Battery swapping system and battery swapping method

Abstract

A battery swapping system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body; a plurality of replacement units which are mounted on the main body and on which a battery is mounted and charged; a detection unit which is arranged on the main body to face a user and detects body information; a transfer unit for transferring, to the user, location information of the replacement units and charging information of the battery mounted on the replacement unit by using at least one method among an image providing method or a speech method; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the replacement unit and the operation of the transfer unit according to the body information of the user detected by the detection unit, wherein the control unit may select one replacement unit among the plurality of replacement units on the basis of the body information of the user detected by the detection unit, and operate the transfer unit to inform the user of information about the selected replacement unit.

Description

Battery exchange system and battery exchange method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105152, filed August 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery exchange system and exchange method that enhance user convenience.

[0005] To address environmental pollution caused by the use of petroleum resources and the resulting energy shortage resulting from petroleum depletion, research and development are underway on power generation based on eco-friendly energy sources. In particular, active research is being conducted on secondary batteries, which offer high utility due to their ability to be repeatedly charged and discharged. Research is also being conducted on various aspects of secondary batteries, including their materials, structure, processes, and stability.

[0006] Common types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries. These batteries are used in small products such as digital cameras, DVDs, MP3 players, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game devices, power tools, and e-bikes, as well as in larger products requiring high output, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as power storage devices that store surplus generated power or renewable energy, and as backup power storage devices.

[0007] Furthermore, for devices requiring high-power and high-capacity electrical energy, such as electric vehicles and electric motorcycles, battery packs, manufactured by combining multiple secondary batteries, are often utilized. However, as battery packs store high-power and high-capacity electrical energy, they have the disadvantage of requiring considerable time to recharge.

[0008] To overcome these shortcomings, battery swapping devices equipped with multiple pre-charged battery packs are often utilized. For example, a battery swapping station (BSS) is installed in a designated area, allowing users to quickly and easily swap out depleted battery packs for recharged ones. Since the station allows users to instantly swap battery packs, the charging and replacement time is shortened, thereby increasing the usability of the battery packs.

[0009] However, because battery packs are designed for large devices like automobiles and motorcycles, they tend to be heavy, and considerable force is required to insert and remove them from the battery swap station. This reduces the usability of the battery swap station and can even lead to physical injury.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a battery replacement system and method that can operate without requiring more force from the user, thereby improving user convenience.

[0011] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery exchange system and method that operates according to the user's physical information to increase convenience of use.

[0012] A battery exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a plurality of replacement parts mounted on the main body and having batteries mounted thereon and charged, a detection unit positioned on the main body so as to face a user and detecting body information of the user, a transmission unit transmitting location information of the replacement part and charge information of a battery mounted on the replacement part to the user in at least one of a video provision method and a voice method, and a control unit controlling an operation of the replacement part and an operation of the transmission unit according to the body information of the user detected by the detection unit, wherein the control unit can select one of the plurality of replacement parts based on the body information of the user detected by the detection unit, and operate the transmission unit to notify the user of information about the selected replacement part.

[0013] The above detection unit detects the user's height information, and the above replacement unit can be arranged in multiple units along the height direction with respect to the ground.

[0014] The above control unit can select a replacement unit among the plurality of replacement units that is closest to the middle height of the user's key information.

[0015] The above detection unit can detect the user's waist and chest areas.

[0016] The above control unit can control the replacement unit to move between the user's waist and chest areas.

[0017] The above plurality of replacement parts may be moved as one unit.

[0018] The above main body may be moved as a single unit, like the above plurality of replacement parts.

[0019] The battery exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a driving unit located at the lower side of the main body, supporting the lower surface of the main body, and moving the main body and a plurality of replacement parts in an upward or downward direction.

[0020] The battery exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a storage unit that stores location information of the replacement unit, charging information of a battery mounted on the replacement unit, and operation information of the replacement unit controlled by the control unit.

[0021] The control unit may calculate the location information of the replacement unit stored in the storage unit as a coordinate value, calculate an average of the coordinate values ​​of the replacement unit, and cause the replacement unit to wait at a position corresponding to the average of the coordinate values.

