Battery swapping station, its control method, and battery swapping system

Abstract

A battery exchange station, a control method thereof, and a battery exchange system are provided. The battery exchange station according to the present invention includes first to m-th charging slots (m is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) each capable of housing and withdrawing a battery pack, an information input / output device for receiving a battery exchange request from a user, and a controller configured to check battery housing information of the first to m-th charging slots. The controller is configured to determine whether a battery withdrawal condition is satisfied in response to the battery exchange request, and to switch a specific charging slot housing a fully charged battery pack among the first to m-th charging slots from a locked mode to an unlocked mode in response to the battery withdrawal condition being satisfied.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a technology for streamlining the operation of battery swapping stations.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0112783, filed September 6, 2022, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0112784, filed September 6, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0118310, filed September 6, 2023, and all content disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said applications is incorporated into this application. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has grown rapidly, and as development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites intensifies, research into high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is becoming increasingly active.

[0004] Currently available commercially include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are attracting attention because they exhibit almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, allowing for flexible charging and discharging, and they have the advantages of a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] Battery packs for devices requiring high capacity and high voltage (such as electric vehicles) contain tens to hundreds of battery cells connected in series. Because fully charging such battery packs takes a long time, battery swapping stations (BSS) have recently been proposed as an alternative.

[0006] A battery swapping station refers to a device that supports the mutual exchange between a discharged battery and a fully charged battery. That is, a battery swapping system supports a user to be able to draw out a fully charged battery pack according to the user's request. As the battery pack is drawn out, when a discharged battery pack is accommodated in the vacated (idle) slot, the battery swapping station charges the battery pack to a fully charged state. The battery swapping at the battery swapping station can be manually performed by the user or operator, or can be automatically performed by the battery swapping station.

[0007] For the user, since the user can draw out a fully charged battery pack from the battery swapping station and drive the target device without having to wait for the discharged battery pack mounted on the target device to reach the fully charged state, the usability of the user is improved.

[0008] The battery swapping station has a plurality of charging slots, and each charging slot is arranged so that the battery accommodated therein can be charged independently of other charging slots.

[0009] When a fully charged battery pack accommodated in a specific slot of the battery swapping station is drawn out by the user, that specific slot becomes idle. In the idle state, the charging function has to stop. Therefore, it is quite important for the efficient operation of the battery swapping station to minimize the time for each slot of the battery swapping station to be kept in the idle state.

[0010] Conventional battery swapping stations employ a system where, on the condition that the user places a discharged battery pack into a predetermined number of idle charging slots out of the m (three or more) charging slots deployed at the battery swapping station, the user is provided with a fully charged battery pack from a predetermined number of other occupied charging slots. In other words, conventionally, at least a predetermined number of charging slots out of the m charging slots deployed at the battery swapping station must remain idle, making it impossible to operate all m slots in an occupied state, which significantly limits the operational efficiency of the battery swapping station.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for technology that can improve operational efficiency by minimizing the idle time of each charging slot in a battery exchange station. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a battery exchange station, a battery exchange system including the battery exchange station, and a control method for the battery exchange station, which can improve the overall operational efficiency of the battery exchange station by minimizing the idle time of each of the multiple slots provided in the battery exchange station.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly demonstrated by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] A battery exchange station according to one aspect of the present invention includes first to m charging slots (where m is a natural number of 2 or more) each capable of accommodating and withdrawing battery packs, an information input / output device for receiving battery exchange requests from a user, and a controller configured to check the battery accommodating information of the first to m charging slots. The controller is configured to determine whether the battery withdrawal conditions are met in response to the battery exchange request, and to switch the k charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is accommodating, from a locked mode to an unlocked mode in response to the battery withdrawal conditions being met.

[0015] The battery withdrawal conditions may include at least one of the following: (i) a first withdrawal condition in which the user's right to use the battery is authenticated by the user's user identification information; and (ii) a second withdrawal condition in which the discharged battery pack is located near the battery exchange station.

[0016] The controller may be configured to determine whether the second withdrawal condition is met, provided that the first withdrawal condition is met.

[0017] The controller may be configured to determine that the second withdrawal condition has been met in response to the non-contact detection of the pack identification information of the discharge battery pack by the information input / output device.

[0018] The controller may be configured to switch the charging slot k from the unlocked mode to the locked mode in response to the user's discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k after the fully charged battery pack has been withdrawn from the charging slot k.

[0019] The controller may be configured to control the information input / output device to output a disallowed signal to the fully charged battery pack before the fully charged battery pack is withdrawn from the charging slot k.

[0020] The controller may be configured to control the information input / output device to output a signal to allow use for the fully charged battery pack in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a use-allowed state in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and the discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k.

[0021] The controller may be configured to control the information input / output device to output a battery storage request message in response to the fact that it has not been detected that a discharged battery pack is being stored in the charging slot k until the elapsed time from the time the fully charged battery pack was withdrawn from the charging slot k reaches a critical time.

[0022] The controller may be configured to determine a reward or penalty for the user based on the elapsed time since the time the fully charged battery pack was removed from the charging slot k.

[0023] The reward may include an extension of the critical time. The penalty may include a reduction of the critical time.

[0024] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a battery replacement system, which includes a battery replacement station.

[0025] A control method for a battery exchange station according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: the controller receiving a battery exchange request from a user via the information input / output device; the controller determining whether the battery withdrawal conditions are met in response to the battery exchange request; and, in response to the battery withdrawal conditions being met, switching the kth charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is housed, from a locked mode to an unlocked mode.

