TW202422992A - Swapping-type shared-battery charging facility - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention promotes wide-spread use of charging facilities for shared batteries to be used for a battery sharing service. A swapping-type shared-battery charging facility according to the present invention is equipped with a plurality of slots capable of accommodating and charging shared batteries to be used for a battery sharing service, and performs a pair of operations involving receiving used shared batteries for storage into vacant slots and permitting retrieval of charged shared batteries from slots. The swapping-type shared-battery charging facility comprises a rapid-charging-standard power reception unit to be electrically connected to a plug-in-vehicle-shared rapid-charging facility in compliance with a rapid charging standard to enable reception of power from and communication with the plug-in-vehicle-shared rapid-charging facility, and a swapping-type shared-battery charging control unit capable of performing battery swapping by charging a shared battery accommodated in a slot with power supplied from the plug-in-vehicle-shared rapid-charging facility via the rapid-charging-standard power reception unit so as to be used for the battery sharing service.

Description

Replaceable shared battery charging equipment

The present invention relates to a replacement shared battery charging device.

In recent years, similar to automobiles, electric straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles, electric two-wheeled vehicles and hybrid electric two-wheeled vehicles that use electricity to drive are also being developed. As electric straddle-type vehicles, it is also considered to be a straddle-type vehicle with a detachable battery. By making the battery of the electric straddle-type vehicle detachable, the battery of the electric straddle-type vehicle with a low charge level can be removed and replaced with a fully charged battery and installed in the electric straddle-type vehicle.

A battery sharing service (e.g., non-patent document 1) has been disclosed that uses a replaceable battery as a shared battery (shared battery) shared by multiple users. A service provider (manager) of a battery sharing service provides a shared battery shared by multiple users. In a battery sharing service, for example, when a user uses a shared battery, the user rents a charged shared battery from the service provider. The shared battery whose charge level has decreased after use is returned to the service provider by the user who used it. The shared battery returned to the service provider is charged again and rented to the user or other users. A shared battery charging device (e.g., patent document 1) has been disclosed that is capable of accommodating and storing such a shared battery and charging it while being accommodated.

The shared battery charging device described in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of slots capable of accommodating and charging shared batteries used for battery sharing services. In the shared battery charging device, it is configured to be able to accept used shared batteries in empty slots and allow charged shared batteries to be taken out of the slots. In this way, battery swapping can be realized in the shared battery charging device, that is, the shared battery used by the user after being discharged is exchanged with the charged shared battery accommodated in the shared battery charging device. The shared battery charging device is supplied with power for charging by a commercial power source. The shared battery that can be charged by this swap-type shared battery charging device that can realize battery replacement is not limited to electric straddle-type vehicles, and can also be used in vehicles such as small electric cars, and can also be used in various electrical devices. In the shared battery charging device, the user's discharged shared battery can be easily exchanged with the shared battery charged by the swap-type shared battery charging device, and the user himself can also reduce the time for charging the shared battery. Prior art literature Patent literature

Patent document 1: Japanese application publication No. 2022-016983 Non-patent document

Non-patent document 1: Gachaco Co., Ltd., "Quick battery replacement. Gachaco", [online], March 30, 2022, ENEOS Group, [retrieved September 7, 2022], Internet <URL: https://gachaco.co.jp/>

[The problem the invention is trying to solve]

By popularizing such a replacement shared battery charging device, it is possible to create an infrastructure for shared battery charging devices for battery sharing services. Therefore, it is necessary to popularize shared battery charging devices for battery sharing services. The purpose of the present invention is to popularize shared battery charging devices for battery sharing services. [Technical means for solving the problem]

Due to the trend of electrification of automobiles, the number of fast charging stations equipped with shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles that can quickly charge automobiles is increasing in public places such as gas stations and parking lots. The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is configured to directly and quickly charge plug-in electric vehicles equipped with batteries and a power receiving unit for battery charging. The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles supplies power by communicating with plug-in electric vehicles that meet international standard fast charging specifications, thereby enabling fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles.

The inventors of the present invention have studied the popularization of replaceable shared battery charging equipment by using shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. Specifically, a fast charging specification power receiving unit and a replaceable shared battery charging control unit are provided in the replaceable shared battery charging equipment. The fast charging specification power receiving unit complies with the fast charging specification and is electrically connected to the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles so as to be able to receive power from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles and communicate with the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. The replaceable shared battery charging control unit uses the power supplied from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot for use in the battery sharing service. Thereby, the replaceable shared battery charging control unit can realize battery replacement.

The replaceable shared battery charging equipment is electrically connected to the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, and can charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot with the power supplied from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. That is, the replaceable shared battery charging equipment can charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot with the power output by the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. In this case, the replaceable shared battery charging equipment can charge the shared battery even if it is not connected to a high-power commercial power source for charging the shared battery. Therefore, as long as the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is installed, the replaceable shared battery charging equipment can be installed even if the introduction project of a separate commercial power source for charging the shared battery, such as a high-power commercial power source, is not carried out. As a result, for example, the replacement shared battery charging equipment can be installed more easily than in the case of carrying out the installation of a separate commercial power source for shared battery charging.

In addition, the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles can be installed near the parking space where the plug-in vehicle is parked when charging. For example, when the replacement shared battery charging equipment constructed in the above manner is installed around the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, for example, a vehicle carrying or transporting a shared battery for battery replacement can use the above parking space when replacing the shared battery.

Therefore, by configuring the swappable shared battery charging device in the above manner, it is possible to popularize the shared battery charging device used in the battery sharing service. That is, the swappable shared battery charging device can provide a new method for more widely popularizing the shared battery charging device.

In order to achieve the above purpose, according to one viewpoint of the present invention, a replaceable shared battery charging device has the following structure. (1) A replaceable shared battery charging device having a plurality of slots capable of accommodating and charging shared batteries used for battery sharing services, and configured to realize battery replacement by accepting used shared batteries in empty slots in pairs and allowing charged shared batteries to be taken out of the slots. The replaceable shared battery charging device has the following characteristics, namely: A fast charging specification power receiving unit that complies with the fast charging specification and is electrically connected to a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles so as to be able to receive power from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and communicate with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles; and The replacement shared battery charging control unit utilizes the power supplied from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot for use in the battery sharing service, thereby realizing the battery replacement.

