battery amount qa0 at the start of lending. As shown in FIG. 8, the display of the remaining amount information Iq may also include displaying the battery capacity so that it decreases between the allocated battery capacity qr and 0 in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery amount qa. The battery capacity is displayed to change in increments of 1 kWh, for example.

[0057] According to the third modified example described above, the remaining battery capacity information Iq is displayed to the user not using the actual remaining battery capacity qa itself but using the battery capacity. The battery capacity is displayed as the allocated battery capacity qr when the user starts lending the BEV 20 to the user, and is displayed as 0 when the user consumes the actual remaining battery capacity qa by the allocated battery capacity qr after the start of lending. In other words, even if the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending the BEV 20 to the user is not fully charged, the allocated battery capacity qr (upper limit) can be displayed to the user and the BEV 20 can be lent. The allocated battery capacity qr corresponds to the upper limit of the remaining battery capacity q of the BEV 20 that can be used by the user. Therefore, the display of the allocated battery capacity qr can be said to have a meaning similar to that of a fully charged state for the user. Therefore, the third modified example also prevents a decrease in the operating rate of the BEV 20 available for lending due to the inability to lend the BEV 20 in a fully charged state. In other words, the operating rate of the BEV 20 available for lending can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, similar to the example shown in FIG. 7 above, the display of remaining capacity information Iq using a battery capacity display as in the third modified example may also include at least one of a display of a negative range where the battery capacity is less than 0 (dashed line in FIG. 8) and a display of a range where the battery capacity is greater than the allocated battery capacity qr (dashed line in FIG. 8).

[0059] 4-4.Driving distance display Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a fourth modified example of a specific display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq according to the embodiment. The display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq as a numerical value may be performed using a display of a remaining battery capacity (for example, km or mile) as shown in Fig. 9, instead of the example using the display of the SOC as a percentage as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 shows the relationship between the remaining battery capacity D and the actual remaining battery capacity qa.

[0060] Specifically, the display of the remaining battery information Iq may include displaying the distance Dr (e.g., 80 km) that can be traveled with the allocated battery capacity qr as the remaining battery capacity at the start of lending to the user. The display of the remaining battery information Iq may also include displaying the remaining battery capacity (actual remaining battery capacity qa1) as 0 (0 km) when the remaining battery capacity has decreased by the allocated battery capacity qr from the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending. As shown in FIG. 9, the display of the remaining battery information Iq may also include displaying the remaining battery capacity D so that it decreases between the distance Dr and 0 in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity qa. The remaining battery capacity D is displayed to change, for example, in 1 km increments.

[0061] According to the fourth modified example described above, the remaining battery charge information Iq is displayed to the user not using the actual remaining battery charge qa itself but using the available driving distance D. The available driving distance D is displayed as the distance Dr when the user starts lending the BEV 20 to the user, and is displayed as 0 when the user consumes the actual remaining battery charge qa by the allocated battery capacity qr after the start of lending. In other words, even if the actual remaining battery charge qa0 at the start of lending the BEV 20 to the user is not fully charged, the BEV 20 can be lent to the user by displaying the distance Dr (i.e., the upper limit of the available driving distance D). The distance Dr corresponds to the upper limit of the remaining battery charge q of the BEV 20 that can be used by the user. Therefore, the display of the distance Dr can be considered a value that has a meaning similar to that of a fully charged state for the user. Therefore, the fourth modified example also makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the availability of the BEV 20 for lending due to the inability to lend the BEV 20 in a fully charged state. In other words, the availability of the BEV 20 for lending can be improved.

[0062] Furthermore, similar to the example shown in FIG. 7 above, the display of remaining amount information Iq using a driving range display as in the fourth modified example may also include at least one of a display of a negative range where the driving range D is less than zero (dashed line in FIG. 9) and a display of a range where the driving range D is greater than the distance Dr (dashed line in FIG. 9).

