Battery exchange device

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement apparatus which enables simplification of management of a battery.SOLUTION: A battery replacement apparatus 100 includes: a battery replacement station 100a where removal of a first battery 201 from an electrically powered vehicle 200 and attachment of a second battery 101 to the electrically powered vehicle 200 are performed; a storage 100b that stores the second battery 101; and a storage space 42 that is provided at a position spaced apart from the storage 100b and stores the first battery 201.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery replacement device.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-192783 discloses a battery replacement device that replaces a battery mounted on an electric vehicle with a fully charged battery. The battery replacement device includes a battery mounting table provided below the electric vehicle on which the battery is mounted, and battery conveyance means for conveying the battery. The battery conveyance means conveys the used battery removed from the electric vehicle and mounted on the battery mounting table to a battery storage unit, and conveys the fully charged battery stored in the battery storage unit to the battery mounting table.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery replacement device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-192783, since a fully charged battery and a battery that has just been removed from the electric vehicle and has not completed charging are stored in the same space, management becomes difficult.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery replacement device capable of simplifying battery management.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A battery exchange device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a battery exchange device for exchanging a used first battery installed in an electric vehicle with a charged second battery, comprising: a battery exchange station in which the first battery is removed from the electric vehicle and the second battery is installed in the electric vehicle; a storage compartment for storing the second battery; and a storage space provided at a location separated from the storage compartment for storing the first battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery replacement device that can simplify battery management. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows a battery replacement device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the vehicle stopping area in a battery replacement device. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of the battery mounting platform and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view that schematically shows the configuration of the battery mounting platform and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of the electric vehicle. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing each step of the battery replacement process. [Figure 7] This diagram schematically shows the battery mounting platform and the electric vehicle positioned relative to each other. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0010] (Configuration of the battery replacement device) Figure 1 shows a battery replacement device 100 and an electric vehicle 200 according to this embodiment. The battery replacement device 100 is a device for replacing a battery (used battery) 201 installed in an electric vehicle 200 with a charged battery (new battery) 101. Battery 201 and battery 101 are examples of the "first battery" and "second battery" of this disclosure, respectively. The battery replacement device 100 comprises a battery replacement station 100a, a storage compartment 100b, and an underfloor area 100c.

[0011] The battery exchange station 100a is a station where the battery 201 is removed from the electric vehicle 200 and the battery 101 is installed in the electric vehicle 200. The battery exchange station 100a is provided with an entrance / exit 102 for the electric vehicle 200 to enter and exit.

[0012] The hangar 100b stores the charged battery 101. The hangar 100b is adjacent to the battery exchange station 100a. The hangar 100b is equipped with charging equipment 51 capable of charging the battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200. The battery 201 is charged in the charging equipment 51 in the hangar 100b. The battery 101 that has been charged in the hangar 100b, i.e., the fully charged battery 101, is moved to the temporary storage area 40 located in the underfloor area 100c, and then transported to the electric vehicle 200.

[0013] The underfloor area 100c is located below the battery exchange station 100a and the storage area 100b. The underfloor area 100c is equipped with a battery mounting platform 34, a lifting section 35, a first transport section 36, and a second transport section 37, which will be described later.

[0014] The battery replacement device 100 comprises a control device 10 and a drive device 30.

[0015] The control device 10 includes a processor (control unit) 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. In addition to the programs executed by the processor 11, the memory 12 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). As will be described in detail later, the processor 11 controls the drive device 30.

[0016] The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 11 controls the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 communicates with a DCM or the like of the electric vehicle 200. Communication between the communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 200 is possible in both directions. Note that the communication unit 13 may communicate with a mobile terminal or the like owned by the user of the electric vehicle 200.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery swapping device 100 is provided with a vehicle stop area 103. When an operation to instruct the start of the battery swapping operation is performed by the user in a navigation system (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200 while the electric vehicle 200 is stopped in the vehicle stop area 103, the communication unit 13 receives an instruction signal to start the battery swapping operation from the electric vehicle 200. The processor 11 starts controlling the battery swapping operation based on the communication unit 13 receiving the above instruction signal. Note that the electric vehicle 200 stops in the vehicle stop area 103 such that the front-rear direction is the X direction and the left-right direction is the Y direction.