[0026] The battery withdrawal conditions may include at least one of the following: (i) a first withdrawal condition in which the user's right to use the battery is authenticated by the user's user identification information; and (ii) a second withdrawal condition in which the discharged battery pack is located near the battery exchange station.

[0027] The control method for the battery exchange station may further include the step of the controller controlling the information input / output device to output a signal to allow use for the fully charged battery pack in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and a discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k, in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a usable state.

[0028] The control method for the battery exchange station may further include the step of controlling the information input / output device to output a battery storage request message in response to the controller not detecting that the user's discharged battery pack has not been stored in the charging slot k until the elapsed time from the time the fully charged battery pack was removed from the charging slot k reaches a critical time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the idle time of each of the multiple slots provided in the battery swapping station can be minimized, thereby improving the overall operational efficiency of the battery swapping station.

[0030] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, by providing rewards or imposing penalties on users based on the elapsed time from the time a user who wishes to replace a battery withdraws a fully charged battery from a specific slot in the battery exchange station to the time a discharged battery is placed in the same slot, it is possible to encourage active user participation in improving the operational efficiency of the battery exchange station.

[0031] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, by remotely controlling the fully charged battery withdrawn from a specific slot in a battery exchange station to be usable, provided that the slot switches from an idle state (a state in which a fully charged battery has been withdrawn by the user and is therefore vacant) to an occupied state (a state in which a discharged battery has been inserted by the user), the user can be encouraged to insert their discharged battery into the specific slot as quickly as possible.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims.

[0033] The drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention along with the content of the invention; therefore, the present invention shall not be construed as being limited only to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a diagram that is referenced in explaining the configuration of the battery replacement system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the battery exchange station. [Figure 3] This diagram is used to provide a schematic explanation of the configuration of genuine battery packs that can be stored in and removed from a battery replacement station. [Figure 4] This is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of the battery exchange station 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5a] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 4. [Figure 5b] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 4. [Figure 5c] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of a battery exchange station according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7a] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 6. [Figure 7b] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 6. [Figure 7c] This figure is used to explain the battery replacement process using the method shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of a battery exchange station according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary sense, but rather in accordance with the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention, and are to be interpreted in the sense and concepts corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0036] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these embodiments at the time of filing this application.

[0037] Phrases containing ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one of various constituent elements from others, and these phrases do not limit the constituent elements.

[0038] When a part of the specification "includes" a component, unless otherwise specified, this means that it may include other components, rather than excluding them. Furthermore, phrases like <~~part (unit)> in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0039] Furthermore, when a part of the specification is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where the parts are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0040] Figure 1 is a diagram used to illustrate the configuration of the battery replacement system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the battery replacement station shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagram used to illustrate the schematic configuration of the genuine battery pack that can be housed in and pulled out of the battery replacement station.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the battery exchange system 10 includes a battery exchange station 100 and a remote control server 200.

[0042] Battery swapping station 100 has charging slots S1 to S1. m The system includes (where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), an information input / output device 120, a charging device 110, and a controller 130.

[0043] Charging slots S1-S m Each of these is arranged to allow for the insertion and removal of the battery pack. Figure 1 illustrates that m=8, i.e., the battery exchange station 100 has a total of 8 charging slots S1 to S8. Hereafter, the first to m charging slots S1 to S m In explaining the common content of the above, the symbol S or S i (where i is a natural number less than or equal to m) is added. Unlike the example shown in Figure 1, it should be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the number of charging slots S may be less than 8 or more than 8.

[0044] The state in which the battery pack B is not installed in the charging slot S is referred to as the "idle state (or out-of-slot state)," and the state in which the battery pack B is installed in the charging slot S can be referred to as the "occupied state (or in-slot state)." In Figure 2, charging slots S1 and S2 are in the occupied state, and charging slot S m This is an example of a state of idleness.

[0045] The information input / output device 120 includes an interface unit 121 and a communication circuit 122.

[0046] The interface unit 121 can receive input of various necessary information, including a battery replacement request, from a user U who wishes to replace their discharged battery pack B2 with a fully charged battery pack B1. For example, the interface unit 121 may include at least one of the known information input means, such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, QR scanner, or microphone. The information input / output device 120 may also output various information that notifies the progress of the battery pack replacement. For example, the interface unit 121 may include at least one of the known information output means, such as a touchscreen or speaker.

[0047] A battery replacement request may be input through an operation by user U on the interface unit 121, or it may be output from the mobile terminal when a dedicated application is launched on the mobile terminal owned by user U.

[0048] The communication circuit 122 is configured to access a remote control server 200 located at a remote location from the battery exchange station 100 via a wired wireless network, and to send and receive information related to the battery exchange service with the remote control server 200. The communication circuit 122 also communicates with the first to m charging slots S1 to S via the wired wireless network. m Among them, the communication circuit 122 can transmit a disallowed signal or an allowed signal to the battery pack housed in each occupied charging slot S. Furthermore, the communication circuit 122 can transmit a disallowed signal or an allowed signal to the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m It is possible to transmit a disallowed signal or an permitted signal to the battery pack pulled out by the user U from each of the charging slots S.

[0049] Wired communication could be, for example, controller area network (CAN) communication, and wireless communication could be, for example, ZigBee® or Bluetooth® communication. Needless to say, the type of communication protocol is not particularly limited as long as it supports wired wireless communication between the battery swapping station 100 and the remote control server 200.

[0050] Controller 130 has charging slots S1 to S1. m The information input / output device 120 and the charging device 110 can be operably coupled to each of them. The operability coupling of the two components means that the two components are directly or indirectly connected in such a way that signals can be sent and received in one direction or in both directions.