[0063] 4-5. Other examples of graphical display of remaining capacity information Iq Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth modified example of a specific display of remaining capacity information Iq according to the embodiment. As with the first modified example shown in Fig. 6, in the fifth modified example, remaining capacity information Iq is displayed graphically using a battery mark 60 that resembles a battery 30. As with Fig. 3, Fig. 10 shows an example in which one BEV 20 is rented to four users U1 to U4 in one day.

[0064] Specifically, the size of the battery mark 60 corresponds to the total battery capacity qt of the battery 30. In the display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq according to the fifth modification, as shown in FIG. 10, the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending to each user U1-U4 is associated with the upper limit qru of the allocated battery capacity qr on the battery mark 60. The display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq includes graphically displaying the remaining battery capacity q on the battery mark 60 using a bar 62 whose length changes so that the remaining battery capacity qa decreases within the allocated battery capacity qr in accordance with the decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity qa. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending differs for each user U1-U4. Therefore, the position of the allocated battery capacity qr on the battery mark 60 differs for each user U1-U4.

[0065] According to the fifth modified example described above, unlike the various examples described above, the way in which the remaining battery information Iq based on the allocated battery capacity qr is displayed (more specifically, the position of the bar 62 on the battery mark 60) varies depending on the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending to each user. However, the display of the remaining battery information Iq according to the fifth modified example does not primarily use the actual remaining battery capacity qa itself. Furthermore, even if the actual remaining battery capacity qa0 at the start of lending to each user is not fully charged, the fifth modified example makes it possible to lend a BEV 20 to each user by clearly indicating that the remaining battery capacity q equivalent to the allocated battery capacity qr is secured. Therefore, the fifth modified example also makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operating rate of BEVs 20 available for lending due to the inability to lend BEVs 20 in a fully charged state. In other words, it is possible to improve the operating rate of BEVs 20 available for lending.

[0066] 7(B) and 7(C) using graphics, the display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq according to the fifth modification may include displaying a range R3 of the lower limit qrl of the allocated battery capacity qr using a graphic (e.g., a bar 64). The display of the remaining battery capacity information Iq according to the fifth modification may include displaying a range R4 of the allocated battery capacity qr that is greater than the upper limit qru of the allocated battery capacity qr using a graphic (e.g., a bar 66) instead of or in addition to the range R3. Note that these ranges R3 and R4 are displayed only for the user U1 as an example.

[0067] In addition, the various displays of the remaining amount information Iq illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 to 10 may be appropriately combined.

[0068] 5. Additional Issues and Solutions A user Ux who rents a BEV 20 that displays remaining battery capacity information Iq as described above may end up using more remaining battery capacity q than the allocated battery capacity qr (i.e., the remaining battery capacity q reserved by user Ux) while driving. As a result, the next user who rents a BEV 20 after user Ux may not be able to use the remaining battery capacity q equivalent to the allocated battery capacity qr. To address this additional issue, the following first to third measures may be implemented.

[0069] First, the first measure may be implemented as follows: That is, when the user Ux consumes the remaining battery power q equivalent to the allocated battery capacity qr (for example, when the displayed SOCd becomes 0%), the ECU 22 of the BEV 20 issues a notification to warn the user Ux that the remaining usable battery power q has been consumed. The notification is issued, for example, using the HMI device 34. More specifically, the notification is issued, for example, using at least one of a display on the display 36 and a voice or sound from a speaker or a buzzer.

[0070] If the user Ux then ignores the warning (more specifically, if the user Ux does not stop the running of the BEV 20 within a predetermined time after the warning is issued), the ECU 22 controls the running of the BEV 20 so that the running of the BEV 20 is stopped. Specifically, the ECU 22 controls the BEV 20 so that power is not supplied from the battery 30 to the electric motor for running the BEV 20.

[0071] The second measure may be implemented as follows. That is, a user who rented the BEV 20 before the user Ux may use only a remaining battery capacity q that is less than the remaining battery capacity q of the allocated battery capacity qr. Therefore, as the second measure, the ECU 22 first controls the HMI device 34 to issue a first warning when the user Ux consumes the remaining battery capacity q of the allocated battery capacity qr. This first warning is intended to inform the user Ux that the remaining battery capacity q of the allocated battery capacity qr has been consumed.

