vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle in which a connector on a vehicle-body side wears less.SOLUTION: The vehicle includes: a vehicle body in which a battery can be equipped; and a battery removably attached to the vehicle body. The battery has a battery-side connector 104. The vehicle body has a vehicle-body-side connector 204 engaged with the battery-side connector. The battery-side connector 104 is made of a material softer than the material of the vehicle-body-side connector 204.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles with replaceable batteries have been known for some time. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-192782 discloses a vehicle with a battery attachment section provided under the vehicle body, allowing the battery to be replaced from below the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-192782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electric vehicle described in JP 2012-192782 A, when the battery is replaced, the connector on the vehicle body rubs against the connector on the battery, causing greater wear on the connector than in vehicles where the battery is charged through a charging port without being replaced.If contact resistance increases due to wear on the connector on the vehicle body, there is a concern that sufficient power will not be obtained from the battery.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle that can reduce wear on vehicle body-side connectors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a vehicle body capable of mounting a battery, and the battery being detachable from the vehicle body, the battery having a battery-side connector, the vehicle body having a vehicle-side connector that mates with the battery-side connector, and the battery-side connector being made of a material having a lower hardness than the material constituting the vehicle-side connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a vehicle can be provided that can reduce wear on the vehicle body side connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a battery. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery-side connector and a vehicle-body-side connector. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the battery-side connector and the vehicle-body-side connector. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing a battery exchange device 100 and an electric vehicle 200 according to this embodiment. The battery exchange device 100 is a device for exchanging a battery (used battery) 201 attached to the electric vehicle 200 with a charged battery (new battery) 101. The battery 201 and the battery 101 are examples of the "first battery" and the "second battery" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0011] (Electric vehicle configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, a body 200a of an electric vehicle 200 has a mounting portion 200c on which batteries 101, 201 can be mounted. The mounting portion 200c opens downward. The mounting portion 200c has a shape that is recessed upward from a lower surface 200b of the body 200a. The batteries 101, 201 are detachable from the mounting portion 200c. Specifically, the batteries 101, 201 are fastened to the mounting portion 200c by fastening members such as bolts.

[0012] Next, the configuration of the battery will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The following description will be given taking as an example a charged battery 101. As shown in Figure 2, the battery 101 has a battery body 103 and a battery-side connector 104.

[0013] The battery side connector 104 protrudes upward from the battery body 103. The battery side connector 104 can be connected to the vehicle body side connector 204 (see FIG. 3). The battery side connector 104 is made of a material that is lower in hardness than the material that makes up the vehicle body side connector 204. The battery side connector 104 is made of, for example, silver or a silver alloy. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery side connector 104 is made of a female terminal.

[0014] The mounting portion 200c is provided with a vehicle body side connector 204 (see FIG. 3) that mates with the battery side connector 104. The vehicle body side connector 204 has a connector main body 204a, a contact portion 204b, a wear detection terminal 204c, and an insulating member 204d.

[0015] The connector body 204a is made up of male terminals and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape.

[0016] The contact portion 204b is a portion that comes into contact with the battery-side connector 104. The contact portion 204b is connected to the connector body 204a. The connector body 204a and the contact portion 204b are made of, for example, copper. A gap is formed between the connector body 204a and the contact portion 204b in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the connector body 204a.

[0017] The wear detection terminal 204c is disposed inside the contact portion 204b. Specifically, the wear detection terminal 204c is disposed in the gap. The wear detection terminal 204c is insulated from the connector body 204a and the contact portion 204b. The wear detection terminal 204c comes into contact with the battery-side connector 104 when the contact portion 204b wears.

[0018] The insulating member 204d is provided between the connector body 204a and the wear detection terminal 204c, and provides insulation between the wear detection terminal 204c and the connector body 204a.

[0019] 3, the wear detection terminal 204c is connected to the alarm unit 60. When the contact portion 204b wears and the battery-side connector 104 comes into contact with the wear detection terminal 204c, the alarm unit 60 emits a wear detection signal. This wear detection signal is used to light up an indicator such as an LED, emit an alarm sound, etc.

[0020] (Configuration of battery exchange device) Next, a description will be given of the battery exchange apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the battery exchange apparatus 100 includes a battery exchange station 100a, a storage space 100b, and an underfloor area 100c.