[0051] The controller 130 can be implemented in hardware using at least one of the following: application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, or other electrical units for performing functions.

[0052] The controller 130 may incorporate a memory 131. The memory 131 may store data and programs required for each component of the battery swapping station 100 to operate and function, or data generated during the process of operation and functioning. The memory 131 may store at least one program, application, data, or instructions that is invoked by the controller 130. The memory 131 is not particularly limited in type, as long as it is a known information storage means capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. The memory can be implemented by at least one of the following types: flash memory, hard disk, solid state disk (SSD), solid disk drive (SDD), multimedia card micro, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or programmable read-only memory (PROM). However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such specific forms of memory. The memory 131 can store program code that defines a process executable by the controller 130.

[0053] The remote control server 200 may be configured to communicate with the battery exchange station 100 in one direction or in both directions. The remote control server 200 may also be configured to communicate with the battery pack B in one direction or in both directions.

[0054] The remote control server 200 may include a communication circuit 122 configured to communicate with the battery exchange station 100 via wired and / or wireless communication. The remote control server 200 may also communicate with the battery pack B via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0055] For communication between the remote control server 200, the battery exchange station 100, and the battery pack B, one or more combinations of various known communication methods can be employed. For example, at least two of the remote control server 200, the battery exchange station 100, and the battery pack B can communicate with each other using cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, NFC (Near Field Communication), RF (Radio Frequency), etc. Another example is that the remote control server 200, the battery exchange station 100, and the battery pack can communicate with each other by being connected by cables or the like.

[0056] The remote control server 200 may be configured to perform user authentication for user U who wishes to have their battery replaced, in cooperation with the battery replacement station 100.

[0057] Specifically, as a preliminary procedure for using the battery exchange station 100, user U may launch a dedicated application installed on their mobile terminal and register their user identification information and payment information with the remote control server 200. After completing user registration (e.g., membership registration) for using the battery exchange station 100, user U can transmit an authentication request containing their user identification information to the battery exchange station 100 by operating the information input / output device 120 to input their user UID and PIN, tag their membership identification card, or have the code scanner of the information input / output device 120 scan the QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the screen when the dedicated application on the mobile terminal is launched. The payment information is used to settle the usage fee for the battery exchange station 100, either in advance or afterward.

[0058] In response to receiving a battery replacement request from user U, controller 130 may extract user identification information from the received battery replacement request. The controller 130 may then control the communication circuit 122 to transmit the extracted user identification information to the remote control server 200.

[0059] The remote control server 200 can search for user identification information received from the battery exchange station 100 in a pre-stored user database deployed therein, and determine whether user U has the right to use the battery exchange station 100. In other words, if member information matching the user identification information obtained through the battery exchange station 100 is already registered in the user database, the remote control server 200 can determine that user U is a legitimate user with the right to use the battery exchange station 100.

[0060] In contrast, if no member information matching the user identification information exists in the user database, the remote control server 200 may determine that user U does not have the right to use the battery exchange station 100.

[0061] If the remote control server 200 determines that user U is a legitimate user, it may send a first response signal to the battery replacement station 100 indicating successful authentication. Conversely, if it determines that user U does not have the authority to use the battery replacement station 100, the remote control server 200 may send a second response signal to the battery replacement station 100 indicating authentication failure.

[0062] The controller 130 can control the interface unit 121 to output an authentication success message to user U indicating that user authentication was successful, in response to a first response signal received from the remote control server 200 via the communication circuit 122.

[0063] The controller 130 can control the interface unit 121 to output an authentication failure message (e.g., an error message) to user U in response to a second response signal received from the remote control server 200 via the communication circuit 122. If user identification information is re-entered after the output of the authentication failure message, the battery replacement station 100 can perform the authentication procedure again for the re-entered user identification information.

[0064] The remote control server 200 may be configured to remotely control a fully charged battery pack B1, which has been withdrawn from the battery exchange station 100 by user U, to either an unusable state or an usable state.

[0065] Alternatively, the battery exchange station 100 may perform at least some of the user authentication procedures described above, or it may perform the user authentication procedures on behalf of the remote control server 200. Furthermore, instead of the remote control server 200, the battery exchange station 100 may be configured to remotely control the fully charged battery pack B1 to either an unusable or usable state.

[0066] The "unusable state" refers to a condition where the electrical connection between the positive and negative terminals of battery pack B is broken. Therefore, battery pack B in the unusable state cannot be charged or discharged.

[0067] The "operational condition" refers to a state in which an electrical connection is formed between the positive and negative terminals of battery pack B. Therefore, battery pack B in the operational condition can be used normally, including charging and discharging.

[0068] Specifically, when the remote control server 200 receives a usage restriction request from the battery exchange station 100 that includes the pack identification information of battery pack B, it may transmit (e.g., broadcast) a usage restriction signal including the pack identification information of battery pack B to battery pack B. Even if battery pack B is removed from the battery exchange station 100 by user U, it may enter a restricted state in response to the usage restriction signal including its own pack identification information.

[0069] When the remote control server 200 receives a usage permission request containing pack identification information from the battery exchange station 100, it may transmit a usage permission signal containing pack identification information to battery pack B. After battery pack B has been withdrawn from the battery exchange station 100 by user U in a usage permission state, it may be switched to a usage permission state by a usage permission signal containing its own battery pack ID.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2, the charging device 110 includes a charging power supply unit 111, a switching circuit 112, a voltage detection circuit 113, and a current sensor 114. For better understanding, FIG. 2 shows the charging device 110 together with the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m and the controller 130.