The replaceable shared battery charging device of (1) has a fast charging specification power receiving unit and a replaceable shared battery charging control unit. The replaceable shared battery charging device has a plurality of slots capable of accommodating and charging shared batteries used for battery sharing services. The replaceable shared battery charging device accepts used shared batteries in empty slots and allows charged shared batteries to be removed from the slots in pairs. Thus, the replaceable shared battery charging device is configured to enable battery replacement. The fast charging specification power receiving unit complies with the fast charging specification and is electrically connected to the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles so as to receive power from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and communicate with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles. The swap-type shared battery charging control unit uses the power supplied by the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles through the fast charging specification receiving unit to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot for use in the battery sharing service. In this way, the swap-type shared battery charging control unit can realize battery replacement.

The replaceable shared battery charging device of (1) can be electrically connected to the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles, and use the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot. That is, the replaceable shared battery charging device can use the power output from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot. Therefore, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (1) can charge the shared battery even if it is not connected to a high-power commercial power source for charging the shared battery. Therefore, as long as the place has been installed with a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (1) can be installed even if the introduction project of a commercial power source for charging the shared battery, such as a high-power commercial power source, is not carried out. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where a separate commercial power source for shared battery charging is introduced, the replacement type shared battery charging equipment of (1) can be easily installed.

Furthermore, the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (1) has a fast charging specification power receiving unit electrically connected to the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, and can be installed near the parking space where the plug-in vehicle is parked when charging. For example, when the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (1) is installed around the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, for example, a vehicle carrying or transporting a shared battery for battery replacement can use the above-mentioned parking space when replacing the shared battery.

Therefore, according to the replaceable shared battery charging device of (1), it is possible to popularize the charging device of the shared battery used in the battery sharing service.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (2) The replaceable shared battery charging device as described in (1), wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured as follows: by communicating with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit, the power for charging the shared battery is received from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit.

In the replaceable shared battery charging device of (2), the replaceable shared battery charging control unit communicates with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit. Thereby, the replaceable shared battery charging control unit performs the following control, namely, receiving the supply of electric power for charging the shared battery from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit. Therefore, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (2) can utilize more types of existing shared fast charging devices for plug-in vehicles. Thereby, according to the replaceable shared battery charging device of (2), the charging equipment for shared batteries used for battery sharing services can be further popularized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (3) The replaceable shared battery charging device as in (1) or (2), wherein the above-mentioned fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured to be removable and installable to a charging plug that is provided on the above-mentioned plug-in vehicle shared type fast charging device and complies with the above-mentioned fast charging specification. The above-mentioned removal means that when the above-mentioned charging plug is used to quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle, it is removed from the above-mentioned fast charging specification power receiving unit to connect to the plug-in electric vehicle. The above-mentioned installation means that when the above-mentioned charging plug is not used to quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle, it is installed on the above-mentioned fast charging specification power receiving unit to electrically connect the above-mentioned plug-in vehicle shared type fast charging device with the above-mentioned fast charging specification power receiving unit.

In the replaceable shared battery charging device of (3), the fast charging specification power receiving part is configured to be able to remove and install the charging plug of the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles. When charging the plug-in electric vehicle, the charging plug is removed from the fast charging specification power receiving part of the replaceable shared battery charging device to connect to the plug-in electric vehicle. In contrast, when not charging the plug-in electric vehicle, the charging plug is installed in the fast charging specification power receiving part of the replaceable shared battery charging device. That is, the charging plug is moved back to the replaceable shared battery charging device. Therefore, the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle can be implemented solely by the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, without going through the replacement shared battery charging equipment, and the shared battery can be charged when the plug-in electric vehicle is not charged. Therefore, the time when the plug-in electric vehicle is not charged is effectively utilized. Therefore, the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (3) can utilize the existing shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles to charge the shared battery in addition to the plug-in electric vehicle. Thereby, according to the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (3), the charging equipment of the shared battery used for the battery sharing service can be popularized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (4) A replaceable shared battery charging device as in (1) or (2), wherein the fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured to be connected to a charging plug, the charging plug being provided in the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and complying with the fast charging specification, the replaceable shared battery charging device further having an extended charging plug that can be connected to a plug-in electric vehicle and complying with the fast charging specification.

(4) The replaceable shared battery charging device is equipped with an extended charging plug. The extended charging plug can be connected to a plug-in electric vehicle. When the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle via the fast charging specification receiving unit is supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle through the extended charging plug. In contrast, when the plug-in electric vehicle is not being charged, the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle is supplied to the shared battery via the fast charging specification receiving unit connected to the charging plug. When charging a plug-in electric vehicle, the power of the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles can be used. When not charging the plug-in electric vehicle, the power of the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles can be used to charge the shared battery. Therefore, the time when the plug-in electric vehicle is not charged is effectively utilized. Therefore, the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (4) can utilize the existing shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles to charge shared batteries in addition to plug-in electric vehicles. Thereby, according to the replacement shared battery charging equipment of (4), the charging equipment for shared batteries used in battery sharing services can be popularized. Furthermore, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (1) or (2) can also be configured to have the configuration of (3) or (4).

According to one aspect of the present invention, the replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (5) The replaceable shared battery charging device as in (4), wherein the fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured so that the charging plug is connected in a manner that prevents or inhibits the user from removing the charging plug.

(5) The charging plug is configured to prevent or inhibit the user from removing the charging plug. Therefore, the user can be encouraged to use the extended charging plug to charge the plug-in electric vehicle instead of the charging plug. In this way, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (5) can more effectively popularize the charging device of the shared battery used in the battery sharing service. Furthermore, the form that can prevent or inhibit the user from removing the charging plug is not particularly limited, and for example, the following forms can be cited. A configuration in which a mechanism (e.g., a locking mechanism) is provided for prohibiting the removal of the charging plug from the fast charging specification power receiving unit; A configuration in which the fast charging specification power receiving unit to which the charging plug is connected is provided at a position that is not visible or difficult to be visible to the user; and A configuration in which a member (cover member) is provided that covers the connection portion between the fast charging specification power receiving unit and the charging plug in a manner that is not accessible or difficult to be accessible to the user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (6) The replaceable shared battery charging device as in (4) or (5), wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured such that when the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle via the fast charging specification power receiving unit is supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle via the extended charging plug instead of via the shared battery.

According to the replacement shared battery charging device of (6), the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle is implemented without using a shared battery. With a relatively simple structure, the battery replacement and the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle can be realized in the same device. The charging device of the shared battery can be more efficiently popularized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a replaceable shared battery charging device may be configured as follows. (7) A replaceable shared battery charging device as in any one of (4) to (6), wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured such that, when the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, in addition to the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle via the fast charging specification power receiving unit instead of via the shared battery, the power discharged from the shared battery is also supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle via the extended charging plug.