[0021] The battery exchange station 100a is a station where the battery 201 is removed from the electric vehicle 200 and the battery 101 is attached to the electric vehicle 200. The battery exchange station 100a is provided with an entrance / exit 102 for the electric vehicle 200 to enter and exit.

[0022] The hangar 100b stores charged batteries 101. The hangar 100b is provided adjacent to the battery exchange station 100a. The hangar 100b is provided with charging equipment 51 that can charge the batteries 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200. The batteries 201 are charged by the charging equipment 51 in the hangar 100b. The batteries 101 charged in the hangar 100b, i.e., the charged batteries 101, are moved to a temporary storage area 40 provided in the underfloor area 100c and then transported to the electric vehicle 200.

[0023] The underfloor area 100c is provided below the battery exchange station 100a and the storage shed 100b. The underfloor area 100c is provided with a battery mounting table 34, a lifting section 35, a transport section 36, and a temporary storage area 40, which will be described later.

[0024] The battery exchange device 100 includes a control device 10 and a drive device 30.

[0025] The control device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. The memory 12 stores programs executed by the processor 11 as well as information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). As will be described in detail later, the processor 11 controls the drive device 30.

[0026] The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 11 controls the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 communicates with the DCM of the electric vehicle 200 and the like. Two-way communication is possible between the communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 200. The communication unit 13 may also communicate with a mobile terminal or the like owned by the user of the electric vehicle 200.

[0027] The battery exchange station 100a is provided with a vehicle stopping area (not shown). When the electric vehicle 200 is stopped in the vehicle stopping area and a user operates a navigation system (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200 to instruct the start of battery exchange work, the communication unit 13 receives an instruction signal to start the battery exchange work from the electric vehicle 200. The processor 11 starts controlling the battery exchange work based on the communication unit 13 receiving the instruction signal. The electric vehicle 200 is stopped in the vehicle stopping area so that the forward / backward direction is the X direction and the left / right direction is the Y direction.

[0028] The driving device 30 includes a shutter 32, a battery mounting base 34, and a transport unit 36.

[0029] The shutter 32 is provided in the vehicle stopping area. The shutter 32 is configured to be able to open and close an opening formed in the floor surface of the vehicle stopping area. The shutter 32 is switchable between a state in which the opening is open and a state in which the opening is closed.

[0030] The battery mounting stand 34 is disposed below the battery exchange station 100a, more specifically below the opening of the shutter 32. The battery mounting stand 34 is capable of mounting batteries 101, 201 thereon and is movable in the vertical direction.

[0031] The transport unit 36 ​​transports the batteries 101 stored in the storage 100b toward the battery mounting stand 34. Specifically, a temporary storage area 40 is provided in the underfloor area 100c for temporarily storing the charged batteries 101 stored in the storage 100b, and the transport unit 36 ​​can transport the batteries 101 from the temporary storage area 40 toward the battery mounting stand 34. The transport unit 36 ​​may be, for example, a belt conveyor type.

[0032] (Battery replacement method) Next, a battery replacement method using the battery replacement device 100 will be described.

[0033] [Transmission of vehicle information, etc.: Electric vehicles] First, the electric vehicle 200 transmits information about the electric vehicle 200 and information about the battery 201 to the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange apparatus 100. For example, an operation to transmit each piece of information described above is performed in a navigation system (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200, whereby each piece of information described above is transmitted to the communication unit 13. The electric vehicle 200 transmits each piece of information described above before entering the battery exchange apparatus 100. Note that each piece of information described above may also be transmitted after the electric vehicle 200 enters the battery exchange apparatus 100.

[0034] [Acquisition of vehicle information, etc.: Battery replacement device] Next, the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange device 100 acquires, through communication, the information about the electric vehicle 200 and the information about the battery 201 transmitted from the electric vehicle 200. The acquired information is stored in the memory 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0035] The communication unit 13 may also acquire information on the capacity (charge capacity) of the battery 201 and the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 201.

[0036] [Sending instruction signals for battery replacement: electric vehicle] Next, the electric vehicle 200 parked in the vehicle stopping area transmits to the communication unit 13 an instruction signal to start the battery replacement work.