[0071] The charging power supply unit 111 can be activated or deactivated according to the command of the controller 130. While being activated, the charging power supply unit 111 can operate in either a constant current charging mode or a constant voltage charging mode according to the command of the controller 130.

[0072] The switching circuit 112 is configured to be electrically connectable to one or two or more of the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m to the charging power supply unit 111. That is, the switching circuit 112 can electrically connect each of the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m to the charging power supply unit 111 or electrically disconnect it from the charging power supply unit 111 according to the command of the controller 130.

[0073] The charging slot S is a packet room including a first terminal + and a second terminal -. The packet room refers to the space where the battery pack B is accommodated. When the battery pack B is accommodated in the inner chamber of the charging slot S, the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack B can be electrically connected to the first terminal + and the second terminal - of the charging slot S, respectively.

[0074] The voltage detection circuit 113 is disposed so as to be electrically connectable to the first terminal + and the second terminal - of each of the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m . The voltage detection circuit 113 uses the potential difference between the first terminal + and the second terminal - of each of the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m to detect the voltage of each of the first to mth charging slots S1 to S mThe voltage across both ends of the battery pack B housed in each of these devices (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "pack voltage") is detected. The voltage detection circuit 113 can transmit a voltage signal indicating the detected battery voltage to the controller 130 by performing analog-to-digital conversion.

[0075] The current sensor 114 can be implemented by including one or more known current sensing elements, such as a shunt resistor or a Hall effect element.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2, the current sensor 114 is electrically connected to the power path (a pair of power lines 11 and 12) between the switching circuit 112 and the charging power supply unit 111. For better understanding, the power lines 11 and 12 are shown as thick solid lines.

[0077] The current sensor 114 can detect the charging current flowing through the power lines 11 and 12 between the switching circuit 112 and the charging power unit 111 while the charging power unit 111 is operating in constant current charging mode or constant voltage charging mode, and can output a current signal indicating the detected charging current to the controller 130. Alternatively, the current sensor 114 can detect the first to m charging slots S1 to S m m current sensors may be provided so as to correspond one-to-one with the first to the mth charging slots S1 to S m The charging current flowing through each of these can be detected separately.

[0078] The controller 130, at set time intervals (e.g., 0.01 seconds), determines the charging slots S1 to S based on the voltage signal received from the voltage detection circuit 113. m Among these, the controller 130 can determine a voltage value indicating the pack voltage of each occupied charging slot and record the determined voltage value in memory. In addition, the controller 130 can determine a current value indicating the charging current based on the current signal received from the current sensor 114 at set time intervals and record the current value in memory 131.

[0079] Controller 130 has charging slots S1 to S1. m The battery storage information can be monitored. The battery storage information is stored in the first to m charging slots S1 to S m Each of these may include slot status information indicating whether it is idle or occupied. The battery storage information may also include information on the first to mth charging slots S1 to S m This may include the cumulative idle time and / or cumulative occupied time for each of the charging slots. The cumulative idle time may be the total time from the most recent time when the charging slot S switched from an occupied state to an idle state to the time when it remained in an idle state. The cumulative occupied time may be the total time from the most recent time when the charging slot S switched from an idle state to an occupied state to the time when it remained in an occupied state. Note that the battery storage information includes the first to m charging slots S1 to S m This may include pack identification information and / or state parameters (e.g., pack voltage, state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH)) of the battery pack B housed in each occupied charging slot S.

[0080] Controller 130 is located in the i-th charging slot S i When the i-th charging slot S is occupied, i Based on the time series of the voltage and / or current values ​​of the battery pack B housed in the i-th charging slot S i The State of Charge (SOC) and / or State of Health (SOH) of a battery pack housed within can be monitored (estimated). One or more combinations of a wide variety of known methods can be used to estimate SOC and / or SOH. For example, to estimate the SOC of a battery pack, a State of Charge (SOC)-Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) map, an ampere count, and an extended Kalman filter can be used.

[0081] In this specification, the genuine battery pack B usable in the battery exchange station 100 may be standardized to be able to be accommodated in the charging slot S of the battery exchange station 100 and to be able to be normally charged by the charging power supplied by the battery exchange station 100 while housed in the charging slot S.

[0082] Referring to Figure 3, battery pack B includes a cell group 51, a wireless communication circuit 53, and a pack switch 52.

[0083] The cell group 51 includes at least one battery cell. The type of battery cell is not particularly limited, as long as it is rechargeable and rechargeable, such as a lithium-ion cell. If the cell group 51 includes multiple battery cells, these multiple battery cells may be connected to each other in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination.

[0084] The wireless communication circuit 53 controls the pack switch 52 to the turn-off state when it receives a usage restriction signal from the remote control server 200. The wireless communication circuit 53 controls the pack switch 52 to the turn-on state when it receives a usage permission signal from the remote control server 200. The wireless communication circuit 53 may also include an NFC tag on which the pack identification information of the battery pack is recorded. When the NFC tag is located within a predetermined proximity distance from an NFC reader provided on the communication circuit 122 of the battery exchange station 100, the NFC reader can collect the pack identification information from the NFC tag in a contactless manner.

[0085] The pack switch 52 is located in the current path between the positive and negative terminals of battery pack B. Specifically, the pack switch 52 may be located between the positive terminal of the battery pack and the positive terminal of cell group 51, or between the negative terminal of battery pack B and the negative terminal of cell group 51. The positive terminal of cell group 51 may be the positive terminal of the battery cell that is electrically the upstream of the multiple battery cells in cell group 51. The negative terminal of cell group 51 may be the negative terminal of the battery cell that is electrically the downstream of the multiple battery cells in cell group 51.

