JP2023039705A - Power supply system and power supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power supply system capable of efficiently managing charge and discharge of a battery unit.SOLUTION: A power supply system of an embodiment includes: a battery unit that supplies power to a drive unit for driving a movable body; and a control unit that is mounted in the movable body, monitors residual capacity of the battery unit, and controls charge and discharge of the battery unit. The battery unit is attachable to and detachable from the control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a power supply system and a power supply method.

Conventionally, in power supply systems and power supply methods, a power supply technology capable of efficiently using a battery is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a power supply system that includes a transport vehicle that transports a battery to a working machine and a power supply device that supplies power to the battery while generating power during transportation. In this power supply system, a required power supply amount, which is the amount of power supply to be supplied to the battery during transportation, is calculated, a connection power supply apparatus that is a power supply apparatus to be connected to the battery is determined, and power is supplied from the connection power supply apparatus to the battery. Transport the battery to the work site.
For example, Patent Literature 2 discloses an electric vehicle that includes a motor that is driven by electric power from a battery mounted on the vehicle body, and runs by driving wheels with the electric power of the motor. In this electric vehicle, the battery is mounted movably between a predetermined loading completion position of the vehicle body and a replacement position where at least a portion of the battery is exposed to the outside from the vehicle body. The battery is provided with electrodes exposed to the outside, and the vehicle body is provided with contact pieces, which are internal terminals. When the battery is placed in the fully loaded position, the electrodes and the contact pieces come into contact with each other to establish electrical continuity, thereby supplying power to the motor.
For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a main battery that supplies power to a motor, a detachable auxiliary battery, and a battery control unit that monitors the remaining capacity of the main battery and auxiliary battery and controls charging and discharging of each. A controller for an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery control unit switches the target value of the remaining capacity of the auxiliary battery between a first value and a second value greater than the first value based on a user's command. The main battery can be charged by power generated by the motor.

JP 2018-145750 A Japanese Patent No. 3069096 JP 2012-120416 A

In the case of Patent Document 1, since power is supplied to the battery during transportation, there is a possibility that the battery will not be fully charged depending on the configuration of the battery and the transportation distance.
In the case of Patent Document 2, electric power can be supplied to the motor when the battery is placed in the fully loaded position. On the other hand, when the battery is placed at the replacement position, the battery can be removed from the vehicle body and replaced with a charged battery prepared in advance. However, the connection relationship of the battery to the control unit is unknown.
In the case of Patent Document 3, the auxiliary battery is detachable, and when the electric power of the auxiliary battery of the own vehicle decreases, it is possible to exchange the auxiliary battery with another vehicle that is running. For example, the main battery is charged from the auxiliary battery until the remaining capacity of the auxiliary battery reaches a predetermined threshold. However, depending on the configuration of the main battery and auxiliary battery, there is a possibility that charging will not be performed sufficiently.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of efficient charge/discharge management of the battery unit.

In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system and a power supply method capable of efficiently managing charging and discharging of a battery unit.

As means for solving the above problems, aspects of the present invention have the following configurations.
(1) A power supply system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a battery unit that supplies power to a driving unit for driving a mobile object, and a battery unit that is mounted on the mobile object and monitors the remaining capacity of the battery unit. a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the battery unit, and the battery unit is detachable from the control unit.

(2) In the power supply system described in (1) above, a plurality of the battery units may be provided, and at least one of the plurality of battery units may be transported while being loaded on the mobile object.

(3) In the power supply system described in (1) or (2) above, a plurality of the battery units may be provided, and the plurality of battery units may be connectable in series.

(4) In the power supply system according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the moving body is an electric vehicle having a carrier on which the battery unit can be loaded, and the battery unit is: The electric vehicle may be connected to the electric vehicle so as to be able to supply the electric power to the driving unit while being loaded on the loading platform.

(5) In the power supply system according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the battery unit includes a battery main body that supplies the power to the drive unit, and battery communication that communicates with the control unit. a battery information measurement unit that measures at least one of a current value, a voltage value, and a temperature of the battery main body; and a battery accommodation unit that accommodates the battery main body, the battery communication unit, and the battery information measurement unit. You may prepare.

(6) In the power supply system according to any one of (1) to (5) above, the control unit includes a control body that controls the moving object and the battery unit, and a control unit that communicates with the battery unit. a communication unit; a switching control unit that controls switching of the connection state of the battery unit; a cooling control unit that controls a cooling mechanism for cooling the battery unit; and a control housing that houses the cooling control unit.

(7) A power supply method according to an aspect of the present invention is a power supply method in the power supply system according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the control unit is attached to the mobile object. In the mounted state, the battery unit is attached to and detached from the control unit.

According to the power supply system described in (1) above of the present invention, the battery unit is detachable with respect to the control unit, thereby providing the following effects.
For example, if the battery unit is fixed to the moving object so that it cannot be detachably attached, it is necessary to directly connect a cable or the like from the charging facility when charging the battery unit, and charging cannot be performed efficiently. there is a possibility. On the other hand, according to this configuration, the battery unit can be removed from the control unit when the battery unit is charged, so charging can be performed efficiently. On the other hand, when the battery unit is electrically connected to the control unit, the control unit can monitor the remaining capacity of the battery unit and control charging and discharging of the battery unit. Therefore, charge/discharge management of the battery unit can be efficiently performed.