[0018] The drive device 第30 includes a wheel locking unit 31 (see FIG. 2), a shutter 32 (see FIG. 2), a battery mounting table 34 (see FIG. 1), a lifting unit 35 (see FIG. 1), a first conveyance unit 36 (see FIG. 1), and a second conveyance unit 37 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2 again, four wheel locking units 31 are provided in the vehicle stop area 103. The wheel locking units 31 are provided so as to correspond to each of the four wheels 202 of the electric vehicle 200.

[0020] The wheel stopper 31 includes a pressing member 31a and a lateral roller portion 31b. The pressing member 31a moves the wheel 202 by pressing the wheel 202 from the outside (side). The pressing member 31a is disposed so as to straddle the lateral roller portion 31b. Thereby, the wheel 202 is positioned by the wheel stopper 31.

[0021] The lateral roller portion 31b is composed of a plurality of rollers whose rotation axes extend along the X direction. The plurality of rollers of the lateral roller portion 31b are arranged side by side along the Y direction. When the plurality of rollers of the lateral roller portion 31b rotate, the pressing member 31a is moved along the Y direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the shutter 32 is provided in the vehicle stop area 103. The shutter 32 is configured to be able to open and close an opening 32a formed in the floor surface FL of the vehicle stop area 103. The shutter 32 can be switched between an open state in which the opening 32a is open and a closed state in which the opening 32a is closed.

[0023] The elevating portion 35 can move vertically between a position higher than the floor surface FL and a position lower than the floor surface FL through the opening 32a. As shown in FIG. 3, the elevating portion 35 can rise while holding the electric vehicle 200 from below until the wheels 202 of the electric vehicle 200 float from the floor surface FL. The elevating portion 35 raises the electric vehicle so that the height H of the lower surface 200b of the vehicle body 200a from the floor surface FL becomes a predetermined height.

[0024] The elevating portion 35 includes a pair of elevating bars 35a arranged at intervals in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction. Two projecting portions 35b projecting upward are provided on each of the pair of elevating bars 35a. The electric vehicle 200 is supported from below by the two projecting portions 35b (that is, four projecting portions 35b) on each of the pair of elevating bars 35a.

[0025] The battery mounting base 34 is located below the battery replacement station 100a, more specifically below the opening 32a. The battery mounting base 34 is capable of holding batteries 101 and 201 and is movable in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 4, the battery mounting base 34 has a base portion 34e, two positioning pins 34a, four locking / unlocking tools 34b, a roller portion 34c, and a stopper 34f.

[0026] The base portion 34e is positioned between a pair of lifting bars 35a. The base portion 34e is movable in the vertical direction. The base portion 34e is formed in a flat plate shape. The base portion 34e has an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the batteries 101 and 201. The base portion 34e is configured to be movable horizontally below the electric vehicle 200. Specifically, the base portion 34e is movable in the X direction (X1 direction, X2 direction) and the Y direction (Y1 direction, Y2 direction). The base portion 34e is rotatable so as to change its orientation (angle) in the XY plane. Note that each of the pair of lifting bars 35a may also be movable in the same way as the base portion 34e.

[0027] Each positioning pin 34a is provided on the base portion 34e. Each positioning pin 34a is a part that positions the vehicle body 200a of the electric vehicle 200 and the base portion 34e. One positioning pin 34a is provided at one end of the base portion 34e in a direction parallel to the vehicle width direction (Y direction). The other positioning pin 34a is provided at the other end of the base portion 34e in a direction parallel to the vehicle width direction (Y direction).

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the body 200a of the electric vehicle 200 has a bottom surface 200c, and this bottom surface 200c is provided with pin insertion holes 208 into which each positioning pin 34a is inserted. Each positioning pin 34a can be inserted into the pin insertion hole.

[0029] Each locking / unlocking tool 34b is movable in the vertical direction. Each locking / unlocking tool 34b is movable in the vertical direction relative to the base portion 34e. As shown in Figure 4, each locking / unlocking tool 34b is positioned inside a pair of positioning pins 34a in the Y direction. Each locking / unlocking tool 34b is positioned outside the base portion 34e in the X direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the battery 201 has a bottom surface 201e, and this bottom surface 201e is provided with tool insertion holes 201f into which each locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted. The bottom surface of the battery 101 is also provided with tool insertion holes. Each locking / unlocking tool 34b can be inserted into the tool insertion hole.

