Battery replacement system

Abstract

To reduce opportunities to visit a charging facility for charging a battery.SOLUTION: A battery replacement system comprises a vehicle, a vehicular battery, and a drone. The vehicle has a driving source that operates using electric power. The vehicular battery can supply power to the driving source and is attachable / detachable to / from the vehicle. The drone can carry the vehicular battery. On the condition that a predetermined replacement condition is satisfied, the drone executes carriage of one or some vehicular batteries of a plurality of vehicular batteries from the vehicle to a storage facility in which charged batteries are stored. On the condition that a predetermined replacement condition is satisfied, the drone executes carriage of the charged vehicular batteries from the storage facility to the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a battery replacement system.

Background Art

[0002] The vehicle of Patent Document 1 is an electric vehicle. This vehicle includes a motor that operates on electric power. A battery is also attached to the vehicle. The battery can supply electric power to the motor. That is, the vehicle can run on the electric power supplied from the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A vehicle such as that of Patent Document 1 needs to stop at a charging facility to charge the battery when the charge rate of the battery decreases. Since it takes time to stop at the charging facility and time to charge at the charging facility, the vehicle such as that of Patent Document 1 is inevitably said to have poor time efficiency for charging.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A battery replacement system for solving the above problems includes a vehicle having a drive source that operates on electric power, a plurality of batteries that can supply electric power to the drive source and are detachable from the vehicle, and a drone that can transport the batteries. The drone executes transporting some of the plurality of batteries from the vehicle to a storage facility that stores the charged batteries, and transporting the charged batteries from the storage facility to the vehicle, on the condition that a predetermined replacement condition is satisfied.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the need to stop at charging facilities to charge the battery can be reduced, and the time spent charging the battery at charging facilities can also be reduced. Therefore, the time efficiency for battery charging is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the battery replacement system. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram showing battery replacement control. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing power supply control. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining battery replacement control. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Outline configuration of the battery replacement system> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. First, the general configuration of the battery replacement system 100 will be described.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the battery exchange system 100 comprises a vehicle 10 and a plurality of vehicle batteries 40. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a motor generator 38 as a power source. The motor generator 38 operates on power from the vehicle batteries 40. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a so-called electric vehicle.

[0010] The vehicle battery 40 is detachable from the vehicle 10. When the vehicle battery 40 is attached to the vehicle 10, it can supply power to the motor generator 38. The vehicle battery 40 is a so-called secondary battery. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 can connect a connector of the charging facility to an inlet (not shown) of the vehicle 10. The vehicle battery 40 is then charged at the charging facility while attached to the vehicle 10 by connecting the inlet and the connector. The vehicle battery 40 can also be charged when removed from the vehicle 10 by being connected to a power supply device at the storage facility Z. The storage facility Z is a facility that stores multiple charged vehicle batteries 40. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 can be fitted with a maximum of four vehicle batteries 40.

[0011] Vehicle 10 is equipped with a current sensor 31, a voltage sensor 32, a battery temperature sensor 33, a GNSS receiver 34, and a vehicle speed sensor 35. The current sensor 31 detects the current IA, which is the current input and output to each vehicle battery 40. The voltage sensor 32 detects the voltage VA, which is the terminal voltage of each vehicle battery 40. The battery temperature sensor 33 detects the battery temperature TA, which is the temperature of each vehicle battery 40. The GNSS receiver 34 detects the position coordinates PA, which are the coordinates of the location where vehicle 10 is located, by communicating with a GNSS satellite (not shown). GNSS refers to the Global Navigation Satellite System. The vehicle speed sensor 35 detects the vehicle speed SP, which is the speed of vehicle 10.

[0012] Vehicle 10 is equipped with a vehicle control device 20. The vehicle control device 20 acquires various signals from a current sensor 31, a voltage sensor 32, a battery temperature sensor 33, a GNSS receiver 34, and a vehicle speed sensor 35.

[0013] The vehicle control device 20 comprises an execution unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 can communicate with external devices of the vehicle 10 via a communication network 200. The storage unit 22 stores information acquired by the vehicle control device 20. The storage unit 22 also stores various programs in advance. The execution unit 21 executes various processes by reading programs from the storage unit 22. An example of the execution unit 21 is a CPU.

