JPWO2020166602A1 - Charging device, charging method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The management device is detachably attached to the electric vehicle, and at a charging station that charges the batteries to be stored while exchanging and storing a plurality of batteries that supply power for traveling of the electric vehicle, the battery. The planning unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the timing at which the battery is provided, and a planning unit that generates a charging plan for the battery based on the acquired timing. The planning unit includes a timing at which the battery is provided. A charging plan for the battery for starting charging of the battery at a charging start timing based on the latest charging start timing capable of reaching a predetermined amount of charge of the battery is generated.

Description

The present invention relates to a management device, a management method, a program, and a storage medium.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-22725 filed on February 12, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Conventionally, there is a collection charge distribution device that collects, charges, and distributes a detachable battery when a portable electric energy storage device, for example, a detachable battery is mounted on a moving body such as an electric scooter and used, and power is consumed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). This collection / charge / distribution device has a plurality of accommodators that detachably accommodate a detachable battery for charging or the like.

In recent years, a shared battery service using a collection / charge distribution device has been provided. This service is a service in which, for example, a collection / charge distribution device is installed in each of charging devices such as charging stations constructed in a plurality of locations in a region, and a user who visits the charging device can replace a detachable battery.

There is a charge control device that sets a charging plan when charging a vehicle battery from a charger (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This charge control device is set according to the learning result of the learning device corresponding to the user who uses the vehicle. In addition, a technique for acquiring information indicating a target value of the operating rate of the battery station and determining the number of storage batteries that can be provided to the user based on the target value (see, for example, Patent Document 3), a scheduled boarding time, and the like. There is a technology that calculates the charging start time for completing charging at the scheduled boarding time based on the required charging period, and starts charging with a predetermined charging current value from the calculated charging start time (for example). See Patent Document 4).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-527689 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-93088 Japanese Patent No. 6345291 Japanese Patent No. 3554057

In the shared battery service using the collection / charge / distribution device described in Patent Document 1, the user often visits an arbitrary charging device according to his / her own convenience. It is required to prepare the battery of. Therefore, it was necessary to fully charge the battery. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a point of setting a charging plan. However, in the charging plan of Patent Document 2, since the number of users who use the charger is limited, it is difficult to prepare enough batteries for lending.

The present invention is to provide a charging device, a management charging, a program, and a storage medium that can make a charging device prepare as many batteries as necessary for lending.

The charging device, charging method, program, and storage medium according to the present invention have the following configurations.
(1): A charging unit that charges a battery that supplies power to a power device that uses electric power, an acquisition unit that acquires an estimated value of the charging state of the battery by the charging unit, and a charging state of the battery. The charging unit is based on a determination unit that determines the charging mode of the battery for satisfying the estimated value of the charging state acquired by the acquisition unit and the charging mode of the battery determined by the determination unit. A charging device including a charging control unit that controls charging of the battery.

(2): In (1), the charging mode includes at least one of a charging period or a charging speed for charging the battery by the charging unit, and the determining unit satisfies the estimated value of the charging state. As such, it determines at least one of the charging period and the charging speed.

(3): In (2), the elements that specify the charging period include the charging start date and time when the charging unit starts charging the battery and the charging end date and time when the charging unit ends charging the battery. , The charging duration from the start to the end of charging of the battery by the charging unit, and the determining unit sets the charging start date and time and the charging so as to satisfy the estimated value of the charging state. It determines at least one of the end date and time or the charging duration.

(4): In (3), when determining the charging start date and time, the determination unit determines the latest date and time as the charging start date and time among the dates and times that satisfy the estimated value of the charging state. be.

(5): In (3) or (4), when the determination unit determines the charging start date and time, the charging control unit prohibits charging by the charging unit before the charging start date and time. be.

(6): In any of (1) to (5), the elements that specify the charging state include the target date and time, which is the target date and time, and the target charging amount, which is the target charging amount at the target date and time. And are included.

(7): In (6), the battery is detachable from the electric power device, further includes a holding portion for holding a plurality of the batteries detachably, and the target charge amount is the number of the batteries. And the target charge amount of each of the batteries.

(8): In (7), the charge control unit targets the battery to be charged in order from the battery having the largest charge amount among the plurality of batteries held by the holding unit.

(9): In any of (6) to (8), the target date and time is determined based on the date and time when the user starts using the battery.

(10): In any of (3) to (5), the elements that specify the charging state include the target date and time, which is the target date and time, and the target charging amount, which is the target charging amount at the target date and time. And, and the determination unit determines the date and time according to the target date and time as the charge end date and time when determining the charge end date and time.

(11): In any one of (1) to (10), the electric power device is a mobile body that can be moved by using the electric power supplied from the battery.

(12): In any one of (1) to (11), the battery is a battery shared by a plurality of users.

(13): In any one of (1) to (12), a generation unit for generating an estimated value of the state of charge based on the movement information of the battery is further provided.

(14): In (13), the generation unit generates the estimated value of the state of charge by machine learning using the movement information as input data.

(15): In (14), the generation unit generates the estimated value of the charging state based on the information on the location of the charging device.

(16): In (15), the battery is detachable from the power device, and the generation unit estimates the charging state based on the information on the number of holdings of the battery in the charging device. It produces a value.

(17): In (15) or (16), the generator is in the charged state based on environmental information indicating at least one of the weather or date or day of the week in the area where the charging device is installed. It produces an estimate.

(18): In one aspect of the present invention, the computer of the charging device acquires an estimated value of the state of charge of the battery by the charging unit that charges the battery that supplies power to the power device that uses power, and said that A control in which the charging state of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery for satisfying the estimated value of the acquired charging state, and the charging unit charges the battery based on the determined charging mode of the battery. Is a charging method.

(19): In one aspect of the present invention, a computer of a charging device is made to acquire an estimated value of a state of charge of the battery by a charging unit for charging a battery that supplies power to a power device that uses power. The charging state of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery for satisfying the estimated value of the acquired charging state, and the charging unit is charged with the battery based on the determined charging mode of the battery. It is a program that controls the operation.

(20): In one aspect of the present invention, the computer of the charging device is made to acquire an estimated value of the state of charge of the battery by the charging unit for charging the battery that supplies power to the power device that uses power, and the above-mentioned. The charging state of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery for satisfying the estimated value of the acquired charging state, and the charging unit is charged with the battery based on the determined charging mode of the battery. It is a storage medium that stores a program that controls the operation.

(1) to (6) It is possible to have the charging device prepare as many batteries as necessary for lending.
According to (14) to (17), it is possible to accurately acquire the timing of providing the battery.

It is an overall block diagram of the management system of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the management system of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the battery data. It is a figure which shows an example of charge ST data. It is a figure which shows an example of the battery aggregate data. It is a figure which shows an example of the user aggregate data. It is a figure which shows an example of the charge ST aggregate data. It is a figure which shows an example of the generation process of the provision condition estimation model. It is a figure which shows an example of charge plan data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of processing executed in a management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of processing executed in a management apparatus. It is a graph which shows an example of the change of SOC of the battery stored in a charging station. It is a figure which shows an example of the generation process of the provision condition estimation model. It is a figure which shows an example of the charge ST aggregate data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of processing executed in a management apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the charging device, charging method, program, and storage medium of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the management system 1 includes a plurality of battery units 100 and a plurality of charging stations 200. The battery unit 100 includes a removable battery (hereinafter referred to as “battery”) 120 that can be attached to and detached from the electric vehicle 10. The charging station 200 charges the battery 120 included in the battery unit 100 before renting out the battery unit 100 to the user. The charging station 200 rents out and provides the battery unit 100 to the user, and the user mounts the battery unit 100 on the electric vehicle 10. The user returns the battery unit 100 at any of the plurality of charging stations 200 after the charge amount of the battery 120 of the rented battery unit 100 is reduced. The charging station 200 rents out the battery unit 100 including the other charged battery 120 to the user who has returned the battery unit 100. In this way, the user replaces the battery unit 100 (battery 120) at the charging station 200.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Overall configuration of management system 1>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a management system 1 using the management device 400 of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management system 1 using the management device 400 of the embodiment. The management system 1 includes a plurality of battery units 100, a plurality of charging stations 200, and a management device 400. The management device 400 is communicably connected to a plurality of charging stations 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a provider device, a radio base station, and the like.

