Energy storage device management system

Abstract

To provide a management system that enables more effective use of a power storage apparatus.SOLUTION: A management system 1 as an example of the embodiment includes: a portable power storage apparatus 10; a server 20 that stores information on the power storage apparatus 10; and an information terminal 30 that can communicate with the server 20. The server 20 stores first information on first and second users and second information on a shared use condition of the power storage apparatus 10, and transmits information for shared use of the power storage apparatus 10 to the information terminal 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system for a portable power storage device, and more particularly to a management system that supports shared use of a power storage device by a plurality of businesses, organizations, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Portable power storage devices have been used as power sources for electric vehicles such as power-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric carts, as well as for electrical equipment such as computers, smartphones, printers, monitors, lighting equipment, and refrigerators. Portable power storage devices are also used as emergency power sources in the event of a power outage, disaster, or the like.

[0003] In recent years, a management system for a power storage device has also been proposed that includes a power storage device equipped with a wireless communication module for transmitting information about the status of the power storage device to a terminal device such as a smartphone, and a server for managing the power storage device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-46571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, portable power storage devices are used as emergency power sources, but it is wasteful to simply store them in a warehouse. Furthermore, when a user has a surplus power storage device, it is desirable to be able to effectively utilize the surplus. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a management system that enables more effective utilization of power storage devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The energy storage device management system of the present disclosure comprises a portable energy storage device, a server that stores information about the energy storage device, and a terminal device that can communicate with the server, wherein the terminal device includes first and second terminal devices that are managed by first and second users who share the energy storage device, respectively, and the server stores first information about the first and second users and second information about the conditions for the shared use of the energy storage device, and transmits information for the shared use of the energy storage device to the first and second terminal devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The power storage device management system according to the present disclosure enables more effective use of power storage devices. For example, the management system according to the present disclosure enables smoother and more reliable lending and borrowing of power storage devices, thereby fully promoting the use of power storage devices. It also reduces the cost burden associated with the purchase and maintenance of power storage devices, and promotes the use of power storage devices through the further popularization of power storage devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a management system for a power storage device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control related to shared use of power storage devices. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of control relating to the shared use of power storage devices. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An example of an embodiment of a management system for a power storage device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, configurations formed by selectively combining the components of multiple embodiments and modified examples described below are included in the present disclosure.

[0010] The subject of the system according to the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the system according to the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The type of processor is not important as long as it can realize the above functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including an integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is stored in a non-transitory storage medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored in the storage medium or may be supplied to the storage medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0011] In the following, an embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure will be described using a portable power storage device 10 including a communication module 12 as an example of a power storage device, but the management system according to the present disclosure can also be applied to the management of a power storage device that does not have a communication function. However, the management system according to the present disclosure is particularly useful for the management of a portable power storage device that has a communication function.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a management system 1 for a power storage device, which is an example of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the management system 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 1 includes a portable power storage device 10 including a communication module 12, a server 20 that stores information related to the power storage device 10, and an information terminal 30 (terminal device) that can communicate with the server 20. The management system 1 is a system for allowing a plurality of businesses, local governments, etc. to share the power storage device 10. Here, the information related to the power storage device 10 includes status information including the charge rate of the power storage device 10, the presence or absence of an abnormality, etc., and identification information including the identification number of the power storage device 10, etc.

[0013] In this embodiment, the power storage device 10 is shared by a first and a second user. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first user in area A is a lender who normally uses and manages the power storage device 10, and the second user in area B is a borrower of the power storage device 10. As will be described in detail later, the server 20 stores first information about the first and second users and second information about the conditions for shared use (rental conditions) of the power storage device 10.

[0014] The management system 1, for example, enables smooth and reliable shared use of the power storage device 10, thereby promoting effective use of the power storage device 10. In this embodiment, the server 20 is configured as a device for managing the lending and borrowing of the power storage device 10. The management system 1 may be provided with a separate server for managing the state of the power storage device 10, such as the charging rate, temperature, abnormalities, and deterioration, and for storing usage data. Alternatively, the server 20 may include such functions.

[0015] In this embodiment, an information terminal 30 carried by a user constitutes a terminal device of the management system 1. The information terminal 30 is capable of communicating with the power storage device 10, and information related to the power storage device 10 is transmitted to the server 20 via the information terminal 30. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the term "user" refers to a manager who manages the power storage device 10. Specifically, the user is a person responsible for managing the power storage device 10 at a business operator, local government, or the like, who manages the status of the power storage device 10 using the information terminal 30.

