Battery Swap Station

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement station which enables battery replacement to be easily performed by using a battery mounting table.SOLUTION: A battery replacement station 100 includes: a drive device 30 (a battery replacement process section) for performing a process of replacing a battery 201 (a first battery) with a battery 101 (a second battery); and a control device 10 (a control section) for controlling the drive device 30. The drive device 30 includes: a lifting section 35 (a lift-up mechanism) for lifting up a vehicle body 200a of an electric vehicle 200; and a battery mounting table 34 for withdrawing, from the vehicle body 200a, the battery 201 removed from a bottom part 200b of the electric vehicle 200. In addition, the drive device 30 includes operation tables (34g and 35d) (an angle adjustment mechanism) for adjusting a relative angle θ1 between the vehicle body 200a in a state of being lifted up and the battery mounting table 34, in a plan view where the electric vehicle 200 is viewed from above.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery exchange station. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-192782 (Patent Document 1) discloses a battery exchange device that uses a lifting device to lift up a vehicle and place it in a horizontal position. The battery removed from the vehicle that has been lifted up by the lifting device is removed from the vehicle by a battery lifting means that moves up and down under the vehicle. [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 battery exchange device of Patent Document 1, if a foreign object is caught between the vehicle body and the lifting device, or if the vehicle body or the lifting device is deformed, there is a risk that the vehicle body may tilt unintentionally when it is lifted up. In this case, the position (angle) between the vehicle and the battery lifting means (battery mounting base) is not adjusted properly, making it difficult to perform battery replacement. Therefore, there is a need for a battery exchange station that allows easy battery replacement using a battery mounting base.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery exchange station that allows easy battery exchange using a battery mounting stand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery exchange station according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a battery exchange station equipped with a second battery replaceable with a first battery provided at the bottom of an electric vehicle, and includes a battery exchange processor that performs a process to exchange the first battery with the second battery, and a controller that controls the battery exchange processor. The battery exchange processor includes a lift-up mechanism that lifts up the body of the electric vehicle, a battery mounting stand that retracts the first battery from the body after removing it from the bottom of the electric vehicle, and an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the relative angle between the body in a lifted-up state and the battery mounting stand in a plan view of the electric vehicle viewed from above.

[0007] In a battery exchange station according to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the angle adjustment mechanism adjusts the relative angle between the vehicle body in a lifted-up state and the battery mounting stand in a plan view of the electric vehicle seen from above. This allows the relative angle to be adjusted to an appropriate positional relationship (angular relationship) between the vehicle body and the battery mounting stand, even if the positional adjustment (angular adjustment) between the vehicle body and the battery mounting stand is not properly performed due to an unintended tilt of the vehicle body when the vehicle body is lifted up. As a result, battery exchange can be easily performed using the battery mounting stand.

[0008] The battery exchange station according to the above aspect preferably further includes a relative angle detection unit that detects the relative angle. The angle adjustment mechanism includes a vehicle body adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle of the vehicle body in a plan view. The control unit controls the vehicle body adjustment mechanism when the relative angle is greater than a predetermined value. With this configuration, when the relative angle is greater than the predetermined value, the vehicle body adjustment mechanism adjusts the angle of the vehicle body, making it possible to easily adjust the relative angle.

[0009] In this case, the angle adjustment mechanism preferably includes a mount adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle of the battery mount in a plan view. The control unit controls the mount adjustment mechanism when the relative angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value. With this configuration, when the relative angle is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the mount adjustment mechanism adjusts the angle of the battery mount, thereby making it possible to adjust the relative angle without adjusting the angle of the vehicle body. As a result, since there is no need to adjust the angle of the vehicle body, which is relatively heavy, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption in the battery exchange processing unit.

[0010] In the battery exchange station equipped with the relative angle detection unit, the relative angle detection unit preferably includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to the angle of the vehicle body in a plan view. The data acquisition unit is installed on the battery mounting base. With this configuration, the relative angle can be easily acquired by using the data acquired by the data acquisition unit installed on the battery mounting base.