According to the power supply system described in (2) above of the present invention, a plurality of battery units are provided, and at least one of the plurality of battery units is transported in a state of being mounted on a mobile body, thereby effect.
When a plurality of battery units are provided, the state of charge (SOC) may vary among the battery units. In this case, charging can be performed efficiently by charging only those battery units whose charging rate is less than the threshold among the plurality of battery units. On the other hand, among the plurality of battery units, those with a charging rate above the threshold can be delivered to consumers (for example, commercial facilities, factories, companies, general households, etc. that use electricity), enabling home delivery of electricity. . Therefore, the charging and discharging of the battery unit can be efficiently managed, and electricity can be delivered to home.

According to the power supply system described in (3) above of the present invention, a plurality of battery units are provided, and the plurality of battery units can be connected in series, thereby providing the following effects.
Depending on the required voltage, multiple battery units can be connected in series. For example, when the required voltage is higher than a predetermined value, such as when a moving object starts to operate (for example, when an electric vehicle starts running), all of the plurality of battery units are connected in series to achieve the maximum voltage. can be operated. On the other hand, when the required voltage is less than the predetermined value, the number of battery units connected in series can be reduced to operate at the lowest possible voltage. In such a case, by intensively selecting specific battery units, the charging rate is varied among the plurality of battery units, and among the plurality of battery units, those with charging rates below the threshold are prioritized. can be charged to

According to the power supply system described in (4) above of the present invention, the moving body is an electric vehicle having a carrier on which the battery unit can be loaded, and the battery unit is mounted on the carrier and is connected to the drive unit. The following effects can be obtained by being connected to the electric vehicle so that electric power can be supplied through the electric vehicle.
Since the battery unit can be loaded and transported on the carrier of the electric vehicle, the battery unit can be handled as luggage. For example, the battery unit can be delivered by placing the battery unit on an electric vehicle used for the collection and delivery of packages and carrying it in the same manner as general packages. In addition, the electric vehicle can be driven by loading the battery unit on the carrier and connecting the battery unit to the electric vehicle so as to be able to supply electric power to the drive unit.

According to the power supply system described in (5) above of the present invention, the battery unit includes a battery body that supplies power to the driving section, a battery communication section that communicates with the control unit, and current and voltage values of the battery body. and temperature, and a battery housing unit housing the battery body, the battery communication unit, and the battery information measurement unit, the following effects are achieved.
Since the battery unit can be attached to and detached from the control unit while the battery main body, the battery communication unit, and the battery information measurement unit are accommodated in the battery accommodation unit, the attachment/detachment operation of the battery unit can be improved. In addition, since the battery main body, the battery communication section, and the battery information measurement section are integrated in the battery housing section, the power supply system can be simplified more easily than when they are provided separately and independently.

According to the power supply system described in (6) above of the present invention, the control unit includes a control main body that controls the mobile body and the battery unit, a control communication unit that communicates with the battery unit, and switching of the connection state of the battery unit. , a cooling control unit for controlling a cooling mechanism for cooling the battery unit, and a control housing unit for housing the control body, the control communication unit, the switching control unit, and the cooling control unit. and has the following effects.
Since the control unit can be mounted on the moving body with the control main body, control communication unit, switching control unit, and cooling control unit accommodated in the control accommodation unit, the maintainability of the control unit can be improved. In addition, since the control body, control communication unit, switching control unit, and cooling control unit are integrated in the control housing unit, the power supply system can be simplified compared to the case where these are provided separately and independently. Cheap.

According to the power supply method described above in (7) of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by attaching and detaching the battery unit to and from the control unit while the control unit is mounted on the moving body.
Since the battery unit can be removed from the control unit when charging the battery unit, charging can be performed efficiently. On the other hand, when the battery unit is electrically connected to the control unit, the control unit can monitor the remaining capacity of the battery unit and control charging and discharging of the battery unit. Therefore, charge/discharge management of the battery unit can be efficiently performed.

The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the power supply system of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the connection of the battery unit with respect to the control unit of embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the battery unit of embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection state of a plurality of battery units according to the embodiment; The figure which shows the example which connected all the several battery units of embodiment in series. The figure which shows the example which connected only some among several battery units of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of management of the charging rate of the some battery unit of embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the power supply system of the embodiment; The perspective view which shows an example of the battery box of embodiment, and a battery unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, as an example of the power supply system, an example applied to an EV (Electric Vehicle) truck, which is an electric vehicle equipped with a carrier, will be described.

[Power supply system]
Drawing 1 is a block diagram showing an example of composition of electric power supply system 1 of an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1 , a power supply system 1 includes a motor 3 (an example of a drive unit) for driving an EV truck 2 , a battery unit 5 for supplying power to the motor 3 , and a battery unit 5 for cooling the battery unit 5 . and a control unit 7 mounted on the EV truck 2.

For example, motor 3 is a three-phase induction motor. Motor 3 generates power (torque) by being supplied with three-phase AC power from battery unit 5 via inverter 4 . The EV truck 2 runs by transmitting the torque generated by the motor 3 to the driving wheels. For example, the motor 3 generates three-phase AC power by rotating the drive wheels (for example, regenerative braking) during deceleration.

The motor 3 and the inverter 4 are arranged outside a battery box 50 that can accommodate the battery unit 5 and the like. For example, the motor 3 and the inverter 4 are mounted on a vehicle body (not shown) on which the loading platform of the EV truck 2 is supported.