[0014] The execution unit 21 calculates a first charge rate SA, which is the charge rate of the vehicle battery 40 attached to the vehicle 10, based on the current IA, voltage VA, and battery temperature TA at predetermined control cycles. The execution unit 21 calculates the first charge rate SA for each vehicle battery 40. Here, the first charge rate SA is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0015] Formula (1): First charge level SA[%] = Remaining capacity of vehicle battery 40 [Ah] / Fully charged capacity of vehicle battery 40 [Ah] × 100[%] In equation (1) above, the full charge capacity is the maximum amount of energy that each vehicle battery 40 can store. The full charge capacity varies slightly depending on the history of the voltage VA and current IA of each vehicle battery 40, and the battery temperature TA. Therefore, the full charge capacity is calculated based on the history of the voltage VA and current IA of each vehicle battery 40, and the battery temperature TA. The remaining capacity is calculated, for example, based on the cumulative value of the current IA since the vehicle battery 40 was fully charged, and the voltage VA.

[0016] Furthermore, the execution unit 21 calculates the average charge rate SAA, which is the average value of the first charge rate SA for each vehicle battery 40, at predetermined control cycles. In this embodiment, the average charge rate SAA is the average charge rate of the multiple vehicle batteries 40 installed in the vehicle 10.

[0017] The execution unit 21 supplies power to the motor generator 38 from one of the multiple vehicle batteries 40. Specifically, the execution unit 21 identifies a vehicle battery 40 whose first charge rate SA is equal to or greater than a lower limit. This lower limit is defined, for example, as the minimum charge rate at which over-discharge does not occur in the vehicle battery 40. The execution unit 21 then supplies power to the motor generator 38 from the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA among those vehicle batteries 40 whose first charge rate SA is equal to or greater than the lower limit.

[0018] The battery exchange system 100 is equipped with a drone 50. In this embodiment, the battery exchange system 100 is equipped with one drone 50 for each vehicle 10. The drone 50 is equipped with multiple rotors 77, multiple motors 78, and a drone battery 79. The motors 78 are powered by electricity from the drone battery 79. The operation of the motors 78 causes the rotors 77 to rotate. As a result, the drone 50 flies. The drone 50 can fly autonomously to its destination without the need for a crew member. Note that in Figure 1, the size of the drone 50 is exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Also, in Figure 1, only one motor 78 is shown as representative.

[0019] The drone 50 includes a current sensor 71, a voltage sensor 72, a battery temperature sensor 73, a GNSS receiver 74, a camera 75, and an arm 76. The current sensor 71 detects a current IB which is the current input to and output from the drone battery 79. The voltage sensor 72 detects a voltage VB which is the voltage between the terminals of the drone battery 79. The battery temperature sensor 73 detects a battery temperature TB which is the temperature of the drone battery 79. The GNSS receiver 74 detects a position coordinate PB which is the coordinate of the location where the drone 50 is located by communicating with a GNSS satellite (not shown). The camera 75 detects an image PI which is an image around the drone 50. The arm 76 can hold the vehicle battery 40. In this embodiment, when the drone 50 flies while the arm 76 holds the vehicle battery 40, the drone 50 transports the vehicle battery 40. Also, when the drone 50 holds the vehicle battery 40, it is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 40 via terminals or the like (not shown). Therefore, when the drone 50 transports the vehicle battery 40, the vehicle battery 40 can supply power to the motor 78.

[0020] In this embodiment, the drone 50 can be attached to the vehicle 10. For example, when the arm 76 of the drone 50 holds the vehicle 10, the drone 50 is attached to the vehicle 10. Note that when the execution of the battery replacement control described later is started, the drone 50 is attached to the vehicle 10. Also, when the drone 50 is attached to the vehicle 10, it receives power supply from the vehicle battery 40 attached to the vehicle 10. Thereby, the drone battery 79 is charged. At this time, power is supplied from the vehicle battery 40 with the first charge rate SA being equal to or higher than the lower limit value and the lowest first charge rate SA to the drone 50.