[0086] While the pack switch 52 is turned off, the current path between the positive and negative terminals of battery pack B is open. While the pack switch 52 is turned on, the current path between the positive and negative terminals of battery pack B is closed.

[0087] Alternatively, at least one of the usage restriction signal and the usage permission signal may be transmitted from the remote control server 200 to the battery pack B via the battery exchange station 100. For example, when the remote control server 200 transmits a usage restriction signal to the battery exchange station 100, the battery exchange station 100 may transmit the usage restriction signal received from the remote control server 200 to the battery pack B.

[0088] Alternatively, at least one of the usage restriction signal and the usage permission signal may be transmitted to the battery pack by the battery swapping station 100 itself, instead of the remote control server 200.

[0089] The battery exchange station 100 can charge the battery packs B housed in each occupied charging slot S.

[0090] If user U successfully authenticates their user identification information, they can access the first to m charging slots S1 to S of the battery exchange station 100.m Of these, the battery pack B housed in the occupying charging slot S can be withdrawn.

[0091] Specifically, if the battery exchange station 100 verifies that user U who wishes to exchange the battery is a legitimate user, it will use the first to m charging slots S1 to S m The kth charging slot S k After the fully charged battery pack B1 housed in is removed by user U, the kth charging slot S k The system monitors whether user U's discharged battery pack B2 is housed within it, and remotely controls the fully charged battery pack B1, which has been withdrawn by user U, to either an unusable state or an usable state.

[0092] Figure 4 is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of the battery replacement station 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 5a to 5c are diagrams that are referenced in order to explain the battery replacement process according to the method of Figure 4.

[0093] Referring to Figures 1 to 5c, in step S410, the controller 130 receives a battery replacement request from user U via the information input / output device 120. The battery replacement request may include user identification information of user U.

[0094] For example, user U can transmit a battery replacement request to the battery replacement station 100 by entering their ID and password into the information input / output device 120 provided at the battery replacement station 100, or by tagging their membership identification card.

[0095] As another example, as shown in Figure 5a, a battery replacement request can be transmitted to the battery replacement station 100 by having the information input / output device 120 capture a QR code displayed on the screen of user U's mobile terminal. User identification information may also be recorded on the QR code and / or membership identification card, and the information input / output device 120 can collect user identification information from the QR code and / or membership identification card in a contactless manner.

[0096] In step S420, the controller 130 controls the first to m charging slots S1 to S m It is determined whether or not there is a charging slot S containing a fully charged battery pack B1. That is, the first to m charging slots S1 to S m In step S420, it is determined whether or not a fully charged battery pack B1 is housed in at least one of the charging slots. Figure 5a illustrates that a fully charged battery pack B1 is housed in a charging slot S1 in a closed state (locked mode).

[0097] If the value of step S420 is "yes", the process may proceed to step S430. If the value of step S420 is "no", the first to m charging slots S1 to S m This indicates that none of the charging slots S1 to m contain a fully charged battery. m If all of them are idle, the value output in step S420 may be "No". Another example is the first to m charging slots S1 to S m Even if all of them are occupied, if not all battery packs B are fully charged, the value output in step S420 may be "No". If the value in step S420 is "No", the process may proceed to step S422.

[0098] In relation to step S420, the first to m charging slots S1 to S mIf a fully charged battery pack B1 is located in only one of the charging slots, the controller 130 may select the specific charging slot containing the fully charged battery pack B1 as the target charging slot. Charging slots S1 to S m If a fully charged battery pack B1 is housed in each of two or more charging slots, the controller 130 may select one of the two or more charging slots as the target charging slot. For example, the charging slot housing the battery pack B with the highest SOH among the two or more charging slots may be selected as the target charging slot. As another example, the charging slot that has been occupied for the longest time among the two or more charging slots may be selected as the target charging slot. As yet another example, the charging slot housing the battery pack B that has been kept fully charged for the longest time among the two or more charging slots may be selected as the target charging slot.

[0099] In the following, the target charging slot is the kth charging slot S k It can be called that. That is, when k is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to m, the kth charging slot S k The first to m charging slots S1 to S house a fully charged battery pack B1 which can be withdrawn by user U. m It is one of the following charging slots. For the sake of simplicity, we will assume that the first charging slot S1 is selected as the target charging slot below.

[0100] In step S430, the controller 130 determines whether user U has the right to use the battery replacement station 100 based on the user identification information included in the battery replacement request. In other words, step S430 determines whether or not authentication of user U's right to use the station was successful. Step S430 is a procedure for determining whether or not the first extraction condition as a condition for battery extraction is met.

[0101] The controller 130 can obtain an authentication result for user U's usage rights by searching whether or not member registration information matching the user identification information is recorded in the user database.

[0102] Alternatively, the controller 130 may, after extracting user identification information from the battery replacement request, transmit a remote authentication request containing the extracted user identification information to the remote control server 200. In response to the remote authentication request, the remote control server 200 may transmit the authentication result for user U's access rights to the battery replacement station 100.

[0103] A value of "yes" in step S430 indicates that authentication was successful, confirming that user U is a legitimate user. If the value of step S430 is "yes", proceed to step S440. A value of "no" in step S430 indicates that authentication for user U's usage rights failed. If the value of step S430 is "no", proceed to step S422.

[0104] In step S422, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a non-exchangeable message.