The management device 400 is communicably connected to the mobile terminal 20 carried by the user via the network NW. As a result, the charging station 200 and the mobile terminal 20 can send and receive communication data to and from the management device 400 via the network NW. The management system 1 is a system capable of providing a share service in which a battery 120 in a battery unit 100, which is a drive source of an electric vehicle 10, is shared by a plurality of users. The management device 400 manages a plurality of battery units 100 and a plurality of charging stations 200 in the management system 1. The electric vehicle 10 is an example of a "power device", and the charging station 200 is an example of a "charging device".

The "power device" is not limited to the motorcycle 12, and may be, for example, a vehicle (one-wheel, three-wheel, four-wheel, etc.) that can be driven by electric power and can be detachably attached with a detachable battery 14, or an assist-type bicycle. You may. Instead of these vehicle-type mobile bodies, the "electric power device" may be a portable charge / power supply device carried by a person or a vehicle, which is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-068552. Further, the "power device" may be a mobile robot, an autonomous traveling device, an electric bicycle, an autonomous traveling vehicle, another electric vehicle, a drone vehicle, or another electric mobile device (electric mobility). Hereinafter, as an example, the "electric power device" will be described as assuming that the motorcycle is a motorcycle 12.

<Electric vehicle 10>
The electric vehicle 10 is a vehicle on which the battery unit 100 is detachably mounted. The electric vehicle 10 is a saddle-riding vehicle (“electric motorcycle”) traveling by an electric motor driven by electric power supplied by the battery 120 in the battery unit 100. The battery unit 100 is mounted on the electric vehicle 10. In the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 10 can be mounted with two battery units 100. The number of battery units 100 that can be mounted on the electric vehicle 10 may be one or three or more.

The electric vehicle 10 may be a hybrid vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle that travels by driving a combination of a battery unit 100 and an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine. The electric vehicle 10 applicable to the management system 1 may be a vehicle such as an electric bicycle, an electric tricycle, an electric four-wheeled vehicle, an electric kick skater, a robot, or the like, in addition to the electric two-wheeled vehicle. The electric vehicle 10 is an example of a “moving body”.

<Mobile terminal 20>
The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook computer owned by a user who receives a battery loan. In the mobile terminal 20, a UA (User Agent) such as an application program or a browser operates to support a share service of the battery 120. The mobile terminal 20 can refer to a station map showing the location of the charging station 200. The station map may be held by the management device 400 or may be downloaded to the mobile terminal 20. The mobile terminal 20 can acquire peripheral station information about the charging station 200 around the user by searching the station map using the user's current position.

The mobile terminal 20 includes a display device that displays various information and images, and a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor) that also serves as an input device that accepts user operations. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 20 is a smartphone and the application program (battery reservation application) is activated. The mobile terminal 20 accepts a user's reservation for the battery unit 100. The user can reserve the rental of the battery unit 100 by operating the touch panel of the mobile terminal 20. When the user reserves the rental of the battery unit 100, the rental of the reserved battery unit 100 to non-reserved users other than the reserved user is disabled.

For example, the user can search for a nearby charging station 200 by the mobile terminal 20, and if the searched charging station 200 has a rentable battery unit 100, the user can reserve the battery unit 100. When a plurality of charging stations 200 are searched, the user can select the charging station 200 to be used.

The battery reservation application activated in the mobile terminal 20 generates reservation request information according to the user's reservation operation when the user makes a reservation for the battery unit 100. The mobile terminal 20 transmits the generated reservation request information to the management device 400. The reservation request information includes, for example, information regarding a user ID, a charging station 200 for which the battery unit 100 is desired to be rented, and a desired rental time. The desired lending time is an example of the date and time when the user wishes to lend the battery.

<Battery unit 100>
As shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 100 is mounted on the electric vehicle 10 and stored in the charging device 220 in the charging station 200. The battery unit 100 is a cassette type that is detachably attached to the electric vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery unit 100 includes a battery 120, a battery communication unit 140, a self-position detecting unit 160, and a battery control device 180.

The battery 120 is, for example, a power storage device (secondary battery) such as a lithium ion battery. The battery 120 is detachably attached to the electric vehicle 10 and supplies electric power for traveling of the electric vehicle 10. The battery communication unit 140 is a device for communicating with the charging station 200. The battery communication unit 140 is connected to the charging station 200 via a communication line, and transmits information and the like generated by the battery control device 180 to the charging station 200.

The self-position detection unit 160 includes, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver and a self-position detection control unit. The GNSS receiver positions its own position (self-position of the battery unit 100) based on radio waves arriving from a GNSS satellite (for example, a GPS satellite). The self-position detection control unit includes, for example, a CPU and various storage devices, and detects the self-position of the battery unit 100. The self-position detection control unit generates self-position information based on the detected self-position of the battery unit 100 and outputs the self-position information to the battery control device 180.

The battery control device 180 includes, for example, a battery control unit 182 and a battery storage unit 184. The battery control unit 182 includes, for example, a BMU (Battery Management Unit; control unit). The BMU controls the charging and discharging of the battery 120. For example, the BMU controls charging of the battery 120 when the battery unit 100 is stored in the charging station 200, and controls charging / discharging of the battery 120 when the battery unit 100 is mounted on the electric vehicle 10.

The current value, voltage value, temperature, and the like of the battery 120 are detected by various sensors such as a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor. These sensors output the detection result to the battery control unit 182. The battery control unit 182 calculates the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 120 based on the detection results of the various output sensors. The battery control unit 182 stores the calculated SOC of the battery 120 in the battery storage unit 184.

When the charging station 200 rents out the battery unit 100 to the user, the battery control unit 182 includes a user ID of the user who owns the electric vehicle 10, an ID of the charging station that rents out the battery unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as "STID"), and the like. Obtain information on the date and time of lending and the SOC at the time of lending. The user ID is, for example, an ID consisting of different numbers assigned to each user in order to individually identify a plurality of users. The STID is, for example, an ID consisting of different numbers assigned to each charging station 200 in order to individually identify a plurality of charging stations 200. The battery control unit 182 stores the acquired user ID of the electric vehicle 10, the STID of the charging station 200 that rented out the battery unit 100, the date and time of renting, and the information of the SOC at the time of renting in the battery storage unit 184.

The battery control unit 182 generates information on the movement history of the user of the electric vehicle 10 based on the self-position information output by the self-position detection unit 160 when the electric vehicle 10 equipped with the battery unit 100 travels. .. The self-position detection unit 160 detects the self-position every predetermined time, for example, every minute, and outputs the self-position information to the battery control unit 182. The battery control unit 182 is a user of the electric vehicle 10 in which, for example, the position where the electric vehicle 10 has traveled (for example, a position indicated by latitude and longitude) is listed in chronological order based on the self-position information output by the self-position detection unit 160. Generate a movement history of. The battery control unit 182 stores the generated information on the movement history of the user of the electric vehicle 10 in the battery storage unit 184. The user's movement history corresponds to the battery movement history. The user's movement history information is an example of movement information.