[0011] In the battery exchange station equipped with the relative angle detector, the relative angle detector preferably detects the angle of the vehicle body in a lifted-up state relative to the predetermined direction in a plan view and the angle of the battery mounting base relative to the predetermined direction in a plan view. The relative angle detector also detects the relative angle by calculating the difference between the angle of the vehicle body and the angle of the battery mounting base. This configuration makes it possible to obtain information on the angles of the vehicle body and the battery mounting base in addition to the relative angle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, battery replacement can be easily performed using a battery mounting stand at a battery replacement station. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery exchange station according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a vehicle stopping area of ​​a battery exchange station. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the vehicle body is lifted up by the lifting unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery mounting stand of the battery exchange station. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electric vehicle as seen from below. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relative angle between the electric vehicle and the battery mounting stand according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing sequence control between the battery exchange station and the electric vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery exchange station according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relative angle between the electric vehicle and the battery mounting stand according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing sequence control between a battery exchange station and an electric vehicle according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the same parts will not be described repeatedly.

[0015] (Battery exchange station configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery exchange station 100 according to the first embodiment. The battery exchange station 100 is a facility for exchanging a battery 201 attached to a bottom 200b of an electric vehicle 200 with a new battery 101. The battery exchange station 100 includes a battery exchange device 100a and a storage 100b. The battery exchange device 100a performs the battery exchange process. The storage 100b stores the battery 101. The storage 100b is provided adjacent to the battery exchange device 100a. The battery exchange device 100a is provided with an entrance / exit 102 for the electric vehicle 200 to enter and exit. The battery 201 and the battery 101 are examples of the "first battery" and the "second battery" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0016] The underfloor area S of the battery exchange station 100 is provided with a battery mounting platform 34, a lifting unit 35, a transport unit 36, and a temporary storage area 40. The lifting unit 35 is capable of lifting up the vehicle body 200a of the electric vehicle 200. The lifting unit 35 is an example of a "lift-up mechanism" of the present disclosure.

[0017] The battery 101 is moved from the storage 100b to the temporary storage site 40, and then transported to the electric vehicle 200 by the transport unit .

[0018] The battery exchange station 100 includes a control device 10, an angle detection device 20, and a drive device 30. The angle detection device 20 is an example of a "relative angle detection unit" in the present disclosure. The control device 10 and the drive device 30 are also examples of a "control unit" and a "battery exchange processing unit" in the present disclosure.

[0019] 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). The control device 10 (processor 11) controls the drive device 30.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The angle detection device 20 includes a camera 21 and an angle calculation unit 22. The camera 21 is an example of the "data acquisition unit" of the present disclosure.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the battery exchange station 100 is provided with a vehicle stopping area 103. With the electric vehicle 200 parked in the vehicle stopping area 103, the user of the electric vehicle 200 performs an operation on a navigation system (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200 to instruct the start of battery exchange work. As a result, an instruction signal to start battery exchange work is transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 to the communication unit 13. Based on the communication unit 13 receiving the instruction signal, the processor 11 starts controlling the battery exchange by the drive device 30. The electric vehicle 200 is parked in the vehicle stopping area 103 so that the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body 200a is the X direction and the left-and-right direction of the vehicle body 200a is the Y direction.

[0023] The driving device 30 performs a process of replacing the battery 101 with the battery 201. The driving device 30 includes a wheel stopper 31, a shutter 32, a battery mounting stand 34 (see FIG. 1), a lifting unit 35 (see FIG. 1), and a transport unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 1).

[0024] Four wheel stoppers 31 are provided in the vehicle stopping area 103. The wheel stoppers 31 are provided to correspond to the four wheels 202 of the electric vehicle 200, respectively.

[0025] The wheel retaining portion 31 includes a pressing member 31a and a lateral roller portion 31b. The pressing member 31a is disposed so as to straddle the lateral roller portion 31b. The pressing member 31a presses the wheel 202 from the outside (side) to move the wheel 202. As a result, the wheel 202 is positioned by the wheel retaining portion 31.

[0026] The lateral roller portion 31b is composed of a plurality of rollers whose rotation axes extend along the X direction. The rollers of the lateral roller portion 31b are aligned along the Y direction. The pressing member 31a is moved along the Y direction by the rotation of the rollers of the lateral roller portion 31b.

[0027] 3, the lifting unit 35 lifts and lowers the electric vehicle 200 by holding the electric vehicle 200 from below. The lifting unit 35 is movable in the vertical direction (Z direction) through the opening 32a.

[0028] The lifting section 35 includes a pair of lifting bars 35a (see FIG. 1). Each of the pair of lifting bars 35a is provided with two protrusions 35b that protrude toward the Z1 side. The electric vehicle 200 is supported from below by the two protrusions 35b of each of the pair of lifting bars 35a (i.e., four protrusions 35b).