[0021] The drone 50 includes a drone control device 60. The drone control device 60 acquires various signals from a current sensor 71, a voltage sensor 72, a battery temperature sensor 73, a GNSS receiver 74, and a camera 75. Further, the drone control device 60 controls the arm 76 by outputting a control signal to the arm 76.

[0022] The drone control device 60 includes an execution unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication unit 63. The communication unit 63 can communicate with devices outside the drone 50 via a communication network 200. Therefore, by the communication unit 63 of the drone control device 60 and the communication unit 23 of the vehicle control device 20 communicating via the communication network 200, the drone control device 60 and the vehicle control device 20 can acquire various information from each other.

[0023] The storage unit 62 stores information and the like acquired by the drone control device 60. The storage unit 62 also stores various programs in advance. Further, the storage unit 62 stores map data DM in advance. The map data DM includes information on roads and information on facilities around the roads. Here, the facilities around the roads include a storage facility Z. The execution unit 61 executes various processes by reading the programs in the storage unit 62. An example of the execution unit 61 is a CPU.

[0024] The execution unit 61 calculates a second charge rate SB, which is the charge rate of the drone battery 79, based on the current IB, the voltage VB, and the battery temperature TB at each predetermined control cycle. Here, the second charge rate SB is represented by the following formula (2).

[0025] Formula (2): Second charge rate SB [%] = Remaining capacity [Ah] of the drone battery 79 / Full charge capacity [Ah] of the drone battery 79 × 100 [%] In equation (2) above, the full charge capacity is the maximum amount of energy that the drone battery 79 can store. The full charge capacity varies slightly depending on the history of the voltage VB and current IB of the drone battery 79, and the battery temperature TB. Therefore, the full charge capacity is calculated based on the history of the voltage VB and current IB of the drone battery 79, and the battery temperature TB. The remaining capacity is calculated, for example, based on the cumulative value of the current IB since the drone battery 79 was fully charged, and the voltage VB.

[0026] <Battery replacement control> Next, with reference to Figure 2, the battery exchange control performed by the vehicle 10 and the drone 50 will be described. The vehicle control device 20 of the vehicle 10 starts performing the battery exchange control, for example, on the condition that the drone 50 is attached to the vehicle 10.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, when the vehicle control device 20 starts battery replacement control, it executes the process in step S11. In step S11, the vehicle control device 20 determines whether predetermined replacement conditions are met. The vehicle control device 20 determines that the replacement conditions are met if, for example, all of the following conditions (1) and (2) are met.

[0028] Condition (1): The average charge rate (SAA) is less than or equal to the predetermined specified charge rate (A). Condition (2): The connector of the charging facility is not connected to the inlet of the vehicle 10.

[0029] The specified charge level A is predetermined through experiments and simulations as a threshold for determining whether or not there is a high need to replace the vehicle battery 40 installed in the vehicle 10. An example of the specified charge level A is 50%.

[0030] If the vehicle control device 20 determines in step S11 that the exchange condition is not met, the vehicle control device 20 executes the process in step S11 again. On the other hand, if the vehicle control device 20 determines in step S11 that the exchange condition is met, the vehicle control device 20 proceeds to step S12.

[0031] In step S12, the vehicle control device 20 of the vehicle 10 sends a request signal to the drone control device 60 of the drone 50 to request the replacement of the vehicle battery 40. When the drone control device 60 receives the request signal, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S21.

[0032] In step S21, the drone control device 60 calculates a route for transporting the vehicle battery 40. Specifically, first, the drone control device 60 identifies a storage facility Z within the flyable range to which the vehicle battery 40 will be transported, based on map data DM and position coordinates PB, etc. At this time, if there are multiple storage facilities Z that can transport the vehicle battery 40, the drone control device 60 calculates the distance from the point where the drone 50 is located at the time of processing in step S21 to each storage facility Z. Then, the drone control device 60 identifies the storage facility Z with the shortest distance among the multiple storage facilities Z as the storage facility Z to which the vehicle battery 40 will be transported. Furthermore, the drone control device 60 calculates a route from the point where the drone 50 is located at the time of processing in step S21 to the identified storage facility Z, based on the identified storage facility Z, map data DM, and position coordinates PB, etc. The above-mentioned flyable range can be defined, for example, as a range slightly narrower than the range in which the drone 50 can fly at the second charge level SB of the drone battery 79. If no storage facilities Z exist within the flight range, the drone control device 60 repeats the process in step S21 at regular intervals. After step S21, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S22.