The inverter 4 can change the alternating current from the battery unit 5 to any frequency or voltage. For example, the inverter 4 includes a converter circuit that converts the alternating current from the battery unit 5 into direct current, a capacitor that adjusts the direct current converted by the converter circuit into a stable direct current while repeating charging and discharging, and a direct current that is adjusted by the capacitor. and an inverter circuit that converts the alternating current into alternating current at an arbitrary frequency or voltage and outputs the alternating current to the motor 3 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of connection of the battery unit 5 to the control unit 7 of the embodiment.
The battery unit 5 is detachable with respect to the control unit 7 . For example, the battery unit 5 is a cartridge type battery. A plurality of battery units 5 are provided. In the example of FIG. 5, four cartridge type batteries are shown as the plurality of battery units 5 . The plurality of battery units 5 can be individually attached to and detached from the control unit 7 . For example, it is possible to remove the other battery unit 5 from the control unit 7 while one of the plurality of battery units 5 is attached to the control unit 7 . For example, it is possible to collectively remove a plurality of battery units 5 from the control unit 7 .

[Configuration of battery unit]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery unit 5 of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the battery unit 5 includes a battery body 10 that supplies power to the motor 3 (see FIG. 1), a cloud communication unit 11 that can communicate with a cloud storage medium 9 (see FIG. 9), A BMS communication unit 12 (an example of a battery communication unit) capable of communicating with a control unit 7 constituting a BMS, which will be described later, and battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 that measure the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery main body 10. , a battery housing unit 16 housing a battery main body 10 , a cloud communication unit 11 , a BMS communication unit 12 , and battery information measurement units 13 , 14 , 15 . The battery unit 5 functions as a cartridge management unit (CMU: Cartridge Management Unit) that manages the battery main body 10 that constitutes the cartridge type battery.

The battery body 10 can be charged and discharged. For example, the battery body 10 is a lithium ion secondary battery. Note that the battery body 10 may be a secondary battery other than a lithium-ion secondary battery, an all-solid battery, or the like. For example, the aspect of the battery main body 10 can be changed according to required specifications.

Battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 include a current measurement unit 13 (for example, an analog ammeter or a digital ammeter) that measures the current value of the battery body 10, and a voltage measurement unit 14 that measures the voltage value of the battery body 10. (for example, an analog voltmeter or a digital voltmeter), and a temperature measurement unit 15 (for example, a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple and a resistance temperature detector) that measures the temperature of the battery body 10 .

For example, the measurement information of the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 (information about the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery main body 10) is stored in a cloud type by communication (for example, wireless communication) via the cloud communication unit 11. It is stored in the medium 9. For example, the measurement information of the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 is transmitted to the BMS (for example, the CMU communication unit 31 described later) by communication via the BMS communication unit 12. FIG.

For example, the battery housing unit 16 is a box-shaped housing that covers the battery main body 10 , the cloud communication unit 11 , the BMS communication unit 12 and the battery information measurement units 13 , 14 , 15 . For example, a battery terminal (not shown), which is a terminal portion of the battery main body 10 , can be exposed from the battery containing portion 16 .

[Configuration of cooling mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling mechanism 6 is mounted on the battery box 50 . The cooling mechanism 6 includes a compressor 20 that compresses the refrigerant, an evaporator 21 that evaporates the refrigerant, a valve 22 that functions as an expansion valve that expands the refrigerant, and a cooling fan that can supply cooling air to the battery unit 5. 23 and. For example, power for driving the cooling mechanism 6 is supplied from the battery unit 5 .

For example, the refrigerant coming out of the valve 22 evaporates in the evaporator 21 and changes from liquid to gas. During this evaporation, the refrigerant absorbs heat and cools the gas inside the refrigerator. The cooled gas inside the storage is blown to the battery unit 5 by the cooling fan 23 . Note that the heat absorbed during evaporation is released outside the storage (outside the battery box 50).

For example, a plurality of cooling fans 23 may be provided corresponding to the plurality of battery units 5 (for example, the same number as the battery units 5). For example, the cooling fan 23 may be capable of supplying cooling air to individual battery units 5 rather than to the battery units 5 as a whole. For example, the amount of cooling air supplied from the cooling fan 23 is controlled by the control unit 7 .

[Configuration of control unit]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 7 of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 7 is an electronic control unit (an example of a control body) that controls components of the EV truck 2 (see FIG. 1) and the components of the battery unit 5 (see FIG. 3) by means of an electronic circuit. is formed between an ECU 30 (Electronic Control Unit), a CMU communication unit 31 (an example of a control communication unit) that communicates with the BMS communication unit 12 (see FIG. 3) of the battery unit 5, and a plurality of battery units 5 A switch control unit 32 (an example of a switching control unit) that controls switching of circuit switches, a cooling control unit 33 that controls a cooling mechanism 6 (see FIG. 1) for cooling the battery unit 5, an ECU 30, and CMU communication. A control housing section 34 housing the section 31 , the switch control section 32 and the cooling control section 33 .

The control unit 7 configures a battery management system (BMS: Battery Management System) that manages the battery unit 5 by communicating with the battery unit 5 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 7 monitors the remaining capacity of the battery unit 5 and controls charging and discharging of the battery unit 5 .

For example, the measurement information of the battery information measurement units 13 , 14 and 15 transmitted to the CMU communication unit 31 is transmitted to the ECU 30 . For example, the ECU 30 controls the battery unit 5 based on the measurement information of the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15.

