JP6921166B2 - Battery replacement device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to battery replacement devices, control methods, and programs.

In recent years, research and practical application of a service for replacing a battery used in an electric vehicle or the like has been promoted. In this service, the user brings a used battery with a reduced charge rate to the station device and obtains a charged battery in exchange for the used battery.

In connection with this, when the battery ID of the battery held by the user over the reading unit is successfully authenticated, the lid of the storage unit (empty slot) in which the battery is not stored is opened from the closed state, and the user can open the empty slot. When it is detected that the battery on hand is inserted into the battery, the lid of the storage unit in which the battery is inserted is closed, and the lid of the storage unit (storage slot) in which the charged battery is held is closed. An invention of a device for preventing a user from borrowing a plurality of batteries without returning a borrowed battery by changing the state to the open state is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-134451

In the conventional technology, when the operation is performed so as to maintain a predetermined number of empty slots, when the number of batteries that is not divisible by the predetermined number is returned, it is possible to detect whether or not the return of the batteries has been completed. It could not be done, and the process was sometimes delayed by waiting for the timeout.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a battery replacement device, a control method, and a program capable of realizing smooth operation with a simple configuration. do.

The battery replacement device, control method, and program according to the present invention have adopted the following configurations.
(1): The battery replacement device according to one aspect of the present invention is a plurality of slots into which a battery can be mounted, and two or more predetermined number of slots are maintained in a state of empty slots in which the battery is not mounted. The number of batteries returned by the user from a plurality of slots to be used, a charging unit for charging a battery installed in each of the plurality of slots, a medium owned by the user, or a memory attached to the battery. When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the acquisition unit that acquires the information that can be recognized is a multiple of the predetermined number, all the empty slots in which the batteries are not installed are used. When it is determined that the return of the battery has been completed when the battery is installed, and the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is not a multiple of the predetermined number, all of the empty slots. A surplus number of batteries, which is obtained by dividing the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit by the predetermined number, is installed in a part of the empty slot. It is provided with a processing unit for determining the end of return of the battery as an opportunity.

(2): In the aspect of (1) above, a shutter device that switches between a first state in which the shutter covers a part or all of the plurality of slots and a second state in which a part or all of the plurality of slots is exposed. The processing unit further controls the shutter device based on the result of determining the end of returning the battery.

(3): In the aspect of (2) above, the processing unit controls the shutter device so as to open the shutter corresponding to the empty slot at the timing when the user returns the battery.

(4): In the embodiment (2) or (3), when it is recognized that the predetermined number or more of the batteries are returned, the processing unit is at the time when the predetermined number of the batteries are returned. When the returned battery remains, the user instructs the shutter device to maintain the shutter corresponding to the empty slot from which the battery has been taken out in the second state.

(5): In any one of the above (1) to (4), the processing unit further includes a lock device that makes it impossible or possible to take out the battery installed in each of the plurality of slots. The lock device is controlled based on the result of determining the end of returning the battery.

(6): The control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of slots into which a battery can be mounted, and two or more predetermined number of slots are maintained in a state of empty slots in which the battery is not mounted. The number of batteries returned by the user from a plurality of slots to be used, a charging unit for charging a battery installed in each of the plurality of slots, a medium owned by the user, or a memory attached to the battery. A control method executed by using a control device of a battery switching device including an acquisition unit for acquiring information that can be recognized, and the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is the number of batteries. When it is a multiple of a predetermined number, it is determined that the return of the battery is completed when the battery is installed in all the empty slots in which the battery is not installed, and the information acquired by the acquisition unit. When the number of batteries recognized based on the above is not a multiple of the predetermined number, the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit or that the batteries are installed in all the empty slots is determined. This is a control method including determining the end of return of the battery when the surplus number of batteries divided by the number is installed in a part of the empty slot.

(7): The program according to another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of slots in which a battery can be installed, and two or more predetermined number of slots are maintained in a state of empty slots in which the battery is not installed. The number of batteries returned by the user from a plurality of slots, a charging unit for charging a battery installed in each of the plurality of slots, a medium owned by the user, or a memory attached to the battery. When the number of batteries recognized by the computer controlling the battery switching device including the acquisition unit for acquiring recognizable information based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the battery The number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is determined by determining the end of return of the battery when the battery is installed in all the empty slots in which the battery is not installed. If it is not a multiple of the predetermined number, the surplus number of batteries obtained by dividing the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit or the number of batteries installed in all the empty slots by the predetermined number is used. This is a program for determining the end of return of the battery and executing the operation when the battery is installed in a part of the empty slot.