[0033] In step S22, the drone control device 60 selects some of the four vehicle batteries 40 to be transported. Specifically, the drone control device 60 selects the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA from among the four vehicle batteries 40 as the vehicle battery 40 to be transported. After step S22, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S23.

[0034] In step S23, the drone control device 60 has the arm 76 hold the vehicle battery 40, which was selected as the target to be transported in step S22. Specifically, the drone control device 60 recognizes the vehicle battery 40, which was selected as the target to be transported in step S22, based on the video PI, etc. The drone control device 60 also controls the arm 76 by outputting a control signal to the arm 76. The arm 76 then removes the vehicle battery 40, which was the target to be transported, from the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the arm 76 holds the removed vehicle battery 40. After step S23, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S24.

[0035] In step S24, the drone control device 60 controls the motor 78 by outputting a control signal to the motor 78. As a result, the drone 50 transports the vehicle battery 40 it has been holding from the vehicle 10 to the storage facility Z identified in step S21. After step S24, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S25.

[0036] In step S25, the drone control device 60 determines whether the drone 50 has arrived at the storage facility Z based on the map data DM and position coordinates PB. If the drone control device 60 determines that the drone 50 has arrived at the storage facility Z, the drone control device 60 lands the drone 50 at the storage facility Z. The drone control device 60 then outputs a control signal to the arm 76. As a result, the arm 76 releases the vehicle battery 40 it is holding. Consequently, the vehicle battery 40 transported from the vehicle 10 by the drone 50 is unloaded at the storage facility Z. After step S25, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S31.

[0037] In step S31, the drone control device 60 causes the arm 76 to hold the charged vehicle battery 40 stored in the storage facility Z. Specifically, the drone control device 60 recognizes the charged vehicle battery 40 stored in the storage facility Z based on the image PI, etc. Then, the drone control device 60 controls the arm 76 by outputting a control signal to the arm 76. As a result, the arm 76 holds the charged vehicle battery 40. After step S31, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S32.

[0038] In step S32, the drone control device 60 calculates a route for transporting the vehicle battery 40. Specifically, based on map data DM, position coordinates PA, and position coordinates PB, the drone control device 60 calculates a route from the point where the drone 50 is located at the time of processing in step S32 to the point where the vehicle 10 is located at the time of processing in step S32. After step S32, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S33.

[0039] In step S33, the drone control device 60 controls the motor 78 by outputting a control signal to the motor 78. As a result, the drone 50 transports the held, fully charged vehicle battery 40 from the storage facility Z to the vehicle 10. After step S33, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S34.

[0040] In step S34, the drone control device 60 determines whether the drone 50 has arrived at the vehicle 10 based on the map data DM, position coordinates PA, and position coordinates PB, etc. If the drone control device 60 determines that the drone 50 has arrived at the vehicle 10, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S35.

[0041] In step S35, the drone control device 60 attaches the held vehicle battery 40 to the vehicle 10. Specifically, the drone control device 60 recognizes the position to attach the vehicle battery 40 based on the video PI, etc. Then, the drone control device 60 controls the arm 76 by outputting a control signal to the arm 76. As a result, the arm 76 attaches the held vehicle battery 40 to the vehicle 10. After step S35, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S36.

[0042] In step S36, the drone control device 60 sends a completion signal to the vehicle control device 20 of the vehicle 10 to notify it that the replacement of the vehicle battery 40 has been completed. When the vehicle control device 20 receives the completion signal, the vehicle control device 20 terminates the battery replacement control. In this embodiment, the user of the vehicle 10 is charged a fee each time the battery replacement control is performed. After that, the vehicle control device 20 executes the process of step S11 again.

[0043] <Power supply control> Next, with reference to Figure 3, the power supply control performed by the drone 50 will be described. The drone control device 60 of the drone 50 repeatedly performs power supply control when the drone 50 is carrying the vehicle battery 40.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, when the drone control device 60 of the drone 50 starts power supply control, it executes the process in step S41. In step S41, the drone control device 60 determines whether predetermined power supply conditions are met. The drone control device 60 determines that the power supply conditions are met if, for example, all of the following conditions (3) and (4) are met.