When the user returns the battery unit 100 to the charging station 200, the battery control unit 182 displays the user ID, STID, rental date and time, rental SOC, and user movement history information stored in the battery storage unit 184. The battery unit 100 is transmitted to the returned charging station. At this time, the battery control unit 182 transmits the battery ID stored in the battery storage unit 184 and the SOC of the current battery 120, which is the SOC at the time of return, in accordance with the charging station 200 for returning the battery unit 100. The battery ID is, for example, an ID consisting of different numbers assigned to each battery unit 100 (or battery 120) in order to individually identify a plurality of battery units 100 (or battery 120).

<Charging station 200>
The charging station 200 is a facility for storing and charging the battery unit 100, and is installed at a plurality of places. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the charging station 200 includes a charging device 220 and a charging station control device (hereinafter referred to as “ST control device”) 240. One or a plurality of charging devices 220 are installed in a plurality of charging stations 200.

The charging device 220 includes a slot portion 221 shown in FIG. 1, an authentication / display device 223, and a charger 227 shown in FIG. The slot portion 221 includes an upper slot portion 221U and a lower slot portion 221L. Since the upper slot portion 221U and the lower slot portion 221L have a configuration common to each other, the configuration of the upper slot portion 221U will be described as a representative. The upper slot portion 221U includes, for example, a turntable that rotates around a vertical axis. A battery accommodating unit (hereinafter referred to as "accommodating unit") is provided on the turntable. The accommodating portion is provided in each of the areas divided into four equal parts in a plan view of the turntable. The charging device 220 holds the plurality of batteries 120 in a detachable manner by the slot portion 221. The slot portion 221 is an example of a holding portion.

In the slot portion 221, the upper slot portion 221U and the lower slot portion 221L can each accommodate four battery units 100, and the charging device 220 can accommodate eight battery units 100. Therefore, eight battery units 100 can be stored in the charging station 200 having one charging device 220 installed, and 16 battery units 100 can be stored in the charging station 200 having two charging devices 220 installed. It can be stored.

An outlet is provided on the surface of the charging device 220. The user can take the battery unit 100 in and out of the accommodating portion located at the take-out port from the outside. The accommodating portion located at the take-out port can be replaced by rotating the turntable. The four housings are separated by a partition plate. The partition plate is made of, for example, a transparent material.

The authentication / display 223 is a device having at least an authentication function and a display function. The authentication / display 223 can read the recorded information of the NFC card (not shown) carried by the user by using, for example, Near Field Communication (NFC). As a result, the charging station 200 authenticates the user who has the authority to use the share service by using the user ID included in this recorded information. The authentication / display 223 can detect radio waves transmitted by a radio wave transmitter possessed by the user. The authentication / display 223 detects a user who has reserved the use of the battery unit 100 approaching the charging station 200 based on the detection result of the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter operated by the user.

The authentication / display 223 includes, for example, a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor). As a result, necessary information can be input according to the operation of the user, and various visible information can be provided to the user. The authentication / display 223 is arranged in the upper left portion of the charging device 220. The authentication / display 223 displays various information. For example, the authentication / display 223 displays information for notifying the accommodating unit in which the battery unit to be rented to the user is accommodated.

The charger 227 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the inner side of each accommodating portion in the slot portion 221 shown in FIG. The charger 227 can be connected to and charged from the battery 120 of the battery unit 100. A power source for supplying electric power to the battery 120 is connected to the charger 227. When the battery 120 is connected to the charger 227, the battery unit 100 and the charging station 200 are connected via a communication line, and signals can be transmitted and received between the battery unit 100 and the charging station 200. The charger 227 is an example of a charging unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ST control device 240 includes an ST communication unit 242, an ST control unit 244, a charge control unit 246, and an ST storage unit 250. The ST control unit 244 and the charge control unit 246 are realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software) stored in the ST storage unit 250. Some or all of these functional parts are hardware (circuit parts) 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 (including circuits), or it may be realized by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or a removable storage medium (non-transient) such as a DVD or CD-ROM. It is stored in a sexual storage medium), and may be installed by attaching the storage medium to a drive device. The ST storage unit 250 is realized by the storage device described above. The ST storage unit 250 stores the STID of the charging station 200 provided with the ST control device 240.

The ST communication unit 242 receives the information returned and transmitted via the communication line by the battery unit 100 connected to the charger 227. The ST communication unit 242 transmits / receives information to / from the management device 400 via the network NW. The ST communication unit 242 includes, for example, a communication interface such as a wireless module for connecting a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, or a network card for connecting to a network NW.

When the battery 120 of the returned battery unit 100 is connected to the charger 227, the ST control unit 244 causes the ST communication unit 242 to receive and acquire the battery connection information transmitted by the battery communication unit 140. The ST control unit 244 inputs various information such as battery ID, user ID, STID, rental date and time, SOC at the time of rental, SOC at the time of return, movement history of the user, etc. transmitted by the battery communication unit 140 together with the battery connection information. Receive and acquire by 242. The ST control unit 244 stores various acquired information such as charging plan data 478 transmitted by the management device 400 in the ST storage unit 250.

The lending date and time is an example of the target date and time, which is the target date and time, and the SOC at the time of lending is an example of the target charge amount, which is the target charge amount at the lending date and time. The target date and time may be a date and time other than the lending date and time. The target date and time may be an estimated date and time, or may be a date and time specified by the user or the like. The target charge amount may be a charge amount other than the SOC at the time of rental. The SOC at the time of lending may be a so-called full charge, which is the maximum value of the charge capacity of the battery 120, or may be a charge amount reduced from the full charge, for example, a charge amount of 90% of the full charge. The plurality of batteries 120 stored in the charging station 200 may have a common SOC at the time of rental or different SOCs at the time of rental. For example, when renting out the five battery units 100, the SOC at the time of renting out the four batteries 120 may be fully charged, and the SOC at the time of renting out one battery 120 may be 90% of the full charge.

The ST control unit 244 generates battery data 252 when the battery connection information is acquired. The ST control unit 244 attaches its own STID to the battery ID, user ID, STID, rental date and time, rental SOC, return SOC, user movement history transmitted by the battery unit 100 and stored in the ST storage unit 250. To generate battery data 252.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of battery data 252. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery data 252 includes items of battery ID, user ID, STID at the time of lending and returning, date and time, SOC, and movement history of the user. The ST storage unit 250 stores battery data 252 for all of the battery units 100 stored in the slot unit 221 of the charging device 220. When the battery unit 100 is rented and removed from the charger 227, the ST control unit 244 erases the battery data 252 stored in the ST storage unit 250 for the rented battery unit 100.

The ST control unit 244 updates the charging ST data 254 stored in the ST storage unit 250 when the battery connection information is acquired and the battery data 252 is generated or erased. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of charging station data (hereinafter referred to as “charging ST data”) 254. As shown in FIG. 4, the charging ST data 254 includes items of STID, location, number of slots, and number of stored batteries. The information on the STID, the location, the number of slots, and the number of stored batteries of the charging station 200 is an example of the operation information indicating the operating state of the charging device.

The item of STID included in the charging ST data 254 is an item indicating the STID attached to the charging station 200, and the item of the location included in the charging ST data 254 is an item indicating the location of the charging station 200. .. The item of the number of slots included in the charging ST data 254 is an item indicating the number of accommodating portions of the slot portion 221 in the charging device 220 of the charging station 200, and the number of battery units 100 that can be stored in the charging station 200. The number is the same.

