Notification control method, notification control device and vehicle

Abstract

To urge a user to replace a battery before an amount of remaining electric power becomes smaller than an amount of remaining electric power required for a vehicle to reach a battery replacement station.SOLUTION: A notification control method is executed by a management server that notifies a user of a vehicle of replacement of a battery that is mounted on the vehicle and stores electric power to be used for traveling. The management server includes a CPU and a communication unit. The notification control method includes the steps of: specifying a threshold (an SOC with a margin) related to an amount of electric power required for traveling between a battery replacement station satisfying a predetermined condition and a present location of the vehicle (S215); specifying an SOC capable of specifying an amount of remaining electric power of the battery (S202); and when the SOC is lower than the threshold, controlling the communication unit so as to execute a process for notifying the user to urge replacement of the battery (a process for transmitting information for notification to urge the replacement in the vehicle) (S218).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a notification control method, a notification control device, and a vehicle, and in particular to a notification control method executed by a notification control device that notifies a vehicle user of replacement of a power storage device that is mounted on the vehicle and stores power used for driving, a notification control device that notifies a vehicle user of replacement of a power storage device that is mounted on the vehicle and stores power used for driving, and a vehicle that notifies a user of replacement of a power storage device that stores power used for driving. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a system in which at least one battery service station that an electric vehicle can reach with the remaining charge amount is identified, and the electric vehicle displays the at least one battery service station to a user of the electric vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-135892 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology in Patent Document 1 identifies a battery service station that can be reached with the remaining charge when the battery charge level is below a threshold. However, for example, in an area where there are few exchange locations for power storage devices in the vicinity, when the remaining charge level of the power storage device falls below the threshold, there may no longer be any exchange locations in the vicinity that can be reached.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a notification control method, a notification control device, and a vehicle that can prompt a user to replace a storage device before the remaining amount of power in the vehicle falls below the amount required to reach a storage device replacement location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The notification control method according to the present disclosure is executed by a notification control device that notifies a vehicle user of the replacement of a power storage device that is mounted on the vehicle and stores power used for driving. The notification control device includes a processor and a notification device. The notification control method includes the steps of: specifying a threshold value related to the amount of power required for driving between a power storage device replacement location that satisfies a predetermined condition among multiple power storage device replacement locations and the current location of the vehicle; specifying a state value that can identify the remaining amount of power in the power storage device; and controlling the notification device to execute a process to notify the user that the power storage device should be replaced if the state value is below the threshold value.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the state value that can identify the remaining power amount of the power storage device falls below a threshold related to the amount of power required for traveling between the location where the power storage device is replaced and the current location of the vehicle, the user is notified that they are encouraged to replace the power storage device. As a result, it is possible to provide a notification control method that can prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining power amount falls below the amount necessary for the vehicle to reach the location where the power storage device is replaced.

[0008] The predetermined condition may include a condition that the destination can be reached from the current location with the least amount of required power.

[0009] With this configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining amount of power falls below the amount necessary for the vehicle to reach the replacement location that can be reached from the current location with the least amount of power required.

[0010] The notification control method may further include a step in which the processor acquires information regarding the amount of power of the storage devices stored at the multiple exchange locations, and the specified conditions may further include conditions regarding the amount of power of the storage devices indicated by the acquired information.

[0011] According to this configuration, the exchange location where the exchange of the power storage device is encouraged can be the exchange location where the power storage device that satisfies the condition regarding the amount of power is stored.

[0012] The step of specifying the threshold may include a step in which the processor specifies the threshold using a distance between the exchange location that satisfies a predetermined condition and the current location and an electricity cost.

[0013] With this configuration, it is possible to more accurately identify the threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between the exchange location and the current location.

[0014] The notification control method may further include a step of controlling the notification device to execute processing for presenting a screen to a user for reserving replacement of the power storage device at the replacement location by the processor.

[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required for the user to make a reservation for the exchange of the power storage device at the exchange location.

[0016] The notification control method may further include a step in which, when the remaining amount of energy falls below the amount of energy required for traveling between an exchange location that meets specified conditions and the vehicle's current location, the processor prohibits execution of a process to notify the user to encourage the exchange of the power storage device.

[0017] With this configuration, if the remaining power in the storage device falls below the amount of power required for traveling between the replacement location and the vehicle's current location, it can be determined that the user has no intention of replacing the storage device (has an intention to charge the storage device rather than replace it), and unnecessary notifications urging replacement can be stopped.

[0018] In the step of controlling the notification device, the processor may further control the notification device to execute processing to notify the user that the storage device should be replaced if the distance between the replacement location that meets the specified conditions and the vehicle's current location is less than a specified distance.

[0019] In areas where there are no replacement locations nearby, it is generally thought that the power storage device will not be replaced but will be charged. Therefore, if the distance between the replacement location and the current location of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the user would be inconvenienced if a notification urging the user to replace the power storage device is sent to the user. With this configuration, the user is notified that a power storage device will be replaced when the distance between the replacement location and the current location of the vehicle is less than the predetermined distance. As a result, the user can be prevented from feeling inconvenienced.