(8): The storage medium according to another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of slots into which a battery can be mounted, and two or more predetermined number of slots are maintained in a state of empty slots in which the battery is not mounted. The number of batteries returned by the user from a plurality of slots to be used, a charging unit for charging a battery installed in each of the plurality of slots, a medium owned by the user, or a memory attached to the battery. When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the computer controlling the battery switching device including the acquisition unit for acquiring the information that can be recognized is described as described above. When the battery is installed in all the empty slots where the battery is not installed, it is determined that the return of the battery is completed, and the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is determined. If it is not a multiple of the predetermined number, a surplus number of batteries obtained by dividing the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit or the batteries installed in all the empty slots by the predetermined number. Is a storage medium that stores a program for determining the end of return of the battery and executing the operation when the battery is installed in a part of the empty slot.

According to the aspects (1) to (8), information recognizable as the number of batteries returned by the user is acquired from the medium owned by the user or the memory attached to the battery, and the acquired information is used. If the number of batteries recognized based on is a multiple of a predetermined number, it is determined that the return of the battery has ended when the battery is installed in all the empty slots where the battery is not installed, and based on the acquired information. If the number of recognized batteries is not a multiple of the specified number, the number of batteries installed in all empty slots or the number of batteries recognized based on the acquired information divided by the specified number is the surplus number of batteries. By determining the end of returning the battery when the battery is installed in a part of the empty slot, smooth operation can be realized with a simple configuration.

It is a figure which shows an example of the use environment of the battery exchange apparatus 200. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the electric vehicle 10. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the detachable battery 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the battery exchange device 200. It is a figure which shows an example of the configuration of the management server 300. It is a figure which shows an example of the contents of the user information management table 362. It is a figure which shows an example of the contents of the battery exchange device state table 364. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the battery exchange device 200 * when two detachable batteries 100 are returned. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the battery exchange device 200 * when four removable batteries 100 are returned. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the battery exchange device 200 * when four removable batteries 100 are returned. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the battery exchange device 200 * when one detachable battery 100 is returned. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the latter half part of the battery exchange device 200 * when one detachable battery 100 is returned. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the control unit 280.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the battery replacement device, control method, and program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage environment of the battery switching device 200. The battery switching device 200 is connected to the network NW. The management server 300 and the terminal device 400 are also connected to the network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. The terminal device 400 may be a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, may be a stationary computer, or may be included in the battery replacement device 200. Hereinafter, each component will be described step by step.

The battery replacement device 200 is a device that charges and replaces the removable battery 100 that is the drive source of the electric vehicle 10. The battery replacement device 200 may also be discharged from the removable battery 100 in order to perform system cooperation and the like. As the battery replacement device 200, for example, a plurality of battery replacement devices 200 having four slots 210 (two of 200-1 and 200-2 in the figure) are used side by side. This form is just an example. Hereinafter, when the battery switching devices 200-1 and 200-2 are not distinguished, the reference numerals below the hyphen will be omitted. The battery replacement device 200 includes a slot 210 and a shutter device 220.

The slot 210 is a mechanism for receiving and charging the detachable battery 100. The slot 210 is formed in any shape such as a recess into which the removable battery 100 is inserted and a dish shape on which the removable battery 100 is placed. In the figure, it is assumed that one set of the battery switching device 200 exists, but a plurality of sets may exist. The slot 210 may be provided with a light emitter 212 indicating that there is a removable battery 100 to be taken out by the user.

The shutter device 220 includes, for example, a linear motor mechanism, and drives the shutter 222 in the D direction in the drawing. As a result, the shutter device 220 switches between a first state in which the shutter 222 covers a part or all of the slot 210 and a second state in which the shutter 222 exposes the slot 210. Hereinafter, the first state may be expressed as “closed” and the second state may be expressed as “open”. The form of the shutter device 220 is not limited to this, and any shutter device may be used as long as it has the same function. In the example of FIG. 1, the shutter device 220 of the battery replacement device 200-1 is in the second state, and the shutter device 220 of the battery replacement device 200-2 is in the first state in which the shutter 222 covers the entire slot 210. In the first state, it is preferable that the shutter 222 shuts the slot 210 from the outside air with a certain degree of airtightness because dust contamination and theft can be suppressed.

[Electric vehicle 10]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electric vehicle 10. The electric vehicle 10 is a vehicle to which the removable battery 100 can be attached and detached. The electric vehicle 10 is, for example, a saddle-riding vehicle that travels by the driving force of an electric motor driven by electric power supplied from a power storage unit 120 (described later) of the removable battery 100. The electric vehicle 10 is not limited to a saddle-riding type vehicle, and may be a vehicle of another aspect such as a four-wheeled vehicle. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the electric vehicle 10 can be equipped with two removable batteries 100, but the electric vehicle 10 may be equipped with an arbitrary number of removable batteries 100. Further, the electric vehicle 10 may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle that travels by being driven by a combination of a removable battery 100 and an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine.

The electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, a battery connection unit 12, a vehicle control unit 14, a traveling driving force output device 16, a vehicle sensor 18, an HMI (Human machine Interface) 20, and an electric vehicle GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). It includes a receiver 22.