[0105] If step S422 is executed because the value of step S420 is "no", the non-replaceable message may be intended to inform user U that a fully charged battery pack B1 does not exist. Charging slots S1 to S m If at least one of the charging slots is occupied, the controller 130 calculates the remaining charging time for each occupied charging slot of the battery pack B, and may add the minimum value of the calculated remaining charging time, which is the waiting time, to the non-exchangeable message.

[0106] If step S422 is performed because the value of step S430 is "no", the non-exchangeable message may include a request for re-entry of user identification information.

[0107] In step S440, the controller 130 enters the kth charging slot S k Switches from locked mode to unlocked mode. Specifically, the kth charging slot S k The input slot can be kept in locked mode if the value of step S430 is "no", and can be switched from locked mode to unlocked mode if the value of step S430 is "yes". For example, in the locked state, the input slot of the charging slot S1 is closed as shown in Figure 5a, whereas in the unlocked mode, the input slot of the charging slot S1 is open as shown in Figure 5b.

[0108] Controller 130 is located in the kth charging slot S k Before it switches to unlock mode, the kth charging slot S k The charging device 110 can be controlled to stop supplying charging power to the fully charged battery pack B1 housed in the kth charging slot S. k The fully charged battery pack B1 can be safely withdrawn through the input slot. Referring to Figure 5c, after the user U removes the discharged battery pack B2 installed in his small electric vehicle 20, the fully charged battery pack B1 withdrawn from the charging slot S1 can be installed in the small electric vehicle 20.

[0109] In step S450, the controller 130 has the kth charging slot S k The system determines whether the fully charged battery pack B1 has been withdrawn from the charging slot S. For example, if the fully charged battery pack B1 has been withdrawn, the voltage detection circuit 113 determines whether the kth charging slot S k The voltage between the terminals becomes effectively 0V, and as a result, the controller 130 determines that the fully charged battery pack B1 is in the kth charging slot S kIt can be recognized that it has been withdrawn. If the value in step S450 is "yes", proceed to step S452.

[0110] In step S452, the controller 130 enters the kth charging slot S k Record the time when the fully charged battery pack B1 was removed.

[0111] In step S460, the controller 130 is located in the kth charging slot S k Determine whether the discharge battery pack B2 is placed inside. If the value of step S460 is "no", proceed to step S462. If the value of step S460 is "yes", proceed to step S470.

[0112] In step S462, the controller 130 determines whether the elapsed time from the withdrawal time is equal to or greater than the critical time. If the value in step S460 is "yes", the process may proceed to step S480. The critical time may be a predetermined length of time that applies commonly to all users U who have the right to use the battery exchange station 100.

[0113] As an alternative, the controller 130 may be formulated to have different critical times for each user U, depending on the member's rank, past battery replacement history, etc.

[0114] In step S470, the controller 130 switches the fully charged battery pack B1 from a non-usable state to a usable state. For example, the controller 130 may control the communication circuit 122 to output a usable signal that includes the pack identification information of the fully charged battery pack B1. As another example, the controller 130 may transmit a remote usable request that includes the pack identification information of the fully charged battery pack B1 to the remote control server 200, and the remote control server 200 may, in response to the remote usable request received from the battery exchange station 100, wirelessly transmit (e.g., by broadcast) a usable signal that includes the pack identification information of the fully charged battery pack B1. In step S470, the controller 130 switches the kth charging slot S k It can be switched back from unlocked mode to locked mode.

[0115] In step S480, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a battery storage request message. The battery storage request message tells the discharged battery pack B2 to the kth charging slot S k This may be a visual and / or auditory notification signal prompting user U to accommodate it.

[0116] The controller 130, despite step S480 being performed a predetermined number of times, does not proceed with the kth charging slot S k If the system cannot be switched from idle to occupied, the method shown in Figure 4 may be terminated.

[0117] Figure 6 is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of a battery replacement station according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 7a to 7c are diagrams that are referenced in order to explain the battery replacement process according to the method of Figure 6.

[0118] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 7c, in step S610, the controller 130 receives a battery replacement request from user U via the information input / output device 120. In response to the receipt of the battery replacement request, the controller 130 may switch the NFC reader of the information input / output device 120 from sleep state to wake-up state.

[0119] In step S620, the controller 130 controls the first to m charging slots S1 to S m Among them, charging slot S houses the fully charged battery pack B1. k Determine whether or not it exists. Figure 7a illustrates that k=1, i.e., that charging slot S1 as the target charging slot exists in the battery exchange station 100. If the value of step S620 is "no", the process may proceed to step S622. If the value of step S620 is "yes", the process proceeds to step S630.

[0120] In step S630, the controller 130 determines whether the discharged battery pack B2 is located near the battery exchange station 100. In other words, step S630 is a procedure for determining whether the second withdrawal condition, which is a condition for withdrawing the battery, is met.

[0121] For example, as shown in Figure 7a, user U may remove the discharge battery pack B2 that was installed in their small electric vehicle 20 and place it on a temporary pack stand H provided at the battery exchange station 100. The temporary pack stand H may be equipped with an NFC reader included in the switching circuit 112 of the information input / output device 120. The NFC reader then collects pack identification information from the NFC tag attached to the discharge battery pack B2. The pack identification information is unique information of the discharge battery pack B2 that confirms whether the discharge battery pack B2 is a genuine product and distinguishes it from other battery packs. If the value of step S630 is "yes", the process proceeds to step S640. If the value of step S630 is "no", the process may proceed to step S622.

[0122] In step S622, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a non-exchangeable message.