[0020] The notification control method may further include a step in which the processor acquires congestion information between the current location of the vehicle and an exchange location that meets specified conditions, and a step in which, if the congestion information indicates the possibility of congestion, the processor controls the notification device to execute processing to suggest reducing power consumption until the congestion is resolved.

[0021] The notification to encourage the user to replace the power storage device is issued when a status value that can identify the remaining power of the power storage device falls below a threshold value related to the amount of power required to reach the power storage device replacement location. However, if the user is caught in traffic and consumes extra power in such a case, the possibility of being unable to reach the replacement location increases. With this configuration, when a possibility of traffic congestion between the current location and the replacement location is indicated, the user is prompted to reduce power consumption until the traffic congestion is resolved. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is unable to reach the charging location.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a notification control device is a device that notifies a user of a vehicle to replace a power storage device that is mounted on the vehicle and stores power used for driving, and includes a processor and a notification device. The processor identifies a threshold value related to the amount of power required for driving between a power storage device replacement location that satisfies predetermined conditions among multiple power storage device replacement locations and the current location of the vehicle, identifies a state value that can identify the remaining power amount of the power storage device, compares the state value with the threshold value, and, if the state value is below the threshold value, controls the notification device to execute processing to notify the user that the power storage device should be replaced.

[0023] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a notification control device that can prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining amount of power falls below the amount required for the vehicle to reach the replacement location for the power storage device.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle notifies a user of the need to replace a power storage device that stores power used for traveling, and includes a processor, a communication device for communicating with an external device, and a notification device for notifying the user of the information. The processor controls the communication device to transmit information indicating the current location of the vehicle and the remaining power amount of the power storage device to the external device, and controls the notification device to notify the user of information transmitted from the external device urging the user to replace the power storage device when a state value that can identify the remaining power amount is below a threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between the current location and a replacement location for the power storage device that satisfies a predetermined condition, the replacement location being identified by the external device.

[0025] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle that can prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining power amount falls below the amount necessary for the vehicle to reach a location where the power storage device is replaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a notification control method, a notification control device, and a vehicle that can prompt a user to replace a storage device before the remaining amount of power of the vehicle falls below the amount required to reach a storage device replacement location. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a battery exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of each device included in a battery exchange system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery replacement notification process in the first embodiment. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery replacement notification process in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] 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.

[0029] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery exchange system 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of each device included in the battery exchange system 1 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery exchange system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 10A and 10B (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "vehicles 10"), a plurality of exchange stations 20A-20C, equipment servers 200A-200C (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "equipment servers 200") provided in each of the exchange stations 20A-20C (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as "exchange stations 20"), and a management server 100. The battery exchange system 1 may also include a mobile terminal 800 carried by a user of the vehicle 10. The vehicles 10A and 10B, the equipment servers 200A-200C, the management server 100, and the mobile terminal 800 are capable of communicating with each other via a communication network 900.

[0030] Vehicle 10 includes battery 11, ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12, drive unit 13, DCM (Data Communication Module) 14, and HMI (Human Machine Interface) 15. Battery 11 stores the power used for driving vehicle 10 and is mounted on vehicle 10 in a replaceable state by replacement device 21 (described later). Battery 11 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. However, without being limited thereto, battery 11 may be formed of other types of batteries, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or an all-solid-state battery.

[0031] The ECU 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and a GPS (Global Positioning System). The memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and stores programs and data used by the CPU. The CPU executes predetermined processing defined by the program in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory and data input from outside, and stores the resulting data in the memory or outputs it to the outside. The GPS detects the location information of the vehicle 10 and passes it to the CPU.

[0032] Drive unit 13 includes a motor generator and an inverter that drives the motor generator using power from battery 11 and charges battery 11 with regenerative power from the motor generator. Drive unit 13 may further include an engine that runs on fuel to drive the motor generator or vehicle 10. That is, vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) that has a motor generator but no engine, or may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that has a motor generator and an engine. Vehicle 10 may also be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0033] The DCM 14 is a module for communicating with external devices via the communication network 900, and transmits data from the ECU 12 to the external devices and transfers data from the external devices to the ECU 12.

[0034] The HMI 15 is a device located near the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, which receives information input by the user and outputs it to the ECU 12. It also displays or audibly notifies the user of information from the ECU 12, and is configured to include, for example, a touch panel display.

[0035] The equipment server 200 includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a communication unit 230, and a mass storage device 240. The memory 220 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The communication unit 230 is capable of communicating with external devices via a communication network 900, transmitting data from the CPU 210 to the external device and transferring data from the external device to the CPU 210. The mass storage device 240 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores programs and data used by the CPU 210. The CPU 210 executes predetermined processing defined by the program in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 and data input from the external device to the communication unit 230, and stores the resulting data in the memory 220 or the mass storage device 240 or outputs it from the communication unit 230 to the external device.

[0036] Battery 11 exchange station 20 includes exchange device 21 and facility server 200. Exchange device 21 is controlled by facility server 200 to remove battery 11 from vehicle 10, move removed battery 11 to a storage location, start charging the moved battery 11, remove charged battery 11 from the storage location, and install the removed battery 11 in vehicle 10. In this embodiment, after a reservation for battery 11 exchange is made, battery 11, which has been charged to a SOC (State Of Charge) of 80%, is charged to a fully charged SOC of 100%.