[0022] A battery replacement method according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a detection step in which a user's body information is detected by a detection unit mounted on a main body, a control step in which a replacement unit is selected from among a plurality of replacement units to which a battery is mounted and charged based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit, and a transmission step in which a transmission unit transmits information about the selected replacement unit to the user, a control step in which an operation of the replacement unit is controlled by the control unit based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit, and a replacement step in which a consumed battery is inserted into one of the plurality of replacement units and a charged battery is selected in another of the plurality of replacement units.

[0023] In the above detection step, the detection unit detects the user's key information, and in the transmission step, the control unit can select a replacement unit among the plurality of replacement units that is closest to the middle height of the user's key information.

[0024] In the above detection step, the detection unit can detect the user's waist and chest areas, and in the control step, the control unit can control the replacement unit to move between the user's waist and chest areas.

[0025] In the above control step, the plurality of replacement parts can be moved as one unit by the control unit.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the convenience of use can be improved by operating according to the user's physical information, and physical injury to the user can be prevented in advance due to use.

[0027] In addition, the configurations according to preferred embodiments of the present invention may include effects that can be easily predicted by those skilled in the art.

[0028] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a battery exchange system in use according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a battery exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a driving unit installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a battery replacement method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0034] In order to clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of a part that is irrelevant to the description or a related known technology that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention has been omitted, and when adding reference signs to components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference signs are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0035] In addition, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a view showing a battery exchange system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention in use, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a battery exchange system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery exchange system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention can establish an environment that allows users to easily and quickly exchange batteries. For example, the battery exchange system (1) can function by installing a battery exchange device in a certain area, allowing users to exchange batteries as needed. Specifically, the battery exchange system (1) can include a battery exchange station (BSS).

[0038] By the function of the battery exchange system (1) as described above, the user can save the battery charging time by putting a used battery into the battery exchange station and selecting a charged battery from the battery exchange station, thereby utilizing the battery more effectively.

[0039] In addition, the battery exchange system (1) may include a specific structure to enable the user to exchange the battery more conveniently. For example, the battery exchange system (1) may include a battery exchange station that is driven according to the user's body structure.

[0040] In addition, the battery exchange system (1) can recognize the user's body structure, select a rechargeable battery in a position advantageous to the body structure, and notify the user of the selected battery, thereby further increasing the user's convenience.

[0041] Specifically, the battery exchange system (1) may include a main body (10), a replacement unit (11), a detection unit (12), a transmission unit (13), and a control unit (14).

[0042] The main body (10) can be installed in a certain area. For example, the main body (10) can be installed on the ground as a part of a device in which a battery is exchanged, and can form a body frame in which a replacement part (11) and a detection part (12) described later are installed.

[0043] The replacement part (11) can charge the battery by mounting the battery inside. For example, the replacement part (11) may be composed of multiple parts, and the multiple replacement parts (11) may be mounted on the main body (10). The multiple replacement parts (11) are formed by multiple recessed compartments into which batteries are mounted, and the batteries can be mounted and charged in the multiple replacement parts (11).

[0044] Specifically, a used battery is inserted into the replacement part (11), and the battery can be charged by combining or contacting the connection terminal inside the replacement part (11). In this case, the connection terminal inside the replacement part (11) is electrically connected to a wire located inside the main body (10), and the wire located inside the main body (10) is connected to an external power charging device, thereby charging the battery inside the replacement part (11).

[0045] The replacement parts (11) may be arranged in a plurality along the height direction with respect to the ground. For example, the replacement parts (11) may be formed in a plurality so as to be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the replacement parts (11) may be formed in a plurality so as to be arranged in a direction parallel to the ground. That is, the plurality of replacement parts (11) may be widely distributed in a direction facing the user so that the battery can be exchanged according to the user's convenience.

[0046] Some of the plurality of replacement parts (11) may be movable while mounted inside the main body (10). For example, the replacement part (11) may include a connector that is coupled or decoupled from the inside of the main body (10). When the connector is decoupled from the inside of the main body (10), the replacement part (11) is moved so that the connector is coupled to another part inside the main body (10), thereby enabling the replacement part (11) to move inside the main body (10).

[0047] In addition, the plurality of replacement parts (11) can be connected to the inside of the main body (10) in a contact manner. For example, the plurality of replacement parts (11) can be brought into or out of contact with the inside of the main body (10) through a wireless charging method, rather than having a separate connector.