[0029] The drive device 30 includes a pair of support parts 35c. Each of the pair of support parts 35c supports the lifting bar 35a from below. As each of the pair of support parts 35c expands and contracts in the Z direction, the position of each of the pair of lifting bars 35a in the Z direction changes. Each of the pair of support parts 35c is attached to a movable platform 35d (see FIG. 1). The control device 10 (processor 11) controls the movement of the movable platform 35d in the XY plane. As a result, the processor 11 changes the position of the pair of support parts 35c in the XY plane and adjusts the angle, in a planar view, of the vehicle body 200a lifted up by the lifting unit 35. Note that the mechanism for adjusting the angle, in a planar view, of the vehicle body 200a is not limited to the above example. Furthermore, the movable platform 35d is an example of the "angle adjustment mechanism" and "vehicle body adjustment mechanism" of the present disclosure.

[0030] 4, the battery mounting base 34 is provided with two positioning pins 34a, four locking / unlocking tools 34b, and a roller portion 34c. The tip of the positioning pin 34a is provided with a tapered surface 34d. That is, the positioning pin 34a has a shape that tapers toward the Z1 side.

[0031] The battery mounting stand 34 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction below the electric vehicle 200. Specifically, the battery mounting stand 34 is movable in the X direction (X1 direction, X2 direction) and the Y direction (Y1 direction, Y2 direction). The battery mounting stand 34 is also rotatable so as to change its orientation (angle) within the XY plane.

[0032] Specifically, the battery mounting stand 34 is supported from below (Z2 side) by a support portion 34f (see FIG. 1). The support portion 34f expands and contracts in the Z direction, thereby changing the position of the battery mounting stand 34 in the Z direction. The support portion 34f is attached to a movable base 34g. The control device 10 (processor 11) controls the movement of the movable base 34g in the XY plane. This causes the processor 11 to change the position of the support portion 34f in the XY plane and adjust the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a planar view. Note that the mechanism for adjusting the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a planar view is not limited to the above example. Furthermore, the movable base 34g is an example of the "angle adjustment mechanism" and "mounting base adjustment mechanism" of the present disclosure.

[0033] The camera 21 is installed on the battery mounting stand 34. The camera 21 captures an image of a plurality of markers 201g (e.g., two-dimensional codes) (see FIG. 5) provided on the bottom surface of the battery 201. The angle calculation unit 22 (see FIG. 1) calculates the angle of the vehicle body 200a in a planar view in a lifted-up state based on the positional relationship of the plurality of markers 201g captured by the camera 21. Because the camera 21 is installed on the battery mounting stand 34, the angle of the vehicle body 200a calculated by the angle calculation unit 22 means the relative angle θ1 (see FIG. 6) between the vehicle body 200a and the battery mounting stand 34 in a planar view. The angle θ1 means the angle between the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 200a (see the dashed straight line in FIG. 6) and the front-rear direction of the battery mounting stand 34 (see the dashed straight line in FIG. 6). The markers 201g may be provided somewhere other than the battery 201 (e.g., the vehicle body 200a). The image of the marker 201g captured by the camera 21 is an example of "data relating to the angle in a plan view of the vehicle body" in the present disclosure. Note that the angle calculation unit 22 may also calculate the relative angle between the angle of the vehicle body 200a with respect to the horizontal plane and the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 with respect to the horizontal plane, based on the image of the marker 201g.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, the transport unit 36 ​​is configured to be able to transport batteries (201, 101). Specifically, the transport unit 36 ​​transports the battery 201 placed on the battery mounting stand 34 to the temporary storage area 40. When the battery mounting stand 34 is lowered to the same height position (position in the Z direction) as the transport unit 36, the roller unit 34c (see FIG. 4) of the battery mounting stand 34 rotates, and the battery 201 placed on the battery mounting stand 34 is moved to the Y1 side and placed on the transport unit 36. The transport unit 36 ​​then moves the battery 201 to the temporary storage area 40. The transport unit 36 ​​may be, for example, a belt conveyor type.

[0035] Furthermore, the transport unit 36 ​​moves the new battery 101 transported from the storage 100b to the temporary storage site 40 to the Y2 side and places it on the battery mounting stand 34. At this time, the roller unit 34c of the battery mounting stand 34 rotates in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned rotation direction, thereby moving the battery 101 on the battery mounting stand 34 to the Y2 side.