[0037] The management server 100 includes a CPU 110, a memory 120, a communication unit 130, and a mass storage device 140. The management server 100 manages the replacement of batteries 11 at the replacement stations 20 in the battery replacement system 1. The functions of the CPU 110, memory 120, communication unit 130, and mass storage device 140 of the management server 100 are similar to those of the CPU 210, memory 220, communication unit 230, and mass storage device 240 of the equipment server 200 described above, respectively.

[0038] The mobile terminal 800 includes a CPU 810, a memory 820, a communication unit 830, an input unit 840, and an output unit 850. The functions of the memory 820 and the communication unit 830 of the mobile terminal 800 are similar to those of the memory 220 and the communication unit 230 of the equipment server 200 described above, respectively. The input unit 840 is composed of a touch panel, operation buttons, and a microphone, and transfers data input from the touch panel, operation buttons, or microphone to the CPU 810. The output unit 850 is composed of a display and a speaker, and outputs data from the CPU 810 from the display or speaker. The CPU 810 executes predetermined processing defined by the program in accordance with the program and data stored in the memory 820, data input to the communication unit 830 from an external device, and data input from the input unit 840, and stores the data resulting from the execution in the memory 820, outputs the data from the communication unit 830 to an external device, or outputs the data from the output unit 850.

[0039] In the battery exchange system 1 described above, when the charge level of the battery 11 is below a threshold, it is possible to identify an exchange station 20 that can be reached with the remaining charge. Here, assuming an area where there are few exchange stations 20 for the battery 11 in the vicinity, when the remaining charge of the battery 11 falls below the threshold, there is a possibility that there are no exchange stations 20 in the vicinity that can be reached.

[0040] Therefore, the notification control method includes a step of identifying a threshold value for the amount of power required for traveling between an exchange station 20 among multiple exchange stations 20 for the battery 11 that satisfies predetermined conditions and the current location of the vehicle 10, a step of identifying a state value that can identify the remaining amount of power in the battery 11, and a step of controlling to execute processing to notify the user that they should replace the battery 11 if the state value falls below the threshold value.

[0041] As a result, when the state value that can identify the remaining power amount of the battery 11 falls below a threshold related to the amount of power required for traveling between the battery 11 exchange station 20 and the current location of the vehicle 10, the user is notified that they are encouraged to exchange the battery 11. As a result, the user can be encouraged to exchange the battery 11 before the remaining power amount falls below the amount necessary for the vehicle 10 to reach the battery 11 exchange station 20.

[0042] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the battery replacement notification process in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the battery replacement notification process is called and executed by the ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 from a higher-level process at regular intervals (for example, at regular intervals of several ms to several tens of ms).

[0043] The ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 determines whether or not a predetermined cycle (for example, a cycle of a predetermined number of minutes, such as every minute) has occurred (step S111). If it is determined that the predetermined cycle has not occurred (NO in step S111), the ECU 12 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined period has come (YES in step S111), the ECU 12 determines whether or not a notification to prompt replacement of the battery 11 is being sent via the HMI 15 (step S112).

[0045] If it is determined that a notification prompting the vehicle 10 to exchange the battery 11 is not being sent (NO in step S112), the ECU 12 identifies an exchange station 20 for the battery 11 that satisfies a predetermined condition (step S113). In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the exchange station 20 is closest to the vehicle 10's current location (i.e., that the exchange station 20 is reachable with the least amount of power required). The predetermined condition may further include that the exchange station 20 stores a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more (for example, a value of 50% or more, such as SOC = 80%). In this case, the equipment server 200 of the exchange station 20 identifies and stores the SOC of the stored battery 11. The ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 obtains information from the equipment server 200 indicating whether the exchange station 20 stores a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more, and identifies the exchange station 20 that satisfies the condition that the exchange station 20 stores a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more. In addition, when the facility server 200 in the exchange station 20 accepts a reservation for the exchange device 21, charging is started so that the battery 11, which has been charged to a predetermined amount of power, is charged to a full charge SOC of 100%.

[0046] The ECU 12 determines whether the identified exchange station 20 is within a predetermined range from the current location (step S114). In this embodiment, the predetermined range is a range within which the travel distance of the route from the current location to the exchange station 20 is within a predetermined distance. However, the predetermined range is not limited to this, and may be a range within which the straight-line distance from the current location to the exchange station 20 is within a predetermined distance, or may be within the same city, town, village, or prefecture as the current location.

[0047] If it is determined that the exchange station 20 is not within the predetermined range (NO in step S114), the ECU 12 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery exchange notification process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the exchange station 20 is within the predetermined range (YES in step S114), the ECU 12 determines a threshold value that is a predetermined multiple (for example, a multiple greater than 1, such as 1.1) of the SOC required for traveling between the exchange station 20 and the current location (step S115). The SOC required for traveling between the exchange station 20 and the current location is determined using the distance between the exchange station 20 and the current location and the electricity consumption (travel distance per unit amount of electricity) of the vehicle 10.