For example, the control housing unit 34 is a box-shaped housing that covers the ECU 30 , the CMU communication unit 31 , the switch control unit 32 and the cooling control unit 33 . For example, a control terminal, which is a terminal portion of the ECU 30 , can be exposed from the control housing portion 34 . For example, the control unit 7 and the battery unit 5 can be electrically connected by connecting the battery terminals exposed from the battery housing portion 16 to the control terminals exposed from the control housing portion 34 . For example, the ECU 30 may be provided inside the control unit 7 constituting the BMS, or may be provided outside the control unit 7 (see FIG. 1). For example, the ECU 30 may be configured to cooperate with the BMS outside the control unit 7 . For example, the installation mode of the ECU 30 can be changed according to the required specifications.

For example, a claw portion is formed on one of the battery housing portion 16 constituting the battery unit 5 and the control housing portion 34 constituting the control unit 7, and the claw portion is formed on the other of the battery housing portion 16 and the control housing portion 34. A fitting recess may be formed. For example, when the battery housing portion 16 is formed with a claw portion and the control housing portion 34 is formed with a recess, the battery unit 5 can be moved by fitting the claw portion of the battery housing portion 16 into the recess of the control housing portion 34. It can be attached to the control unit 7 . On the other hand, the battery unit 5 can be removed from the control unit 7 by releasing the engagement of the claw portion of the battery housing portion 16 with the concave portion of the control housing portion 34 . When the battery unit 5 is connected to the control unit 7 by fitting the claws and recesses described above, the attachment and detachment of the battery unit 5 to and from the control unit 7 should be performed manually without using a special tool. workability.

The connection of the battery unit 5 to the control unit 7 is not limited to the engagement of the claw portion and the concave portion described above. For example, one of the battery housing portion 16 and the control housing portion 34 is formed with a through hole through which a bolt is inserted, and the other of the battery housing portion 16 and the control housing portion 34 is formed with a female thread into which the bolt inserted through the through hole is screwed. A part may be formed. For example, when a through hole is formed in the battery housing portion 16 and a female threaded portion is formed in the control housing portion 34 , a bolt inserted through the through hole of the battery housing portion 16 is screwed into the female threaded portion of the control housing portion 34 . By doing so, the battery unit 5 can be attached to the control unit 7 . On the other hand, the battery unit 5 can be removed from the control unit 7 by releasing the bolt from the female threaded portion of the control housing portion 34 . For example, the connection mode of the battery unit 5 to the control unit 7 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the example of FIG. 4, the ECU 30 is mounted in the control housing section 34 that constitutes the BMS, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ECU 30 may be detachable from the control housing section 34 that constitutes the BMS. The example of FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ECU 30 is removed from the control housing portion 34 and arranged outside the battery box 50 . Since the ECU 30 is detachable from the control housing portion 34, it contributes to the improvement of maintainability of the ECU 30. As shown in FIG.

[Switch switching]
For example, switching of the switch is performed by transistors such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IBGT) and a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). For example, the switch control unit 32 turns on or off the switch by controlling the above IBGT or MOSFET to switch the connection state (connection or disconnection) of the plurality of battery units 5 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection state of a plurality of battery units 5 of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the plurality of battery units 5 of the embodiment are all connected in series. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which only some of the plurality of battery units 5 of the embodiment are connected. FIG. 8 shows an example of managing the charging rates of the plurality of battery units 5 of the embodiment. In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 8, battery units 5 (B-1), (B-2), (B-3) . . . (Bn) are shown as the plurality of battery units 5 .

For example, when the required voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, such as when the EV truck 2 starts running, as shown in FIG. Bn) are connected in series. Thereby, the plurality of battery units 5 can be operated at the maximum voltage. In FIG. 6, the battery units 5 (B-1), (B-2), (B-3), .

For example, when the required voltage is less than a predetermined value, such as when the EV truck 2 is not running (for example, during low speed running at a predetermined speed or less), the number of battery units 5 connected in series is reduced as shown in FIG. reduce. Thereby, the battery unit 5 can be operated at a voltage as low as possible. In FIG. 7, a symbol ◯ is attached above one battery unit 5 (B-1) to be connected.

In such a case, by intensively selecting a specific battery unit 5 (selecting only one battery unit 5 (B-1) in the example of FIG. 7), the charging rate varies among the plurality of battery units 5. can give As a result, among the plurality of battery units 5, those whose charging rate is less than the threshold can be preferentially charged.

[Cooling control of battery unit]
For example, the cooling control unit 33 (see FIG. 4) controls the plurality of cooling fans 23 (see FIG. 1) based on the measurement information (for example, information about the temperature of the battery unit 5) from the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15. can be controlled individually. For example, the cooling control unit 33 controls the cooling fan 23 (an example of the specific cooling fan 23) corresponding to the battery unit 5 (an example of the specific battery unit 5) with the highest temperature among the plurality of battery units 5. good too. As a result, even when only a specific battery unit 5 generates heat by switching the switches described above, the specific cooling fan 23 can selectively cool the battery unit 5 that has generated heat. Therefore, it contributes to energy saving as compared with the case where the plurality of battery units 5 are cooled as a whole.