[0045] Condition (3): The first charge level SA of the vehicle battery 40 being transported is equal to or greater than the predetermined first specified value B1. Condition (4): The second charge level SB is less than or equal to the predetermined second specified value B2.

[0046] The first specified value B1 is predetermined by experiments and simulations as a threshold for determining whether there is sufficient capacity to supply power to the motor 78 of the drone 50 from the vehicle battery 40 being transported. The first specified value B1 is greater than the lower limit of the vehicle battery 40 as described above. An example of the first specified value B1 is several tens of percent. Therefore, the above condition (3) is met, for example, when the drone 50 is transporting a fully charged vehicle battery 40 from the storage facility Z to the vehicle 10. The second specified value B2 is predetermined by experiments and simulations as a threshold for determining whether there is a high need to perform the process in step S42 described later. An example of the second specified value B2 is 10%. In this embodiment, the second specified value B2 is a predetermined charge rate.

[0047] If the drone control device 60 determines in step S41 that the power supply conditions are not met (S41:NO), the drone control device 60 terminates the power supply control for the current step. On the other hand, if the drone control device 60 determines in step S41 that the power supply conditions are met (S41:NO), the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S42. That is, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S42 on the condition that the drone 50 is carrying the vehicle battery 40 and the second charge rate SB is less than or equal to a predetermined second specified value B2.

[0048] In step S42, the drone control device 60 supplies power to the motor 78 of the drone 50 from the vehicle battery 40 being transported. As a result, the drone 50 is driven by the power supplied from the vehicle battery 40. After step S42, the drone control device 60 terminates the power supply control. Subsequently, the drone control device 60 executes the process of step S41 again.

[0049] <Operation of this embodiment> As shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 4, assume that vehicle 10 is in motion. Then, assume that the battery exchange condition is met in the battery exchange control when the average charge rate SAA falls below a predetermined specified charge rate A. In this case, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 4, drone 50 transports the vehicle battery 40 from vehicle 10 to storage facility Z. Also, as shown by the double dashed arrow in Figure 4, drone 50 transports the charged vehicle battery 40 from storage facility Z to vehicle 10. As a result, the vehicle battery 40 with a reduced first charge rate SA is exchanged for the charged vehicle battery 40 stored in storage facility Z.

[0050] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) In this embodiment, the vehicle battery 40 is transported by the drone 50, thus reducing the need for the vehicle 10 to stop at a charging facility. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even while one of the multiple vehicle batteries 40 is being transported by the drone 50, the vehicle 10 can still run using the remaining vehicle batteries 40. Therefore, the time required to stop at a charging facility and the time required to charge the vehicle battery 40 at the charging facility can be reduced. Consequently, the time efficiency for charging the vehicle battery 40 is improved.

[0051] (2) In this embodiment, the exchange conditions include the condition that the average charge rate SAA is less than or equal to a predetermined specified charge rate A. Therefore, the transport of the vehicle battery 40 by the drone 50 is performed when the average charge rate SAA has decreased to a certain extent. This prevents the transport of the vehicle battery 40 by the drone 50 from being performed excessively frequently.

[0052] (3) In this embodiment, the drone 50 transports the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA among the four vehicle batteries 40 attached to the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 to the storage facility Z. As a result, the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA is replaced with a fully charged vehicle battery 40 transported from the storage facility Z to the vehicle 10. As a result, the average charge rate SAA of the multiple vehicle batteries 40 attached to the vehicle 10 can be efficiently increased.

[0053] (4) When transporting the vehicle battery 40 from the vehicle 10 to the storage facility Z, if there are multiple storage facilities Z to which the vehicle battery 40 can be transported, the drone 50 calculates the distance from the drone 50's location to each storage facility Z. The drone 50 then identifies the storage facility Z with the shortest distance among the multiple storage facilities Z as the storage facility Z to which the vehicle battery 40 will be transported. The drone 50 then transports the vehicle battery 40 from the vehicle 10 to the identified storage facility Z. This minimizes the distance the drone 50 has to transport from the vehicle 10 to the storage facility Z compared to, for example, transporting the vehicle battery 40 to another storage facility Z.