[0031] The roller portion 34c is provided on the base portion 34e. The roller portion 34c is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the X direction. When the roller portion 34c rotates in one direction, the batteries 101 and 201 move relative to the base portion 34e to one side in the Y direction (for example, the Y1 side), and when the roller portion 34c rotates in the other direction, the batteries 101 and 201 move relative to the base portion 34e to the other side in the Y direction.

[0032] The markers 34d are provided at the tip of each positioning pin 34a. The markers 34d are made of light-emitting elements such as LEDs. The markers 34d may have a tapered shape towards the top.

[0033] The stopper 34f is provided on the base portion 34e. The stopper 34f will be described later.

[0034] Referring again to Figure 1, the first transport unit 36 ​​transports the battery 101 stored in the storage compartment 100b toward the battery mounting platform 34. Specifically, a temporary storage area 40 is provided in the underfloor area 100c for temporarily storing the charged battery 101 that was stored in the storage compartment 100b, and the first transport unit 36 ​​can transport the battery 101 from the temporary storage area 40 toward the battery mounting platform 34. The first transport unit 36 ​​may be, for example, a belt conveyor type.

[0035] The second transport unit 37 transports the used batteries 201, which have been removed from the electric vehicle 200 and placed on the battery mounting base 34, from the battery mounting base 34. Specifically, in the underfloor area 100c, a storage space 42 for storing the batteries 201 is provided at a position separated from the storage compartment 100b, and the second transport unit 37 transports the batteries 201 from the battery mounting base 34 towards the storage space 42 along the transport direction (Y2 direction) in which the first transport unit 36 ​​transports the batteries 101 toward the battery mounting base 34. The first transport unit 36 ​​and the second transport unit 37 are arranged in the same straight line. The second transport unit 37 may also be, for example, a belt conveyor type.

[0036] The storage space 42 is equipped with a charging device 52 capable of charging the battery 201. The battery 201 stored in the storage space 42 is transported to the storage bay 100b by a transport unit (not shown) after charging is complete or during charging by the charging device 52. The transport unit may consist of a first transport section 36 and a second transport section 37.

[0037] Here, the stopper 34f will be described. The stopper 34f is provided on the base portion 34e, on the downstream side of the roller portion 34c in the transport direction (Y2 direction). The stopper 34f contacts the battery 101, which has been transported from the first transport portion 36 to the base portion 34e, from the opposite direction to the transport direction. The position of the stopper 34f in the direction parallel to the transport direction (Y direction) is set based on the position of the battery 201 mounted on the electric vehicle 200. The stopper 34f is movable vertically between a protruding position (the position shown in Figure 4) in which it protrudes upward from the base portion 34e to contact the batteries 101 and 201, and an embedded position in which it is embedded within the base portion 34e to allow the used battery 201 to move from the base portion 34e to the second transport portion 37.

[0038] The movement of the stopper 34f between the protruding position and the buried position is controlled by the processor (control unit) 11 of the control device 10. The processor 11 positions the stopper 34f in the protruding position when the charged battery 101 moves from the first transport unit 36 ​​to the base unit 34e, and positions the stopper 34f in the buried position when the used battery 201 moves from the base unit 34e to the second transport unit 37.

[0039] (Battery replacement method) Next, the battery replacement method using the battery replacement device 100 will be explained with reference to the flowchart (sequence diagram) in Figure 6.

[0040] [Transmission of vehicle information, etc.: Electric vehicles] First, in step S21, the electric vehicle 200 transmits information about the electric vehicle 200 and information about the battery 201 to the communication unit 13 of the battery exchange device 100. For example, the above information is transmitted to the communication unit 13 by performing an operation to transmit the above information in the navigation system of the electric vehicle 200 (not shown). The electric vehicle 200 transmits the above information before entering the battery exchange device 100. However, the above information may also be transmitted after the electric vehicle 200 has entered the battery exchange device 100.