In the replaceable shared battery charging device of (7), when the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, in addition to the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle, the power discharged from the shared battery is also supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle. Therefore, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (7) can simultaneously supply the plug-in electric vehicle with both the power from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle and the power from the shared battery. In this way, the replaceable shared battery charging device of (7) can supply the plug-in electric vehicle with a power greater than the power supplied by the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle. As a result, the swap-type shared battery charging device of (7) can quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle at a rate higher than the fast charging rate of the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles. Thus, according to the swap-type shared battery charging device of (7), the charging device for shared batteries used in battery sharing services can be popularized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery sharing service system can adopt the following structure. (8) A battery sharing service system comprising: A replaceable shared battery charging device as described in any one of (1) to (7); and A battery sharing service management server capable of communicating with the replaceable shared battery charging device; and The replaceable shared battery charging device sends management data and power data to the battery sharing service management server, wherein the management data is data indicating the shared battery taken out from the slot of the replaceable shared battery charging device, i.e., the provided battery, and the power data is data corresponding to the power charged to the provided battery from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification receiving unit, and the battery sharing service management server stores the management data of the provided battery and the power data in correspondence.

The battery sharing service system of (8) comprises any one of the replaceable shared battery charging devices of (1) to (7), and a battery sharing service management server. The battery sharing service management server can communicate with any one of the replaceable shared battery charging devices of (1) to (7). In the battery sharing service system of (8), the user of the battery sharing service takes out a shared battery from the slot of the replaceable shared battery charging device. The replaceable shared battery charging device sends management data indicating that the taken out shared battery is a provided battery, and power data corresponding to the power charged to the provided battery to the battery sharing service management server. Here, the power to charge the provided battery is supplied from a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via a fast charging specification power receiving unit of the replaceable shared battery charging device. Furthermore, the management data of the provided battery is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, identification data of a replaceable shared battery charging device and a slot for charging the provided battery, identification data of the provided battery, or identification data of a user who is allowed to remove the provided battery, or a combination of any two or more of these identification data. Furthermore, the power data may be, for example, data representing the power amount, or data representing the fee corresponding to the power amount. The battery sharing service management server stores the management data of the provided battery received from the replaceable shared battery charging device in correspondence with the power data. The battery sharing service management server may also be, for example, a billing management server, which is responsible for managing the billing of users of the battery sharing service.

The battery sharing service management server of the battery sharing service system of (8) will establish a corresponding memory for the management data of the provided battery and the power data. Thereby, for example, the provider of the battery sharing service can calculate the charging fee of the battery sharing service based on the management data and power data stored in the battery sharing service management server. In this way, according to the battery sharing service system of (8), the management data of the provided battery and the power data will be established in a corresponding memory, so that the user can pay for the battery sharing service instead of the shared fast charging equipment or its service for plug-in vehicles. In other words, according to the battery sharing service system of (8), the management data of the provided battery and the power data are stored in correspondence, so that the charging of users related to the battery sharing service is independent of the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles or its service, and can be implemented in the battery sharing service. As a result, by electrically connecting the replacement shared battery charging device and the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles, on the one hand, there is a physical connection as a device, and on the other hand, regarding the charging of users related to the battery sharing service, the battery sharing service system can be separated from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles or its service. Therefore, according to the battery sharing service system of (8), efficient management of battery sharing service users, such as billing management, can be achieved, and charging equipment for shared batteries used in battery sharing services can be popularized.

The professional terms used in this specification are only for defining specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and/or" used in this specification includes one or more of all the components or all combinations of the relevant examples. When used in this specification, the terms "including", "comprising" or "having" and their variations are used to specify the existence of the recorded features, processes, operations, elements, components and/or their equivalents, which may include steps, actions, elements, components, and/or one or more of these groups. When used in this specification, the terms "install", "connect", "couple" and/or their equivalents are widely used, including both direct and indirect installation, connection and coupling. Furthermore, "connection" and "coupling" may include direct or indirect electrical connection or coupling, but are not limited to physical or mechanical connection or coupling. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical terms and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by the industry to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the relevant technology and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted as idealized or overly formalized meanings unless clearly defined in this specification. In the description of the present invention, it is understood that multiple technologies and processes are disclosed. Each of them has different advantages, and each can also be used together with one or more of the other disclosed technologies or with all disclosed technologies as appropriate. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, the description avoids unnecessary repetition of all possible combinations of steps. However, when reading the specification and the patent application, it should be understood that such combinations are within the scope of the present invention and the claims.

In this specification, a new replacement shared battery charging device is described. In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details are described to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to the industry that the present invention can be implemented without these specific details. This disclosure should be regarded as an example of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific implementation method shown by the following figures or descriptions.

Battery sharing is a mechanism for multiple users to share batteries. Individuals owning batteries separately does not belong to battery sharing. Battery sharing service is a service that provides batteries shared by multiple users. Batteries used in battery sharing service are called shared batteries. In battery sharing service, for example, when a user uses a shared battery, the user rents a charged shared battery from the service provider. The shared battery that is discharged due to use, that is, the charge level is reduced, is returned to the service provider by inserting it into the slot of a replaceable shared battery charging device. The shared battery returned to the service provider is charged again and rented to the user or other users. As an example of a battery sharing service, there is "Gachaco" of Gachaco Co., Ltd. In addition, as an example of battery sharing service, there is "Gogoro (registered trademark)" of Gogoro Inc.

A shared battery is a rechargeable battery that can be detachably mounted on an electrical device. A shared battery mounted on an electrical device enables the electrical device to operate by discharging its charge. A shared battery is a universal battery that is manufactured to the same standard specifications and can be used in a variety of electrical devices. A shared battery is different from commonly sold dry batteries that are replaceable but not rechargeable. For example, when the charge level of a shared battery mounted on an electrical device becomes low, the user can replace the shared battery with a lower charge level with a charged shared battery. At this time, the user can remove the shared battery with a lower charge level from the electrical device. Install a charged shared battery in an electrical device. Thus, if a charged shared battery is available, even if the charge level of the shared battery is reduced, the charged battery can be installed by replacing it, thereby shortening the time required to charge the electrical device in which the shared battery is installed.

An electrical device is a device that uses electricity to move. An example of an electrical device is a vehicle, i.e., an EV (Electric Vehicle). An EV may be a BEV (Battery-powered Electric Vehicle) or an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with an internal combustion engine. An example of an electrical device is a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). As a type of vehicle, an electric straddle-type vehicle may be cited. As an electric straddle-type vehicle, an electric two-wheeled vehicle and an electric three-wheeled vehicle may be cited. In addition, an electric straddle-type vehicle may include a motorcycle that can be driven by pedaling, or may not include such a motorcycle. The electrical device of the motorcycle described herein may be configured to output a driving force that can drive the motorcycle without inputting a pedal force, or may be configured to output a driving force to assist the driving using a pedal force. In addition, the vehicle is not specifically limited to the above examples, and may also be an electric car, an electric truck, an electric bus, an electric ship, an electric drone, or an electric aircraft. Furthermore, the electrical device is not specifically limited to a vehicle, and may also be a device that does not move during use, such as a pump device, an electric oven, or a machine tool. In this case, the used shared battery is taken out from the electrical device, for example, transported to a replacement shared battery charging device by a vehicle, and replaced with a fully charged shared battery.