[0016] The management system 1 includes a plurality of information terminals 30 as terminal devices. The information terminals 30 include information terminals 30A and 30B managed by a first and second user, respectively. There may be one each of the information terminals 30A and 30B, or two or more. The server 20 and the information terminals 30A and 30B are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a wide area communication network such as the Internet or a mobile communication system.

[0017] The power storage device 10 is used in many places, such as offices, factories, public facilities (government offices, community centers, schools, hospitals, stations, evacuation shelters, etc.), commercial facilities (stores, shopping malls, etc.), and individual homes. In this embodiment, the server 20 not only manages the rental and leasing of the power storage device 10, but also manages the status of the power storage device 10, and transmits abnormality occurrence information to the information terminal 30 when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device 10. An example of the server 20 is a server of a seller, management company, etc. of the power storage device 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the server 20 is a server of the seller.

[0018] An example of a first user that lends the power storage device 10 is a business operator such as a company. An example of a second user that borrows the power storage device 10 is a local government such as a city, town, or village. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the lender is a business operator, area A is the business operator's office or the like, the borrower is a local government, and area B is an evacuation shelter or the like. In area A, the power storage device 10 is managed using an information terminal 30A, and in area B, the power storage device 10 is managed using an information terminal 30B. The server 20 is configured to transmit information for shared use of the power storage device 10 to the information terminals 30A and 30B so that shared use of the power storage device 10 can be realized smoothly and more reliably.

[0019] As shown in Table 1 below, the lender may be a local government and the borrower may be a business operator, or both may be a business operator or a local government. Also, the lender may be a business operator or a local government and the borrower may be an individual, and the combination of the first and second users who jointly use the power storage device 10 is not particularly limited.

[0020] An example of an information terminal 30 constituting the management system 1 is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer owned by the administrator. The management system 1 is configured so that the administrator can check the status of the power storage device 10 using the information terminal 30. When there are multiple information terminals 30, the information terminals 30 may be the same type of device or different types of devices. By installing application software (hereinafter referred to as "app") of the management system 1 on a user's terminal device, the terminal device can be used as an information terminal 30 of the management system 1.

[0021] The management system 1 generally includes a plurality of power storage devices 10. The server 20 and the information terminal 30 store identification information set for each of the plurality of power storage devices 10, and manage information for each power storage device 10. Note that if a user owns many power storage devices 10, a separate information terminal 30 may be used for management for each group of a predetermined number of power storage devices 10.

[0022] The power storage device 10, the server 20, and the information terminal 30 that constitute the management system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0023] [Electricity storage device 10] The power storage device 10 includes a battery module 11 and a case 14 that houses the battery module 11. The power storage device 10 is a portable power storage device that can be carried around, and is generally called a battery pack. The power storage device 10 also includes a communication module 12 and a control unit 13. The communication module 12 and the control unit 13 are housed in the case 14 together with the battery module 11. The battery module 11 is charged using, for example, a charger / discharger 40. The charger / discharger 40 may include a charge / discharge circuit 41 and an outlet 42, and may be capable of discharging the power storage device 10 while it is installed on the charger / discharger 40.

[0024] The battery module 11 may be composed of a single battery, but is preferably configured as a battery pack including multiple batteries. The shape of the batteries that make up the battery pack is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, cylindrical batteries, pouch-shaped batteries, or prismatic batteries. The type of battery is also not particularly limited, but a suitable example is a high-capacity lithium-ion battery.

[0025] The power storage device 10 is provided with measuring instruments such as a voltmeter that measures the voltage of the battery module 11, an ammeter that measures the current, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, an acceleration sensor that detects a fall, and a submersion sensor. Based on these measured values, the control unit 13 calculates values ​​that indicate the state of the battery module 11, such as the charging rate, maximum capacity, and temperature of the battery module 11. The charging rate can be calculated based on the voltage of the battery module 11 measured by the voltmeter. The control unit 13 may also calculate the degradation level of the battery module 11 based on these measured values. The degradation level of the power storage device 10 can be calculated from the rate of decrease in the maximum capacity.