[0037] [Battery replacement instruction signal received: Battery replacement device] Next, the communication unit 13 receives the instruction signal transmitted from the electric vehicle 200. After receiving the instruction signal, the processor 11 may transmit an instruction message or the like to the user of the electric vehicle 200 through the communication unit 13 to turn off the ignition power supply.

[0038] [Vehicle position control: Battery exchange device] Next, the processor 11 adjusts the position of the electric vehicle 200 based on the information (vehicle information and battery information) acquired through the communication unit 13.

[0039] This adjusts the horizontal position and orientation of the vehicle body 200a, and also adjusts the horizontal position and orientation of the battery 201. As a result, the battery 201 is moved to a predetermined position above the opening of the shutter 32.

[0040] [Removing the battery after use: Battery replacement device] Next, the used battery 201 is removed from the body 200a of the electric vehicle 200. First, the processor 11 opens the shutter 32 and raises the battery mounting stand 34. As a result, the battery mounting stand 34 is positioned relative to the electric vehicle 200 (battery 201).

[0041] Next, the processor 11 drives (rotates) a locking / unlocking tool (not shown) for rotating the fastening members connecting the battery to the mounting portion 200c. This unlocks the fastening members. As a result, the battery 201 is removed from the vehicle body 200a and placed on the battery mounting base 34.

[0042] [Used batteries are transported to the storage facility: Battery exchange device] Next, the battery 201 removed from the vehicle body 200a is transported to the storage shed 100b. First, the processor 11 lowers the battery mounting stand 34 on which the battery 201 is mounted to the height position of the transport unit 36. Next, the processor 11 drives the roller unit (not shown) of the battery mounting stand 34 so that the battery 201 moves in the storage direction (Y1 direction) on the battery mounting stand 34. As a result, the battery 201 mounted on the battery mounting stand 34 is transferred from the battery mounting stand 34 to the transport unit 36. The battery 201 is transported to the temporary storage site 40 by the transport unit 36 ​​and then stored in the storage shed 100b.

[0043] [Charged batteries are transported to the battery mounting platform: Battery exchange device] Next, the processor 11 transports the charged battery 101 stored in the storage 100b to the battery mounting stand 34. Specifically, the processor 11 transports the battery 101 from the storage 100b to the temporary storage area 40 in the underfloor area 100c, and then drives the transport unit 36 ​​in the transport direction (Y2 direction) to move the battery 101 from the temporary storage area 40 to the battery mounting stand 34. Once the battery 101 has been transferred from the transport unit 36 ​​to the battery mounting stand 34, the processor 11 drives the roller unit so that the battery 101 moves on the battery mounting stand 34 in the transport direction. As a result, the battery 101 stops at a predetermined position on the battery mounting stand 34.

[0044] [Installing a charged battery: Battery exchange device] Next, the processor 11 performs control to attach the charged battery 101 to the vehicle body 200a. Specifically, the processor 11 raises the battery mounting stand 34. In this state, the processor 11 drives (rotates) the locking / unlocking tool, which locks the fastening members. When it is detected that all the fastening members are locked, the vehicle body-side connector 204 and the battery-side connector 104 are locked. As a result, the attachment of the charged battery 101 to the vehicle body 200a is completed.

[0045] [Retraction of battery platform and lifting section: Battery replacement device] Next, the processor 11 lowers the battery mounting stand 34 and moves it away from the electric vehicle 200. Thereafter, the processor 11 closes the shutter 32.

[0046] [Battery replacement completion notification: Battery replacement device] Next, the processor 11 notifies the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13 that the battery replacement work has been completed.

[0047] [Receiving notification of completion of battery replacement work: electric vehicle] Then, the electrically powered vehicle 200 receives the notification transmitted from the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange apparatus 100. As a result, the electrically powered vehicle 200 is brought into a state in which the ignition power can be turned on. Thereafter, the processing ends.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the position of the drive unit 30 is adjusted based on information relating to each of the electric vehicle 200 and the battery 201, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The position of the drive unit 30 may also be adjusted based on information relating to either the electric vehicle 200 or the battery 201.