Battery exchange refers to exchanging a shared battery owned by a user with a shared battery owned by a service provider. More specifically, battery exchange refers to the implementation of a service provider collecting (accepting) a shared battery that has been discharged due to the user's use and providing the user with a charged battery owned by the service provider. By performing a battery exchange, the user can obtain a charged shared battery without having to wait for the shared battery to be charged. The order of battery exchange is, for example, to first collect the discharged shared battery and then provide the charged battery. However, the order is not particularly limited, for example, it is also possible to first provide the charged battery and then collect the discharged shared battery. A swap-type shared battery charging device is a shared battery charging device that can realize battery exchange. In the swap-type shared battery charging device, the shared battery returned by the user is charged. The replaceable shared battery charging device is, for example, owned by a service provider of a battery sharing service. The replaceable shared battery charging device is, for example, a shared battery charging device. Battery chargers owned by individuals for private or home use do not belong to the replaceable shared battery charging device. The replaceable shared battery charging device has, for example, a plurality of slots for accommodating shared batteries. The shared batteries accommodated in each slot are charged by the replaceable shared battery charging device. The user of the shared battery, for example, removes a charged shared battery from a slot of the replaceable shared battery charging device and inserts a shared battery whose charge capacity has been reduced after use into the slot.

The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is configured to supply power to plug-in electric vehicles for fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles. Plug-in vehicles are charged directly from shared fast charging equipment for electric vehicles and other electrical devices. The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is connected to a charging plug via a charging cable. The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles directly charges the plug-in electric vehicle via a charging cable and a charging plug. For example, household power can be used to charge plug-in electric vehicles, but it does not belong to the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles.

Shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is, for example, installed at a fast charging station. A fast charging station is a public place for fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles. Fast charging stations are, for example, installed along roads, SA (Service Area) or PA (Parking Area) of highways, shopping facilities, and car dealerships. Shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles can also be installed in parking lots of apartments, outdoor parking lots, offices, and other places that can be used by multiple people. For example, household power supplies and private charging equipment installed in private spaces such as private residences do not belong to shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. The fast charging station has parking spaces for vehicles to be charged. Shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is installed in part of the parking space. At a fast charging station, a plug-in electric vehicle parked in a parking space is charged using a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles.

The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles complies with specific fast charging specifications. The shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles can charge plug-in electric vehicles that meet the fast charging specifications that the equipment complies with. When the charging plug of the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, it communicates with the plug-in electric vehicle and supplies power to the plug-in electric vehicle. At this time, the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles does not need to provide the plug-in electric vehicle with a large current for fast charging. The plug-in vehicle shared fast charging equipment communicates with the plug-in electric vehicle connected to the charging plug, and performs charging corresponding to the situation in consideration of the state of the plug-in electric vehicle and its own state.

The fast charging specification is, for example, a charging specification for fast charging determined in the International Conference on Electrical Standards (IEC). The fast charging specification specifies, for example, the charging method (e.g., DC or AC), charging voltage and current, communication method, and the shape of the charging plug and the receiving part (socket). Specific examples of the fast charging specification include CHAdeMO (registered trademark), GB/T, and CCS (Combined Charging System). The power specifications in the fast charging specification are the regulations on the charging method (e.g., DC or AC), charging voltage and current, and the communication specifications are the regulations on the communication method (e.g., CAN (Controller Area Network) communication). The so-called compliance with the specified fast charging specifications in the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles does not require all the specifications specified in the fast charging specifications. For example, when the communication standard can be used to communicate with a common fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and receive power that meets the power standard, the charging plug and the socket shape may not be consistent between the charging plug and the fast charging standard power receiving unit. In this case, as long as the charging plug and the fast charging standard power receiving unit can be connected via a conversion adapter, communication can be performed and power can be supplied.

The charging plug is electrically connected to the power receiving part of the plug-in electric vehicle and the fast charging specification power receiving part of the replacement shared battery charging equipment. The charging plug is connected to the power receiving part of the plug-in electric vehicle or the fast charging specification power receiving part through or without a conversion adapter. The power from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle through the charging cable and the charging plug.

A plug-in electric vehicle is a vehicle that carries a battery for driving a drive motor and that charges the battery by directly connecting the vehicle body to a charging plug of a common fast charging device for plug-in vehicles. A plug-in electric vehicle has a specific fast charging specification and is charged using a common fast charging device for plug-in vehicles that meets its own fast charging specification. A plug-in electric vehicle is, for example, an electric car. A vehicle that carries an externally chargeable battery may be, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). In addition, a plug-in electric vehicle may also be an electric straddle-type vehicle such as an electric two-wheeled vehicle or a plug-in hybrid motorcycle. The body of the plug-in electric vehicle has a power receiving unit electrically connected to the charging plug of the common fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. The plug-in electric vehicle communicates with the common fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles via the charging plug and the power receiving unit, thereby receiving power from the common fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles for charging.

The quick charge specification power receiving unit is a part that serves as an inlet for the power supplied to the shared quick charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. The quick charge specification power receiving unit is configured to be electrically connected to the power line and communication line that comply with the quick charge standard. In the case where only one of the power line and the communication line is connected, it does not belong to the quick charge specification power receiving unit. The quick charge specification power receiving unit is also called a socket, a receptacle, or a charging port. The quick charge specification power receiving unit is formed, for example, in a manner for engaging with a charging plug. The quick charge specification power receiving unit is not limited to this, and may also be configured to be connected to the charging plug via a conversion adapter. That is, as long as it is configured to be able to connect to the power line and communication line of the shared quick charging equipment for plug-in vehicles, the physical shape has nothing to do with it. When the fast charging specification power receiving unit is installed in the replacement shared battery charging equipment, the fast charging specification power receiving unit is connected to the charging plug of the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles. The power of the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles is supplied to the replacement shared battery charging equipment through the fast charging specification power receiving unit.