[Battery unit charging management]
For example, the charging rate of the battery unit 5 may be managed individually by each battery unit 5, or may be collectively managed by the plurality of battery units 5 as a whole. In FIG. 8 , an example in which the charging rate of each battery unit 5 is managed individually is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and an example in which a plurality of battery units 5 are collectively managed is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

For example, the battery unit 5 may be charged using charging equipment for connecting to an external power supply, or charging using electric power generated by regenerative braking. For example, when preferentially replacing battery units 5 whose charging rate is less than a threshold among the plurality of battery units 5, especially when performing charging by regenerative braking, battery units 5 whose charging rate is less likely to decrease (for example, a plurality of battery units 5) of the battery units 5 whose charging rate is equal to or higher than the threshold value) is preferentially charged. The charging of the battery unit 5 may be so-called wireless charging (wireless power supply or non-contact power supply), in which charging is performed without connecting to an external power supply. For example, the charging mode of the battery unit 5 can be changed according to required specifications.

For example, the electricity consumption (for example, the fuel consumption of the EV truck 2) is calculated by the following formula (1).
Ec=M/(Pc-Ca) (1)
In the above formula (1), Ec is the electricity consumption [km/kWh], M is the traveling distance of the EV truck 2 [km], Pc is the electricity consumption of the battery unit 5 when stored in the EV truck 2 [kWh], Ca indicates the charging amount [kWh] by regenerative braking.

For example, when charging/discharging the battery unit 5, the device information used may be acquired and the acquired information may be recorded. For example, recorded data may be managed in a cloud-type storage medium 9 (see FIG. 9), and the user may be charged a fee based on power consumption.
For example, charging management of the battery unit 5 may be performed by transmitting information to a server such as a cloud, storing the information in the server, analyzing the information, and performing remote control. For example, failure prediction of the battery unit 5 and grasping of the amount of charge may be performed to determine the transportation route or the overall arrangement of the battery units 5 . For example, the battery unit 5 (CMS) may be connected to a server to link various information. For example, the mode of cooperation with the server in various management of the battery unit 5 can be modified according to the required specifications.

[Role of CMU]
For example, in normal times, the CMU estimates the charging rate and deterioration rate (SOH: State of Health) of the battery body 10 that constitutes the battery unit 5, measures the temperature of the battery body 10, and collects and uploads time-series data. I do.
For example, the CMU estimates the charging rate and deterioration rate of the battery body 10 based on the measurement information (information on the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery body 10) from the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15.
For example, the temperature measurement of the battery main body 10 is performed by the temperature measurement section 15 that constitutes the battery unit 5 .
For example, the CMU, as time-series data, based on the information on the measured current value, voltage value and temperature of the battery body 10 and the time measured by the timer, the current value, voltage value and temperature of the battery body 10 Collect information on temporal changes in
For example, the CMU uploads the collected time-series data through communication (for example, wireless communication) via the cloud communication unit 11 and stores it in the cloud storage medium 9 (see FIG. 9).

For example, the CMU determines whether the battery unit 5 is abnormal based on the measurement information (information on the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery main body 10) from the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15. FIG. For example, the CMU determines that the battery unit 5 is abnormal when at least one of the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery body 10 exceeds an abnormality threshold.

For example, the CMU controls the battery unit 5 to stop supplying power to the motor 3 in the event of an abnormality. For example, in the event of an abnormality, the CMU may switch the connection state of all of the plurality of battery units 5 to non-connection by the switch control section 32 .

[Role of BMS]
For example, the BMS displays information about the charging rate of the entire battery box 50 and the travelable distance of the EV truck 2 on the display (for example, the driver's seat display). For example, the BMS lights the display unit (for example, the driver's seat lamp) in green while the battery body 10 is being charged. For example, when the battery unit 5 needs to be replaced (for example, when the charging rate is less than 10%), the BMS lights the display unit (for example, the driver's seat lamp) in red.

For example, in normal times, the BMS displays information on the charging rate and deterioration rate of the battery unit 5 estimated by the CMS on a display (for example, a display in the driver's seat).
For example, in normal times, the BMS performs temperature control of the entire battery units 5 . For example, the BMS controls the cooling control unit 33 so as to preferentially cool the high temperature portion (for example, the temperature of the battery main body 10 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold) among the plurality of battery units 5 .
For example, during normal times, the BMS selects the battery unit 5 that preferentially consumes power among the plurality of battery units 5 .
For example, in normal times, the BMS turns on or off the switch by the switch control unit 32 to switch the connection state (connection or disconnection) of the plurality of battery units 5 .

For example, the BMS includes information on the internal circuit of the battery box 50 (for example, short circuit), detection information on the collision accident of the EV truck 2 (for example, contact with an obstacle), detection of an abnormality in the cooling mechanism 6 (for example, the cooling fan 23 malfunction, etc.), an abnormality in the power supply system 1 is detected.

For example, the BMS controls the battery unit 5 to stop supplying power to the motor 3 in the event of an abnormality. For example, the BMS stops driving the EV truck 2 in the event of an abnormality. For example, in the event of an abnormality, the BMS blinks the display unit (for example, the driver's seat lamp).

[Another example of power supply system]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the power supply system 1 of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9 , for example, the battery unit 5 may be charged by grid power 40 and solar power generation 41 via the inverter 4 . For example, grid power 40 and photovoltaic power generation 41 are obtained by power generation equipment owned by a renewable energy power generation business operator.