[0048] The ECU 12 identifies the current SOC of the battery 11 (step S116) and determines whether the SOC is less than the threshold value (step S117). If it determines that the SOC is not less than the threshold value (NO in step S117), the ECU 12 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined that the SOC is less than the threshold value (YES in step S117), the ECU 12 controls the HMI 15 to start a notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11 (step S118). The notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11 may include information about the exchange station 20 that satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, the location, the facility name, and the number of batteries 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more). In this situation, since the process of step S126 described below has not yet been executed, the current SOC has not yet fallen below the SOC required for traveling between the exchange station 20 and the current location. In other words, when the current SOC is equal to or greater than the required SOC and less than the threshold value, meaning that the remaining amount of power in the battery 11 is small compared to the amount of power required for the vehicle 10 to reach the exchange station 20, the ECU 12 can notify the user that the vehicle 10 should replace the battery 11.

[0050] Next, the ECU 12 executes a process for reserving the exchange device 21 of the battery 11 in the exchange station 20 using the HMI 15 (step S119). The reservation of the exchange device 21 in the exchange station 20 is managed by the management server 100 or the equipment server 200 of the exchange station 20. The reservation process includes a process for communicating with a server (the management server 100 or the equipment server 200) that manages the reservation and displaying a screen for reserving the exchange device 21 in the exchange station 20 on the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10, and a process for receiving the reservation details by the user (for example, when a plurality of exchange devices 21 are provided in the exchange station 20, information for identifying the exchange device 21 to be reserved, a start time, and an end time) from the HMI 15 via the DCM 14 to the server.

[0051] If it is determined that a notification is being sent urging the user to replace the battery 11 (YES in step S112), or after step S119, the ECU 12 acquires congestion information for the route from the current location to the replacement station 20 from the source of the congestion information via the communication network 900 and the DCM 14 (step S121).

[0052] The ECU 12 determines whether there is a traffic jam on the route (step S122). If it determines that there is a traffic jam (YES in step S122), the ECU 12 suggests to the user via the HMI 15 to reduce power consumption (for example, to park the vehicle 10, turn off the ignition of the vehicle 10, or stop devices of the vehicle 10 that consume a lot of power) until the traffic jam is resolved (step S123).

[0053] If it is determined that there is no traffic jam (NO in step S122), or after step S123, the ECU 12 identifies the SOC required for traveling between the exchange station 20 and the current location (step S124). The ECU 12 identifies the current SOC of the battery 11 and determines whether the SOC is less than the required SOC (step S125). If it is determined that the SOC is less than the required SOC (YES in step S125), the ECU 12 prohibits a notification urging the user to exchange the battery 11 (step S126). In such a case, it can be determined that the user has no intention of exchanging the battery 11 (the user is considering charging rather than exchanging), and a notification that would bother the user is not issued.

[0054] If it is determined that the SOC is not lower than the required SOC (NO in step S125), or after step S126, the ECU 12 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0055] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the battery replacement notification process shown in Fig. 3 is executed by the ECU 12 of the vehicle 10. In the second embodiment, the battery replacement notification process is executed by the CPU 110 of the management server 100, as shown in Fig. 4, which will be described later.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery replacement notification process in the second embodiment. Referring to Fig. 4, this battery replacement notification process is called and executed by CPU 110 of management server 100 from a higher-level process at regular intervals.

[0057] The CPU 110 of the management server 100 determines whether or not it has reached a predetermined cycle for each managed vehicle 10 (for example, a cycle of a predetermined number of minutes, such as every minute) (step S201). If it determines that it has not reached the predetermined cycle for each vehicle 10 (NO in step S201), the CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined period for each vehicle 10 has arrived (YES in step S201), the CPU 110 acquires information such as the SOC of the battery 11, the position information of the vehicle 10, and the control state of the vehicle 10 (for example, the ignition on / off control state, the driving control state, the control state of the HMI 15, and the electricity consumption of the vehicle 10) from the vehicle 10 (step S202).The CPU 110 determines from the acquired control state of the HMI 15 whether the HMI 15 is notifying the vehicle 10 that it is necessary to replace the battery 11 (step S212).

[0059] If it is determined that the vehicle 10 is not receiving a notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11 (NO in step S212), the CPU 110 identifies an exchange station 20 for a battery 11 that satisfies a predetermined condition (step S213). In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the exchange station 20 is closest to the vehicle 10's current location (i.e., that the exchange station 20 is reachable with the least amount of power required). The predetermined condition may further include that the exchange station 20 stores a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more (e.g., a value of 50% or more, such as SOC = 80%). In this case, the equipment server 200 of the exchange station 20 identifies and stores the SOC of the stored battery 11. The CPU 110 of the management server 100 obtains information from the equipment server 200 indicating whether a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more is stored, and identifies an exchange station 20 that satisfies the condition that a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more is stored. In addition, when the facility server 200 in the exchange station 20 accepts a reservation for the exchange device 21, charging is started so that the battery 11, which has been charged to a predetermined amount of power, is charged to a full charge SOC of 100%.

[0060] The CPU 110 determines whether the identified exchange station 20 is within a predetermined range from the current location of the vehicle 10 (step S214). In this embodiment, the predetermined range is a range within which the travel distance of the route from the current location to the exchange station 20 is within a predetermined distance. However, the predetermined range is not limited to this, and may be a range within which the straight-line distance from the current location to the exchange station 20 is within a predetermined distance, or may be within the same city, town, village, or prefecture as the current location.