The battery connection portion 12 is electrically connected to the connection portion 150 (described later) of the detachable battery 100 when the detachable battery 100 is mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The battery connection unit 12 is, for example, a power line connection terminal (battery terminal) for receiving power supply from the detachable battery 100, or a communication line for performing data communication between the detachable battery 100 and the vehicle control unit 14. Includes connection terminals, etc.

The vehicle control unit 14 acquires the measurement result from the vehicle sensor 18, and acquires a value (SOC: State Of Charge) indicating the charging state of the power storage unit 120 from the BMU (Battery Management Unit) 110 (described later) of the removable battery 100. Then, the position of the electric vehicle 10 is acquired from the GNSS receiver 22. Based on the acquired data, the vehicle control unit 14 controls the traveling driving force output device 16 according to an operation on an operator (not shown) or by autonomous traveling. The vehicle control unit 14 may transmit the position information of the electric vehicle 10 acquired from the GNSS receiver 22 to the removable battery 100 via the battery connection unit 12.

The traveling driving force output device 16 includes, for example, an electric motor, an inverter, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the inverter. The ECU controls the electric power supplied from the removable battery 100 to the motor by controlling the inverter, for example. As a result, the ECU controls the driving force (torque) output by the electric motor to the driving wheels. Further, the traveling driving force output device 16 controls the output frequency of the inverter so as to be lower than the rotation speed of the driving wheels, thereby operating the electric motor as a regenerative brake and converting the braking energy of the driving wheels into electric energy. , The removable battery 100 can be charged.

The vehicle sensor 18 includes a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a rotational speed sensor, an odometer, and various other sensors mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The vehicle sensor 18 outputs the measurement result to the vehicle control unit 14.

The HMI 20 outputs various information to the user of the electric vehicle 10 and accepts an input operation by the occupant. The HMI 20 includes, for example, a HUD (Head Up Display), various display devices (which may be a touch panel) such as a meter display unit, a speaker, and the like.

The GNSS receiver 22 positions the electric vehicle 10 based on radio waves arriving from GNSS satellites such as GPS satellites.

[Detachable battery 100]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the removable battery 100. The removable battery 100 includes, for example, a BMU 110, a power storage unit 120, a measurement sensor 130, a storage unit 140, and a connection unit 150.

The BMU 110 controls charging and discharging of the power storage unit 120, cell balancing, abnormal detection of the power storage unit 120, derivation of the cell temperature of the power storage unit 120, derivation of the charge / discharge current of the power storage unit 120, estimation of SOC of the power storage unit 120, and the like. I do. The BMU 110 stores the abnormality or failure of the power storage unit 120 grasped based on the measurement result of the measurement sensor 130 in the storage unit 140 as battery status information.

The power storage unit 120 is, for example, an assembled battery in which a plurality of single batteries are connected in series. The single battery constituting the power storage unit 120 is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery (LIB), a nickel hydrogen battery, an all-solid-state battery, or the like.

The measurement sensor 130 is a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like for measuring the charging state of the power storage unit 120. The measurement sensor 130 outputs the measurement results of the measured voltage, current, temperature, etc. to the BMU 110.

The storage unit 140 (memory) includes, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory (including an NV-RAM or the like that holds information by supplying an internal power source). The storage unit 140 stores the battery status information. Further, the storage unit 140 may store the battery ID assigned to the removable battery 100. Further, the storage unit 140 may store the recognition information acquired from the electric vehicle 10. The recognition information is the number of removable batteries 100 mounted on the electric vehicle 10, that is, "the number of removable batteries 100 returned when the user returns the removable batteries 100 to the battery replacement device 200". Is recognizable information. The recognition information may directly indicate the number of removable batteries 100, or may be vehicle type information of the electric vehicle 10. Further, the recognition information may be the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10 or the user identification information (user ID).

The connection portion 150 is electrically connected to the battery connection portion 12 when the removable battery 100 is attached to the electric vehicle 10. Further, the connection unit 150 is electrically connected to the battery exchange device 200 when the removable battery 100 is housed in the slot 210 of the battery exchange device 200, and receives power from the battery exchange device 200 to receive power from the battery exchange device 200 to receive power from the storage unit 150. Charge 120. The connection unit 150 includes, for example, a power line connection terminal (battery terminal), a communication line connection terminal, and the like so as to correspond to the battery connection unit 12 and the connection unit 240 (described later).

[Battery replacement device 200]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery replacement device 200. In addition to the slot 210 and the shutter device 220 shown in FIG. 1, the battery replacement device 200 includes, for example, a lock device 230, a connection unit 240, a charger 242, a reader 250, a communication unit 260, and a processing unit. It is equipped with 270.