Note that the grid power 40 is not limited to being obtained from renewable energy. For example, grid power 40 may be a grid different from photovoltaic power generation 41 . For example, the grid power 40 may be power obtained by power generation other than renewable energy (for example, power generation using fossil fuels, nuclear power generation, etc.). For example, the aspect of grid power 40 can be changed according to required specifications.

For example, in the photovoltaic power generation 41, a solar panel in which cells made of silicon semiconductors are modularized converts sunlight into electrical energy and outputs the electrical energy.
For example, the inverter 4 is a hybrid inverter capable of controlling each of the grid power 40 and the photovoltaic power generation 41 . For example, the battery unit 5 may be charged with surplus power from the photovoltaic power generation 41 during a period of time when the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation 41 is large (for example, during the daytime). On the other hand, the battery unit 5 may be charged with power from the grid power 40 during a time period when the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation 41 is low (for example, at night).

For example, at least one of the plurality of battery units 5 may also serve as a battery for home delivery of electricity. For example, the EV truck 2 may carry out the delivery of general packages and the delivery of the battery unit 5 together. For example, when the load capacity of general cargo loaded on the bed of the EV truck 2 is less than the cargo loading threshold, the load capacity of the battery unit 5 may be increased. As a result, electricity can be delivered to consumers by the battery unit 5 without affecting general packages delivered by the EV truck 2 .

[Battery box]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the battery box 50 and the battery unit 5 of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the battery box 50 is shaped like a rectangular box. The battery box 50 has a unit accommodating portion 51 capable of accommodating the battery unit 5 . A plurality of unit housing portions 51 are provided on one side portion of the battery box 50 . In the example of FIG. 10, 16 unit storage sections 51 arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns are provided. Note that the number of unit accommodating portions 51 to be installed is not limited to the above, and can be changed according to required specifications.

Each unit accommodating portion 51 is formed to have a size corresponding to the size and shape of the battery unit 5 . The unit accommodating portion 51 opens from one side of the battery box 50 so as to accommodate the battery unit 5 . The plurality of battery units 5 each have the same size and shape. The plurality of unit housing portions 51 also have the same size and shape. According to this configuration, any battery unit 5 can be accommodated in any unit accommodating portion 51 . As a result, any battery unit 5 can be replaced, which contributes to improvement in workability.

Note that the dimensions and shape of the battery units 5 are not limited to those described above, and may be different among the plurality of battery units 5 . Moreover, the dimensions and shapes of the unit accommodating portions 51 are not limited to those described above, and may be different among the plurality of unit accommodating portions 51 . For example, the size and shape of the battery unit 5 and the size and shape of the unit housing portion 51 can be changed according to the required specifications.

The example of FIG. 10 shows a state in which the battery unit 5 is removed from one of the plurality of unit housing portions 51 . In the example of FIG. 10 , the battery unit 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped battery housing portion 16 . A grip portion 17 that can be gripped by a user is provided on the upper portion of the battery housing portion 16 . For example, the grip portion 17 is arranged on one side of the battery box 50 while the battery unit 5 is housed in the unit housing portion 51 . As a result, the user can grip the grip portion 17 from one side of the battery box 50 , so that the battery unit 5 can be suitably replaced.

For example, battery box 50 may be transportable by truck 60 . In the example of FIG. 10, the carriage 60 includes a rectangular bottom plate 61 that supports the battery box 50 from below, a front frame 62 that rises upward from the front of the bottom plate 61, and a A pair of side frames 63 and 64 that stand up and wheels 65 provided at the corners of the bottom plate 61 are provided.

The side frames 63 and 64 extend upward from the bottom plate 61 above the upper surface of the battery box 50 and are formed in an inverted U shape. For example, the user grasps the portions (inverted U-shaped portions) of the side frames 63 and 64 that extend above the upper surface of the battery box 50 and moves the carriage 60 to move the battery box 50 and the battery unit 5. can be transported.

The battery unit 5 is connected to the EV truck 2 (see FIG. 1) so as to be able to supply electric power to the motor 3 while being mounted on the bed of the EV truck 2 (see FIG. 1). For example, the battery box 50 can be mounted on the bed of the EV truck 2 . For example, the battery unit 5 is housed in the battery housing portion 16 of the battery box 50 mounted on the bed of the EV truck 2 . As a result, power can be supplied from the battery unit 5 to the motor 3 .

For example, if the interior space of the bed of the EV truck 2 is sufficiently large with respect to the battery box 50, the battery box 50 may be loaded in the front part of the bed of the EV truck 2 (the front half of the interior space), It may be loaded in the rear part of the loading platform (the rear half of the internal space). For example, if there is a space behind the driver's seat, the battery box 50 may be loaded in this space. For example, the battery box 50 may be loaded on the EV truck 2 while being placed on the truck 60 , or may be loaded on the EV truck 2 while being unloaded from the truck 60 . For example, the manner in which the battery boxes 50 are loaded onto the EV truck 2 can be changed according to the required specifications.
Note that the battery box 50 is not limited to being loaded on the EV truck 2, and the battery unit 5 taken out from the battery box 50 may be loaded. That is, the individual battery units 5 may be loaded on the EV truck 2 instead of the battery box 50 as a whole. For example, when there are 16 battery units 5, all 16 battery units 5 may be loaded on the EV truck 2, or only some of the 16 battery units 5 (for example, 1 to 5) may be loaded. It may be loaded on the EV truck 2. For example, the load capacity of the battery unit 5 with respect to the EV truck 2 may be changed based on the weight, shape, size, etc. of the battery unit 5 . For example, the manner in which the battery box 50 or the battery unit 5 is mounted on the EV truck 2 can be changed according to the required specifications.