The extended charging plug is a charging plug installed in a replaceable shared battery charging device in order to supply power from a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles to a plug-in electric vehicle via a replaceable shared battery charging device. The extended charging plug is configured to be electrically connected to the plug-in electric vehicle. The extended charging plug is different from a charging plug connected to a shared fast charging station for plug-in vehicles. When the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, the plug-in electric vehicle communicates with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the replaceable shared battery charging device and receives power from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles. [Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, a shared battery charging station for a shared battery used in a battery sharing service can be popularized.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Implementation] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a shared battery charging device 1 of one implementation of the present invention. The shared battery charging device 1 shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 has a plurality of slots 13. The plurality of slots 13 are configured to accommodate and charge a shared battery 14. The shared battery 14 is a battery used for a battery sharing service. The shared battery 14 is detachably mounted on an electrical device such as an electric two-wheeled vehicle 3 by a user of the battery sharing service. The electric two-wheeled vehicle 3 equipped with the charged shared battery 14 can travel. The shared battery charging device 1 is implemented in pairs, for example, to accept a used shared battery 14-1 in an empty slot 13-1 ((A) in part (a) of FIG. 1 ) and to allow a charged shared battery 14-2 to be removed from a slot 13-2 ((B) in part (a) of FIG. 1 ). In this way, the shared battery charging device 1 is configured as a replaceable shared battery charging device that can realize battery replacement. Furthermore, the slots 13-1 and 13-2 are respectively one of the slots 13, and the shared batteries 14-1 and 14-2 are respectively one of the shared batteries 14.

The shared battery charging device 1 in part (a) of FIG. 1 includes a quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 and a replaceable shared battery charging control unit 12. The quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 is electrically connected to the quick charge device 2 for a vehicle. The quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 complies with the quick charge specification. By complying with the quick charge specification, the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 can receive power from the quick charge device 2 for a vehicle and communicate with the quick charge device 2 for a vehicle. The replaceable shared battery charging control unit 12 uses the power supplied from the quick charge device 2 for a vehicle via the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 to charge the shared battery 14 accommodated in the slot 13 for use in the battery sharing service. The shared battery 14 that is housed in the slot and has been charged for use in the battery sharing service can be taken out from the slot 13. Hereinafter, the replaceable shared battery charging control unit 12 is also referred to as the shared battery charging control unit 12.

The shared battery charging device 1 can be electrically connected to the fast charging device 2 for a vehicle, and can charge the shared battery 14 accommodated in the slot 13 using the power supplied from the fast charging device 2 for a vehicle. That is, the shared battery charging device 1 can charge the shared battery 14 accommodated in the slot 13 using the power output from the fast charging device 2 for a vehicle. Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can charge the shared battery 14 even if it is not connected to a high-power commercial power source for charging the shared battery 14. Therefore, as long as the place where the fast charging device 2 for a vehicle is installed, the shared battery charging device 1 can be installed even if the introduction project of a commercial power source for charging the shared battery, such as a high-power commercial power source, is not carried out. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where construction work of a separate power line for charging the shared battery 14 is performed, the shared battery charging equipment 1 can be installed more easily.

The vehicle fast charging device 2 is a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles that is installed in a fast charging station 5 and can be used by multiple users. The fast charging station 5 is a shared space for fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles 4. The vehicle fast charging device 2 itself has a structure for fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles 4 (refer to part (b) of Figure 1). Furthermore, the fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles 4 using the vehicle fast charging device 2 in this embodiment is described in detail by the following embodiment.

The fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 is electrically connected to the fast charging device 2 for vehicles. The shared battery charging device 1 is installed, for example, near a parking space of a fast charging station 5 where a plug-in electric vehicle 4 is parked when charging. For example, when the shared battery charging device 1 is installed around the fast charging device 2 for vehicles, for example, an electric two-wheeled vehicle 3 equipped with a shared battery for battery replacement or a vehicle transporting a shared battery for battery replacement can also use the parking space when replacing the shared batteries 14-1 and 14-2.

Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can popularize the charging device of the shared battery 14 used for the battery sharing service. In addition, the shared battery charging device 1 has a fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 electrically connected to the vehicle fast charging device 2, so it can receive the high voltage and high current power supply of the vehicle fast charging device 2. On the other hand, the voltage and current are usually set lower for the power required for charging the shared battery 14. Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can use the power of the vehicle fast charging device 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the shared battery charging device 1 of FIG. 1 . Regarding FIG. 2 and the diagrams after FIG. 2 , the same symbols are used for the same configuration as FIG. 1 , and a part of the configuration is omitted. As for the new configuration, new symbols are used. The example of the configuration of the shared battery charging device 1 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 . The fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 has a structure connected to the charging plug 22 of the vehicle fast charging device 2. The charging plug 22 is connected to the main body 24 of the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the charging cable 23. The charging cable 23 and the charging plug 22 have built-in power lines 221 and communication lines 222. The fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 has a connection unit 111 for connecting to the power line 221 of the vehicle fast charging device 2 and a connection unit 112 for connecting to the communication line 222. The fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 is connected to the shared battery charging control unit 12 via the power line 121 and the communication line 122. In this embodiment, the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 is configured as a socket shape that receives the charging plug 22. In the shared battery charging device 1 shown in FIG. 2, in principle, only one fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 is provided, but the number of fast charging specification power receiving units 11 is not particularly limited and can also be multiple.

The shared battery charging device 1 includes a shared battery charging unit 15. The slot 13 is disposed in the shared battery charging unit 15. The shared battery charging unit 15 is connected to the shared battery charging control unit 12 via a power line 151 and a communication line 152. The power line 151 connects the shared battery charging control unit 12 and the shared battery charging unit 15 via a DC/DC (direct current/direct current) converter 153. The shared battery charging unit 15 charges the shared batteries 14 accommodated in the slots 13 respectively using the power supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2.

The shared battery charging control unit 12 of the shared battery charging device 1 communicates with the vehicle quick charging device 2 via the quick charging specification power receiving unit 11. Thereby, the shared battery charging control unit 12 is configured to perform the following control, namely, receiving the supply of electric power for charging the shared battery 14 from the vehicle quick charging device 2 via the quick charging specification power receiving unit 11. Specifically, the shared battery charging control unit 12 communicates with the vehicle quick charging device 2 via the communication lines 222 and 122. By the shared battery charging control unit 12 communicating with the vehicle quick charging device 2, the vehicle quick charging device 2 supplies electric power to the shared battery charging device 1 via the power line 221. The power supplied to the shared battery charging device 1 is supplied from the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 to the shared battery charging unit 15 via the power line 121 , the shared battery charging control unit 12 and the power line 151 , and charges the shared batteries 14 received in the slots 13 .

