Battery Swap Control for SOC-Aware Station Inventory
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery replacement systems face challenges in efficiently preparing batteries for replacement at battery stations due to the time required for charging and transfer, leading to difficulties in maintaining adequate state of charge (SOC) and managing inventory, which can result in out-of-stock situations and reduced vehicle range.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves obtaining information on battery SOC, user notifications for replacement, and automated battery swapping at the station to maintain optimal SOC levels without charging, along with predictive scheduling and inventory management to prevent stockouts and ensure safe and efficient operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batteries are charged at the battery replacement station, then the SOC of batteries can be increased, but it takes too much time and may result in inability to prepare batteries for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions at external charging facilities before batteries arrive at the replacement station. The management server identifies batteries needing replacement, checks their charging status, and ensures they are charged to appropriate SOC levels before transfer, so that charged batteries are ready for immediate replacement without requiring on-site charging time.
2Loss of time
If batteries are transferred from other charging facilities, then charging time at the replacement station is reduced, but it becomes difficult to prepare batteries for replacement in time
Solution Approach 1:
The management server implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors battery SOC levels, replacement requests, and charging status. When a replacement request is received, the server checks current battery status, identifies suitable replacement candidates, and coordinates their transfer or charging, ensuring that charged batteries are available at the replacement station without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively identifies batteries that will be needed for replacement and ensures they are charged to appropriate SOC levels before the replacement is requested. The management server predicts replacement needs and initiates charging or transfer operations in advance, so that batteries are ready for immediate replacement when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery replacement station maintains high SOC batteries, then vehicle range is improved, but the number of available batteries for replacement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the battery fleet into different SOC tiers (e.g., high SOC batteries for replacement, medium SOC batteries for charging, low SOC batteries for collection). The management server strategically manages this segmentation by identifying which batteries should be maintained at high SOC for immediate replacement and which can be charged later, ensuring both vehicle range and battery availability are maintained.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling battery replacement includes obtaining information on a battery (11) (first battery) and giving a notification that encourages battery replacement to a user of an electrically powered vehicle (10) when a battery (21) (second battery) lower in SOC than the battery (11) is provided at a battery station (20) (battery replacement station). The method of controlling battery replacement includes controlling the battery station (20) such that the battery (11) and the battery (21) lower in SOC than the battery (11) are replaced with each other.