[0054] (5) As shown in Figure 3, in step S41, the drone control device 60 proceeds to step S42 on the condition that the drone 50 is carrying the vehicle battery 40 and the second charge rate SB of the drone battery 79 is less than or equal to the second specified value B2. Then, in step S42, the drone control device 60 supplies power to the motor 78 of the drone 50 from the vehicle battery 40 that is being carried. As a result, the drone 50 is driven by the power supplied from the vehicle battery 40. This prevents the interruption of the drone 50's transport of the vehicle battery 40 even if the second charge rate SB of the drone battery 79 decreases.

[0055] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the battery replacement control may be modified. For example, in step S11, the exchange conditions may be changed. Specifically, instead of condition (1), the exchange condition may be that the first charge rate SA is less than or equal to a predetermined specified charge rate A. Also, specifically, condition (2) may be omitted from the exchange conditions.

[0057] For example, in step S22, the drone control device 60 may select two or more vehicle batteries 40. That is, when transporting vehicle batteries 40 from vehicle 10 to storage facility Z, the drone 50 may transport two or more vehicle batteries 40, as long as they are part of a group of vehicle batteries 40 attached to vehicle 10. In this case, it is preferable for the drone control device 60 to select the vehicle batteries 40 to be transported in order of lowest first charge rate SA.

[0058] For example, in step S22, the drone control device 60 does not have to select the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA as the target for transport. Specifically, if the variation in the first charge rates SA of multiple vehicle batteries 40 is small, the impact of not selecting the vehicle battery 40 with the lowest first charge rate SA as the target for transport will be small.

[0059] For example, in step S21, the method of identifying the storage facility Z may be changed. Specifically, if a destination for the vehicle 10 is set in the vehicle 10's navigation system, the storage facility Z to transport the vehicle battery 40 may be identified by taking into account the route from the current location of the vehicle 10 to the destination. As an example, if there are multiple storage facilities Z capable of transporting the vehicle battery 40, the drone control device 60 may identify the storage facility Z that is closest in distance from the route the vehicle 10 will travel as the storage facility Z to transport the vehicle battery 40.

[0060] For example, in step S32, the method for calculating the route for transporting the vehicle battery 40 may be changed. Specifically, if a destination for vehicle 10 is set in the vehicle 10's navigation system, the route for the drone 50 to fly may be calculated taking into account the route from the current position of vehicle 10 to the destination. As an example, the drone control device 60 estimates a point on the route that vehicle 10 will travel to in the future, based on the route that vehicle 10 will travel, the vehicle speed SP, the speed at which the drone 50 will fly, etc. Then, the drone control device 60 may calculate the route from the point where the drone 50 is located at the time of processing in step S32 to the estimated point.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the power supply control may be modified. For example, in step S41, the power supply conditions may be changed. Specifically, the drone control device 60 may determine that the power supply conditions have been met if one or more of conditions (3) and (4) are met.

[0062] For example, step S41 may be omitted. That is, the drone control device 60 may perform the process in step S42 when it starts power supply control. For example, in step S42, the method of power supply may be changed. Specifically, in step S42, the drone control device 60 may supply power from the vehicle battery 40 being transported to the drone battery 79 of the drone 50. Then, the drone control device 60 may supply power from the drone battery 79 to the motor 78. Even in this case, as a result, the drone 50 will be driven by power supplied from the vehicle battery 40.

[0063] In the above embodiment, power supply control may be omitted. For example, if the full charge capacity of the drone battery 79 is relatively large, then power supply control can be omitted.

[0064] • In the above embodiment, the configuration of the battery replacement system 100 may be changed. For example, the drone 50 does not need to be attached to the vehicle 10 at the time the battery replacement control is initiated. Specifically, the drone 50 may be located in the storage facility Z at the time the battery replacement control is initiated. In this case, provided that the drone control device 60 receives a request signal in step S12, the drone 50 may first transport the charged vehicle battery 40 from the storage facility Z to the vehicle 10. Then, the drone 50 may transport some of the vehicle batteries 40 of the multiple vehicle batteries 40 attached to the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 to the storage facility Z. In the above configuration, the vehicle control device 20 of the vehicle 10 should start the battery replacement control regardless of whether the drone 50 is attached to the vehicle 10 or not.