[Effect]
As described above, the power supply system 1 of the above embodiment includes the battery unit 5 that supplies power to the motor 3 for driving the EV truck 2, and the battery unit 5 that is mounted on the EV truck 2 and stores the remaining capacity of the battery unit 5. and a control unit 7 for monitoring and controlling charging and discharging of the battery unit 5 , and the battery unit 5 is detachable from the control unit 7 .
For example, if the battery unit 5 is irremovably fixed to the EV truck 2, when charging the battery unit 5, it is necessary to directly connect a cable or the like from the charging equipment, so that charging can be performed efficiently. may not be possible. On the other hand, according to this configuration, the battery unit 5 can be removed from the control unit 7 when charging, so charging can be performed efficiently. On the other hand, when the battery unit 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 7 , the control unit 7 can monitor the remaining capacity of the battery unit 5 and control charging and discharging of the battery unit 5 . Therefore, charge/discharge management of the battery unit 5 can be performed efficiently.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of battery units 5 are provided, and at least one of the plurality of battery units 5 is transported while being loaded on the EV truck 2, thereby providing the following effects.
When a plurality of battery units 5 are provided, the charging rate (SOC: State of Charge) may vary among the plurality of battery units 5 . In this case, charging can be performed efficiently by charging only those battery units 5 whose charging rate is less than the threshold among the plurality of battery units 5 . On the other hand, among the plurality of battery units 5, those with a charging rate equal to or higher than a threshold value are delivered to consumers (for example, commercial facilities, factories, companies, general households, etc. that use power), so that home delivery of electricity can be performed. can. Therefore, the charging and discharging of the battery unit 5 can be efficiently managed, and electricity can be delivered to home.

In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of battery units 5 can be connected in series, thereby providing the following effects.
A plurality of battery units 5 can be connected in series, depending on the required voltage. For example, when the required voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, such as when the EV truck 2 starts running, it is possible to operate at the maximum voltage by connecting all of the plurality of battery units 5 in series. On the other hand, when the required voltage is less than the predetermined value, it is possible to reduce the number of battery units 5 connected in series and operate at the lowest possible voltage. In such a case, by intensively selecting a specific battery unit 5, the charging rate varies among the plurality of battery units 5, and among the plurality of battery units 5, the charging rate is less than the threshold. can be charged preferentially.

In the above-described embodiment, the EV truck 2 includes a bed on which the battery unit 5 can be loaded, and the battery unit 5 is connected to the EV truck 2 so as to be able to supply electric power to the motor 3 while loaded on the bed. and has the following effects.
Since the battery unit 5 can be loaded on the bed of the EV truck 2 and transported, the battery unit 5 can be handled as cargo. For example, the battery unit 5 can be delivered by placing the battery unit 5 on the EV truck 2 used for collecting and delivering the package and carrying it in the same manner as general packages. In addition, the EV truck 2 can be driven by loading the battery unit 5 on the carrier and connecting the battery unit 5 to the EV truck 2 so as to be able to supply electric power to the motor 3 .

In the above embodiment, the battery unit 5 includes the battery body 10 that supplies power to the motor 3, the BMS communication unit 12 that communicates with the control unit 7, and the battery information that measures the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery body 10. By providing the measurement units 13, 14, 15, and the battery housing unit 16 housing the battery body 10, the BMS communication unit 12, and the battery information measurement units 13, 14, 15, the following effects are obtained.
Since the battery unit 5 can be attached to and detached from the control unit 7 with the battery body 10, the BMS communication unit 12, and the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 accommodated in the battery accommodation unit 16, the battery unit 5 Contributes to improvement of attachment/detachment work. In addition, since the battery main body 10, the BMS communication unit 12, and the battery information measurement units 13, 14, and 15 are integrated in the battery housing unit 16, compared to the case where these are provided separately and independently, It is easy to simplify the power supply system 1 .

In the above embodiment, the control unit 7 includes the ECU 30 that controls the EV truck 2 and the battery unit 5, the CMU communication unit 31 that communicates with the battery unit 5, and the switch control unit 32 that controls switching of the connection state of the battery unit 5. and a cooling control unit 33 that controls the cooling mechanism 6 for cooling the battery unit 5, and a control housing unit 34 that houses the ECU 30, the CMU communication unit 31, the switch control unit 32, and the cooling control unit 33. and has the following effects.
Since the control unit 7 can be mounted on the EV truck 2 with the ECU 30, the CMU communication unit 31, the switch control unit 32, and the cooling control unit 33 housed in the control housing unit 34, maintenance of the control unit 7 is improved. contribute to In addition, since the ECU 30, the CMU communication unit 31, the switch control unit 32, and the cooling control unit 33 are integrated in the control housing unit 34, compared to the case where these are provided separately and independently, the power supply System 1 is easy to simplify.