The processing unit 270 includes, for example, an upload unit 272, a charge control unit 274, an authentication processing unit 276, and a control unit 280. These functional units are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Even if some or all of the functions are realized by hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). It may be realized by the collaboration of software and hardware. The program is stored in a non-primary storage medium such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Each unit of the processing unit 270 writes the processing result to a storage unit (storage device, storage medium) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a register, or an HDD at any time, and performs processing while referring to the written information.

The locking device 230 makes it impossible or possible to remove the removable battery 100 mounted in each of the plurality of slots 210. For example, the lock device 230 has a claw portion that can be engaged with the recess of the removable battery 100, and realizes the above function by driving the claw portion.

The connection portion 240 is provided at the bottom of each of the plurality of slots 210. The connection portion 240 is electrically connected to the connection portion 150 of the detachable battery 100 when the detachable battery 100 is installed in the slot 210. The connection unit 240 performs data communication (for example, serial communication) between the detachable battery 100 and the vehicle control unit 14, for example, a power line connection terminal (battery terminal) for supplying power to the detachable battery 100. Includes connection terminals for communication lines, etc. The connection unit 240 may acquire recognition information from the storage unit 140 of the detachable battery 100 and output it to the processing unit 270 (control unit 280) via the connection terminal of the communication line. The lock device 230 and the connection portion 240 are provided for each slot 210.

The charger 242 is connected to the power storage unit 120 of the removable battery 100 via the connection unit 240. The charger 242 may be provided for each of the plurality of connection portions 240, or may be provided as a common configuration for the plurality of connection portions 240. A power source (not shown) for supplying electric power to the power storage unit 120 is connected to the charger 242. The power source is, for example, a commercial power source. The charger 242 converts the electric power supplied from the power source into direct current and supplies it to the power storage unit 120.

The reading device 250 reads authentication information and other information from a user card, which is an example of a medium owned by the user. The authentication information includes, for example, a user ID. The user card is, for example, a non-contact type IC card. Instead, the user card may be a contact type IC card. Further, the medium owned by the user may be an electronic device such as a smartphone. Further, the mode in which the reading device 250 acquires the authentication information is not limited to the mode in which the authentication information is acquired by communication, and may be a mode in which the information is optically read from a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark). Alternatively, the user-specific information may be read by various biometric authentications. The reading device 250 may acquire the above-mentioned recognition information in addition to the authentication information and output it to the processing unit 270 (control unit 280). The content of the recognition information is also as described above.

The communication unit 260 communicates with the management server 300 via the network NW.

The upload unit 272 of the processing unit 270 counts, for example, the number of removable batteries 100 (the number of charged batteries) that have been charged (or charged to a desired SOC) at an arbitrary timing, and together with the device ID. It is transmitted to the management server 300. The arbitrary timing is, for example, the timing at which the number of charged batteries fluctuates.

The charge control unit 274 controls the charger 242 so as to charge the power storage unit 120 based on the SOC of the power storage unit 120 acquired from the removable battery 100 via the signal line. The SOC of the power storage unit 120 is sequentially transmitted to the charge control unit 274, for example, and the charge control unit 274 outputs the battery ID of the removable battery 100 and the SOC to the upload unit 272 in association with each other.

The authentication processing unit 276 instructs the communication unit 260 to transmit, for example, the user ID read by the reading device 250 to the management server 300. When the information indicating that the authentication information is correct is acquired from the management server 300 via the communication unit 260, the authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID acquired from the removable battery 100 mounted in the slot 210 to the management server 300. Instruct the communication unit 260 to do so. When the information that the authentication is successful is acquired from the management server 300 via the communication unit 260, the authentication processing unit 276 outputs the information that the authentication is established to the control unit 280. It should be noted that the flow of such authentication processing is only an example, and different forms of authentication processing may be performed.

The control unit 280 controls the entire battery replacement device 200 including the shutter device 220 and the lock device 230. The details of the processing contents of the control unit 280 will be described later.

[Management server 300]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 300. The management server 300 includes, for example, a server communication unit 310, a management unit 320, a site providing unit 330, and an image generation unit 340. For example, it is realized by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Further, some or all of the functions may be realized by hardware such as LSI, ASIC, FPGA, GPU, or may be realized by collaboration between software and hardware. Further, the management server 300 includes a server storage unit 360. The server storage unit 360 is a RAM, an HDD, a flash memory, or the like.

The server communication unit 310 communicates with the battery exchange device 200, the terminal device 400, and the like via the network NW.

The management unit 320 manages the user authentication at the time of replacement of the removable battery 100 by using the user information management table 362. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information management table 362. The user information management table 362 shows the status of renting, authenticating, etc., the renting battery ID (assuming that a maximum of four removable batteries 100 can be rented to one user), etc. for the user ID. Is the associated information. When the user ID acquired from the battery switching device 200 is registered in the user information management table 362, the management unit 320 sends the information to the effect that the authentication information (user ID) is correct to the server switching device 200. Instruct the communication unit 310. Further, when the battery ID acquired from the battery replacement device 200 is registered in the user information management table 362 as corresponding to the user ID, the management unit 320 provides information to the effect that the authentication is successful in the battery replacement device 200. Instructs the server communication unit 310 to transmit to.