[0049] As described above, in the electric vehicle 200 of this embodiment, the battery-side connector 104 is made of a material with a lower hardness than the material constituting the vehicle-side connector 204, and therefore wear of the vehicle-side connector 204 is reduced when the battery 101 is attached to the mounting portion 200c and when the battery 201 is removed from the mounting portion 200c.

[0050] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the battery-side connector 104 may have a connector main body 104a, a contact portion 104b, a wear detection terminal 104c, and an insulating member 104d. The configurations of the contact portion 104b, the wear detection terminal 104c, and the insulating member 104d are the same as the configurations of the contact portion 204b, the wear detection terminal 204c, and the insulating member 204d in the above embodiment. The structure of the battery-side connector 104 shown in Fig. 4 may be applied to the above embodiment.

[0051] Furthermore, an evaluation jig having a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery-side connector 104 may be provided in the battery exchange station 100a or the underfloor area 100c. In this case, when the battery 201 is removed, the evaluation jig is connected to the vehicle-side connector 204, and the contact resistance between the evaluation jig and the vehicle-side connector 204 is measured. At this time, the insertion stroke of the evaluation jig is set to a constant value.

[0052] If the contact resistance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the contact resistance has increased due to wear of the vehicle body side connector 204. Therefore, the vehicle body side connector 204 is replaced.

[0053] As in the above, an evaluation jig having a shape corresponding to the vehicle body side connector 204 may be provided, and wear of the battery side connector 104 may be detected by this evaluation jig.

[0054] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of aspects described below.

[0055] [Aspect 1] A vehicle body capable of mounting a battery; the battery being detachable from the vehicle body, the battery has a battery-side connector; the vehicle body has a vehicle body side connector that mates with the battery side connector, The vehicle, wherein the battery-side connector is made of a material having a lower hardness than a material constituting the vehicle-body-side connector.

[0056] In this vehicle, the battery-side connector is made of a material that is softer than the material that makes up the vehicle-side connector, which reduces wear on the vehicle-side connector.

[0057] [Aspect 2] The vehicle body side connector is a contact portion that comes into contact with the battery-side connector; a wear detection terminal disposed inside the contact portion and insulated from the contact portion, 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the battery-side connector when the contact portion is worn.

[0058] In this aspect, when the contact portion of the vehicle body side connector becomes worn, the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the battery side connector, making it possible to detect wear of the contact portion by detecting conductivity between the wear detection terminal and the battery side connector.

[0059] [Aspect 3] The battery side connector is a contact portion that comes into contact with the vehicle body side connector; a wear detection terminal disposed inside the contact portion and insulated from the contact portion, 3. The vehicle according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the vehicle body connector when the contact portion is worn.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the contact portion of the battery side connector becomes worn, the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the vehicle body side connector, making it possible to detect wear in the contact portion by detecting conductivity between the wear detection terminal and the vehicle body side connector.

[0061] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Battery exchange device, 10 Control device, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Communication unit, 30 Drive unit, 32 Shutter, 34 Battery mounting stand, 36 Transport unit, 40 Temporary storage area, 100 Battery exchange device, 100a Battery exchange station, 100b Storage space, 100c Underfloor area, 101 Battery (second battery), 103 Battery body, 104 Battery side connector, 104a Connector body, 104b Contact portion, 104c Wear detection terminal, 104d Insulating member, 200 Electric vehicle, 200a Vehicle body, 200b Underside, 200c Mounting unit, 201 Battery (first battery), 204 Vehicle body side connector, 204a Connector body, 204b Contact portion, 204c Wear detection terminal, 204d Insulating member.

Claims

1. A vehicle body capable of mounting a battery; the battery being detachable from the vehicle body, the battery has a battery-side connector; the vehicle body has a vehicle body side connector that mates with the battery side connector, The vehicle, wherein the battery-side connector is made of a material having a lower hardness than a material constituting the vehicle-body-side connector.

2. The vehicle body side connector is a contact portion that comes into contact with the battery-side connector; a wear detection terminal disposed inside the contact portion and insulated from the contact portion, The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the battery-side connector when the contact portion is worn.

3. The battery side connector is a contact portion that comes into contact with the vehicle body side connector; a wear detection terminal disposed inside the contact portion and insulated from the contact portion, The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the wear detection terminal comes into contact with the vehicle body connector when the contact portion is worn.

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