[0123] In step S640, the controller 130 has the kth charging slot S k The device is switched from locked mode to unlock mode. This causes the input slot of the charging slot S1 to open, as illustrated in Figure 7b. Then, as shown in Figure 7c, user U can pull out the fully charged battery pack B1 from the charging slot S1 and install it in the small electric vehicle 20, and then place the discharged battery pack B2 from the temporary pack stand H into the charging slot S1.

[0124] In step S650, the controller 130 is located in the kth charging slot S k Determine whether the fully charged battery pack B1 has been removed. If the value of step S650 is "yes", proceed to step S660.

[0125] In step S652, the controller 130 controls the kth charging slot S k Record the time when the fully charged battery pack B1 was removed.

[0126] In step S660, the controller 130 is located in the kth charging slot S k Determine whether a discharged battery is stored in the device. If the value of step S660 is "no", proceed to step S662. If the value of step S660 is "yes", proceed to step S670.

[0127] In step S662, the controller 130 determines whether the elapsed time from the withdrawal time is equal to or greater than the critical time. If the value in step S660 is "yes", the process proceeds to step S680.

[0128] In step S670, the controller 130 switches the fully charged battery pack B1 from a non-usable state to a usable state.

[0129] In step S680, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a battery storage request message. The controller 130, despite step S680 being performed a predetermined number of times, k If the system cannot be switched from idle to occupied, the method shown in Figure 6 may be terminated.

[0130] Figure 8 is a procedure diagram that is referenced in order to schematically explain the control method of a battery exchange station according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 8, in step S810, the controller 130 receives a battery replacement request from user U via the information input / output device 120. Step S810 is substantially the same as step S410 in Figure 4.

[0132] In step S820, the controller 130 controls the first to m charging slots S1 to S mIt is determined whether or not there is a charging slot containing a fully charged battery pack B1. If the value of step S820 is "yes", the process may proceed to step S830. If the value of step S820 is "no", the process may proceed to step S822. Step S820 is substantially the same as step S420 in Figure 4.

[0133] In step S830, the controller 130 determines whether user U has the right to use the battery replacement station 100 based on the user identification information included in the battery replacement request. Step S830 is substantially the same as step S430 in Figure 4.

[0134] In step S832, the controller 130 determines whether the discharged battery pack B2 is located near the battery exchange station 100. Step S832 is substantially the same as step S630 in Figure 6. That is, the battery withdrawal conditions include the first withdrawal condition determined in step S830 and the second withdrawal condition determined in step S832. The controller 130 may determine whether the second withdrawal condition is met, provided that the first withdrawal condition is met.

[0135] In step S822, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a non-replaceable message. If step S822 is performed because the value of step S820 is "no", the non-replaceable message may be intended to inform user U that a fully charged battery pack B1 does not exist. If step S822 is performed because the value of step S830 is "no", the non-replaceable message may include a request for re-entry of user identification information. If step S822 is performed because the value of step S832 is "no", the non-replaceable message may include a request for the discharged battery pack B2 to be placed on the temporary pack stand H.

[0136] In step S840, the controller 130 enters the kth charging slot S k The device is switched from locked mode to unlock mode. Step S840 is substantially the same as step S420 in Figure 4.

[0137] In step S850, the controller 130 has the kth charging slot S k Determine whether the fully charged battery pack B1 has been removed. If the value of step S850 is "yes", proceed to step S852.

[0138] In step S852, the controller 130 enters the kth charging slot S k Record the time when the fully charged battery pack B1 was removed.

[0139] In step S860, the controller 130 is located in the kth charging slot S k Determine whether the discharge battery pack B2 is placed inside. If the value of step S860 is "no", proceed to step S862. If the value of step S862 is "yes", proceed to step S870.

[0140] In step S862, the controller 130 determines whether the elapsed time from the withdrawal time is equal to or greater than the critical time. If the value in step S862 is "yes", the process may proceed to step S880. Step S862 is substantially the same as step S462 in Figure 4.

[0141] In step S870, the controller 130 switches the fully charged battery pack B1 from a non-usable state to a usable state. Step S870 is substantially the same as step S470 in Figure 4.

[0142] In step S880, the controller 130 controls the information input / output device 120 to output a battery storage request message. The controller 130, despite step S880 being performed a predetermined number of times, k If the system cannot be switched from idle to occupied, the method shown in Figure 8 may be terminated.

[0143] In relation to the first to third embodiments, the controller 130 has the kth charging slot S k A reward or penalty for user U may be determined based on the elapsed time since the fully charged battery pack B1 was removed.

[0144] The reward may include an extension of the critical time. For example, if the elapsed time is less than the critical time, the controller 130 may map the extended critical time, corresponding to a time quantity that has a positive correlation with the time difference between the elapsed time and the critical time, to the user identification information of user U and record it.

[0145] Penalties may include a reduction in the critical time. For example, if the elapsed time exceeds the critical time, the controller 130 may map the reduced critical time, corresponding to a time quantity that has a positive correlation with the time difference between the elapsed time and the critical time, to the user identification information of user U and record it.

[0146] In other words, the sooner user U returns their discharged battery pack B2 to the battery exchange station 100 each time they use it, the longer the critical time becomes when they next use the battery exchange station 100. Conversely, the later user U returns their discharged battery pack B2 to the battery exchange station 100, the shorter the critical time becomes when they next use the battery exchange station 100.