In the shared battery charging device 1, the shared battery charging control unit 12 communicates with the vehicle fast charging device 2 by means of the communication specification of the fast charging specification. The shared battery charging control unit 12 performs control such that the vehicle fast charging device 2 receives the supply of electric power corresponding to the electric power specification of the fast charging specification. Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can easily utilize an existing vehicle fast charging device or a newly installed vehicle fast charging device. Thus, according to the shared battery charging device 1, the charging device for a shared battery used in a battery sharing service can be popularized.

Furthermore, the shared battery charging device 1 receives power from the vehicle fast charging device 2, but may also have a power supply unit (dashed line portion) that can directly receive power from the commercial power source 180. In this case, the additional components are a commercial power plug 181 and an AC/DC (alternating current/direct current) converter 182. The commercial power plug 181 is electrically connected to the shared battery charging unit 15 via the AC/DC converter 182 (dashed line portion). They are used to perform the minimum action of replacing the shared battery 14 when the shared battery charging device 1 is unable to receive power from the vehicle fast charging device 2, for example, due to a malfunction of the vehicle fast charging device 2.

[Example] An example of a shared battery charging device 1 is described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of an example of the shared battery charging device 1 of FIG. 1 . In the example of FIG. 3 , the shared battery charging device 1 may include the following two examples (i) or (ii). The structure of example (i) is shown in part (a) of FIG. 3 , and the structure of example (ii) is shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 . ・Example (i) The fast charging standard power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 is configured to be removable and installable to a charging plug 22 that is provided on a fast charging device 2 for a vehicle and complies with the fast charging standard. Removal means that the charging plug 22 is removed from the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 to connect to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is used for quick charging. Moreover, installation means that the charging plug 22 is installed in the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 to electrically connect the vehicle quick charging device 2 with the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not used for quick charging. ・Example (ii) The quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 is configured to be connected to the charging plug 22 that is provided on the vehicle quick charging device 2 and complies with the quick charge specification. The shared battery charging device 1 further has an extended charging plug 16. The extended charging plug 16 can be connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 and meets the fast charging specification. Furthermore, the shared battery charging device 1 can also be configured to have a configuration having both embodiments (i) or (ii).

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 3 , in embodiment (i), the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 is configured to be able to remove and install the charging plug 22 of the vehicle fast charging device 2. When charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the charging plug 22 is removed from the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1 to be connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4. In contrast, when not charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the charging plug 22 is connected to the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1. That is, the charging plug 22 is moved back to the shared battery charging device 1. Therefore, the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 can be implemented by the vehicle fast charging device 2 alone, without passing through the shared battery charging device 1. When the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not charged, the shared battery 14 is charged.

Furthermore, while the plug-in electric vehicle 4 parked at the fast charging station 5 is being charged by the vehicle fast charging device 2, the shared battery 14 cannot be charged in the shared battery charging device 1. However, the shared battery 14 in the shared battery charging device 1 can be replaced (allowing the removal of the charged shared battery 14 and the storage of the discharged shared battery 14). In this case, for example, the power of the shared battery 14 stored in the shared battery charging device 1 can be used as power for communication, display, etc. of the replacement instruction.

The vehicle quick charging device 2 has a charging plug holder 25 that holds the charging plug 22 when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not charged. In this embodiment, for example, a charging plug holder cover 26 is installed on the charging plug holder 25 to prevent the charging plug holder 25 from holding the charging plug 22. By configuring the vehicle quick charging device 2 in this way, when charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not charged, the charging plug 22 can be connected only to the quick charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the adjacent shared battery charging device 1. This can prevent the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging device 1 from being unable to charge for a long time due to the user moving the charging plug 22 of the vehicle quick charging device 2 back to the charging plug holder 25 when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is finished charging.

In this embodiment, the shared battery charging device 1 uses the power output from the existing vehicle fast charging device 2 to charge the shared battery 14. The charging of the shared battery 14 is performed when the vehicle fast charging device 2 is not charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4, so the output of the vehicle fast charging device 2 can be used efficiently. The frequency of the vehicle fast charging device 2 charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is mostly peak during the daytime, and becomes non-peak at night. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the power supply to the shared battery charging device 1 can be concentrated during the night time. By utilizing nighttime electricity, the charging cost can be reduced, and long-term charging can be realized during off-peak hours, so that the shared battery can be charged efficiently and at low cost. Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can effectively utilize the time when the vehicle fast charging device 2 is not charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4. Therefore, the shared battery charging device 1 can utilize the existing vehicle fast charging device 2 to charge the shared battery 14 in addition to the plug-in electric vehicle 4. In this way, according to the shared battery charging device 1, the charging device for the shared battery 14 used in the battery sharing service can be popularized.

Furthermore, in embodiment (i), the vehicle fast charging device 2 may also have a plurality of charging plugs 22 and charging cables 23. In part (a) of FIG. 3 , the second set of charging plugs 22-1 and charging cables 23-1 are indicated by dashed lines. In this configuration, when charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the charging plug 22 is connected to the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1, and the charging plug 22-1 is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4. In this way, the vehicle fast charging device 2 can charge both the plug-in electric vehicle 4 and the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging device 1 at the same time. Therefore, the vehicle quick charging device 2 can be prevented from being unable to charge the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging device 1. Furthermore, during non-vehicle charging when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not charged, the charging plug 22-1 of the vehicle quick charging device 2 is held by the charging plug holder 25-1 (dashed line portion).

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 , in embodiment (ii), the shared battery charging device 1 has an extended charging plug 16. The extended charging plug 16 is provided for charging the plug-in electric vehicle 4 parked at the fast charging station 5. When the extended charging plug 16 is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the shared battery charging control unit 12 supplies the power supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11 to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the extended charging plug 16 instead of via the shared battery 14. Here, the flow of current from the vehicle fast charging device 2 to the shared battery charging device 1 and the plug-in electric vehicle 4 in the embodiment (ii) during vehicle charging and non-vehicle charging is described. FIG4 is a block diagram showing the flow of current from the vehicle fast charging device 2 to the shared battery charging device 1 and the plug-in electric vehicle 4 in the embodiment (ii).

First, referring to part (a) of FIG. 4 , the vehicle charging of the vehicle quick charging device 2 is described. The shared battery charging device 1 can use the extended charging plug 16 to charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 parked at the quick charging station 5. The user of the quick charging station 5 connects the extended charging plug 16 to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 to charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4. When the extended charging plug 16 is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the plug-in electric vehicle 4 communicates with the shared battery charging control unit 12 and the vehicle quick charging device 2. The communication is performed via the communication lines 222, 122 and the communication line 162 connected to the extended charging plug 16. As a result of the communication, the quick charging device 2 for the vehicle supplies electric power to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the shared battery charging device 1. The electric power supplied by the quick charging device 2 for the vehicle is supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 without passing through the shared battery 14. Specifically, the current is supplied through the power lines 221, 121 and the power line 161 connected to the extended charging plug 16, and the shared battery charging control unit 12 (route X). In this way, the quick charging device 2 for the vehicle can charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 even if it does not supply electric power to the shared battery 14 through the shared battery charging device 1. Therefore, the vehicle fast charging device 2 can charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 with the same power as when the charging plug 22 is directly connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4.