[0041] [Acquisition of vehicle information, etc.: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S1, the communication unit 13 of the battery replacement device 100 receives information about the electric vehicle 200 and information about the battery 201 transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 in step S21 via communication. The acquired information is stored in the memory 12 (see Figure 1).

[0042] Furthermore, the communication unit 13 may acquire information on the capacity (charge capacity) of the battery 201 and the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 201.

[0043] [Sending a signal to instruct battery replacement work: Electric vehicle] Next, in step S22, the electric vehicle 200, which is stopped in the vehicle stopping area 103, transmits an instruction signal to the communication unit 13 to start the battery replacement work.

[0044] [Received instruction signal for battery replacement: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S2, the communication unit 13 receives the instruction signal transmitted from the electric vehicle 200 in step S22. In step S2, after receiving the instruction signal, the processor 11 may send an instruction message to the user of the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13, instructing them to turn off the ignition power.

[0045] [Wheel chock control: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S3, the processor 11 adjusts the position of the wheel chocks 31 (see Figure 2) based on the information (vehicle information and battery information) obtained through the communication unit 13 in step S1. The processor 11 may also control each of the four wheel chocks 31 independently of each other.

[0046] This adjusts the horizontal position and orientation of the vehicle body 200a, as well as the horizontal position and orientation of the battery 201. As a result, the battery 201 is moved to a predetermined position above the opening 32a.

[0047] [Holds the vehicle horizontally: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S4, the processor 11 opens the shutter 32 and raises the lifting unit 35 while the shutter 32 is open. As a result, the lifting unit 35 lifts the electric vehicle 200 so that after passing through the opening 32a, the height H of the lower surface 200b of the vehicle body 200a from the floor surface FL reaches a predetermined height (see Figure 3).

[0048] [Removing batteries after use: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S5, the used battery 201 is removed from the body 200a of the electric vehicle 200. First, the processor 11 raises the battery mounting base 34. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the positioning pin 34a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 formed in the lower surface 200b of the body 200a, and the locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f formed in the bottom surface 201e of the battery 201, causing the base portion 34e to contact or come close to the bottom surface 201e of the battery 201. As a result, the battery mounting base 34 is positioned relative to the electric vehicle 200 (battery 201). Note that at this time, the positioning pin 34a is inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 before the locking / unlocking tool 34b is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f.

[0049] Next, the processor 11 raises the locking / unlocking tool 34b while it is inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f. Then, the processor 11 drives (rotates) the locking / unlocking tool 34b inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f. This unlocks the bolt 201g in the tool insertion hole 201f. As a result, the battery 201 is removed from the vehicle body 200a and placed on the base part 34e. Note that the timing of the positioning pin 34a being inserted into the pin insertion hole 208 and the timing of the locking / unlocking tool 34b being inserted into the tool insertion hole 201f may be the same.

[0050] [Transporting used batteries to storage space: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S6, the battery 201, which was removed from the vehicle body 200a in step S8, is transported to the storage space 42 (see Figure 1). First, the processor 11 lowers the battery mounting platform 34 on which the battery 201 is placed to the height of the second transport unit 37 (see Figure 1). Next, the processor 11 lowers the lifting unit 35 to a position below the battery mounting platform 34 (for example, the position shown in Figure 1). As a result, the vehicle body 200a is no longer held by the lifting unit 35, and the electric vehicle 200 is placed on the floor surface FL of the vehicle stopping area 103. At this time, the processor 11 keeps the stopper 34f in the embedded position. Subsequently, the processor 11 drives the roller unit 34c (see Figure 4) of the battery mounting platform 34 so that the battery 201 moves on the base unit 34e in the transport direction (Y2 direction). As a result, the battery 201 placed on the base 34e moves along the base 34e toward the second transport unit 37 without coming into contact with the stopper 34f, and moves from the base 34e to the second transport unit 37. The battery 201 is then transported by the second transport unit 37 to the storage space 42 and stored there. The battery 201 may be charged in the storage space 42 by the charging equipment 52. After charging is complete or during charging, the battery 201 is transported by the transport unit to the storage bay 100b.