[0048] Additionally, the plurality of replacement parts (11) may be movable as a unit. That is, the plurality of replacement parts (11) may be moved simultaneously within the main body (10). Alternatively, the plurality of replacement parts (11) and the main body (10) may be connected as a unit and moved upward or downward by a driving part (17) described later.

[0049] This is one of the methods in which multiple replacement parts (11) are driven according to the user's body structure. The detailed operating principles related to this will be described below.

[0050] The sensing unit (12) is positioned on the main body (10) so as to face the user and can detect the user's body information. For example, the sensing unit (12) may be formed on the upper side of the main body (10). The sensing unit (12) may include a light sensor. The position of the sensing unit (12) is not limited thereto and may be positioned in various positions depending on efficient sensing or ease of design.

[0051] The sensing unit (12) can detect the user's height information. That is, the sensing unit (12) can detect the overall height from the ground to the user's head.

[0052] Additionally, the sensing unit (12) can recognize and detect a user's specific body structure. For example, the sensing unit (12) can detect the user's waist and chest. That is, the sensing unit (12) can receive characteristic information about the waist and chest areas of the human body structure in advance and recognize the user's waist and chest areas.

[0053] The transmission unit (13) can transmit location information of the replacement unit (11) and charge information of the battery mounted on the replacement unit (11) to the user. For example, the transmission unit (13) can transmit information to the user in at least one of a video provision method and an audio method.

[0054] Specifically, the transmission unit (13) can be designed in various forms, such as a device and application that transmits information about the replacement unit (11). For example, the transmission unit (13) can include a display device installed in the main body (10) to inform a user waiting in front of the main body (10) of the currently empty replacement unit (11) and the charging status of the battery for each replacement unit (11).

[0055] Alternatively, the transmission unit (13) may be provided in the form of an application installed on the user's personal terminal. That is, even if the user is not in front of the main body (10), the transmission unit (13) can remotely provide information on the replacement unit (11) and battery to the user through the application.

[0056] However, the transmission unit (13) is not limited to the above examples, but can be designed in various forms such as a device, application, or program capable of transmitting video and audio information.

[0057] By the function of the control unit (14) described below, the transmission unit (13) recommends and informs the user of the replacement unit (11) in the most convenient location for the user to use, and the user can replace the battery using the replacement unit (11) recommended by the transmission unit (13).

[0058] The control unit (14) can control the operation of the transmission unit (13) and the operation of the replacement unit (11) according to the user's body information detected by the detection unit (12).

[0059] First, the control unit (14) can transmit information on a suitable replacement unit (11) for the user through the transmission unit (13) based on the user's body information. For example, the control unit (14) can select one replacement unit (11) from among a plurality of replacement units (11) based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit (12). Specifically, the control unit (14) can select one replacement unit (11) that is closest to the middle height of the user's height information from among the plurality of replacement units (11). That is, the control unit (14) can select one replacement unit (11) that is closest to the position corresponding to the height of the user's torso.

[0060] The control unit (14) can operate the transmission unit (13) to inform the user of the information on the selected replacement unit (11). For example, by the control unit (14), the transmission unit (13) can inform the user of the location of the selected replacement unit (11).

[0061] That is, the control unit (14) can recommend a replacement part (11) suitable for the user's body structure to the user, and the user can more easily insert the used battery into the selected replacement part (11), thereby increasing the utility of the battery exchange system (1).

[0062] Additionally, based on the user's body structure, if there is no suitable and empty replacement part (11) for the user, the control unit (14) can move a replacement part (11) located in another space to the user. For example, the control unit (14) can control the replacement part (11) to move between the user's waist and chest areas.

[0063] That is, based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit (12), the control unit (14) can specify the positions of the user's waist and chest, and control the replacement unit (11) by moving the replacement unit (11) horizontally or vertically so that the empty replacement unit (11) is placed toward the user's torso.

[0064] In this case, the control unit (14) selects and moves the replacement unit (11) closest to the user among the empty replacement units (11), thereby enabling the replacement unit (11) to be moved to the user more efficiently and quickly. Through such a mechanism, the battery exchange system (1) can also be made more useful.