[0061] If it is determined that the exchange station 20 is not within the predetermined range (NO in step S214), the CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery exchange notification process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the exchange station 20 is within the predetermined range (YES in step S214), the CPU 110 specifies a threshold value that is a predetermined multiple (for example, a multiple greater than 1, such as 1.1) of the SOC required for the vehicle 10 to travel between the exchange station 20 and the current location (step S215). The SOC required for travel between the exchange station 20 and the current location is specified using the distance between the exchange station 20 and the current location and the electricity cost (travel distance per unit of electricity) of the vehicle 10.

[0062] The CPU 110 determines whether the acquired SOC of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is less than the threshold value (step S217). If it determines that the SOC is not less than the threshold value (NO in step S217), the CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined that the SOC is less than the threshold value (YES in step S217), the CPU 110 transmits information to the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 130 and the communication network 900 to control the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10 to start a notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11 (step S218). The information transmitted to the vehicle 10 may include information about the exchange station 20 that satisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., location, facility name, number of batteries 11 with a predetermined power capacity or more). In the vehicle, in response to reception of this information from the management server 100 by the DCM 14, the ECU 12 controls the HMI 15 to start a notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11. The notification urging the vehicle 10 to replace the battery 11 may include information about the exchange station 20 that satisfies the predetermined condition (e.g., location, facility name, number of batteries 11 with a predetermined power capacity or more). In this situation, since the processing of step S226 described below has not yet been executed, the current SOC of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 has not fallen below the SOC required for the vehicle to travel between the exchange station 20 and the current location. In other words, when the current SOC of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is equal to or higher than the required SOC and is lower than the threshold, meaning that the remaining power of the battery 11 is not sufficient for the amount of power required for the vehicle 10 to reach the exchange station 20, the user of the vehicle 10 can be notified that they should exchange the battery 11.

[0064] Next, the CPU 110 executes a process for the user of the vehicle 10 to reserve the exchange device 21 of the battery 11 in the exchange station 20 using the HMI 15 (step S219). The reservation of the exchange device 21 in the exchange station 20 is managed by the management server 100 or the equipment server 200 of the exchange station 20. The reservation process includes a process of communicating with a server that manages the reservation (the management server 100 or the equipment server 200) to display a screen for reserving the exchange device 21 in the exchange station 20 on the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10, and a process of accepting the reservation details by the user (for example, when multiple exchange devices 21 are provided in the exchange station 20, information that can identify the exchange device 21 to be reserved, a start time, and an end time) from the HMI 15 via the DCM 14 to the server.

[0065] If it is determined that the vehicle is receiving a notification urging the replacement of the battery 11 (YES in step S212), or after step S219, the CPU 110 obtains congestion information for the route from the current location of the vehicle 10 to the replacement station 20 from the source of the congestion information via the communication network 900 and the communication unit 130 (step S221).

[0066] The CPU 110 determines whether there is congestion on the route (step S222). If it determines that there is congestion (YES in step S222), the CPU 110 transmits information to the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 130 and the communication network 900, for use in the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10 to suggest to the user that power consumption be reduced (for example, by parking the vehicle 10, turning off the ignition of the vehicle 10, or shutting down devices of the vehicle 10 that consume a lot of power) until the congestion is resolved (step S223).

[0067] If it is determined that there is no traffic jam (NO in step S222), or after step S223, the CPU 110 identifies the SOC required for the vehicle to travel between the exchange station 20 and the current location (step S224). The CPU 110 determines whether the acquired SOC of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is lower than the required SOC (step S225). If it is determined that the SOC is lower than the required SOC (YES in step S225), the CPU 110 transmits information to the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 130 and the communication network 900 to prohibit a notification urging the vehicle 10 to exchange the battery 11 (step S226). In such a case, it can be determined that the user of the vehicle 10 has no intention of exchanging the battery 11 (is considering charging rather than exchanging), and a notification that would bother the user of the vehicle 10 is not sent.

[0068] If it is determined that the SOC is not lower than the required SOC (NO in step S225), or after step S226, CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this battery replacement notification process.

[0069] [Variations] (1) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the power storage device that is mounted on vehicle 10 and stores the electric power used for traveling is battery 11. However, this is not limited to this, and such a power storage device may be another type of power storage device, for example, a capacitor.

[0070] (2) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is automatically replaced by the replacement device 21 at the replacement station 20. However, this is not limited to this, and the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 may be replaced manually by an operator at the replacement station 20.

[0071] (3) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S113 of Fig. 3 and step S213 of Fig. 4, the predetermined condition for identifying the exchange station 20 for replacing the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is that the exchange station 20 is closest to the current location of the vehicle 10 (i.e., that the exchange station 20 can be reached with the least amount of power required). However, the predetermined condition is not limited to this, and may be any other condition as long as it is a condition for identifying the exchange station 20 for replacing the battery 11 of the vehicle 10, such as that the exchange station 20 is the most frequently used exchange station 20, or that the exchange station 20 is a preset exchange station 20.