[0026] The communication module 12 is a device for wireless communication with the information terminal 30. Information about the power storage device 10 is transmitted to the information terminal 30 by the function of the communication module 12. In this embodiment, the communication module 12 may have a function for wireless communication between the power storage device 10 and the information terminal 30 located in a short distance. The configuration of the communication module 12 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a short-range wireless communication module from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the power storage device 10 in area A transmits information to the information terminal 30A, and the power storage device 10 in area B transmits information to the information terminal 30B.

[0027] A specific example is a module that performs BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication. BLE corresponds to version 4 of Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is a short-range wireless communication standard. Since the power consumption for BLE communication is relatively small, using a BLE module can reduce the internal power consumption of the power storage device 10. Note that Bluetooth (registered trademark) corresponds to the IEEE802.15.1 standard, which is an international standard for short-range wireless communication.

[0028] The control unit 13 has a function of controlling the operation of the power storage device 10, such as charging and discharging the battery module 11, generating information indicating the state of the power storage device 10, and transmitting information via the communication module 12. Information about the power storage device 10 is transmitted to the information terminal 30 by the function of the communication module 12 under the control of the control unit 13. The control unit 13 outputs information about the state of the power storage device 10, such as the charging rate, voltage, temperature, and maximum capacity of the power storage device 10, and information indicating an abnormality when an abnormality occurs.

[0029] The control unit 13 is configured by a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes, for example, non-volatile memory such as RAM, ROM, and a hard disk. The processor reads and executes programs installed in the memory to realize the functions of the power storage device 10. The control unit 13 may also have a protection board called a BMS board, which monitors the state of the battery module 11 and performs optimal charging and discharging.

[0030] The case 14 may be made of metal, but is preferably made of resin from the viewpoints of communication performance, weight reduction, etc. The case 14 is generally opaque and conceals the battery module 11 and other components housed therein. The case 14 shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a handle 15 is provided at the top end of the case 14 for use when carrying the power storage device 10. In addition, a connector 16 is provided at the bottom of the case 14 to be inserted into a battery installation section such as a charger or discharger. The connector 16 has a terminal that is electrically connected to the battery module 11.

[0031] Case 14 may be provided with a remaining charge display button 17 and an indicator 18. Remaining charge display button 17 is an operation unit for displaying the charging rate of battery module 11 on indicator 18. Indicator 18 may include, for example, multiple lamps, and display the charging rate by changing the number of lamps that are turned on depending on the charging rate. Indicator 18 may be a display unit that can display the charging rate numerically, or may be capable of displaying the state of power storage device 10 other than the charging rate.

[0032] [Server 20] As described above, the server 20 stores information related to the power storage device 10, and stores at least first information related to the first and second users who will share the power storage device 10, and second information related to the conditions for sharing the power storage device 10. The server 20 is configured to provide the information necessary for the shared use of the power storage device 10 to the information terminals 30A and 30B at an appropriate timing. In this embodiment, the server 20 stores information related to the state of the power storage device 10, such as the charging rate, and performs overall management of the power storage device 10.

[0033] That is, the server 20 collects and stores information related to the status of the power storage device 10. The server 20 stores various information including, for example, identification information of the power storage device 10 and the information terminal 30, in a state in which each information is associated with the information terminal 30 used to manage the power storage device 10. Registration information of the power storage device 10 and the information terminal 30 is transmitted from the information terminal 30 to the server 20, and the registered content can be changed by operating the information terminal 30. When a management app on the information terminal 30 is started, at least part of the information related to the status of the registered power storage device 10 may be automatically transmitted to the server 20 via the information terminal 30.

[0034] Like the control unit 13 of the power storage device 10, the server 20 has a processor 21 and a memory 22. The server 20 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The processor 21 realizes the functions of the server 20 by reading and executing a program installed in the memory 22. The processor 21 also acquires information related to the state of the power storage device 10 and stores it in the memory 22.

[0035] The first and second information related to the shared use of the power storage device 10 is registered in the server 20 by, for example, the seller of the power storage device 10. In this embodiment, the seller negotiates with a main prospective purchaser (lender) who will bear the majority of the purchase price of the power storage device 10 and a prospective borrower who will borrow the power storage device 10 from the main prospective purchaser, and registers the first and second information in the server 20 when a sales contract is concluded. In other words, the seller mediates the shared use by lending and borrowing the power storage device 10, and the functions of the server 20 enable smooth and reliable shared use.