The item of the number of stored batteries included in the charging ST data 254 is the number of battery units 100 stored in the charging station 200. The number of stored batteries is an example of the number of batteries held in the charging device. The ST control unit 244 adds 1 to the number of stored batteries of the charged ST data 254 when the battery data 252 is generated, and subtracts 1 from the number of stored batteries of the charged ST data 254 when the battery data 252 is erased. The ST control unit 244 can be used by subtracting the number of slots by 1 and repairing the charger 227 when, for example, one accommodating unit of the slot unit 221 becomes unusable due to a failure of the charger 227 or the like. As a result, the number of slots is incremented by 1 when the accommodating portion that was unusable in the slot portion 221 becomes available. The ST control unit 244 may increase or decrease the number of slots when the charging device 220 is added or reduced.

The charging ST data 254 further includes items such as a slot No., a battery ID, a return date and time, a SOC at the time of return, a scheduled charging start date and time, and a scheduled charging completion date and time. The item of the slot No. is, for example, an item indicating a number assigned to each accommodating portion of the slot portion 221 in the charging device 220 installed in the charging station 200. The accommodating portion of the upper slot portion 221U is assigned a slot number of "1001" to "1004", and the accommodating portion of the lower slot portion 221L is assigned a slot number of "2001" to "2004".

The item of the battery ID is an item indicating the battery ID attached to the battery unit 100 accommodated in the accommodating portion of the slot portion 221. For the accommodating portion in which the battery unit 100 is not accommodated, the item of the battery ID is set to "empty". The return date and time item is an item indicating the date and time when the battery unit 100 housed in the storage unit of the slot unit 221 is returned to the charging station 200. The item of SOC at the time of return is an item indicating the SOC when the battery unit 100 accommodated in the accommodating portion of the slot portion 221 is returned to the charging station 200.

The item of the scheduled charging start date and time is an item indicating the scheduled charging start date and time for starting charging of the battery unit 100 housed in the accommodating portion of the slot portion 221. The item of the scheduled charging completion date and time is an item indicating the scheduled charging completion date and time when charging of the battery unit 100 housed in the accommodating portion of the slot portion 221 is completed. The scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time are both calculated and set based on the charging plan data 478 transmitted by the management device 400. The item of the scheduled charging start date and time is set as charging standby until the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time are set.

The setting of the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time will be further described after the charging plan data 478 described later is described. The scheduled charging start date and time is an example of the "latest charging start timing capable of reaching a predetermined amount of battery charge" of the present invention, and "the battery charge amount can reach a predetermined amount". This is an example of "charging timing based on the latest charging start timing".

When the ST control unit 244 acquires the battery connection information and generates the battery data 252, the ST control unit 242 uses the ST communication unit 242 to transfer the acquired battery connection information, the generated battery data 252, and the updated charging ST data 254. It is transmitted to the management device 400. When the battery data 252 is erased, the ST control unit 244 transmits the updated charge ST data 254 to the management device 400 using the ST communication unit 242.

When the ST control unit 244 transmits the battery data 252 to the management device 400, all of the stored battery data 252 may be transmitted to the management device 400, or only the generated battery data 252 may be transmitted to the management device 400. You may send it. When the ST control unit 244 transmits the charging ST data 254 to the management device 400, the entire charging ST data 254 may be transmitted, or only the STID and the number of stored batteries among the charging ST data 254 may be transmitted. , When the number of slots changes, the number of slots may be added for transmission.

The ST control unit 244 causes the ST communication unit 242 to receive and acquire the reservation information and the charging plan data 478 transmitted by the management device 400. The ST control unit 244 stores the acquired reservation information and charging plan data 478 in the ST storage unit 250. When the reservation information is stored in the ST storage unit 250, the ST control unit 244 prepares for the user who rents out the battery unit 100 to perform authentication.

The ST control unit 244 performs display control and authentication control of the authentication / display device 223, for example, when a user corresponding to the reservation information output by the ST communication unit 242 visits the office. The ST control unit 244 causes the authentication / display 223 to display information about the battery unit 100 to be rented to the user after the reserved user arrives at the charging station 200 and authenticates with the authentication / display 223.

The charge control unit 246 charges the battery 120 with the electric power consumed by the user. The charge control unit 246 reads out the charge plan data 478 stored in the ST storage unit 250, and based on the read charge ST data 254 and the charge plan data 478, the battery 120 housed in each storage unit of the slot unit 221. The charging period as the charging mode is calculated and determined. The charge control unit 246 is an example of a determination unit.

The charging period is the period from the charging start date and time to the charging completion date and time. The charge control unit 246 calculates and determines the scheduled charge completion date and time and the scheduled charge start date and time. The scheduled charging start date and time is an example of the charging start date and time which is an element of the charging period, and the scheduled charging completion date and time is an example of the charging end date and time which is an element of the charging period. The charge control unit 246 prohibits charging of the battery 120 by the charger 227 at a time before the scheduled charging start date and time.

The charge control unit 246 adjusts the time for starting charging of the battery 120 in each battery unit 100 housed in the slot unit 221 in the charging device 220 based on the determined charging start scheduled date and time. The charge control unit 246 starts charging the battery 120 when the scheduled charge start date and time arrives. The charge control unit 246 charges the battery 120 with electric power until the battery 120 in the battery unit 100 housed in the slot unit 221 is fully charged, for example.

<Management device 400>
The management device 400 functions as a web server or an application server, and while providing various information to the mobile terminal 20, acquires information uploaded by the mobile terminal 20, for example, reservation request information. By communicating with the charging station 200, the management device 400 transmits reservation information indicating that the battery unit 100 has been reserved by the user to the charging station 200.

Further, the management device 400 plans to charge the battery 120 in the battery unit 100 stored in the charging station 200. In the charging plan, charging of the battery 120 is started at the charging start timing based on the latest charging start timing that can bring the charge amount of the battery 120 to a predetermined amount according to the timing when the battery unit 100 is provided. Generated as a plan for.

The management device 400 is a time at which the battery units 100 stored in the target charging station 200 are provided (hereinafter referred to as “provided time” and the number of battery units 100 prepared during the provided time (hereinafter referred to as “provided number”). The charging plan is executed and the charging plan information (charging plan data 478) is generated. The management device 400 transmits the generated charging plan data 478 to the charging station 200. The provision time is the present invention. This is an example of "timing when the battery is provided".

The management device 400 includes, for example, a communication unit 410, an acquisition unit 420, a generation unit 430, a planning unit 440, a reservation unit 460, and a storage unit 470. The acquisition unit 420, the generation unit 430, the planning unit 440, and the reservation unit 460 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware such as LSI, ASIC, FPGA, GPU, or may be realized by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD or a flash memory, or in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or a CD-ROM. It is stored and may be installed by attaching the storage medium to the drive device. The storage unit 470 is realized by the above-mentioned storage device.

The storage unit 470 stores information such as battery IDs for the plurality of batteries 120 used in the management system 1, STIDs of the plurality of charging stations 200, and locations. When the battery 120 and the charging station 200 are newly added to the management system 1, the storage unit 470 additionally stores these battery IDs, STIDs, and the like.

The communication unit 410 transmits / receives information to / from the mobile terminal 20, the charging station 200, a weather server (not shown), and the like via the network NW. The communication unit 410 includes, for example, a communication interface such as a wireless module for connecting a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, or a network card for connecting to a network NW. The communication unit 410 receives various information transmitted by the mobile terminal 20, the charging station 200, and a weather server (not shown).