[0072] (4) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S113 of Fig. 3 and step S213 of Fig. 4, the predetermined condition may include a condition that the exchange station 20 stores batteries 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more. Specifically, information indicating whether batteries 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more are stored is obtained from the equipment server 200, and an exchange station 20 that satisfies the condition that batteries 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more are stored is identified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined condition may include other conditions as long as it includes a condition related to the amount of power of a power storage device, such as a battery 11, stored at an exchange location such as the exchange station 20.

[0073] For example, the predetermined condition may include a condition that the amount of power stored in a predetermined number (e.g., one, five, etc.) of batteries 11 in the exchange station 20, counting from the highest power amount, is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of power. In this case, information indicating the amount of power stored in each of the predetermined number of batteries 11 in the exchange station 20, counting from the highest power amount, is obtained from the equipment server 200, and the exchange station 20 that satisfies the condition that the amount of power stored in the predetermined number of batteries 11 in the exchange station 20, counting from the highest power amount, is identified. In this case, information indicating the amount of power stored in each of all batteries 11 in the exchange station 20 may also be obtained from the equipment server 200, and the exchange station 20 that satisfies the condition that the amount of power stored in the predetermined number of batteries 11 in the exchange station 20, counting from the highest power amount, is identified.

[0074] (5) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S113 of FIG. 3 and step S213 of FIG. 4, the predetermined condition may include a condition that the exchange station 20 stores a battery 11 with a predetermined amount of power or more. This predetermined amount of power is a predetermined value, such as a value of 50% or more, e.g., SOC=80%. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined amount of power may be configured so that it can be specified by the user. Furthermore, the predetermined amount of power may be a total value obtained by adding a surplus amount of power (which may be a value greater than 0 or may be 0) to the amount of power required to reach the destination where the user plans to go after exchanging the battery 11 at the exchange station 20.

[0075] (6) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the HMI 15 of the vehicle 10 notifies the user of the recommendation to replace the battery 11. Furthermore, the reservation process for the battery 11 replacement device 21 is performed by communicating with the user via the HMI 15. However, this is not limited to this, and the process may be performed by the input unit 840 and the output unit 850 of the mobile terminal 800 of the user of the vehicle 10 instead of the HMI 15.

[0076] (7) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the SOC of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 falls below a threshold, the user is notified to encourage replacement of the battery 11. Here, the threshold is a predetermined multiple of the SOC corresponding to the amount of power required for traveling between the current location of the vehicle 10 and an exchange station 20 among the multiple exchange stations 20 for the battery 11 that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple exchange stations 20 for the battery 11. In other words, the threshold is a value (%) of the SOC that allows for a margin for traveling between the current location of the vehicle 10 and an exchange location such as the exchange station 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the threshold may be any value related to the amount of power required for traveling between the current location of the vehicle 10 and an exchange station 20 among the multiple exchange stations 20 for the battery 11 that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple exchange stations 20 for the battery 11. For example, the threshold may be a required amount of power (kWh) that allows for a margin for traveling between the current location of the vehicle 10 and an exchange location such as the exchange station 20. Alternatively, the threshold may be a value (kWh) of the amount of power required for traveling between the current location of the vehicle 10 and an exchange location such as the exchange station 20.

[0077] 3 and step S217 in Fig. 4, the comparison target for the threshold is the SOC (%). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the comparison target may be any state value that can identify the remaining amount of power in a power storage device such as battery 11. For example, when the threshold is the value of SOC, the comparison target is also SOC (%), but when the threshold is the amount of power (kWh), the comparison target may be the remaining amount of power (kWh).

[0078] (8) The above-described embodiments can be considered as disclosures of the battery exchange system 1, the vehicle 10, the management server 100, the equipment server 200, or the mobile terminal 800, and can be considered as disclosures of a control processing method or a control processing program for executing predetermined processing such as battery exchange notification processing executed by the battery exchange system 1, the vehicle 10, the management server 100, the equipment server 200, or the mobile terminal 800.

[0079] [summary] (1) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the notification control method is executed by a notification control device (e.g., ECU 12 of vehicle 10, management server 100) that notifies a user of vehicle 10 of replacement of a power storage device (e.g., battery 11, capacitor) that is mounted on vehicle 10 and stores power used for traveling. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the notification control device includes a processor (e.g., CPU 110 of management server 100, CPU of ECU 12 of vehicle 10, CPU 810 of mobile terminal 800) and a notification device (e.g., communication unit 130 of management server 100, HMI 15 of vehicle 10, output unit 850 of mobile terminal 800).