[0036] The first information is information that identifies the lender and the borrower, and specifically includes information such as name, address, and contact information, and may also include the benefit information described below. The second information is information related to the lending conditions, including the lending period, the number of lendings, and the like. The sales contract for the energy storage device 10 may specify the burden rate of the purchase price, and information on the burden rate may be stored in the server 20. The first and second information, etc. may be directly input to the server 20, or may be registered using a terminal device of the seller that can communicate with the server 20. Alternatively, they may be registered using an information terminal 30.

[0037] Table 1 shows an example of information registered in the server 20. [Table 1]

[0038] As shown in Table 1, various combinations of lenders (first users) and borrowers (second users) of power storage devices 10 are possible, such as a business operator and a local government, two local governments, two businesses, and a business operator and an individual. As described above, the names, addresses, contact information, etc. of the lender and borrower are registered in server 20. In addition, the lending period and the number of lendings are registered as lending conditions from the business operator to the local government, which correspond to the second information. Server 20 may also store information regarding maintenance costs, transportation costs, etc. of power storage devices 10.

[0039] The rental period may be a specific date, such as year / month / date to year / month / date, or may be when a special event occurs, such as during a disaster or during normal times. For example, a disaster may be defined as a period when an evacuation order is issued, and normal times as a period when no evacuation order is issued. Note that the information defining a disaster is not limited to evacuation orders, but may also include other weather information, such as emergency warnings. The number of rentals may be a specific number, such as twice per week, or may be set to unlimited for a predetermined period, such as during a disaster. Alternatively, it is possible to consult on a case-by-case basis without registering the specific rental period and number of rentals in the server 20.

[0040] When the lender is a business operator and the borrower is a local government, it is assumed that the business operator will use the power storage device 10 during normal times other than during a disaster, and that the local government will use it in evacuation shelters or the like during a disaster. For this reason, in the example shown in Table 1, the lending conditions from the business operator to the local government state that it can be used unlimitedly during a disaster. Furthermore, because the business operator normally uses the power storage device 10, the business operator, who uses it frequently, bears 80% of the purchase cost. Running costs such as maintenance costs and transportation costs may be borne in full by the business operator, or the cost burden may be determined at the same rate as the purchase cost burden. Furthermore, the running cost burden may be calculated based on the usage time, number of days of usage, etc. of the power storage device 10.

[0041] Server 20 may store, for example, benefit information such as a discount on the next purchase of power storage device 10 or a discount on maintenance fees as first information related to the user. These benefits may be set for both the lender and the borrower, or may be set only for the lender or only for those who bear a large cost burden. As will be described in more detail later, the benefit information stored in server 20 may be used to encourage the fulfillment of predetermined lending conditions.

[0042] The server 20 has various functions for encouraging users to fulfill the rental conditions and facilitating the shared use of the power storage device 10. For example, if the capacity of the power storage device 10 continues to be lower than the specified capacity desired by the borrower for a specified period of time, the server 20 transmits information to the information terminal 30A of the lender urging the borrower to charge the power storage device 10. The server 20 acquires information on the charging rates of the power storage devices 10 in area A via the information terminal 30A. Therefore, the server 20 compares the total capacity of the power storage devices 10 that are immediately available with the rental conditions, and if the capacity desired by the borrower has not been secured, the server 20 can urge the borrower to charge the power storage device 10 to secure the capacity.

[0043] The charging request from the server 20 may be sent to the information terminal 30A immediately (the above-mentioned predetermined period ≒ 0) when the total capacity of the rentable power storage devices 10 in area A falls below the capacity desired by the borrower, for example, or may be sent after a predetermined time has elapsed, such as after 24 hours. An example of the predetermined time is 0 to 48 hours. The notification (information transmission) from the server 20 to the information terminal 30 is preferably a so-called push notification, which actively notifies the information without receiving a request from the information terminal 30. The charging request may include information such as the number of power storage devices 10 that require charging, the estimated charging time, and the due date for response.

[0044] Server 20 mediates rental requests from borrowers and return requests from lenders. The borrower can transmit a rental request for the power storage device 10 by operating information terminal 30B, for example, based on predetermined rental conditions. The rental request is transmitted to information terminal 30A of the lender via server 20. Furthermore, the lender can transmit a return request for the power storage device 10 by operating information terminal 30A, for example, based on predetermined rental conditions. The return request is transmitted to information terminal 30B of the borrower via server 20.