The management unit 320 further updates the battery replacement device status table 364 based on the upload information acquired from the battery replacement device 200. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the battery switching device state table 364. The battery replacement device status table 364 is, for example, information in which the number of charged batteries in the battery replacement device 200 indicated by the device ID and the position of the battery replacement device 200 are associated with the device ID. If the uploaded information includes the remaining time required to charge each removable battery 100 as described above, the battery replacement device status table 364 shows the number of removable batteries 100 being charged and the remaining time for each removable battery 100. Time information may be added.

The site providing unit 330 has, for example, a web server function. Upon receiving the request from the terminal device 400, the site providing unit 330 uses the server communication device 310 to provide information (for example, a web page) for displaying the corresponding content (image) on the display unit of the terminal device 400. It is transmitted to the device 400.

[Return end judgment and shutter device / lock device control]
Hereinafter, the processing contents by the control unit 280 of the battery switching device 200 will be described. The control unit 280 recognizes the number of removable batteries 100 returned by the user based on the recognition information acquired from one or both of the connection unit 240 and the reader 250 (an example of the “acquisition unit”). do.

When the number of the recognized removable batteries 100 is a multiple of a predetermined number n, the control unit 280 is removable when the removable batteries 100 are installed in all the slots 210 in the empty slot state. It is determined that the return of the battery 100 has been completed. The empty slot is a slot 210 in which the removable battery 100 is not installed. Hereinafter, this term will be used for description. The predetermined number n is the number of empty slots to be maintained. Details will be described later.

When the number of recognized removable batteries 100 is not a multiple of a predetermined number n, the control unit 280 indicates that batteries are installed in all the empty slots, or the number of recognized removable batteries 100 is a predetermined number n. When the detachable battery 100 of the divided surplus number is installed in the empty slot, it is determined that the return of the detachable battery 100 is completed.

The control unit 280 controls the shutter device 220 and the lock device 230 based on the result of determining the end of returning the removable battery 100.

In the following, the predetermined number n is set to 2. Further, in the following, the set of the battery replacement devices 200-1 and 200-2 will be referred to as a battery replacement device 200 *. In this embodiment, the battery replacement device 200 * is an example of a "battery replacement device" within the scope of the claims. The battery replacement device 200 * is operated so that two of the eight slots 210 in total are empty slots. "Operated" means that six of the eight slots 210 are initially fitted with removable batteries 100 and two are empty slots, and the number of removable batteries 100 returned by the user and the removable batteries rented out. This means that each part is controlled so that the number of batteries 100 is the same. The control unit 280 (processing unit 270) may be integrated into one of the battery switching devices 200-1 and 200-2.

(In case of returning two)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the battery replacement device 200 * when the two removable batteries 100 are returned. In the following description, each of the eight slots in total will be referred to as slot # 0, slot # 1, slot # 2, slot # 3, slot # 4, slot # 5, slot # 6, and slot # 7.

The time T1 is, for example, the timing at which the authentication processing unit 276 acquires information indicating that the authentication information is correct from the management server 300. Instead of this, the time T1 may be the timing at which the approach of the user is detected by some method. At this time, the control unit 280 opens the shutter device 220-1 corresponding to the empty slots # 0 and # 1. The control unit 280 stores the information of the empty slot in the storage unit every time the user finishes using the device, and controls the shutter device 220 with reference to the information. The control unit 280 controls the lock device 230 so that the slots other than the empty slots cannot take out the removable battery 100.

At time T2, the user installs the two removable batteries 100 that he / she brought into the empty slot. As described above, the authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID acquired from the removable batteries 100 installed in slots # 0 and # 1 to the management server 300, and acquires information from the management server 300 that the authentication is successful. If so, the information indicating that the authentication has been established for the two removable batteries 100 is output to the control unit 280. Since the control unit 280 detected that the same number of removable batteries 100 as the number of returned removable batteries 100 initially recognized were correctly installed in slots # 0 and # 1, the user can detach the batteries. It is determined that the return of the battery 100 has been completed.

At the following time T3, the control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-1 corresponding to slots # 0 and # 1. By recognizing the number of the returned removable batteries 100, it is possible to quickly shift to this operation without having to wait for a timeout. Then, the control unit 280 selects the detachable battery 100 that has been charged from the detachable batteries 100 installed in each slot, and the slot in which the selected detachable battery 100 is installed (illustrated). In the example of, the lock device 230 is instructed so that the removable battery 100 can be taken out from the slots # 6 and # 7), and the light emitting body 212 corresponding to the slot is made to emit light.