[0080] 3 and 4, the notification control method includes a step (for example, step S115 in FIG. 3, step S215 in FIG. 4) in which a processor specifies a threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between a plurality of exchange locations for the power storage device (for example, exchange station 20 where automatic exchange device 21 is installed, or an exchange location where an operator exchanges) that satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a condition of being closest to the current location, a condition of being most frequently used, or a condition of being preset) and the current location of vehicle 10 (for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, this may be an SOC that allows for a margin for traveling between the exchange location and the current location as shown in steps S115 and S215, or a required amount of power that allows for a margin corresponding to this SOC, or a required amount of power that does not allow for a margin or a corresponding required SOC), and a step (for example, step S115 in FIG. 3, step S215 in FIG. 4) in which a processor specifies a state value (for example, SOC (%), remaining amount of power (kWh)) that can specify the remaining amount of power in the power storage device. 3 and step S202 of FIG. 4), and a step of controlling the notification device (for example, step S118 of FIG. 3 and step S218 of FIG. 4) to execute processing for notifying the user that replacement of the power storage device is urged, if the state value is below the threshold value (for example, as shown in step S118 of FIG. 3 and step S218 of FIG. 4, this may be processing for notifying the user that replacement is urged by HMI 15 of vehicle 10, or processing for notifying the user that replacement is urged by output unit 850 of mobile terminal 800, or processing for transmitting information for notifying the user that replacement is urged by CPU 110 and communication unit 130 of management server 100, as shown in step S218 of FIG. 4, or processing for transmitting information for notifying the user that replacement is urged by CPU 110 and communication unit 130 of management server 100, to mobile terminal 800).

[0081] As a result, the user is notified that replacement of the power storage device is urged when the state value that can identify the remaining power amount of the power storage device falls below a threshold related to the amount of power required for traveling between the power storage device replacement location and the current location of vehicle 10. As a result, the user can be urged to replace the power storage device before the remaining power amount of vehicle 10 falls below the amount necessary for reaching the power storage device replacement location.

[0082] (2) As shown in step S113 in FIG. 3 and step S213 in FIG. 4, the predetermined condition may include a condition that the destination can be reached from the current location with the least amount of required power.

[0083] This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining amount of power falls below the amount necessary for vehicle 10 to reach the replacement location that can be reached from the current location with the least amount of power required.

[0084] (3) As shown in step S113 of FIG. 3 and step S213 of FIG. 4, the notification control method may further include a step in which the processor acquires, for a plurality of exchange locations, information regarding the amount of power of the storage device stored at the exchange location, and the predetermined condition may further include a condition regarding the amount of power of the storage device indicated by the acquired information.

[0085] This allows the exchange location where the exchange of the power storage device is encouraged to be the exchange location where the power storage device that satisfies the condition regarding the amount of power is stored.

[0086] (4) As shown in step S115 of FIG. 3 and step S215 of FIG. 4, the step of identifying the threshold may include a step in which the processor identifies the threshold using the distance between the exchange location that satisfies the specified condition and the current location and the electricity cost.

[0087] This makes it possible to more accurately identify the threshold value for the amount of power required for traveling between the exchange location and the current location.

[0088] (5) As shown in step S119 of FIG. 3 and step S219 of FIG. 4, the notification control method may further include a step in which the processor controls the notification device to perform processing to present a screen to the user for reserving the replacement of the energy storage device at the replacement location.

[0089] This eliminates the need for the user to perform operations to display a screen for reserving the replacement of the storage device at the replacement location, thereby reducing the amount of operations required by the user to reserve the replacement of the storage device at the replacement location.

[0090] (6) As shown in step S126 of FIG. 3 and step S226 of FIG. 4, the notification control method may further include a step in which, when the remaining amount of energy falls below the amount of energy required for traveling between the replacement location that satisfies the predetermined conditions and the current location of the vehicle 10, the processor prohibits the execution of processing to notify the user to encourage replacement of the power storage device.

[0091] As a result, if the remaining power in the storage device falls below the amount of power required for traveling between the replacement location and the vehicle's current location, it can be determined that the user has no intention of replacing the storage device (i.e., the user intends to charge the storage device rather than replace it), and unnecessary notifications urging replacement can be stopped.

[0092] (7) As shown in step S114 of FIG. 3 and step S214 of FIG. 4, in the step of controlling the notification device, the processor may further control the notification device to execute processing to notify the user that the storage device should be replaced if the distance between the replacement location that satisfies the specified condition and the current location of the vehicle is less than a specified distance.

[0093] In areas where there is no exchange location nearby, it is generally considered that the power storage device will not be exchanged but will be charged. For this reason, if the distance between the exchange location and the current location of vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the user would be bothered if a notification urging the user to exchange the power storage device is sent to the user. According to this, if the distance between the exchange location and the current location of vehicle 10 is less than the predetermined distance, the user is notified that a power storage device will be exchanged. As a result, the user does not feel bothered.

[0094] (8) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the notification control method may further include a step in which the processor acquires congestion information between the current location of the vehicle and an exchange location that satisfies predetermined conditions (e.g., step S121 in Figure 3, step S221 in Figure 4), and a step in which, if the congestion information indicates the possibility of congestion, the processor controls the notification device to execute processing to suggest reducing power consumption until the congestion is resolved (e.g., steps S122 and S123 in Figure 3, steps S222 and S223 in Figure 4).

[0095] The notification to encourage the user to replace the power storage device is issued when a status value that can identify the remaining power of the power storage device falls below a threshold value related to the amount of power required to reach the power storage device replacement location. However, if the user is caught in traffic and consumes extra power in such a case, the possibility of being unable to reach the replacement location increases. In this way, when a possibility of traffic congestion between the current location and the replacement location is indicated, the user is suggested to reduce power consumption until the traffic congestion is resolved. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the user is unable to reach the charging location.