[0036] (Battery replacement method) Next, a battery exchange method using the battery exchange station 100 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0037] First, in step S21, 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 station 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 to the communication unit 13 before entering the battery exchange station 100. Note that each piece of information described above may also be transmitted to the communication unit 13 after the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery exchange station 100.

[0038] In step S1, the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange station 100 acquires, via communication, the information about the electric vehicle 200 and the information about the battery 201 transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 in step S21. The acquired information is stored in the memory 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] 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.

[0040] In step S22, the electric vehicle 200 parked in the vehicle stopping area 103 transmits to the communication unit 13 an instruction signal to start the battery replacement work.

[0041] In step S2, the communication unit 13 receives the instruction signal transmitted in step S22 from the electric vehicle 200. Note that in step S2, after receiving the instruction signal, the processor 11 may transmit an instruction message or the like to the user of the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13 to turn off the ignition power supply.

[0042] In step S3, the processor 11 adjusts the positions of the wheel clamping units 31 (see FIG. 2) based on the information (vehicle information and battery information) acquired in step S1 through the communication unit 13. Note that the processor 11 may control each of the four wheel clamping units 31 independently of one another.

[0043] This adjusts the horizontal position and orientation of the vehicle body 200a. Also, the horizontal position and orientation of the battery 201 are adjusted. As a result, the battery 201 can be moved to a predetermined position above the opening 32a.

[0044] In step S4, processor 11 opens shutter 32. Furthermore, processor 11 raises lifting bar 35a while shutter 32 is in the open state. This causes lifting bar 35a to pass through opening 32a. As a result, electric vehicle 200 is lifted by lifting bar 35a (see FIG. 3). If vehicle body 200a held by lifting bar 35a is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane, processor 11 may adjust the height of lifting bar 35a so that vehicle body 200a becomes parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0045] In step S5, the angle detection device 20 (see FIG. 1) detects the relative angle θ1 (see FIG. 6) between the vehicle body 200a and the battery mounting stand 34 in a plan view.

[0046] In step S6, the processor 11 determines whether the relative angle θ1 detected in step S5 is greater than a threshold A (e.g., 10 degrees). If the angle θ1 is greater than the threshold A, the process proceeds to step S7. If the angle θ1 is equal to or less than the threshold A, the process proceeds to step S8. The threshold A is an example of the "predetermined value" in the present disclosure.

[0047] In step S7, the processor 11 adjusts the angle of the vehicle body 200a in a plan view so as to reduce the angle θ1. Specifically, the processor 11 moves (rotates) the movable base 35d (see FIG. 1) to which the pair of support parts 35c are attached. In step S7, the processor 11 executes control to move (rotate) the movable base 35d for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds). Note that in step S7, the angle of the battery mounting base 34 in a plan view is not adjusted.

[0048] In step S8, the processor 11 adjusts the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a planar view so as to reduce the angle θ1. Specifically, the processor 11 moves (rotates) the movable base 34g (see FIG. 1) to which the support portion 34f is attached. In step S8, the processor 11 executes control to move the movable base 34g for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Note that the final value of the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a planar view may be stored in the memory 12. In addition, in step S8, the angle of the vehicle body 200a in a planar view is not adjusted.

[0049] In step S9, processor 11 determines whether angle θ1 after processing in step S7 or S8 is 0. If angle θ1 is 0, the process proceeds to step S10. If angle θ1 is not 0, the process returns to step S6. Note that angle θ1 being 0 means that angle θ1 falls within a predetermined range centered on 0 (for example, a range of 0±0.5 degrees).

[0050] In step S10, the battery 201 is removed from the body 200a of the electric vehicle 200. First, the processor 11 raises the battery mounting base 34. This causes the positioning pin 34a (see FIG. 4) to be inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, the locking / unlocking tool 34b (see FIG. 4) is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f (see FIG. 5). As a result, the battery mounting base 34 is positioned relative to the electric vehicle 200 (battery 201). At this time, the positioning pin 34a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 before the locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f. Note that the timing at which the positioning pin 34a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 and the timing at which the locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f may be the same.