At time T4, the user takes out the removable battery 100 from the slots # 6 and # 7 in which the illuminant 212 is emitting light. The control unit 280 detects that the removable battery 100 has been taken out, for example, when the communication partner of the connection unit 240 corresponding to the slots # 6 and # 7 is lost. Instead, the slot is provided with a sensor or switch for detecting whether or not the removable battery 100 is installed, and the control unit 280 takes out the removable battery 100 based on the output of the sensor or switch. It may be detected that the battery has been damaged. The control unit 280 closes the shutter devices 220-2 corresponding to slots # 6 and # 7. This completes the replacement of the two removable batteries 100.

Although the shutter device 220-1 is closed at time T3, if the slot in which the selected removable battery 100 is installed corresponds to the same shutter device 220-1, the control unit In 280, the shutter device 220-1 may be temporarily closed and then opened, or may be kept open until time T4. Similarly in the following examples, the detachable battery 100 to be rented is determined in advance, and whether or not to close the shutter device 220 according to the position of the slot in which the detachable battery 100 is installed is determined. You may switch.

(In case of returning 4)
9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the battery replacement device 200 * when the four removable batteries 100 are returned.

Times T1 to T3 are the same as times T1 to T3 in FIG. At time T4-1 after time T3, the user takes out the removable battery 100 from the slots # 6 and # 7 where the light emitter 212 is emitting light, and the control unit 280 detects this. However, while four removable batteries 100 are scheduled to be returned, only two removable batteries 100 have been returned. Therefore, the control unit 280 leaves the shutter device 220-2 corresponding to the slots # 6 and # 7 in the open state in order to return the remaining removable battery 100.

In this way, when the control unit 280 recognizes that the detachable battery 100 of a predetermined number n or more is returned, the detachable battery 100 is returned when the detachable battery 100 of a predetermined number n or more is returned. When 100 remains, the user instructs the shutter device 220 to keep the shutter 222 corresponding to the empty slot from which the removable battery 100 has been taken out. As a result, it is possible to avoid making the user wait for the driving time of the shutter device 220.

Proceeding to FIG. 10, at time T5-1, the user installs the remaining two removable batteries 100 brought into the empty slots. The authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID acquired from the removable batteries 100 installed in the slots # 6 and # 7 to the management server 300 as described above, and acquires the information that the authentication is successful from the management server 300. If so, the information indicating that the authentication has been established for the two removable batteries 100 is output to the control unit 280. The control unit 280 has detected that the same number of removable batteries 100 as the number of returned removable batteries 100 initially recognized have been correctly installed in slots # 0, # 1, # 6, and # 7. , It is determined that the return of the removable battery 100 by the user has been completed.

At the following time T6-1, the control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-2 corresponding to slots # 6 and # 7. By recognizing the number of the returned removable batteries 100, it is possible to quickly shift to this operation without having to wait for a timeout. Then, the control unit 280 selects the detachable battery 100 that has been charged from the detachable batteries 100 installed in each slot, and the slot in which the selected detachable battery 100 is installed (illustrated). In the example of, the lock device 230 is instructed so that the removable battery 100 can be taken out from the slots # 2 and # 3), and the light emitting body 212 corresponding to the slot is made to emit light.

At time T7-1, the user takes out the removable battery 100 from the slots # 2 and # 3 in which the illuminant 212 is emitting light. When the control unit 280 detects that the removable battery 100 has been taken out, the control unit 280 closes the shutter devices 220-1 corresponding to the slots # 2 and # 3. This completes the replacement of the four removable batteries 100.

(In case of returning one)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the battery replacement device 200 * when one removable battery 100 is returned.

Time T1-2 is, for example, the timing at which the authentication processing unit 276 acquires information indicating that the authentication information is correct from the management server 300. Instead of this, the time T1-2 may be the timing at which the approach of the user is detected by some method. At this time, the control unit 280 opens the shutter device 220-1 corresponding to the empty slots # 0 and # 1. The control unit 280 controls the lock device 230 so that the slots other than the empty slots cannot take out the removable battery 100.

At time T2-2, the user installs one detachable battery 100 brought into the empty slot. When the authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID acquired from the removable battery 100 installed in slot # 0 to the management server 300 as described above and acquires the information indicating that the authentication was successful from the management server 300, Information indicating that certification has been established for one removable battery 100 is output to the control unit 280. Since the control unit 280 has detected that the same number of removable batteries 100 as the number of returned removable batteries 100 initially recognized have been correctly installed in slot # 0, the user can use the removable batteries 100. Judge that the return has been completed.

At the following time T3-2, the control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-1 corresponding to slot # 0. By recognizing the number of the returned removable batteries 100, it is possible to quickly shift to this operation without having to wait for a timeout. Then, the control unit 280 selects the detachable battery 100 that has been charged from the detachable batteries 100 installed in each slot, and the slot in which the selected detachable battery 100 is installed (illustrated). In the example of the above, the lock device 230 is instructed so that the removable battery 100 can be taken out from the slot # 7), and the light emitting body 212 corresponding to the slot is made to emit light.