[0065] Figure 3 shows a driving unit (17) installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery exchange system (1) may further include a driving unit (17) located at the lower side of the main body (10) and supporting the lower surface of the main body (10). The driving unit (17) may be located between the ground and the lower surface of the main body (10) and may support the lower surface of the main body (10). In this state, the driving unit (17) may move the main body (10) and the plurality of replacement units (11) in an upward or downward direction. By the structure and operation of the driving unit (17) as described above, the plurality of replacement units (11) may be moved upward or downward as a unit together with the main body (10).

[0067] Even in this case, the control unit (14) can control the operation of the driving unit (17) based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit (12). For example, when a user with a height greater than average height uses the battery exchange system (1), the control unit (14) can increase the user's convenience by moving the main body (10) and the plurality of replacement units (11) upwards through the driving unit (17).

[0068] Conversely, when a user with a height smaller than average height uses the battery exchange system (1), the control unit (14) can move the main body (10) and the plurality of exchange units (11) downwards through the driving unit (17).

[0069] Additionally, the battery exchange system (1) may further include a storage unit (15) that stores location information of the replacement unit (11), charging information of the battery mounted on the replacement unit (11), and operation information of the replacement unit (11) controlled by the control unit (14).

[0070] That is, the storage unit (15) can store information on the history of use of the replacement unit (11). For example, the storage unit (15) can build a database and collect and store information such as the location where the replacement unit (11) is selected according to the user's body structure, the location of the replacement unit (11) that is frequently used, the movement pattern of the replacement unit (11) by the control unit (14), the charging level and exchange rate of the replacement unit (11) for each location, etc.

[0071] The control unit (14) can calculate the position information of the replacement unit (11) stored in the storage unit (15) as a coordinate value and calculate the average of the coordinate values ​​of the replacement unit (11). In other words, the control unit (14) can calculate the position value of the frequently used replacement unit (11) based on the usage history information of the replacement unit (11) stored in the storage unit (15). The control unit (14) can cause the replacement unit (11) to wait at a position corresponding to the average of the coordinate values.

[0072] That is, when the battery exchange system (1) is not in use, the control unit (14) can calculate the position of the most frequently used replacement unit (11) and place an empty replacement unit (11) on standby at the position, thereby allowing a more suitable replacement unit (11) to be placed for the user.

[0073] Finally, the battery exchange system (1) may further include an input unit (16) into which the operating values ​​of the replacement unit (11) and the driving unit (17) are input. For example, the input unit (16), like the transmission unit (13), may be designed in the form of a display installed on the main body (10) or an application installed on the user's personal terminal. The user may operate the replacement unit (11) and the driving unit (17) in a desired manner through the input unit (16).

[0074] The control unit (14) can control the operation of the replacement unit (11) and the driving unit (17) based on the operation value input by the input unit (16), so that the user can use the replacement unit (11) more conveniently and quickly.

[0075] Below, a battery replacement method according to another embodiment of the present invention is described. Any details that overlap with those of the battery replacement system (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be omitted for brevity.

[0076] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a battery replacement method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, a battery replacement method according to another embodiment of the present invention allows a user to replace a battery more easily and quickly. For example, the battery replacement method allows the user to use a battery replacement structure suitable for their body structure, allowing the user to replace the battery more conveniently.

[0078] The battery replacement method may include a detection step (S10), a transmission step (S20), a control step (S30), and a replacement step (S40).

[0079] In the detection step (S10), the user's body information can be detected by the detection unit (12) mounted on the main body (10). The detection unit (12) is positioned on the main body (10) so as to face the user and can detect the user's body information. The detection unit (12) can detect the user's height information. In addition, the detection unit (12) can recognize and detect a specific body structure of the user. For example, the detection unit (12) can detect the user's waist and chest.

[0080] In the transmission step (S20), one of the plurality of replacement parts (11) equipped with a battery and charged can be selected based on the user's body information detected by the detection part (12) by the control part (14). The transmission part (13) can transmit information about the selected replacement part (11) to the user.

[0081] Specifically, the transmission unit (13) can transmit location information of the replacement unit (11) and charge information of the battery mounted on the replacement unit (11) to the user. For example, the transmission unit (13) can transmit information to the user in at least one of a video provision method and an audio method.

[0082] The control unit (14) can select a replacement unit (11) among a plurality of replacement units (11) that is closest to the middle height of the user's key information.