The acquisition unit 420 acquires various information using the communication unit 410. For example, the acquisition unit 420 acquires the battery data 252 transmitted by the charging station 200, the reservation request information transmitted by the mobile terminal 20, and the weather information transmitted by the weather server. Meteorological information includes past meteorological information and future meteorological forecast information. The acquisition unit 420 stores the acquired information in the storage unit 470. The acquisition unit 420 generates and acquires battery total data 472, user total data 474, and charging ST total data 476 based on battery data 252 transmitted by the charging station 200, weather information transmitted by the weather server, and the like. do.

The battery aggregate data 472 is data for all the battery units 100 managed by the management device 400. The user aggregate data 474 is data for all users who have a history of renting out any of all the battery units 100 managed by the management device 400. The charging ST aggregate data 476 is data about the battery unit 100 stored in all the charging stations 200 managed by the management device 400.

The acquisition unit 420 stores the acquired battery total data 472 in the storage unit 470. When the battery total data 472 is stored in the storage unit 470, the acquisition unit 420 reads the battery total data 472 stored in the storage unit 470 and updates the battery total data 472 based on the battery data 252. And store it in the storage unit 470. Similarly, the acquisition unit 420 stores the acquired user aggregate data 474 and the charging ST aggregate data 476 in the storage unit 470. When the user total data 474 and the charge ST total data 476 are stored in the storage unit 470, the acquisition unit 420 reads the user total data 474 and the charge ST total data 476 stored in the storage unit 470 and user totals. The data 474 and the charging ST aggregate data 476 are updated and stored in the storage unit 470.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of battery aggregated data 472. As shown in FIG. 5, the battery aggregate data 472 includes items of battery ID, lending status, lending / returning date and time, and lending / returning SOC. The item of the battery ID is an item indicating the ID included in the battery data 252.

The item of the rental status is an item indicating whether the battery unit 100 is rented from the charging station 200, or if it is stored, in which charging station 200 it is stored. When the battery unit 100 is rented, the item of the rent status is "rented" like the battery 120 whose battery ID is BA001 in FIG. When the battery unit 100 is not rented and is stored in the charging station 200, the item of the rent status is the charging station 200 in which the battery 120 is stored, such as BA002 or BA003 in FIG. It becomes the STID of.

The item of the date and time of lending / returning is an item indicating the date and time when the battery unit 100 was rented from the charging station 200 or returned to the charging station 200. The rental / return date / time item indicates the date / time when the battery unit 100 is rented when the charging station 200 is rented. The rental / return date / time item indicates the date / time when the battery unit 100 was returned to the charging station 200 when the battery unit 100 was stored in the charging station 200.

The item of SOC at the time of lending / returning is an item indicating the SOC at the time of lending or returning the battery unit 100 rented from the charging station 200 or stored in the charging station 200. The item of SOC at the time of rental / return indicates the SOC at the time of rental of the battery unit 100 when the charging station 200 is rented. The rental / return date / time item indicates the SOC at the time of returning the battery unit 100 when the battery unit 100 is stored in the charging station 200.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user aggregated data 474. As shown in FIG. 6, the user aggregated data 474 includes items such as usage history No., rental time zone, holiday information, rental STI, return STRI, movement history, and weather information for each user, and a user ID is attached. .. The item of usage history No. is, for example, an item indicating the number of times the battery unit 100 is lent to the user. For example, the acquisition unit 420 adds a usage history No. every time the battery data 252 is transmitted by the charging station 200. The acquisition unit 420 acquires the following items for each usage history No.

The item of the rental time zone is, for example, an item indicating the time from the rental of the battery unit 100 to the user until the return of the battery unit 100. The holiday information item is an item relating to whether the day when the battery is rented to the user is a weekday or a holiday. The holiday information here is classified into, for example, one of "weekdays", "holidays", and "consecutive holidays". For example, "holiday" is included in "consecutive holidays", but "holiday" corresponding to "consecutive holidays" is included in "consecutive holidays" instead of "holiday". Holidays may be classified as days of the week or weekdays between consecutive holidays. Classifications such as "end of month" and "beginning of month" may be provided. Holiday information and weather information are examples of environmental information. Environmental information is information indicating at least one of the weather, date, or day of the week in the area where the charging device is installed.

The item of the rental STI is an item indicating the STI attached to the charging station 200 in which the battery unit 100 is rented to the user. The item of the returned STI is an item indicating the STI attached to the charging station 200 in which the battery unit 100 is returned by the user. The acquisition unit 420 identifies the charging station that rented out the battery unit 100 based on the battery data 252, and identifies the charging station that returned the battery 120 based on the information of the charging station 200 that transmitted the battery data 252. The acquisition unit 420 acquires the rental STID and the return STID according to the charging station in which the battery unit 100 is rented and the charging station in which the battery unit 100 is returned.

The movement history item is an item indicating the movement history of the user. The acquisition unit 420 acquires the movement history of the user included in the battery data 252 and uses it as the movement history as it is. The item of the weather information is an item indicating the weather in the rental time zone corresponding to the usage history No. The acquisition unit 420 determines and acquires the weather in the rental time zone corresponding to the usage history No. based on the weather information transmitted by the weather server and received by the communication unit 410.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of charging ST aggregate data 476. As shown in FIG. 7, the charging ST aggregate data 476 includes items of STID, location, number of slots, and number of stored batteries. Each item of STID, location, number of slots, and number of stored batteries indicates the STID, location, number of slots, and number of stored batteries corresponding to each of the plurality of charging stations 200. When the acquisition unit 420 acquires the charge ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200, the acquisition unit 420 updates the charge ST aggregate data 476.

The generation unit 430 generates the provision condition estimation model 480 for generating the charge plan data 478 as a learning model. The generation unit 430 generates the provision condition estimation model 480 by machine learning using, for example, each item in the user aggregate data 474 as input data and the charging plan as output data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the generation unit 430 uses data such as the total number of rented batteries, the user's movement range and movement time zone, the location of the charging station 200 and the number of stored batteries, holiday information, and weather information as input data. A supply condition estimation model 480 composed of a neural network model with the supply time and the number of batteries provided (hereinafter referred to as “providing conditions”) of the battery 120 after charging in the charging station 200 as outputs is generated. The provision condition is an example of "charge state". The acquisition unit 420 acquires an estimated value which is the number of provision conditions generated by the generation unit 430.

The generation unit 430 acquires the total number of rented batteries from the battery aggregate data 472. The generation unit 430 acquires the user's movement range, movement time zone, holiday information, and weather information from the user aggregate data 474. The generation unit 430 acquires the location of the charging station and the number of stored batteries from the charging ST aggregate data 476. The generation unit 430 stores the generated provision condition estimation model 480 in the storage unit 470.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the generation process of the provision condition estimation model 480. As shown in FIG. 8, the generation unit 430 generates a provision condition estimation model 480 having an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. Data such as the total number of rented batteries, the user's movement history and movement time zone, the location of the charging station 200 and the number of stored batteries, holiday information, and weather information are input to the input layer. The charging plan is output from the output layer. The hidden layer has a multi-layered neural network connecting the input layer and the output layer. The parameters of the hidden layer are optimized by performing machine learning with the input to the input layer as training data and the data to be output from the output layer as teacher data. Although the generation unit 430 generates the provision condition estimation model 480 by unsupervised learning, the provision condition estimation model 480 may be generated by supervised learning. The total number of rented batteries is an example of the total number of batteries that can be held in the charging device. The information on the total number of rented batteries is an example of operating information indicating the operating status of the batteries.