[0045] If the loan request does not satisfy the predetermined loan conditions, server 20 may transmit error information to information terminal 30B indicating that the request cannot be accepted. Also, if the return request does not satisfy the predetermined loan conditions, server 20 may transmit error information to information terminal 30A indicating that the request cannot be accepted. Note that the loan conditions can be changed with the consent of both parties, and server 20 may have an intermediary function for such changes.

[0046] If the rental date or return date is registered in advance, the server 20 may automatically transmit a rental or return request on the condition that the due date arrives. Furthermore, it is preferable that the server 20 stores information such as the rental date, return date, and receipt date of the power storage device 10. This information is stored in the server 20 based on, for example, a user's operation using the information terminal 30. Alternatively, on the condition that communication between the information terminal 30B and the power storage device 10 is started, the information may be registered in the server 20 with the communication start date as the rental date. Furthermore, on the condition that communication between the information terminal 30A and the power storage device 10 becomes unavailable and then communication is resumed, the information may be registered in the server 20 with the return date as the date of resumption of communication.

[0047] The server 20 may transmit information regarding the rental period to the information terminals 30A and 30B. The server 20 stores the rental period of the power storage device 10, and therefore can provide information regarding the rental period to the user. A specific example is a notification sent to the information terminal 30A of the lender that the rental date of the power storage device 10 is approaching or that the rental date has arrived. Also, a notification sent to the information terminal 30B of the borrower that the return date of the power storage device 10 is approaching or that the return date has arrived. In this case, the rental and return of the power storage device 10 can be carried out more smoothly.

[0048] If the lender or borrower does not comply with the lending conditions of the power storage device 10, the server 20 may change the benefit information (first information) to cancel or reduce the benefit for the lender or borrower. If benefit information is stored in the server 20 as described above, the server 20 may use its functions to cancel or reduce the benefit as a penalty for not fulfilling the lending conditions. As a specific example, if a discount on the next purchase of the power storage device 10 is stored as the benefit information for the lender, the benefit information can be changed to cancel the discount or reduce the discount amount. For example, based on a request from a user, the server 20 compares the request with the lending conditions and changes the benefit information if the request is appropriate.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a large number of pieces of first and second information related to the shared use of the power storage device 10 are registered in the server 20. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the function of the server 20 makes it possible to match users other than the lender and borrower defined in advance by contract. The server 20, for example, collates the first and second information stored in the memory 22 to match users who will share the power storage device 10. In FIG. 3, A to G each represent a different user (a business operator, a local government, an individual, etc.), and each user possesses an information terminal 30A to 30G that constitutes the management system.

[0050] When a predetermined lender cannot respond to the borrower's lending request, the server 20 may transmit information requesting a lending of the power storage device 10 to a user other than the predetermined lender. Alternatively, when the lender has a surplus power storage device 10, the server 20 may transmit information requesting a user other than the predetermined borrower to borrow the surplus power storage device 10. In other words, when the surplus power storage device 10 is not being used by the predetermined borrower alone, the server 20 searches for a new partner and requests the borrowing of the surplus power storage device 10. The server 20 selects an appropriate user based on, for example, the first and second information stored in the memory 22. The server 20 may provide a candidate list to the user.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 3, users A and B, users C and D, and users E and F are pairs of lender and borrower determined in advance by contract. For example, user D wants to use more power storage devices 10, but user C, the predetermined lender, no longer has the ability to lend. On the other hand, user A owns many power storage devices 10, and user B, the predetermined borrower, cannot use all of the surplus power storage devices 10. In this case, server 20 matches users A and D and transmits a lending request from user D to user A's information terminal 30A. Alternatively, server 20 transmits a borrowing request from user A to user D's information terminal 30D.

[0052] 3, information about a user for whom a lender or borrower has not been decided in advance may be registered in the server 20. In other words, the server 20 may match a user for whom a lender or borrower has not been decided in advance with an appropriate user based on the lending conditions desired by the user. For example, the server 20 matches user G, who is a borrower who has not been decided in advance, with user A, who owns a large number of surplus power storage devices 10.

[0053] [Information terminal 30] As described above, the information terminal 30 is used to acquire information from the power storage device 10 and check the status of the power storage device 10. The information terminal 30 has a monitor 33 for displaying information about the power storage device 10. The information terminal 30 may be a dedicated terminal for the management system 1, but as described above, a suitable example is a smartphone or the like carried by the user. By installing an app for the management system 1, the user's smartphone can be used as the information terminal 30 for the management system 1.