According to the power supply method of the above embodiment, the battery unit 5 is attached to and detached from the control unit 7 while the control unit 7 is mounted on the EV truck 2, thereby providing the following effects.
Since the battery unit 5 can be removed from the control unit 7 when charging the battery unit 5, charging can be performed efficiently. On the other hand, when the battery unit 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 7 , the control unit 7 can monitor the remaining capacity of the battery unit 5 and control charging and discharging of the battery unit 5 . Therefore, charge/discharge management of the battery unit 5 can be performed efficiently.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the moving body is an EV truck has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile body may be an electric vehicle other than an EV truck, another vehicle such as a bicycle and a train, an aircraft such as a drone and an airplane, and another mobile body such as a ship. For example, the aspect of the mobile body can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of battery units are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one battery unit may be provided. For example, the number of installed battery units can be changed according to required specifications.

In the above embodiment, at least one of the plurality of battery units has been described as an example in which it is transported while being loaded on a mobile object, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery unit does not have to be transported while being loaded on a mobile object. For example, the battery unit does not have to double as a battery for delivering electricity. For example, the battery unit may function as a battery that supplies electric power to a driving unit for driving the mobile object. For example, the aspect of the battery unit can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of battery units can be connected in series has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of battery units may each be connectable in parallel. For example, the connection mode of a plurality of battery units can be changed according to required specifications.

In the above embodiment, the EV truck includes a bed on which the battery unit can be loaded, and the battery unit is connected to the EV truck while being loaded on the bed so as to supply power to the drive unit. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the battery unit may be coupled to the EV truck so as to be able to supply power to the driving unit while being loaded on the EV truck in a place other than the cargo bed. For example, the manner of loading and connecting the battery units can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, the battery unit includes a battery main body that supplies power to the motor, a battery communication section that communicates with the control unit, a battery information measurement section that measures the current value, voltage value, and temperature of the battery main body, and a battery main body. , and a battery accommodation unit that accommodates the battery communication unit and the battery information measurement unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery unit does not have to include the battery communication section and the battery information measurement section. For example, the battery main body, the battery communication section, and the battery information measurement section may not be integrated in the battery housing section, but may be provided separately and independently. For example, the configuration of the battery unit can be changed according to required specifications.

In the above embodiment, the control unit includes a control body that controls the EV truck and the battery unit, a control communication unit that communicates with the battery unit, a switching control unit that controls switching of the connection state of the battery unit, and a cooling unit that cools the battery unit. Although the example provided with the cooling control part which controls the cooling mechanism for cooling, and the control accommodation part which accommodates a control main body, a control communication part, a switching control part, and a cooling control part was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this. For example, the control unit may not include the control communication section, the switching control section, and the cooling control section. For example, the control main body, the control communication section, the switching control section, and the cooling control section may not be integrated in the control housing section, but may be provided separately and independently. For example, the configuration of the control unit can be changed according to required specifications.

In the above embodiments, the power supply system has a computer system inside. Then, by recording a program for realizing the function of each configuration provided in the power supply system described above on a computer-readable recording medium, and causing the computer system to read and execute the program recorded on this recording medium Processing in each configuration provided for each of the power supply systems described above may be performed. Here, "loading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, ROMs and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard discs incorporated in computer systems. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a cloud-type storage medium using a plurality of storage media and a storage medium in which each data is stored in a block chain format.

Recording media also include internal or external recording media accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. It should be noted that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined in each structure of the power supply system, or the distribution servers that distribute the divided programs and data may be different. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network, and retains the program for a certain period of time. It shall also include things. Further, the program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Also, part or all of the functions included in the power supply system in the above-described embodiments may be implemented as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be individually processorized, or part or all may be integrated and processorized. Also, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integration circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on this technology may be used.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Power supply system, 2... EV truck (moving body), 3... Motor (driving part), 5... Battery unit, 6... Cooling mechanism, 7... Control unit, 10... Battery main body, 12... BMS communication part (battery communication unit), 13 current measurement unit (battery information measurement unit), 14 voltage measurement unit (battery information measurement unit), 15 temperature measurement unit (battery information measurement unit), 16 battery housing unit, 30 ECU ( Control body), 31...CMU communication unit (control communication unit), 32...Switch control unit (switching control unit), 33...Cooling control unit, 34...Control housing unit

Claims (7)

a battery unit that supplies electric power to a driving unit for driving a mobile body;
a control unit mounted on the mobile body, monitoring the remaining capacity of the battery unit and controlling charging and discharging of the battery unit;
The power supply system, wherein the battery unit is detachable with respect to the control unit. A plurality of the battery units are provided,
The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of battery units is carried while being loaded on the mobile object. A plurality of the battery units are provided,
The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of battery units are each connectable in series. The moving body is an electric vehicle having a carrier on which the battery unit can be loaded,
The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery unit is connected to the electric vehicle so as to be able to supply the electric power to the driving unit while being loaded on the cargo bed. The battery unit is
a battery body that supplies the electric power to the drive unit;
a battery communication unit that communicates with the control unit;
a battery information measuring unit that measures at least one of a current value, a voltage value and a temperature of the battery main body;
The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a battery accommodating section that accommodates the battery main body, the battery communication section, and the battery information measuring section. The control unit is
a control body that controls the moving body and the battery unit;
a control communication unit that communicates with the battery unit;
a switching control unit that controls switching of the connection state of the battery unit;
a cooling control unit that controls a cooling mechanism for cooling the battery unit;
The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a control housing section housing the control body, the control communication section, the switching control section, and the cooling control section. A power supply method in the power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A power supply method, wherein the battery unit is attached to and detached from the control unit while the control unit is mounted on the mobile object.

Images