When the charging plan execution time is reached, the planning unit 440 uses the provision condition estimation model 480 generated by the generation unit 430 and information such as the location of the charging station 200, holiday information, and weather to determine the provision conditions. presume. The charging plan execution time may be arbitrarily set, and may be set, for example, at regular times three times a day, for example, 8:00, 16:00, and 0:00. Alternatively, the charging plan may be executed in response to a request from the outside such as the charging station 200.

The planning unit 440 performs a charging plan based on the estimated provision conditions, and generates charging plan data 478. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of charging plan data 478. As shown in FIG. 9, the charging plan data 478 is data including the number of batteries 120 provided in the battery unit 100 generated for the charging station 200 and stored in the charging station 200 for each provision time.

The planning unit 440 inputs input data such as the total number of rental batteries, the location of charging stations and the number of stored batteries, holiday information, weather information, etc. into the provision condition estimation model 480, and provides the provision conditions of the battery 120 at the target charging station 200. To estimate. The planning unit 440 generates charging plan data 478 based on the estimated provision conditions, and transmits the charging plan data 478 to the charging station 200 using the communication unit 410.

The reservation unit 460 generates reservation information based on the reservation request information when the reservation request information transmitted by the mobile terminal 20 is stored in the storage unit 470. The reservation information includes, for example, information such as the user ID of the user who reserved the battery unit 100, the STID of the reserved charging station 200, and the reservation time. The reservation unit 460 generates the user ID included in the reservation request information as the user ID of the reservation information. The reservation unit 460 generates the STID information of the charging station 200 reserved based on the information of the charging station 200 that wants to rent the battery unit 100 included in the reservation request information. The reservation unit 460 generates reservation information based on the information on the desired rental time included in the reservation request information. The reservation unit 460 transmits the generated reservation information to the charging station that rents out the battery unit 100 using the communication unit 410.

Next, an example of processing in the management device 400 will be described. The management device 400 updates the provision condition estimation model 480 when the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200 is received. The management device 400 generates the charging plan data 478 and transmits it to the charging station 200 when the charging plan execution time is reached. Therefore, first, the process when the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200 is received will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 400. The flow shown in FIG. 10 shows the flow when the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200 is received. The management device 400 determines in the communication unit 410 whether or not the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200 has been received (step S110). If it is determined that the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 has not been received, the management device 400 repeats the process of step S110 until the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 is received.

When it is determined that the battery data 252 or the charging ST data 254 has been received, the acquisition unit 420 reads the battery total data 472 from the storage unit 470 and updates the battery total data 472 based on the battery data 252 (step S120). Specifically, the acquisition unit 420 updates the data information according to the battery aggregate data 472 or the charge ST data 254 battery ID. The acquisition unit 420 stores the updated battery aggregate data 472 in the storage unit 470.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 420 reads the user aggregated data 474 from the storage unit 470 and updates the user aggregated data 474 based on the battery data 252 (step S130). Specifically, the acquisition unit 420 adds the usage history of the user ID data corresponding to the battery data 252 in the user aggregate data 474. In adding the usage history, the acquisition unit 420 also refers to the weather information transmitted by the weather server. The acquisition unit 420 stores the updated user aggregate data 474 in the storage unit 470.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 420 reads the charge ST aggregate data 476 from the storage unit 470 and updates the charge ST aggregate data 476 based on the charge ST data 254 (step S140). Specifically, the acquisition unit 420 updates the item of the number of stored batteries in the charging ST aggregate data 476 to the number of stored batteries included in the charging ST data 254. The acquisition unit 420 stores the updated charge ST total data 476 in the storage unit 470.

Subsequently, the generation unit 430 reads out the user aggregate data 474 and the provision condition estimation model 480 stored in the storage unit 470, performs machine learning, and updates the provision condition estimation model 480 (step S150). The generation unit 430 stores the updated provision condition estimation model 480 in the storage unit 470. In this way, the management device 400 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 400. The flow shown in FIG. 11 shows the flow when the charging plan execution time is reached. It is determined whether or not the charging plan execution time has been reached (step S210). If it is determined that the charging plan execution time has not been reached, the management device 400 repeats the process of step S210 until the charging plan execution time is reached.

When it is determined that the charging plan execution time has been reached, the planning unit 440 reads out the charging ST aggregate data 476, the weather forecast information, and the provision condition estimation model 480 stored in the storage unit 470 (step S220). Subsequently, the planning unit 440 inputs the location, holiday information, weather, etc. of the charging station 200 included in the charging ST aggregate data 476 into the provision condition estimation model 480, and estimates the provision conditions of the battery unit 100 in the charging station 200. (Step S230).

Subsequently, the planning unit 440 performs a charging plan based on the estimated provision conditions, and generates charging plan data 478 (step S240). The planning unit 440 transmits the generated charging plan data 478 to the charging station 200, which is the target for generating the charging plan, using the communication unit 410 (step S250). In this way, the management device 400 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The charging station 200 that has received the charging plan data 478 transmitted by the management device 400 starts charging the battery 120 of the battery unit 100 housed in the slot portion 221 of the charging device 220 based on the received charging plan data 478. Adjust the time. The charge control unit 246 in the charging station 200 reads out the charge ST data 254 stored in the ST storage unit 250 and the charge plan data 478, and accommodates each of the slot units 221 based on the charge ST data 254 and the charge plan data 478. The scheduled charging completion date and time and the scheduled charging start date and time of the battery 120 housed in the unit are calculated.

First, the charge control unit 246 acquires the number of battery units 100 to be provided, which is estimated to be necessary for the supply time, based on the charge plan data 478. Subsequently, the charge control unit 246 refers to the charge ST data 254, and the time required for the battery 120 to be fully charged based on the SOC at the time of returning the battery 120 accommodated in each accommodating unit of the slot unit 221. (Hereinafter referred to as "required charging time") is calculated. The charge control unit 246 calculates the provision time as the scheduled charging completion date and time and the time before the required charging time as the scheduled charging start date and time for the number of battery units 100 estimated to be required for the provision time. , Set to charge ST data 254. For the battery units 100 that exceed the number provided, the battery 120 is not started to be charged, but is put on standby for charging. The required charging time is an example of the charging duration, which is an element of the charging period. When setting the charging period, the charging control unit 246 may calculate the charging period using the scheduled charging completion date and time and the scheduled charging start date and time, or calculate the charging period using the scheduled charging completion date and time and the required charging time. You may.

For example, in the charging station 200, it is assumed that five battery units 100 are stored in the charging station 200 at 14:00, and the number of battery units 100 provided is three at the provision time of 15:00. In this case, the charge control unit 246 uses the battery 120 of the three battery units 100 having the larger charge SOC of the battery 120 as the battery 120 to be charged among the five battery units 100. The charge control unit 246 sets the scheduled charge completion date and time for the battery 120 to be charged at 15:00 on the day. As described above, the charge control unit 246 sets the target battery to be charged in order from the battery 120 having the slot unit 221 of the charging station 220, in order from the battery having the largest charge amount.

Subsequently, the charge control unit 246 calculates the required charge time for the three battery units 100 whose scheduled charge completion date and time is set at 15:00 on the current day. The required charging time becomes shorter as the SOC at the time of return becomes larger. The charge control unit 246 calculates and sets the scheduled charge start date and time by subtracting the required charging time from the scheduled charge completion date and time. For example, when the scheduled charging completion date and time is 15:00 on the current day and the required charging time is 20 minutes, the charge control unit 246 sets the battery charge amount to a predetermined amount (for example, SOC) at a time 20 minutes back from 15:00. = 100 [%]) is assumed as the latest start timing that can be reached, and the time or a time with a certain margin (for example, a time with a certain number [min]) is set as the charge start date and time. 246 starts charging the battery 120 at 14:40, which is the charging start date and time.