[0054] Of the terminal devices on which the management system 1 app is installed, only an arbitrary terminal device may function as a terminal device (information terminal 30) that constitutes the management system 1. For example, two stages of registration may be provided for user registration of the app. The first stage of registration is simply registration as a user who uses the power storage device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "user registration"). In the case of user registration, a push notification of first information related to an abnormality in the power storage device 10 cannot be received. Note that information related to the state of the power storage device 10 may be transmitted to the server 20 via the terminal device that is registered as the user.

[0055] The second stage of registration is registration as an administrator who manages the power storage device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "administrator registration"). When registering an app administrator, information for receiving push notifications from the server 20 is provided to the server 20. Specifically, for example, a user ID, an identifier (device token) of the information terminal 30, etc. are stored in the server 20. The server 20 may also store the user's email address, telephone number, etc. Note that an app for the user and an app for the administrator (a management app for the management system 1) may be prepared as apps related to the power storage device 10.

[0056] The information terminal 30, like the power storage device 10 and the server 20, has a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processor 31 reads and executes a program (an application of the management system 1) installed in the memory 32, thereby realizing the functions of the information terminal 30. The processor 31 also acquires information about the power storage device 10 and stores it in the memory 32, and transmits necessary information to the server 20. In this embodiment, short-range wireless communication such as BLE is used for communication between the information terminal 30 and the power storage device 10, and a wide-area communication network such as an internet line or a mobile communication system is used for communication with the server 20.

[0057] The information terminal 30 may have a setting function for determining whether to receive push notifications from the server 20. For example, the administrator can set whether to turn push notifications on or off on a notification setting screen of an application registered with the administrator. Since a prompt response is required for information regarding an abnormality in the power storage device 10, the user may not be able to set whether to turn notifications on or off. The information terminal 30 may have a setting function for determining whether to receive alert notifications that prompt the user to check the status of the power storage device 10. Alternatively, the user may not be able to set whether to turn alert notifications on or off, as with information regarding an abnormality.

[0058] Hereinafter, control relating to the shared use (lending and borrowing) of the power storage device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 4, first, a sales contract for the power storage device 10 is concluded, and at the same time, a lease contract for the power storage device 10 is also concluded (step S10). Step S10 is carried out, for example, based on the agreement of three parties: the seller of the power storage device 10, the prospective purchaser, and the prospective borrower. Note that step S10 is an artificial arrangement and is not a process performed by the function of the server 20. The prospective borrower may be a joint purchaser (joint owner) who pays part of the purchase price of the power storage device 10, or may be a person who only has the right to use the power storage device 10. The ownership of the power storage device 10 and its share can be determined arbitrarily between the parties. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a lease contract for the power storage device 10 is concluded through the mediation of the seller.

[0060] When a lease contract for the power storage device 10 is concluded, user information about the lender and borrower is registered in the server 20 as the first information (step S11), and information about the lease conditions is registered in the server 20 as the second information (step S12). Information is registered in the server 20, for example, by operating the seller's terminal device. As described above, the user information includes the names, addresses, contact information, etc. of the lender and borrower. The lease conditions include the lease period, number of leases, planned number of leases, available lease capacity, etc. Predetermined conditions may be attached to the lease period and number of leases, such as unlimited in the event of a disaster.

[0061] In the example shown in Fig. 4, in step S13, it is determined whether the capacity of the power storage device 10 owned by the lender is appropriate, specifically, whether the power storage device 10 is appropriately charged and the capacity required by the borrower is secured. The server 20, for example, calculates the total capacity based on the charging rate of the power storage device 10, compares the total capacity with the requested capacity based on the lending conditions, and determines whether the state in which the total capacity is less than the requested capacity has continued for a predetermined period. If the required capacity is secured (Yes in step S13), and the lending conditions for the power storage device 10 are met (Yes in step S14), processing related to lending of the power storage device 10 is executed (step S15).

[0062] In steps S14 and S15, for example, when a preset rental date arrives, the server 20 notifies the information terminal 30A of the lender that the rental date has arrived and stores the rental date. At this time, along with the notification of the arrival of the rental date, the server 20 may also transmit information urging the lender to rent the power storage device 10 (such as arranging for delivery). Furthermore, upon receiving rental request information from the information terminal 30B of the borrower, the server 20 may compare the rental request with the rental conditions and, if the rental request is appropriate, execute the rental process assuming that the rental conditions have been met. If the rental conditions stipulate an emergency, the server 20 may predict the emergency by acquiring weather information, disaster information, etc. from an external source, or may determine the emergency by receiving an emergency alert from an external source. In this case, in steps S14 and S15, the server 20 may determine the emergency, determine that the time for rental has arrived, and ask the lender and borrower whether to arrange for rental.