[0051] [Transporting charged batteries to the battery tray: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S7, the processor 11 transports the charged battery 101 stored in the storage compartment 100b to the battery mounting base 34. Specifically, the processor 11 transports the battery 101 from the storage compartment 100b to the temporary storage area 40 in the underfloor area 100c, and then transports the battery 101 from the temporary storage area 40 to the battery mounting base 34 along the transport direction (Y2 direction) using the first transport unit 36. At this time, the processor 11 keeps the stopper 34f in the protruding position. When the battery 101 moves from the first transport unit 36 ​​to the base unit 34e, the processor 11 drives the roller unit 34c so that the battery 101 moves along the transport direction on the base unit 34e. As a result, the battery 101 stops at a predetermined position on the base unit 34e by coming into contact with the stopper 34f.

[0052] [Inserting a charged battery: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S8, the processor 11 controls the attachment of the charged battery 101 to the vehicle body 200a. Specifically, the processor 11 raises the lifting unit 35 so that the height H of the lower surface 200b of the vehicle body 200a from the floor FL of the vehicle stopping area 103 reaches a predetermined height.

[0053] Next, the processor 11 raises the battery mounting base 34. This causes the positioning pin 34a to be inserted into the pin insertion hole. In this state, the processor 11 raises the locking / unlocking tool 34b. This causes the locking / unlocking tool 34b to be inserted into the tool insertion hole of the battery 101. Then, the processor 11 drives (rotates) the locking / unlocking tool 34b. This locks the bolts in the tool insertion hole. When it is detected that all bolts are locked, the vehicle-side connector (not shown) and the battery 101 connector (not shown) are locked. As a result, the installation of the charged battery 101 into the vehicle body 200a is completed.

[0054] [Battery mounting platform and lifting mechanism retraction: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S9, the processor 11 lowers the battery mounting platform 34 and the lifting unit 35 and moves them away from the electric vehicle 200. After that, the processor 11 closes the shutter 32 (see Figure 2).

[0055] [Notification of completion of battery replacement work: Battery replacement device] Next, in step S10, the processor 11 notifies the electric vehicle 200 via the communication unit 13 that the battery replacement operation has been completed.

[0056] [Battery replacement completion notification received: Electric vehicle] Then, in step S23, the electric vehicle 200 receives the notification transmitted from the communication unit 13 of the battery replacement device 100 in step S10. This puts the electric vehicle 200 in a state where the ignition power can be turned on. After that, the process is terminated.

[0057] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the position of the drive unit 30 is adjusted based on information about the electric vehicle 200 and the battery 201, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The position of the drive unit 30 may be adjusted based on information about either the electric vehicle 200 or the battery 201.

[0058] As described above, in the battery replacement device 100 of this embodiment, the storage space 42 for storing the used battery 201 removed from the electric vehicle 200 is located at a distance from the storage compartment 100b for storing the charged battery 101 that is installed in the electric vehicle 200, thus simplifying the management of batteries 101 and 201.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the embodiments described below.

[0060] [Aspect 1] A battery replacement device for replacing a used first battery installed in an electric vehicle with a charged second battery, A battery exchange station where the first battery is removed from the electric vehicle and the second battery is installed in the electric vehicle, A storage compartment for the aforementioned second battery, A battery replacement device comprising a storage space for storing the first battery, which is located at a position separated from the aforementioned storage compartment.

[0061] In this embodiment, the storage space for used batteries removed from electric vehicles is located at a distance from the storage compartment for charged batteries to be installed in electric vehicles, thereby simplifying battery management.

[0062] [Aspect 2] The battery replacement device according to embodiment 1, further comprising a charging device provided in the storage space and capable of charging the first battery.

[0063] In this embodiment, it becomes possible to recharge the used battery in the storage space.

[0064] [Aspect 3] A battery mounting platform is located below the battery replacement station, on which the first battery and the second battery can be placed and which is movable in the vertical direction, A first transport unit transports the second battery stored in the storage compartment toward the battery mounting platform, The system further comprises a second transport unit that transports the first battery, removed from the electric vehicle, from the battery mounting base to the storage space, The battery replacement device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the second transport unit transports the first battery from the battery mounting base toward the storage space in the same transport direction as the first transport unit transports the second battery toward the battery mounting base.