Next, referring to part (b) of Figure 4, the non-vehicle charging of the vehicle quick charging device 2 is explained. When the vehicle quick charging device 2 is charging a non-vehicle, the extension charging plug 16 becomes a state without any connection. In this state, the shared battery charging control unit 12 of the shared battery charging device 1 communicates with the vehicle quick charging device 2 and the shared battery charging unit 15. The communication is performed via communication lines 222, 122 and 152. As a result of the communication, power is supplied from the vehicle quick charging device 2 to the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging device 1. Specifically, the current is supplied through the power lines 221, 121 and 151, and the shared battery charging control unit 12 (route Y). Therefore, when the plug-in electric vehicle 4 is not being charged (not during vehicle charging), the power from the vehicle fast charging device 2 can be used to charge the shared battery 14 housed in the shared battery charging device 1. Therefore, in embodiment (ii), as in embodiment (i), the shared battery charging device 1 can efficiently utilize the intermittent time of the vehicle fast charging device 2. For charging at night, it is also as efficient as in embodiment (i). Therefore, in embodiment (ii), by a relatively simple structure, battery replacement and charging of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 can be realized in the same device.

In embodiment (ii), the shared battery charging device 1 can charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 with a stronger power. Referring to part (c) of FIG. 4 , a second example of charging a vehicle using the vehicle fast charging device 2 is described. The shared battery charging device 1 is configured such that, when the extended charging plug 16 is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4, in addition to the power supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the fast charging specification power receiving unit 11, the power discharged from the shared battery 14 is also supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the extended charging plug 16. Specifically, when the expansion charging plug 16 is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the plug-in electric vehicle 4 communicates with the vehicle fast charging device 2 and the shared battery charging control unit 12. The communication is performed via the communication lines 222, 122 and the communication line 162. In addition, the shared battery charging control unit 12 communicates with the shared battery charging unit 15 via the communication line 152. As a result of the communication, current is supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2 through the power lines 221, 121 and 161 and the shared battery charging control unit 12 to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 (route Z1). Furthermore, the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging unit 15 supplies current to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the power lines 151 and 161 and the shared battery charging control unit 12 (route Z2). Thus, the shared battery charging device 1 can simultaneously supply the plug-in electric vehicle 4 with both the power from the vehicle fast charging device 2 and the power from the shared battery 14. As a result, the shared battery charging device 1 can supply the plug-in electric vehicle 4 with a power greater than the power supplied by the vehicle fast charging device 2. Furthermore, when the power supplied by the vehicle fast charging device 2 is small, the shared battery charging device 1 can also quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 at a higher rate than the case where the vehicle fast charging device 2 is used alone. By taking advantage of the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the shared battery charging device 1 can popularize the charging device of the shared battery 14 used in the battery sharing service.

In embodiment (ii), the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 may also be configured so that the charging plug 22 is connected in a manner that can prevent or inhibit the user from removing the charging plug 22. For example, the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11 may be configured in a manner such that a locking mechanism is provided to prohibit the charging plug 22 from being removed from the quick charge specification power receiving unit 11. By configuring in this way, in embodiment (ii), the user can be encouraged to use the extended charging plug 16 to charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 instead of using the charging plug 22. In this way, the shared battery charging device 1 can more effectively popularize the charging device for the shared battery 14 used for the battery sharing service.

Furthermore, there may be two or more expansion charging plugs 16. In this case, the expansion charging plugs 16 may be configured to have different fast charging specifications. For example, the first expansion charging plug 16 may be configured to comply with the first fast charging specification for four-wheeled vehicles, and the second expansion charging plug may be configured to comply with the second fast charging specification for electric straddle-type vehicles that do not use the shared battery 14.

[Application examples] The application examples of the implementation method of the present invention are described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the battery sharing service system (1000-1 and 1000-2) of the application example of the embodiment of the present invention. Here, part (a) of FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the battery sharing service system 1000-1 of the application example (i) of part (a) of FIG. 3. Moreover, part (b) of FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the battery sharing service system 1000-2 of the application example (ii) of part (b) of FIG. 3.

The battery sharing service system 1000-1 is described with reference to part (a) of FIG. 5 . The battery sharing service system 1000-1 includes a shared battery charging device 1 and a battery sharing service management server 101. The battery sharing service management server 101 can communicate with the shared battery charging device 1 via a network 600. The battery sharing service management server 101 and the shared battery charging device 1 are managed by a service provider 100 of a battery sharing service. In the battery sharing service system 1000-1, a user 300 of a battery sharing service takes out a shared battery 14 from a slot 13 of a shared battery charging device 1. The taken out shared battery 14 is set as a provided battery 14-n. At this time, the shared battery charging device 1 sends the management data D1 representing the provided battery 14-n and the power data D2 corresponding to the power charged to the provided battery 14-n to the battery sharing service management server 101. Furthermore, the power charged to the provided battery 14-n is supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the fast charging specification receiving unit 11 of the shared battery charging device 1. In addition, as the management data of the provided battery 14-n, for example, it is the identification data of the shared battery charging device 1 and the slot 13 that charges the provided battery 14-n, the identification data of the provided battery 14-n, or the identification data of the user who is allowed to take out the provided battery 14-n, or a combination of any two or more of these identification data. The battery sharing service management server 101 stores the management data D1 and power data D2 of the provided battery 14-n received from the shared battery charging device 1 in a corresponding manner.

Next, the battery sharing service system 1000-2 is described with reference to part (b) of FIG. 5 . The battery sharing service system 1000-2 can charge the plug-in electric vehicle 4 using the power of the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the extended charging plug 16. At this time, in addition to the management data D1 and power data D2 of the battery sharing service system 1000-1, the shared battery charging device 1 also sends the following power data D3 and D4 to the battery sharing service management server 101. ・Power data D3: Power data corresponding to the power supplied from the vehicle fast charging device 2 to the shared battery charging device 1. ・Electricity data D4: Electricity data corresponding to the electricity supplied from the shared battery 14 to the plug-in electric vehicle 4 (the situation where the power from the shared battery 14 of the shared battery charging device 1 is added to the charging of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 (refer to part (c) of Figure 4)). The battery sharing service management server 101 stores the electricity data D3 and D4 obtained from the shared battery charging device 1. At this time, if there is identification data of the owner of the plug-in electric vehicle 4, the identification data of the owner of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 can also be stored in correspondence with the obtained electricity data D3 and D4.