[0051] Next, the processor 11 raises the locking / unlocking tool 34b while the tool is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f. After that, the processor 11 drives (rotates) the locking / unlocking tool 34b inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f. This unlocks a bolt (not shown) in the tool insertion hole 201f. As a result, the battery 201 is removed from the vehicle body 200a. This allows the battery 201 to be placed on the battery mounting base 34.

[0052] In step S11, the battery 201 removed from the vehicle body 200a in step S10 is transported to the storage 100b (see FIG. 1). First, the processor 11 lowers the battery mounting stand 34 on which the battery 201 is mounted to the height of the transport unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 1). This causes the battery 201 to move away from the vehicle body 200a. Next, the processor 11 lowers the lifting unit 35 (lifting bar 35a) to a position lower than the battery mounting stand 34. This causes the vehicle body 200a of the electric vehicle 200 to be placed on the ground without being held by the lifting bar 35a. Next, the processor 11 drives the roller unit 34c (see FIG. 4) of the battery mounting stand 34. This causes the battery 201 mounted on the battery mounting stand 34 to be moved to the Y1 side (the transport unit 36 ​​side) by the roller unit 34c. As a result, the battery 201 is removed from the battery mounting table 34. Then, the battery 201 is transported by the transport unit 36 ​​to the temporary storage site 40. Thereafter, the battery 201 is stored in the storage facility 100b.

[0053] In step S12, the processor 11 performs control to attach a new battery 101 to the vehicle body 200a. Specifically, the processor 11 raises the lifting unit 35 (lifting bar 35a). Next, the processor 11 adjusts the position (angle) of the battery mounting stand 34 so that the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a plan view becomes the same as the angle of the battery mounting stand 34 in a plan view adjusted in the processing of step S8. Note that the same processing as steps S5 to S9 above may also be performed when attaching the battery 101. In this case, another method may be used to detect the angle θ1.

[0054] Next, the processor 11 raises the battery mounting base 34. As a result, the positioning pin 34a (see FIG. 4) is inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 (see FIG. 5). In this state, the processor 11 raises the locking / unlocking tool 34b. As a result, the locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted into a tool insertion hole (not shown) of the battery 101. Then, the processor 11 drives (rotates) the locking / unlocking tool 34b. As a result, the bolts (not shown) in the tool insertion hole are locked. When it is detected that all the bolts are locked, the connector (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200 and the connector (not shown) of the battery 101 are locked. As a result, the installation of the battery 101 into the vehicle body 200a is completed.

[0055] In step S13, the processor 11 lowers each of the battery mounting stand 34 and the lifting / lowering unit 35. As a result, each of the battery mounting stand 34 and the lifting / lowering unit 35 is retracted from the electric vehicle 200. Thereafter, the processor 11 closes the shutter 32 (see FIG. 2).

[0056] In step S14, the processor 11 notifies the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13 that the battery replacement work has been completed.

[0057] Then, in step S23, the electric vehicle 200 receives the notification transmitted from the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange station 100 in step S14. This puts the electric vehicle 200 into a state in which the ignition power can be turned on. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0058] As described above, in the first embodiment, the drive device 30 includes an angle adjustment mechanism (34g, 35d) that adjusts the relative angle between the vehicle body 200a in a lifted-up state and the battery mounting stand 34 in a plan view. This makes it possible to easily correct the relative angle even if the relative angle between the vehicle body 200a in a lifted-up state and the battery mounting stand 34 deviates from a reference value (a value suitable for battery replacement).

[0059] [Second embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and will not be described again.

[0060] (Battery exchange station configuration) 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery exchange station 300 according to the second embodiment. The battery exchange station 300 includes a battery exchange device 300a and a storage 100b.

[0061] The battery exchange station 300 includes a control device 10, an angle detection device 120, and a drive device 30. The angle detection device 120 is an example of the "relative angle detection unit" of the present disclosure.

[0062] The angle detection device 120 includes an imaging unit 121 and an angle calculation unit 122. The imaging unit 121 includes a camera 121a and a camera 121b. The camera 121a is provided, for example, in the vehicle stopping area 103 (see FIG. 2). The camera 121a captures an image of the lifted-up vehicle body 200a from below to acquire images of a plurality of markers 201g (see FIG. 5). The angle calculation unit 122 acquires an angle θ11 (see FIG. 9) with respect to the X direction in a plan view of the lifted-up vehicle body 200a, based on the images of the plurality of markers 201g acquired by the camera 121a. The X direction is an example of a "predetermined direction" in the present disclosure.