[0065] For example, the number of drones 50 per vehicle 10 may be changed. Specifically, the battery exchange system 100 may have two or more drones 50 for one vehicle 10. Also, specifically, as described above, if the drones 50 are located in the storage facility Z at the time the battery exchange control is initiated, the battery exchange system 100 may have one drone 50 for two or more vehicles 10.

[0066] For example, the vehicle battery 40 and the drone battery 79 may be of the same specifications. In this case, for example, when the drone 50 is located in storage facility Z, the drone battery 79 of the drone 50 may be replaced with a fully charged drone battery 79 by another device.

[0067] For example, vehicle 10 is not limited to electric vehicles; it may also be a so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle. For example, the number of vehicle batteries 40 that can be installed in vehicle 10 may be changed. Specifically, vehicle 10 may be able to install up to 5 or more vehicle batteries 40, or it may be able to install up to 2 or more but no more than 3 vehicle batteries 40. The size and shape of the vehicle batteries 40 may also be changed.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the storage facility Z and the charging facility may be used for both purposes. That is, the storage facility Z may have a connector that can be connected to the inlet of the vehicle 10. In this case, by connecting the inlet and the connector in the storage facility Z, multiple vehicle batteries 40 attached to the vehicle 10 can be charged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] Z...Storage facility, 10...Vehicle, 20...Vehicle control device, 21...Execution unit, 22...Memory unit, 23...Communication unit, 31...Current sensor, 32...Voltage sensor, 33...Battery temperature sensor, 34...GNSS receiver, 35...Vehicle speed sensor, 38...Motor generator, 40...Vehicle battery, 50...Drone, 60...Drone control device, 61...Execution unit, 62...Memory unit, 63...Communication unit, 71...Current sensor, 72...Voltage sensor, 73...Battery temperature sensor, 74...GNSS receiver, 75...Camera, 76...Arm, 77...Rotor, 78...Motor, 79...Drone battery, 100...Battery replacement system, 200...Communication network.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a power source that operates using electricity, A plurality of batteries capable of supplying power to the aforementioned drive source and detachable from the vehicle, A drone capable of transporting the aforementioned battery, The aforementioned drone, Subject to the fulfillment of predetermined exchange conditions, Transporting some of the batteries from the vehicle to a storage facility where charged batteries are stored, The process involves transporting the charged battery from the storage facility to the vehicle, The aforementioned replacement conditions include the condition that the average charge rate of the multiple batteries installed in the vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined specified charge rate. Battery replacement system.

2. The aforementioned drone, The process involves transporting the battery with the lowest charge level from the vehicle to the storage facility. The battery replacement system according to claim 1.

3. A vehicle having a power source that operates using electricity, A plurality of batteries capable of supplying power to the aforementioned drive source and detachable from the vehicle, A drone capable of transporting the aforementioned battery, The aforementioned drone, Subject to the fulfillment of predetermined exchange conditions, Transporting some of the batteries from the vehicle to a storage facility where charged batteries are stored, The process involves transporting the charged battery from the storage facility to the vehicle, The aforementioned drone, If there are multiple storage facilities capable of transporting the battery, the storage facility with the shortest distance from the drone's location is identified. The process involves transporting the battery from the vehicle to the storage facility identified thereto. Battery replacement system.

4. A vehicle having a power source that operates using electricity, A plurality of vehicle batteries capable of supplying power to the aforementioned drive source and detachable from the vehicle, A drone capable of transporting the aforementioned vehicle battery, The aforementioned drone, Subject to the fulfillment of predetermined exchange conditions, Transporting some of the vehicle batteries from the vehicle to a storage facility that stores the vehicle batteries that have been charged, The process involves transporting the charged vehicle battery from the storage facility to the vehicle, The aforementioned drone has a drone battery, The aforementioned drone, The vehicle battery is being transported, and the drone is powered by receiving power from the vehicle battery, provided that the charge level of the drone battery is below a predetermined charge level. Battery replacement system.

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