At time T4-2, the user takes out the removable battery 100 from the slot # 7 in which the illuminant 212 is emitting light. The control unit 280 detects this. The control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-2 corresponding to slot # 7. This completes the replacement of one removable battery 100.

(In case of returning 3)
When the three removable batteries 100 are returned, the operation of the battery replacement device 200 * until two of them are returned is the same as when the four removable batteries 100 are returned. Therefore, until the two are returned, FIG. 9 and related explanations will be used, and the explanation will be omitted again. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the latter half of the battery replacement device 200 * when one removable battery 100 is returned.

At time T5-3, the user installs the remaining one removable battery 100 brought into the empty slot. When the authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID acquired from the removable battery 100 installed in the slot # 7 to the management server 300 as described above and acquires the information that the authentication is successful from the management server 300, the authentication processing unit 276 transmits the battery ID to the management server 300. Information indicating that the authentication has been established for one removable battery 100 is output to the control unit 280. The control unit 280 has detected that the same number of removable batteries 100 as the number of returned removable batteries 100 initially recognized have been correctly installed in slots # 0, # 1, and # 7, and thus the user. It is determined that the return of the detachable battery 100 has been completed.

At the following time T6-3, the control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-1 corresponding to slot # 7. By recognizing the number of the returned removable batteries 100, it is possible to quickly shift to this operation without having to wait for a timeout. Then, the control unit 280 selects the detachable battery 100 that has been charged from the detachable batteries 100 installed in each slot, and the slot in which the selected detachable battery 100 is installed (illustrated). In the example of the above, the lock device 230 is instructed so that the detachable battery 100 can be taken out from the slot # 3), and the light emitting body 212 corresponding to the slot is made to emit light.

At time T7-3, the user takes out the removable battery 100 from the slot # 3 in which the illuminant 212 is emitting light. The control unit 280 detects this. The control unit 280 closes the shutter device 220-2 corresponding to slot # 3. This completes the replacement of one removable battery 100.

[Processing flow]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the control unit 280. First, the control unit 280 recognizes several meters of the returned removable battery 100 (step S100).

Next, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the recognized number m is divisible by a predetermined number n (step S102). When it is determined that the recognized number m is divisible by a predetermined number n, the control unit 280 divides the number m by a predetermined number n to calculate the first reference value k, and sets the variable p to zero, which is the initial value. (Step S104).

Next, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the return of the n detachable batteries 100 has been completed after reaching step S106 for the first time or after completing the process of step S106 last time (step). S106). When it is determined that the return of the n detachable batteries 100 is completed, the control unit 280 increments the variable p by 1 (step S108). Then, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the variable p matches the first reference value k (step S110). When it is determined that the variable p does not match the first reference value k, the control unit 280 returns the process to step S106. When it is determined that the variable p matches the first reference value k, the control unit 280 determines that all the returns of the removable battery 100 have been completed (step S112).

When it is determined in step S102 that the recognized number m is not divisible by the predetermined number n, the control unit 280 sets the second reference value y obtained by dividing the number m by the predetermined number n and rounding down the decimal point, and the number m. Is divided by a predetermined number n to calculate the remainder u, and the variable q is set to the initial value of zero (step S114).

Next, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the second reference value y is zero (step S116). If it is determined that the second reference value y is zero, the control unit 280 proceeds to step S124. If the second reference value y is not zero, has the control unit 280 completed the return of the n removable batteries 100 after reaching step S118 for the first time or after completing the process of step S118 last time? Whether or not it is determined (step S118). When it is determined that the return of the n detachable batteries 100 is completed, the control unit 280 increments the variable q by 1 (step S120). Then, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the variable q matches the second reference value y (step S122). If the variable q does not match the second reference value y, the control unit 280 returns the process to step S118. When the variable q matches the second reference value y, the control unit 280 determines whether or not the return of the u removable batteries 100 has been completed from the time when the process of step S122 is completed (step S124). When it is determined that the return of the u detachable batteries 100 has been completed, the control unit 280 determines that all the returns of the detachable batteries 100 have been completed (step S112).

According to the embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the return of the removable battery 100 is completed based on whether or not the number of the removable batteries 100 to be returned is divisible by a predetermined number n which is the number of empty slots. Therefore, the shutter device 220 and the lock device 230 can be controlled more smoothly than when the return end is determined by, for example, a time-out. Further, in order to recognize the number of removable batteries 100 returned based on the information acquired from the medium owned by the user or the memory (storage unit 140) attached to the removable battery 100, for example, the electric vehicle 10 and the battery It is not necessary to perform wireless communication with the switching device 200, and the above effect can be achieved with a simple configuration. That is, according to the embodiment, smooth operation can be realized with a simple configuration.