[0096] (9) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle 10 notifies the user of the replacement of a power storage device (e.g., battery 11, capacitor) that stores the power used for driving, and is equipped with a processor (e.g., ECU 12), a communication device (e.g., DCM 14) for communicating with an external device (e.g., management server 100), and a notification device (e.g., HMI 15) that notifies the user of the information. As shown in FIG. 4, the processor controls the communication device to transmit information indicating the current location of vehicle 10 and the remaining amount of power in the storage device to an external device (for example, the management server 100 acquires the information transmitted from vehicle 10 in step S202), and controls the notification device to notify information transmitted from the external device urging replacement of the storage device when the status value capable of identifying the remaining amount of power falls below a threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between the current location and one of multiple replacement locations for the storage device that satisfies specified conditions, as identified by the external device (for example, the information transmitted by management server 100 in step S218 is notified by HMI 15 of vehicle 10).

[0097] This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the power storage device before the remaining amount of power falls below the amount necessary for the vehicle 10 to reach the location where the power storage device is replaced.

[0098] 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]

[0099] 1 Battery exchange system, 10, 10A, 10B Vehicle, 11 Battery, 12 ECU, 13 Drive unit, 14 DCM, 15 HMI, 20, 20A to 20C Exchange station, 21 Exchange device, 100 Management server, 110, 210, 810 CPU, 120, 220, 820 Memory, 130, 230, 830 Communication unit, 140, 240 Mass storage device, 200, 200A to 200C Equipment server, 800 Mobile terminal, 840 Input unit, 850 Output unit, 900 Communication network.

Claims

1. A notification control method executed by a notification control device that stores electric power used for traveling and notifies a user of the vehicle of replacement of a power storage device mounted on the vehicle, the method comprising: The notification control device a processor; a notification device; The notification control method includes: specifying a threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between a plurality of exchange locations of the power storage device that satisfy a predetermined condition and a current location of the vehicle; specifying a state value that can specify the remaining amount of power in the power storage device; When the state value is lower than the threshold value, controlling the notification device to execute a process for notifying a user to prompt replacement of the power storage device; and when the remaining energy amount falls below the amount of energy required for traveling between the replacement location that satisfies the specified condition and the current location of the vehicle, prohibiting execution of a process for notifying the user to encourage replacement of the storage device.

2. The notification control method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that the destination can be reached from the current location with the least amount of required power.

3. The notification control method further includes a step of acquiring, by the processor, information regarding the amounts of power stored in a predetermined number of the power storage devices at the plurality of exchange locations, the amounts of power stored in the plurality of exchange locations being in ascending order of the amounts of power stored in the plurality of exchange locations; The notification control method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition further includes a condition that the power amounts of the storage devices from the highest power amount indicated in the acquired information to the predetermined number are equal to or greater than a predetermined power amount.

4. The notification control method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of specifying the threshold value includes a step in which the processor specifies the threshold value using a distance between the exchange location that satisfies the predetermined condition and the current location and an electricity cost.

5. The notification control method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of controlling the notification device so that the processor executes a process for presenting a screen to a user for reserving replacement of the storage device at the replacement location.

6. 2. The notification control method according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of controlling the notification device, the processor further controls the notification device to execute processing for notifying a user to encourage replacement of the storage device when a distance between the replacement location that satisfies the predetermined condition and the current location of the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance.

7. The notification control method includes: acquiring congestion information from the current location of the vehicle to the exchange location that satisfies the predetermined condition; 2. The notification control method of claim 1, further comprising: when the congestion information indicates a possibility of congestion, controlling the notification device to execute a process to suggest parking the vehicle or turning off the ignition of the vehicle until the congestion clears.

8. A notification control device that notifies a user of a vehicle of replacement of a power storage device that is mounted on the vehicle and stores power used for traveling, a processor; a notification device; The processor: identifying a threshold value related to the amount of power required for traveling between a plurality of exchange locations of the power storage device that satisfy a predetermined condition and a current location of the vehicle; Identifying a state value that can identify the remaining amount of power in the power storage device; comparing the state value with the threshold; When the state value is lower than the threshold value, the notification device is controlled to execute a process for notifying a user to prompt replacement of the power storage device; A notification control device that prohibits the execution of a process to notify a user that the storage device should be replaced when the remaining energy amount falls below the amount of energy required for traveling between the replacement location that satisfies the specified condition and the vehicle's current location.

9. A vehicle that notifies a user of replacement of a power storage device that stores power used for traveling, a processor; a communication device for communicating with an external device; a notification device that notifies a user of information; The processor: controlling the communication device to transmit information indicating a current location of the vehicle and a remaining amount of power in the power storage device to the external device; controlling the notification device to notify, when a state value that can identify the remaining energy amount is below a threshold related to the amount of energy required for traveling between the current location and one of a plurality of replacement locations for the energy storage device that satisfies a predetermined condition and that is identified by the external device, information that urges replacement of the energy storage device, transmitted from the external device; When the remaining amount of energy falls below the amount of energy required for traveling between the replacement location that satisfies the predetermined condition and the current location, the vehicle prohibits execution of a process for notifying a user to encourage replacement of the power storage device.

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