[0065] [Aspect 4] The aforementioned battery mounting base is A base portion on which the first battery and the second battery can be placed and which is movable in the vertical direction, The base portion is provided with a stopper that contacts the second battery, which has been transported from the first transport portion to the base portion, from a direction opposite to the transport direction, The battery replacement device according to embodiment 3, wherein the stopper is movable between a protruding position in which it protrudes upward from the base portion so as to contact the second battery, and an embedded position in which it is embedded within the base portion so as to allow the first battery to move from the base portion to the second transport portion.

[0066] In this embodiment, the positioning of charged batteries transported from the first transport unit to the battery mounting platform and the movement of used batteries removed from the electric vehicle from the battery mounting platform to the second transport unit are achieved simultaneously.

[0067] [Aspect 5] The device further comprises a control device capable of controlling the aforementioned stopper, The battery replacement device according to embodiment 4, wherein the control device positions the stopper in the protruding position when the second battery moves from the first transport unit to the base unit, and positions the stopper in the embedded position when the first battery moves from the base unit to the second transport unit.

[0068] In this embodiment, the positioning of the charged batteries transported from the first transport unit to the battery mounting platform, and the movement of the used batteries removed from the electric vehicle from the battery mounting platform to the second transport unit are achieved automatically.

[0069] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Battery replacement device, 10 Control device, 11 Processor (control unit), 12 Memory, 13 Communication unit, 30 Drive unit, 31 Wheel chock, 32 Shutter, 34 Battery mounting base, 34a Positioning pin, 34b Locking / unlocking tool, 34c Roller unit, 34e Base unit, 34f Stopper, 35 Lifting unit, 36 First transport unit, 37 Second transport unit, 40 Temporary storage area, 42 Storage space, 100 Battery replacement device, 100a Battery replacement station, 100b Storage unit, 100c Underfloor area, 101 Battery (second battery), 200 Electric vehicle, 200a Vehicle body, 201 Battery (first battery).

Claims

1. A battery replacement device for replacing a used first battery installed in an electric vehicle with a charged second battery, A battery exchange station where the first battery is removed from the electric vehicle and the second battery is installed in the electric vehicle, A storage compartment for the second battery, It is located at a position separated from the aforementioned storage compartment and has a storage space for storing the first battery, A charging device is provided in the aforementioned storage space and capable of charging the first battery, A battery mounting platform is located below the battery replacement station, on which the first battery and the second battery can be placed and which is movable in the vertical direction, A temporary storage area for temporarily storing the second battery is located below the aforementioned storage bay, A first transport unit transports the second battery from the temporary storage area toward the battery mounting platform, The system includes a second transport unit that transports the first battery, removed from the electric vehicle, from the battery mounting base to the storage space, The storage space is located below the battery replacement station and on the side opposite to the side where the temporary storage area is located, relative to the battery mounting platform. The second transport unit transports the first battery from the battery mounting platform toward the storage space in the same transport direction as the first transport unit transports the second battery from the temporary storage area toward the battery mounting platform. The first transport unit and the second transport unit transport the first battery to the storage unit after the charging equipment has completed charging the first battery or during the charging process.

2. The electric vehicle further comprises a lifting section located below the battery mounting platform that can move vertically independently of the battery mounting platform, The battery exchange station includes a floor surface on which the electric vehicle can stop, The lifting unit is movable between a raised position in which at least a portion of the electric vehicle is moved above the floor surface and a separated position in which it is separated below the electric vehicle. The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein the battery mounting platform can be raised to a position in contact with the bottom surface of the first battery when the lifting unit is in the raised position.

3. The aforementioned battery mounting base is A base portion on which the first battery and the second battery can be placed and which is movable in the vertical direction, The base portion is provided with a stopper that contacts the second battery, which has been transported from the first transport portion to the base portion, from a direction opposite to the transport direction, The battery replacement device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is movable between a protruding position in which it protrudes upward from the base portion so as to contact the second battery, and an embedded position in which it is embedded within the base portion so as to allow the first battery to move from the base portion to the second transport portion.

4. The system further comprises a control unit capable of controlling the stopper, The battery replacement device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit positions the stopper in the protruding position when the second battery moves from the first transport unit to the base unit, and positions the stopper in the embedded position when the first battery moves from the base unit to the second transport unit.

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