[0063] When the return conditions for the power storage device 10 are met (Yes in step S16), the server 20 executes processing related to the return of the power storage device 10 (step S17). For example, when a preset return date arrives, the server 20 notifies the borrower's information terminal 30B that the return date has arrived and stores the return date. At this time, along with notifying the borrower of the arrival of the return date, the server 20 may also transmit information urging the borrower to return the power storage device 10 (by arranging for delivery, etc.). Furthermore, when the server 20 receives return request information from the lender's information terminal 30A, the server 20 may compare the return request with the lending conditions, and if the return request is appropriate, may execute processing related to the return by considering the return conditions to be met. Alternatively, if the lending of the power storage device 10 is limited to when an evacuation order is issued, the return conditions may be considered to be met when the evacuation order is lifted.

[0064] In the example shown in Fig. 4, if server 20 determines in step S13 that the state in which the total capacity of power storage device 10 is less than the required capacity has continued for a predetermined period of time (No in step S13), it sends a charging request to information terminal 30A of the lender (step S18). If the lender still does not properly charge the battery even after sending the charging request, it is considered to be in default, and as a penalty, the benefit information related to the lender is changed and the benefit is canceled or reduced (step S20). Note that in the example shown in Fig. 4, steps S13 and S18 to S20 may be omitted.

[0065] 4, when the lending conditions reach the conditions previously set in the contract (Yes in step S21), lending of the energy storage device 10 is terminated. For example, when the number of times the energy storage device 10 is lent is predetermined, lending of the energy storage device 10 is terminated when the number of times it is lent reaches that number. In other words, shared use by lending and borrowing the energy storage device 10 continues until the number of times it is lent reaches that number. Note that when a period of shared use is predetermined, lending of the energy storage device 10 may be terminated when that period expires, and the condition in step S21 is not particularly limited.

[0066] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of control relating to the shared use of the power storage device 10. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the function of the server 20 matches users other than the lender and borrower specified in advance by contract (steps S30 and S31). The server 20 searches for new partners based on, for example, the first and second information stored in the memory 22, and matches the users.

[0067] The matching in step S31 is performed based on a request from the user (a partner search request) (Yes in step S30). This request is made, for example, by operating the information terminal 30. The server 20 may select a specific user as a new partner and send information about the partner to the requester's information terminal 30, or may send a list of candidates to allow the requester to select one.

[0068] For example, when a predetermined lender is unable to respond to a lending request from a borrower, the server 20 transmits, at the request of the borrower, information to a new partner, a user other than the predetermined lender, requesting the lending of the power storage device 10. Alternatively, when the lender has surplus power storage devices 10, the server 20 transmits, at the request of the lender, information to a new partner, a user other than the predetermined borrower, requesting the borrowing of the surplus power storage devices 10.

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 5, after matching is performed by the function of the server 20, a loan agreement is concluded defining a new pair of lender and borrower (step S32). The procedure after the loan agreement is the same as in the example shown in FIG. 4. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 5, for a user for whom a lender or borrower has not been determined in advance, matching with an appropriate user may be performed based on the loan conditions desired by the user. If the server 20 stores a large amount of user information, the function of the server 20 can search for a lender or borrower desired by the user.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the management system 1. The example shown in FIG. 6 differs from the example shown in FIG. 1 in that a server 50 of the transporter of the power storage device 10 is incorporated as a component of the management system 1. The transporter is, for example, a transportation company that has a business partnership with the seller. In the example shown in FIG. 6, information stored in the seller's server 20, for example, user information on the lender and borrower of the power storage device 10, and information on the rental conditions, is transmitted to the transporter's server 50. Furthermore, the server 50 is configured to be able to communicate not only with the server 20 but also with information terminals 30A and 30B.