[0072] In addition, in the second measure, a user Ux who has consumed the remaining battery power q equivalent to the allocated battery capacity qr is permitted to use more than the allocated battery power qr, provided that the remaining battery power q is equal to the cumulative value of the allocated battery power qr of one or more users who plan to borrow the BEV20 after the user Ux.

[0073] In the second measure, the ECU 22 executes the following process in relation to the permission. That is, the ECU 22 determines whether the actual remaining battery capacity qa has reached the actual remaining battery capacity qax corresponding to the integrated value. Information about the actual remaining battery capacity qax is kept by the server 10, which manages reservations for the BEV 20 by each user. Therefore, the information about the actual remaining battery capacity qax is transmitted from the server 10 to the ECU 22. If the result of the determination is Yes, the ECU 22 controls the HMI device 34 to issue a second warning. This second warning is intended to inform the user Ux that the remaining battery capacity q corresponding to the allocated battery capacity qr has been consumed, as well as the remaining battery capacity q according to the permission. If the user Ux ignores this second warning, the ECU 22 may stop the BEV 20 from traveling, as in the first measure described above. Note that the permission may be granted on the condition that the user Ux pays a premium.

[0074] The third measure may be implemented as follows. That is, when the user Ux consumes the remaining battery power q equivalent to the allocated battery capacity qr, the ECU 22 issues a warning to the user Ux. This warning requests the user Ux to charge the BEV 20 to the lower limit qrl of the allocated battery power qr (for example, 0% in the displayed SOCd) before returning the BEV 20. The warning may also include information that a penalty will be imposed if the actual remaining battery power qa does not reach the lower limit qrl when the BEV 20 is returned.

[0075] Additionally, in the various examples of displaying the remaining battery capacity information Iq described above, information on the actual remaining battery capacity qa, such as the actual SOC, is not displayed to the user renting the BEV 20. However, for display to a staff member of the business managing the rental BEV 20, the HMI device 34 may be configured to display the actual remaining battery capacity qa, for example, by the staff member performing a predetermined operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Display System 2. Communication Network 10 Servers 12, 28 Communication equipment 14 Server Processors 20 Electric Vehicles (BEV) 22 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 24 ECU processors 30 batteries 32 Battery level sensor 34 HMI device 36 Display 40 User terminals 50, 60 battery mark 52, 54, 56, 62, 64, 66 bars

Claims

1. A display method for displaying the remaining battery capacity of a rental electric vehicle, comprising: setting an allocated battery capacity to be allocated to a user of the electric vehicle; displaying remaining battery capacity information based on the allocated battery capacity on a display of the electric vehicle; Including, The display of the remaining amount information is Displaying the remaining battery capacity as 100% at the start of lending to the user; displaying the remaining battery capacity as 0% when the actual remaining battery capacity at the start of the rental has decreased by the allocated battery capacity; displaying the remaining battery capacity so that it decreases between 100% and 0% in accordance with a decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity; Contains How to display remaining battery power.

2. The display of the remaining amount information includes displaying a negative range less than 0%. The method for displaying a remaining battery capacity according to claim 1.

3. The display of the remaining amount information includes displaying a range higher than 100%. The method for displaying a remaining battery capacity according to claim 1.

4. A display device that displays the remaining battery power of a rental electric vehicle, A display; a processor that causes the display device to display remaining battery capacity information based on an allocated battery capacity allocated to a user of the electric vehicle; Equipped with The display of the remaining amount information is Displaying the remaining battery capacity as 100% at the start of lending to the user; displaying the remaining battery capacity as 0% when the actual remaining battery capacity at the start of the rental has decreased by the allocated battery capacity; displaying the remaining battery capacity so that it decreases between 100% and 0% in accordance with a decrease in the actual remaining battery capacity; Contains Battery level indicator.

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