The charge control unit 246 sets the scheduled charge start date and time for each battery unit 100 housed in the slot unit 221 of the charging device 220. The charge control unit 246 starts charging the battery 120 when the date and time reaches the scheduled charging start date and time, and provides a battery unit 100 including a predetermined amount, for example, the number of delivered batteries 120 that have reached full charge. Prepare for.

The management device 400 according to the first embodiment described above generates a charging plan for the battery 120 for starting charging of the battery 120 at the timing when the battery unit 100 is provided. Therefore, the management device 400 can make the charging station 200 prepare as many batteries as necessary for lending. The management device 400 generates charging plan data 478 including the number of battery units 100 provided during the providing time and transmits the charging plan data 478 to the charging station 200. Therefore, the management device 400 can set the charging of the battery 120 to start at the latest charging start timing that can fully charge the charge amount of the battery 120 at the timing when the battery 120 is provided.

If the battery 120 has a large amount of charge and the SOC continues to be high, the deterioration of the battery 120 tends to progress. Especially in the summer when the temperature and humidity are high, the deterioration of the battery 120 tends to progress. Therefore, if the battery 120 is left unnecessarily charged, the battery 120 may be deteriorated, shortening the life of the battery 120 or reducing the commercial value of the battery 120. In this respect, the management device 400 according to the first embodiment starts charging the battery 120 at the latest charging start timing capable of fully charging the charge amount of the battery 120 according to the timing when the battery 120 is provided. Can be done. Therefore, according to the management device 400 of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the battery 120 is deteriorated to shorten the life of the battery 120 or reduce the commercial value of the battery 120.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of changes in SOC in the battery 120 stored in the charging station 200. In FIG. 12, as shown by the bar graphs R1 to R4 after the time t5, it is assumed that the number of provided pieces increases during the provided time. For example, in the charging station 200, it is assumed that the battery unit 100 is lent out until the time t1 and the SOC is lowered, and then the battery unit 100 is gradually returned from the time t2.

In this case, if charging of the battery 120 is started immediately after the battery unit 100 is returned, the battery 120 is fully charged at the time t3 as shown in the first SOC change graph L1 shown by the broken line. After that, this state will continue until time t5. On the other hand, when the charging plan is performed by the management device 400, the charging start time is delayed until the time t4 as shown in the second SOC change graph L2 shown by the solid line. As a result, the time from when the battery 120 is fully charged until it is rented can be shortened by the shortened time T100 shown in FIG.

The management device 400 according to the first embodiment described above is provided by inputting input information including the movement history of the electric vehicle 10 equipped with the battery 120 into the provision condition estimation model 480 obtained by machine learning. To get. Therefore, the provision conditions in the charging station 200 can be estimated accurately.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The management device 400 according to the first embodiment generates the provision time and the provision condition of the number of provisions as a charging plan, while the management device 400 according to the second embodiment is scheduled to start charging at the charging station 200 and to complete charging. Generate the date and time as a charging plan. The planning unit 440 performs a charging plan based on the charging ST aggregate data 484.

In the second embodiment, the management device 400 generates the provision condition estimation model 482 shown in FIG. 13 by the generation unit 430. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the generation process of the provision condition estimation model 482. Data such as the total number of rented batteries, the user's movement history and movement time zone, the location of the charging station 200 and the number of stored batteries, holiday information, and weather information are input to the input layer of the provision condition estimation model 480. From the output layer, the serving time of the battery 120 stored in the charging station 200 is output. When a plurality of batteries 120 are stored in the charging station 200, the first provision time, the second provision time, ... Integer) is output. The provided condition estimation model 482 may be generated in either supervised learning or unsupervised learning.

The planning unit 440 calculates the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time of each battery 120 stored in the charging station 200 based on the generated provision conditions, and updates the charging ST aggregate data 484. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of charging ST aggregate data 484. In the management device 400 according to the second embodiment, the items in the charging ST aggregate data 484 include the STID of each charging station 200 and each item of the location, the slot number for the number of slots in the charging device 220, and the number of stored batteries. The items of battery ID, return date and time, SOC at the time of return, scheduled charge start date and time, and scheduled charge completion date and time are included. These items are common to the items included in the charging ST data 254 transmitted by the charging station 200.

The planning unit 440 inputs information such as the location of the charging station 200, the number of stored batteries, holiday information, and the weather into the provision condition estimation model 482, and estimates the provision time for the number of provisions. For example, the planning unit 440 charges when the number of batteries 120 stored in the charging station 200 is the same as the number provided or when the number of batteries 120 stored in the charging station 200 is less than the number provided. Set the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time for all the batteries stored in the station 200.

When the number of batteries 120 stored in the charging station 200 is larger than the number provided, the planning unit 440 plans to start charging and complete charging from the number of batteries 120 stored in the charging station 200 provided. Select the battery 120 for which you want to set the date and time. In this case, the planning unit 440 sets the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time of the unselected battery 120 as "charge standby".

The planning unit 440 calculates the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time based on the provision time. In this case, the planning unit 440 first calculates the provision time as it is as the scheduled charge completion time. The planning unit 440 sets any one of the first provision time to the kth provision time as the scheduled charging completion date and time of any one of the batteries 120. The planning unit 440 sets the scheduled charging completion date and time, for example, excluding the battery 120 for which the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time have already been set. The planning unit 440 calculates the required charging time for the battery 120 for which the scheduled charging completion date and time has been set, based on the SOC at the time of return, and calculates the scheduled charging start date and time based on the scheduled charging completion date and time and the required charging time.

The planning unit 440 updates the charging ST aggregate data 484 based on the calculated charging start scheduled date and time and charging completion scheduled date and time. The planning unit 440 extracts the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time from the updated charging ST aggregate data 484, and generates charging planning data. The charging plan data is data corresponding to the charging station 200 as the transmission destination. The planning unit 440 transmits the generated charging plan data to the corresponding charging station 200 by using the communication unit 410.

The charging station 200 receives the charging plan data transmitted by the management device 400. The charging control unit 246 in the charging station 200 sets the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time included in the charging plan data received by using the ST communication unit 242. The charge control unit 246 adjusts the charge start time of the battery 120 included in the battery unit 100 housed in each accommodating unit of the slot unit 221 in the charging device 220 based on the set scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time. do.

Next, the processing when the charging plan execution time in the second embodiment is reached will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 400. The management device 400 determines whether or not the charging plan execution time has been reached (step S310), and if it is determined that the charging plan execution time has not been reached, the management device 400 repeats the process of step S210 until the charging plan execution time is reached.

Subsequently, when it is determined that the charging plan execution time has been reached, the management device 400 reads out the provision condition estimation model 482 and the like (step S320), and estimates the provision condition (step S330). After estimating the provision conditions, the planning unit 440 calculates the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time of the battery 120 for the battery unit 100 housed in the accommodating unit of each slot unit 221 in the charging station 200 (step S340). ).

The planning unit 440 calculates the scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time for the battery 120 whose scheduled charging start date and time and scheduled charging completion date and time are waiting for charging. The planning unit 440 updates the charging ST total data 484 based on the calculated scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time of the battery 120, and stores it in the storage unit 470. The planning unit 440 generates charging plan data based on the calculated charging start date and time and charging completion scheduled date and time. The planning unit 440 transmits the generated charging plan data to the charging station 200 corresponding to the charging plan using the communication unit 410 (step S350). In this way, the management device 400 ends the process shown in FIG.