[0071] 6, when the rental date of the power storage device 10 is predetermined, or when the rental date of the power storage device 10 is triggered by a weather warning such as an evacuation order, and the server 20 can determine the rental date, the server 50 automatically executes the delivery process. Specifically, information regarding the rental, including the rental date of the power storage device 10, is transmitted from the server 20 to the server 50, and the server 50 determines the delivery vehicle, personnel, delivery date and time, etc., and executes the delivery process. In this case, the user does not need to make delivery arrangements, improving usability and enabling more reliable rental.

[0072] For example, the server 50 may transmit information such as the scheduled collection date and time to the information terminal 30A of the lender as part of the process related to the delivery of the power storage device 10. The server 50 may also transmit information such as the scheduled delivery date and time of the power storage device 10 to the information terminal 30B of the borrower. The server 50 may store the rental date in the server 20 when the delivery of the power storage device 10 is completed. Similarly, the server 50 may store the return date in the server 20 when the power storage device 10 is collected from the borrower and delivered to the lender. That is, steps S15 and S17 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are executed using the functions of the server 50.

[0073] As described above, the management system 1 having the above configuration allows the shared use of the power storage device 10 to be realized smoothly and reliably through the functions of the server 20, thereby enabling the power storage device 10 to be effectively utilized without impairing user convenience. For example, the management system 1 makes it easy for a power storage device 10 owned by a local government as an emergency power source to be used in a business operator's office or the like during normal times. Meanwhile, in the event of a disaster, the power storage device 10 is returned by the business operator and used in an evacuation shelter or the like set up by the local government. Such a contract is concluded, for example, through the mediation of a seller or through the functions of the server 20, thereby making the shared use of the power storage device 10 more effective. It is also possible to reduce the cost burden by sharing the costs of purchasing and maintaining the power storage device 10 among the shared users.

[0074] The above-described embodiment may be appropriately modified in design without impairing the purpose of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the lender of the power storage device 10 also uses the power storage device 10, but the lender may be a rental business that does not use the power storage device 10 itself. Also, multiple power storage devices 10 may be sold to two or more users on the premise of shared use without a rental contract, and smooth shared use may be realized by the functions of the server 20.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the server 20 is the server of the seller (or the management company), but the server 20 may also be the server of the transport company. In this case, a system having the functions illustrated in Fig. 6 can be realized by the server 20 alone. The transport company, for example, obtains rental contract information from the seller and registers it on the server 20.

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example is disclosed in which the first and second information are stored in the server 20. However, the first and second information may be stored in a memory or the like included in the control unit 13 of the power storage device 10 as a storage unit. The first and second information may be transmitted from the power storage device 10 to the server 20, and the server 20 may make a matching determination in response to the transmitted information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 management system, 10 power storage device, 11 battery module, 12 communication module, 13 control unit, 14 case, 15 handle, 16 connection part, 16A terminal, 17 remaining capacity display button, 18 indicator, 20, 50 server, 21, 31 processor, 22, 32 memory, 30 information terminal, 33 monitor, 40 charger / discharger, 41 charge / discharge circuit, 42 outlet

Claims

1. A portable electricity storage device; a server that stores information about the power storage device; a terminal device capable of communicating with the server; Equipped with the terminal devices include first and second terminal devices managed by first and second users who share the power storage device, respectively; The server storing first information relating to the first and second users and second information relating to predetermined conditions for joint use of the power storage device; Matching the first and second information of the first user with the first and second information of the second user; a power storage device management system that transmits information for joint use of the power storage device to the first and second terminal devices;

2. the first user is a lender of the power storage device, and the second user is a borrower of the power storage device; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the server transmits information requesting the lending of the power storage device to a user other than the first user when the first user is unable to respond to the lending request of the second user.

3. the first user is a lender of the power storage device, and the second user is a borrower of the power storage device; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, when the first user has a surplus of the power storage device, the server transmits information to a user other than the second user requesting the borrowing of the surplus.

4. the first user is a lender of the power storage device, and the second user is a borrower of the power storage device; The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server transmits information to the first terminal device prompting the first terminal device to charge the power storage device when a period of time during which the capacity of the power storage device falls below a predetermined capacity desired by the second user continues.

5. The management system according to claim 4 , wherein the server stores a lease period for the power storage device and transmits information about the lease period to the first and second terminal devices.

6. 6. The management system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the server changes the first information to cancel or reduce benefits for the first or second user if the first or second user does not comply with the lending conditions of the storage device.

7. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information relating to the storage device includes storage device status information indicating the status of the storage device and storage device identification information indicating a unique number of the storage device.

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