[0083] The control unit (14) can operate the transmission unit (13) to inform the user of the information on the selected replacement unit (11). For example, by the control unit (14), the transmission unit (13) can inform the user of the location of the selected replacement unit (11).

[0084] In the control step (S30), the operation of the replacement part (11) can be controlled by the control part (14) according to the user's body information detected by the detection part (12). Specifically, in the detection step (S10), the detection part (12) can detect the user's waist and chest.

[0085] In the control step (S30), the control unit (14) can control the replacement unit (11) to move between the user's waist and chest areas. In addition, a plurality of replacement units (11) can be moved as one unit by the control unit (14).

[0086] In the replacement step (S40), a depleted battery may be inserted into one of the plurality of replacement units (11), and a charged battery may be selected into another of the plurality of replacement units (11).

[0087] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0088] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0089] The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0090] [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1: Battery exchange system

[0092] 10: Body

[0093] 11: Replacement part

[0094] 12: Detection unit

[0095] 13: Transmission Department

[0096] 14: Control unit

[0097] 15: Storage

[0098] 16: Input section

[0099] 17: Drive unit

[0100] S10: Detection phase

[0101] S20: Transmission Phase

[0102] S30: Control phase

[0103] S40: Replacement Stage

Claims

1. Main body; A plurality of replaceable parts mounted on the main body and having batteries installed and charged; A sensing unit positioned on the main body to face the user and detecting the user's body information; A transmission unit that transmits location information of the above replacement part and charge information of the battery mounted on the above replacement part to the user in at least one of a video provision method and a voice method; and It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the replacement unit and the operation of the transmission unit according to the user's body information detected by the detection unit, A battery exchange system in which the control unit selects one of the plurality of replacement units based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit, and operates the transmission unit to notify the user of the information on the selected replacement unit.

2. In paragraph 1 A battery exchange system, wherein the above detection unit detects the user's key information, and the above replacement unit is arranged in multiple numbers along the height direction with respect to the ground.

3. In paragraph 2 A battery exchange system in which the control unit selects a replacement unit among the plurality of replacement units that is closest to the middle height of the user's height information.

4. In paragraph 1 The above detection unit is a battery replacement system that detects the user's waist and chest areas.

5. In paragraph 4 A battery exchange system, wherein the control unit controls the replacement unit to move between the user's waist and chest areas.

6. In paragraph 1 A battery exchange system in which the above plurality of replacement parts are movable as one unit.

7. In paragraph 6 A battery exchange system in which the above main body is capable of moving as a single unit, such as the above plurality of replacement parts.

8. In paragraph 7 A battery exchange system further comprising a driving unit located on the lower side of the main body, supporting the lower surface of the main body, and moving the main body and a plurality of replacement parts in an upward or downward direction.

9. In paragraph 1 A battery replacement system further comprising a storage unit that stores location information of the replacement unit, charging information of a battery mounted on the replacement unit, and operation information of the replacement unit controlled by the control unit.

10. In paragraph 9 A battery exchange system in which the control unit calculates the location information of the replacement unit stored in the storage unit as a coordinate value, calculates an average of the coordinate values ​​of the replacement unit, and waits for the replacement unit at a position corresponding to the average of the coordinate values.

11. A detection step in which the user's body information is detected by a detection unit mounted on the main body; A transmission step in which, based on the user's body information detected by the detection unit, one of a plurality of replacement units equipped with a battery and charged is selected by the control unit, and the transmission unit transmits the information on the selected replacement unit to the user; A control step in which the operation of the replacement part is controlled by the control part according to the user's body information detected by the detection part; and A battery replacement method, comprising a replacement step in which a depleted battery is inserted into one of the plurality of replacement units and a charged battery is selected from another of the plurality of replacement units.

12. In Article 11 In the above detection step, the detection unit detects the user's key information, A battery replacement method, wherein, in the above-mentioned transmission step, the control unit selects a replacement unit among the plurality of replacement units that is closest to the middle height of the user's key information.

13. In Article 11 In the above detection step, the detection unit detects the user's waist and chest areas, A battery replacement method, wherein in the above control step, the control unit controls the replacement unit to move between the user's waist and chest areas.

14. In Article 11 A battery replacement method, wherein the plurality of replacement parts are moved as one unit by the control unit in the above control step.

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