The management device 400 according to the second embodiment has the same function and effect as the management device 400 according to the first embodiment. The management device 400 according to the second embodiment is included in the battery unit 100 housed in each storage unit of the slot unit 221 in the charging device 220 in each charging station 200 as well as the providing time and the number of units provided as a charging plan. The scheduled charging start date and time and the scheduled charging completion date and time of the battery 120 are calculated. Therefore, the burden on the ST control device 240 in the charging station 200 can be reduced as compared with the management device 400 according to the first embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, "the latest charging start timing capable of reaching the predetermined amount of battery charge" (hereinafter referred to as "first timing") and "the charge amount of the battery can reach the predetermined amount". Although the "charging timing based on the latest possible charging start timing" (hereinafter referred to as "second timing") is used as the common timing, the first timing and the second timing may be different timings. For example, the second charging timing may be set to a predetermined time before the first timing, for example, 10 minutes or 30 minutes before. In particular, in the winter season, the battery 120 can be sufficiently warmed up by advancing the second timing to earlier than the first timing.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the battery unit 100 lent to the user is displayed on the authentication / display 223, but it may be displayed on another display or the like. For example, a light such as a spotlight may be provided in each accommodating portion of the slot portion 221 to notify the user of the battery unit 100 to be rented to the user by turning on or blinking the light. In the above embodiment, the generation unit 430 in the management device 400 generates the provision condition estimation model 480, and the planning unit 440 performs the charging plan using the provision condition estimation model 480, but performs the charging plan by another aspect. You may. For example, the planning unit 440 may perform a charging plan based on a rule base based on each data input to the input layer of the provision condition estimation model 480, for example. The provision condition is an estimated value of the provision condition generated by the generation unit 430, but the provision condition may be other than the estimated value of the provision condition generated by the generation unit 430. The provision condition acquired by the acquisition unit 420 is, for example, an estimated value of the provision condition generated by the generation unit 430, but it may also be a provision condition such as a specified value input by the user without using machine learning. good.

In the above-described embodiment, the charge control unit 246 calculates and determines the charging period as the charging mode of the battery 120, but instead of the charging period, the charging speed of the battery 120 may be calculated and determined. For example, the charge control unit 246 plans to slow down the charging speed and start charging when the scheduled charging completion date and time is 15:00 on the current day, which is 14:40 in the above-described embodiment. The hour and time may be set to, for example, 14:30. The charge control unit 246 may determine the charging speed without determining the scheduled charging completion date and time and the scheduled charging start date and time.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the plurality of accommodating portions are movable, but a plurality of accommodating portions may be fixed. Although the turntable is used as a structure for moving the accommodating portion, other means such as a slider may be used. In this case, the moving mechanism may be, for example, a so-called puzzle-type moving structure.

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.

1 ... Management system 10 ... Electric vehicle 20 ... Mobile terminal 100 ... Battery unit 120 ... Battery 140 ... Battery communication unit 160 ... Self-position detection unit 180 ... Battery control device 182 ... Battery control unit 184 ... Battery storage unit 200 ... Charging station 220 ... Charging device 240 ... ST control device 242 ... ST communication unit 244 ... ST control unit 246 ... Charge control unit 250 ... ST storage unit 252 ... Battery data 254 ... Charging ST data 400 ... Management device 410 ... Communication unit 420 ... Acquisition unit 430 ... Generation unit 440 ... Planning unit 450 ... Selection unit 460 ... Reservation unit 470 ... Storage unit 472 ... Battery aggregated data 474 ... User aggregated data 476,484 ... Charging ST aggregated data 478 ... Charging plan data 480, 482 ... Provision condition estimation model

Claims (20)

A charging unit that charges a battery that supplies power to a power device that uses power,
An acquisition unit that acquires an estimated value of the state of charge of the battery by the charging unit, and
A determination unit for determining the charging mode of the battery so that the charging state of the battery satisfies the estimated value of the charging state acquired by the acquisition unit.
A charge control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the battery based on the charging mode of the battery determined by the determination unit is provided.
Charging device. The charging mode includes at least one of a charging period or a charging speed at which the battery is charged by the charging unit.
The determination unit determines at least one of the charging period and the charging speed so as to satisfy the estimated value of the state of charge.
The charging device according to claim 1. Factors that specify the charging period include a charging start date and time when the charging unit starts charging the battery, a charging end date and time when the charging unit ends charging the battery, and charging of the battery by the charging unit. Includes the battery charge duration from start to finish,
The determination unit determines at least one of the charging start date and time, the charging end date and time, or the charging duration so as to satisfy the estimated value of the charging state.
The charging device according to claim 2. In determining the charging start date and time, the determination unit determines the latest date and time as the charging start date and time among the dates and times that satisfy the estimated value of the charging state.
The charging device according to claim 3. When the determination unit determines the charging start date and time, the charge control unit prohibits charging by the charging unit before the charging start date and time.
The charging device according to claim 3 or 4. The element for specifying the charging state includes a target date and time, which is a target date and time, and a target charging amount, which is a target charging amount at the target date and time.
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The battery is removable from the power device and is removable.
Further provided with a holding unit for detachably holding the plurality of the batteries,
The target charge amount includes the number of the batteries and the target charge amount of each of the batteries.
The charging device according to claim 6. The charge control unit targets the battery to be charged in order from the battery having the largest charge amount among the plurality of batteries held by the holding unit.
The charging device according to claim 7. The target date and time is determined based on the date and time when the user starts using the battery.
The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The element for specifying the charging state includes a target date and time, which is a target date and time, and a target charging amount, which is a target charging amount at the target date and time.
In determining the charging end date and time, the determination unit determines the date and time according to the target date and time as the charging end date and time.
The charging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The electric power device is a mobile body that can be moved by using the electric power supplied from the battery.
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The battery is a battery shared by a plurality of users.
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A generator that generates an estimated value of the state of charge based on the movement information of the battery is further provided.
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The generation unit generates the estimated value of the state of charge by machine learning using the movement information as input data.
The charging device according to claim 13. The generator generates the estimated value of the state of charge based on the information on the location of the charging device.
The charging device according to claim 14. The battery is removable from the power device and is removable.
The generation unit generates the estimated value of the state of charge based on the information on the number of holdings of the battery in the charging device.
The charging device according to claim 15. The generator generates the estimated value of the charging state based on environmental information indicating at least one of the weather or date or day of the week in the area where the charging device is installed.
The charging device according to claim 15 or 16. The computer of the charging device,
Obtaining an estimated value of the state of charge of the battery by the charging unit that charges the battery that supplies electric power to the electric power device that uses electric power.
The state of charge of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery to satisfy the estimated value of the acquired state of charge.
Based on the determined charging mode of the battery, the charging unit is controlled to charge the battery.
Charging method. To the computer of the charging device,
An estimated value of the state of charge of the battery is acquired by the charging unit that charges the battery that supplies electric power to the electric power device that uses electric power.
The state of charge of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery to satisfy the estimated value of the acquired state of charge.
Based on the determined charging mode of the battery, the charging unit is controlled to charge the battery.
program. To the computer of the charging device,
An estimated value of the state of charge of the battery is acquired by the charging unit that charges the battery that supplies electric power to the electric power device that uses electric power.
The state of charge of the battery determines the charging mode of the battery to satisfy the estimated value of the acquired state of charge.
Based on the determined charging mode of the battery, the charging unit is controlled to charge the battery.
A storage medium that stores a program.

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