[0063] The camera 121b is attached to, for example, the ceiling surface of the underfloor area S. The camera 121b captures an image of the battery mounting stand 34 from above. The angle calculation unit 122 acquires the angle θ12 (see FIG. 9 ) of the battery mounting stand 34 with respect to the X direction in a plan view based on the image acquired by the camera 121b. In this case, the angle θ12 may be calculated based on images of multiple markers (not shown) provided on the battery mounting stand 34, similar to the case of acquiring the angle θ11 of the vehicle body 200a.

[0064] (Battery replacement method) Next, a battery exchange method using the battery exchange station 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the battery exchange method of the second embodiment, step S15 is performed instead of step S5 in the first embodiment.

[0065] In step S15, the angle calculation unit 122 calculates the difference between the angle θ11 (see FIG. 9) and the angle θ12 (see FIG. 9) to detect the relative angle (θ11-θ12) between the vehicle body 200a in the lifted-up state and the battery mounting stand 34 in a plan view. The other processes (steps) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0066] In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the drive device 30 is controlled 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 drive device 30 may also be controlled based on information relating to either the electric vehicle 200 or the battery 201.

[0067] In the first and second embodiments described above, an example has been shown in which the angle of the vehicle body 200a (and the battery mounting stand 34) is detected based on an image of a marker captured by a camera, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the angles of the vehicle body 200a and the battery mounting stand 34 may be detected using an infrared laser. Furthermore, the angle of the vehicle body 200a may be detected based on the illumination range of the headlights of the electric vehicle 200.

[0068] In the first and second embodiments, the target of angle adjustment is switched between the vehicle body 200a and the battery mounting stand 34 depending on whether the relative angle is greater than the threshold value A (predetermined value), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Regardless of the magnitude of the relative angle, the target of angle adjustment may be predetermined to be either the vehicle body 200a or the battery mounting stand 34.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 control device (control unit), 20, 120 angle detection device (relative angle detection unit), 21 camera (data acquisition unit), 30 drive unit (battery exchange processing unit), 34 battery mounting base, 34g operating base (angle adjustment mechanism) (mounting base adjustment mechanism), 35 lifting unit (lift-up mechanism), 35d operating base (angle adjustment mechanism) (vehicle body adjustment mechanism), 100, 200 battery exchange station, 101 battery (second battery), 200 electric vehicle, 200a vehicle body, 201 battery (first battery), A threshold (predetermined value), θ1, θ11-θ12 relative angle, θ11 angle (vehicle body angle), θ12 angle (battery mounting base angle).

Claims

1. A battery exchange station including a first battery provided at a bottom of an electric vehicle and a second battery replaceable therewith, a battery exchange processing unit that performs processing to exchange the first battery with the second battery; a control unit that controls the battery replacement processing unit; a relative angle detection unit, The battery exchange processing unit a lift-up mechanism that lifts up a body of the electric vehicle; a battery mounting base configured to retract the first battery from the vehicle body after the first battery is removed from the bottom of the electric vehicle; an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts a relative angle between the vehicle body in a lifted-up state and the battery mounting base in a plan view of the electric vehicle from above, the relative angle detection unit detects the relative angle, The angle adjustment mechanism is a vehicle body adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the vehicle body in the plan view; a mounting base adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of the battery mounting base in the plan view, The control unit When the relative angle is greater than a predetermined value, the vehicle body adjustment mechanism is controlled; The battery exchange station controls the mounting table adjusting mechanism when the relative angle is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.

2. the relative angle detection unit includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to an angle of the vehicle body in the planar view, The battery exchange station according to claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition unit is installed on the battery mounting table.

3. The relative angle detection unit detecting an angle of the vehicle body in a lifted-up state relative to a predetermined direction in a plan view and an angle of the battery mounting base in a plan view relative to the predetermined direction; 2. The battery exchange station according to claim 1, wherein the relative angle is detected by calculating a difference between the angle of the vehicle body and the angle of the battery mounting base.

4. The data acquisition unit includes a camera, the camera captures an image of the first battery or a plurality of markers provided on the vehicle body; The battery exchange station according to claim 2 , wherein the relative angle detection unit detects the relative angle based on a positional relationship between the plurality of markers captured by the camera.

5. A battery replacement station as described in Claim 4, wherein the camera is positioned on the upper surface of the battery mounting base.

Images