[0147] With reference to Figures 1 to 8, the embodiments of the present invention described above offer the following technical advantages. First, by adopting a first-withdraw-later-input method, it is possible to operate all charging slots in an occupied state without having to leave a predetermined number of charging slots of the battery exchange station idle. Second, by retrospectively switching the fully charged battery pack B1 provided to user U to a usable state on the condition that a discharged battery pack is placed in a specific idle charging slot, it is possible to prevent misuse of the battery exchange station 100 operating with a first-withdraw-later-input method. Third, by providing rewards or imposing penalties on user U based on the elapsed time from when a fully charged battery pack is withdrawn from a specific slot until a discharged battery pack is placed in that specific slot, the idle time during which a specific slot remains idle can be shortened.

[0148] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to apparatus and methods, but can also be realized through a program that implements the functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention, or through a recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such implementation can be easily achieved by experts in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, based on the above-described embodiments.

[0149] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations can be made by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept and claims of the present invention.

[0150] Furthermore, the present invention described above can be modified and altered in various ways by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the technical spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is not limited by the embodiments described above and the accompanying drawings, but rather can be constructed by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment for various modifications.

Claims

1. Each of the first to m charging slots (where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) allows for the insertion and removal of a battery pack, An information input / output device that receives battery replacement requests from users, A controller configured to check the battery storage information of the first to m charging slots, Includes, The aforementioned controller, In response to the aforementioned battery replacement request, it is determined whether the conditions for battery removal are met. In response to the fulfillment of the battery withdrawal condition, the system is configured to switch the kth charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is housed, from locked mode to unlocked mode. The aforementioned controller, A battery exchange station configured to control the information input / output device to output a signal allowing use for the fully charged battery pack in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and a discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k, in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a use-allowed state.

2. Each of the first to m charging slots (where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) allows for the insertion and removal of a battery pack, An information input / output device that receives battery replacement requests from users, A controller configured to check the battery storage information of the first to m charging slots, Includes, The aforementioned controller, In response to the aforementioned battery replacement request, it is determined whether the conditions for battery removal are met. In response to the fulfillment of the battery withdrawal condition, the system is configured to switch the kth charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is housed, from locked mode to unlocked mode. The aforementioned controller, The information input / output device is configured to output a battery storage request message in response to the fact that it has not been detected that the discharged battery pack has been placed in the charging slot k before the elapsed time from the time the fully charged battery pack was withdrawn from the charging slot k reaches a critical time. The aforementioned controller, A battery exchange station configured to control the information input / output device to output a signal allowing use for the fully charged battery pack in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and a discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k, in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a use-allowed state.

3. The aforementioned controller, The battery exchange station according to claim 2, configured to determine a reward or penalty for the user based on the elapsed time since the time the fully charged battery pack was removed from the charging slot k.

4. The reward includes the extension of the critical time, The battery exchange station according to claim 3, wherein the penalty includes shortening the critical time.

5. The conditions for withdrawing the aforementioned battery are: A battery exchange station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one of: (i) a first withdrawal condition in which the user's right to use the station is authenticated by the user's user identification information; and (ii) a second withdrawal condition in which a discharged battery pack is located near the battery exchange station.

6. The aforementioned controller, The battery exchange station according to claim 5, configured to determine whether the second draw-out condition is met, on the condition that the first draw-out condition is met.

7. The aforementioned controller, The battery exchange station according to claim 5, configured to determine that the second withdrawal condition has been met in response to the non-contact detection of the pack identification information of the discharged battery pack by the information input / output device.

8. The aforementioned controller, A battery exchange station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging slot k is configured to switch from the unlocked mode to the locked mode in response to the user's discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k after the fully charged battery pack has been withdrawn from the charging slot k.

9. The aforementioned controller, The battery exchange station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, configured to control the information input / output device to output a signal prohibiting use for the fully charged battery pack before the fully charged battery pack is withdrawn from the charging slot k.

10. A battery replacement system including a battery replacement station according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A control method for a battery exchange station, which includes first to m charging slots (where m is a natural number of 2 or more) capable of housing and removing battery packs, an information input / output device, and a controller, The controller receives a battery replacement request from the user via the information input / output device. The controller, in response to the battery replacement request, determines whether the battery withdrawal conditions are met. In response to the battery withdrawal condition being met, the kth charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is housed, is switched from locked mode to unlocked mode. The controller controls the information input / output device to output a signal allowing use for the fully charged battery pack in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and the discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k, in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a use-allowed state. A method for controlling a battery swapping station, including the control method.

12. A control method for a battery exchange station, which includes first to m charging slots (where m is a natural number of 2 or more) capable of housing and removing battery packs, an information input / output device, and a controller, The controller receives a battery replacement request from the user via the information input / output device. The controller, in response to the battery replacement request, determines whether the battery withdrawal conditions are met. In response to the battery withdrawal condition being met, the kth charging slot (where k is a natural number less than or equal to m) among the first to m charging slots, in which a fully charged battery pack is housed, is switched from locked mode to unlocked mode. The controller controls the information input / output device to output a battery storage request message in response to the controller not detecting that the user's discharged battery pack has not been placed in the charging slot k before the elapsed time from the time the fully charged battery pack was removed from the charging slot k reaches a critical time. The controller controls the information input / output device to output a signal allowing use for the fully charged battery pack in response to the fully charged battery pack being withdrawn from the charging slot k and the discharged battery pack being placed in the charging slot k, in order to switch the fully charged battery pack from a non-use state to a use-allowed state. A method for controlling a battery swapping station, including the control method.

13. The conditions for withdrawing the aforementioned battery are: A method for controlling a battery exchange station according to claim 11 or 12, comprising at least one of: (i) a first withdrawal condition in which the user's right to use the battery is authenticated by the user's user identification information; and (ii) a second withdrawal condition in which a discharged battery pack is located near the battery exchange station.

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