In the above embodiment, the battery replacement device 200 is operated in a flow of first accepting the return of the removable battery 100 by the user and then renting out the removable battery 100. May be reversed. That is, the battery replacement device 200 may be operated in a flow in which the removable battery 100 is rented first, and then the user accepts the return of the removable battery 100.

The above embodiment can be expressed as follows.
A plurality of slots in which a battery can be installed, and two or more predetermined number of slots are installed in each of the plurality of slots in which the battery is not installed and the state of the empty slots is maintained, and the plurality of slots. The charging unit for charging the battery, the acquisition unit for acquiring information recognizable as the number of batteries returned by the user from the medium owned by the user or the memory attached to the battery, and the program are stored. A battery replacement device including a storage device and a hardware processor.
When the hardware processor executes a program stored in the storage device,
When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the battery is installed when all the slots in the empty slot state are installed. Judging the end of return,
If the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is not a multiple of the predetermined number, the batteries are installed in all the slots in the empty slot state, or the acquisition unit acquires the number of batteries. When the number of batteries recognized based on the information obtained is divided by the predetermined number and the surplus number of batteries is installed in a part of the slots in the empty slot state, it is determined that the return of the batteries is completed. do,
A battery replacement device that is configured to.

Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be added.

10 Electric vehicle 100 Detachable battery 120 Storage unit 140 Storage unit 150 Connection unit 200 Battery replacement device 210 Slot 220 Shutter device 230 Lock device 240 Connection unit 242 Charger 250 Reader 260 Communication unit 270 Processing unit 272 Upload unit 274 Charge control unit 276 Authentication processing unit 280 Control unit 300 Management server

Claims (7)

A plurality of slots in which a battery can be installed, in which two or more predetermined number of slots are maintained in the state of empty slots in which the battery is not installed, and a plurality of slots.
A charging unit that charges the batteries installed in each of the plurality of slots,
An acquisition unit that acquires recognizable information on the number of batteries returned by the user from a medium owned by the user or a memory attached to the battery.
When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the battery is installed in all the empty slots in which the battery is not installed. If it is determined that the return of the battery has been completed and the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is not a multiple of the predetermined number, the batteries have been installed in all the empty slots, or the acquisition unit has been installed. A process of determining the end of return of the battery when a surplus number of batteries obtained by dividing the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the above-mentioned predetermined number is installed in a part of the empty slot. Department and
Battery replacement device. A shutter device for switching between a first state in which the shutter covers a part or all of the plurality of slots and a second state in which the shutter exposes a part or all of the plurality of slots is further provided.
The processing unit controls the shutter device based on the result of determining the end of returning the battery.
The battery replacement device according to claim 1. The processing unit controls the shutter device so as to open the shutter corresponding to the empty slot at the timing when the user returns the battery.
The battery replacement device according to claim 2. When it is recognized that the predetermined number or more of the batteries will be returned, the processing unit will be used by the user if the returned batteries remain at the time when the predetermined number of the batteries are returned. Instruct the shutter device to keep the shutter corresponding to the empty slot from which the battery was removed in the second state.
The battery replacement device according to claim 2 or 3. Further equipped with a locking device that makes it impossible or possible to remove the battery installed in each of the plurality of slots.
The processing unit controls the locking device based on the result of determining the end of returning the battery.
The battery replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A plurality of slots in which a battery can be installed, and two or more predetermined number of slots are installed in each of the plurality of slots in which the battery is not installed and the state of the empty slots is maintained, and the plurality of slots. Battery replacement including a charging unit for charging a battery and an acquisition unit for acquiring recognizable information on the number of batteries returned by the user from a medium owned by the user or a memory attached to the battery. It is a control method executed by using the control device of the device.
When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the battery is installed in all the empty slots in which the battery is not installed. Judging the end of battery return and
If the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is not a multiple of the predetermined number, it is recognized based on the fact that batteries are installed in all the empty slots or the information acquired by the acquisition unit. When the surplus number of batteries obtained by dividing the number of batteries to be manufactured by the predetermined number is installed in a part of the empty slots, it is determined that the return of the batteries is completed.
Control methods including. A plurality of slots in which a battery can be installed, and two or more predetermined number of slots are installed in each of the plurality of slots in which the battery is not installed and the state of the empty slots is maintained, and the plurality of slots. Battery replacement including a charging unit for charging a battery and an acquisition unit for acquiring recognizable information on the number of batteries returned by the user from a medium owned by the user or a memory attached to the battery. To the computer that controls the device
When the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a multiple of the predetermined number, the battery is installed in all the empty slots in which the battery is not installed. Judging the end of battery return and
If the number of batteries recognized based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit is not a multiple of the predetermined number, it is recognized based on the fact that batteries are installed in all the empty slots or the information acquired by the acquisition unit. When the surplus number of batteries obtained by dividing the number of batteries to be manufactured by the predetermined number is installed in a part of the empty slots, it is determined that the return of the batteries is completed.
A program that executes.

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