Furthermore, the battery sharing service management server 101 of the battery sharing service system 1000-1 (part (a) of FIG. 5) and 1000-2 (part (b) of FIG. 5) can communicate with the fast charging service management server 201 via the network 600. Furthermore, the fast charging service management server 201 can communicate with the vehicle fast charging device 2 via the network 600. The fast charging service management server 201 and the vehicle fast charging device 2 are managed by the service provider 200 of the fast charging service. The battery sharing service management server 101 sends the above-mentioned power data D2-D4 (only D2 in the embodiment (i) of part (a) of FIG. 5, and D2-D4 in the embodiment (ii) of part (b) of FIG. 5) and the management data D5 representing the shared battery charging device 1 to the fast charging service management server 201. Furthermore, the management data D5 is a part of the management data D1. The fast charging service management server 201 stores the power data D2-D4 and the management data D5 of the shared battery charging device 1 in correspondence.

In the battery sharing service systems 1000-1 and 1000-2, the battery sharing service provider 100 can calculate the fee based on the data stored in the battery sharing service management server 101. In addition, the fast charging service provider 200 can calculate the fee based on the data stored in the fast charging service management server 201. According to the battery sharing service systems 1000-1 and 1000-2, the charging of battery sharing service users can be managed independently of the vehicle shared fast charging equipment 2. Furthermore, the fee calculated by the battery sharing service management server 101 can be sent to the portable information terminal 301 owned by the battery sharing service user 300 and the portable information terminal 401 owned by the owner 400 of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the network 600. Also, the fee calculated by the fast charging service management server 201 can be sent to the portable information terminal 401 owned by the owner 400 of the plug-in electric vehicle 4 via the network 600. The portable information terminals 301 and 401 are, for example, smart phones.

In this way, according to the battery sharing service systems 1000-1 and 1000-2, the management data of the battery 14-n is stored in correspondence with the power data, so that the payment of the user related to the battery sharing service can be implemented for the battery sharing service, and not for the vehicle fast charging device 2 or its service. In other words, according to the battery sharing service systems 1000-1 and 1000-2, the management data of the battery 14-n is stored in correspondence with the power data, so that the billing of the user related to the battery sharing service is independent of the vehicle fast charging device 2 or its service, and can be implemented in the battery sharing service. As a result, by electrically connecting the shared battery charging device 1 and the vehicle fast charging device 2, on the one hand, there is a physical connection as a device, and on the other hand, for the billing of users related to the battery sharing service, the battery sharing service system can be separated from the vehicle fast charging device 2 or its service. Therefore, efficient management of users of the battery sharing service can be achieved, and charging equipment for shared batteries used in the battery sharing service can be popularized.

1: Shared battery charging equipment 2: Fast charging equipment for vehicles 3: Electric two-wheeled vehicle 4: Plug-in electric vehicle 5: Fast charging station 11: Fast charging specification power receiving unit 12: Replaceable shared battery charging control unit (shared battery charging control unit) 13: Slot 13-1: Slot 13-2: Slot 14: Shared battery 14-1: Shared battery 14-2: Shared battery 14-n: Provided battery 15: Shared battery charging unit 16: Extended charging plug 22: Charging plug 22-1: Charging plug 23: Charging cable 23-1: Charging cable 24: Main body 25: Charging plug holder 25-1: Charging plug holder 26: Charging plug holder cover 100: Battery sharing service provider 101: Battery sharing service management server 111: Connector 112: Connector 121: Power line 122: Communication line 151: Power line 152: Communication line 153: DC/DC converter 161: Power line 162: Communication line 180: Commercial power supply 181: Commercial power supply plug 182: AC/DC converter 200: Fast charging service provider 201: Fast charging service management server 221: Power line 222: Communication line 300: Battery sharing service user 301: Portable information terminal 400: Owner of plug-in electric vehicle 401: Portable information terminal 600: Network 1000-1: Battery sharing service system 1000-2: Battery sharing service system D1: Management data D2: Power data D3: Power data D4: Power data D5: Management data X: Route Y: Route Z1: Route Z2: Route

Figures 1(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the structure of a shared battery charging device in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the electrical structure of the shared battery charging device in Figure 1. Figures 3(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the outline of the embodiment of the shared battery charging device in Figure 1. Figures 4(a) to (c) are block diagrams showing the flow of current from the vehicle fast charging device to the shared battery charging device and the plug-in electric vehicle in embodiment (ii) of Figure 3. Figures 5(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining a battery sharing service system as an application example of the embodiment of the present invention.

1: Shared battery charging equipment

2: Fast charging equipment for vehicles

3: Electric two-wheeled vehicle

4: Plug-in electric vehicles

5: Fast charging station

11: Fast charging specification receiving unit

12: Replaceable shared battery charging control unit (shared battery charging control unit)

13: Slot

13-1: Slot

13-2: Slots

14: Shared battery

14-1: Shared battery

14-2: Shared battery

Claims (8)

A replaceable shared battery charging device has a plurality of slots capable of accommodating and charging shared batteries used for battery sharing services, and is configured to realize battery replacement by accepting used shared batteries in empty slots and allowing charged shared batteries to be removed from the slots in pairs. The replaceable shared battery charging device has the following characteristics, namely: A fast charging specification power receiving unit that complies with the fast charging specification and is electrically connected to a shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles so as to receive power from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and communicate with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles; and The replacement shared battery charging control unit utilizes the power supplied from the shared fast charging equipment for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit to charge the shared battery accommodated in the slot for use in the battery sharing service, thereby realizing the battery replacement. The replaceable shared battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured to communicate with the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit, thereby performing the following control, that is, receiving power for charging the shared battery from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles via the fast charging specification power receiving unit. As in claim 1 or 2, the replaceable shared battery charging device, wherein the fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured to be a charging plug that can be removed and installed on the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and complies with the fast charging specification. The removal means that when the charging plug is used to quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle, it is removed from the fast charging specification power receiving unit to connect to the plug-in electric vehicle. The installation means that when the charging plug is not used to quickly charge the plug-in electric vehicle, it is installed on the fast charging specification power receiving unit to electrically connect the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles with the fast charging specification power receiving unit. The replaceable shared battery charging device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured to be connected to a charging plug, the charging plug is provided in the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles and complies with the fast charging specification, and the replaceable shared battery charging device further has an extended charging plug that can be connected to a plug-in electric vehicle and complies with the fast charging specification. As in claim 4, the replaceable shared battery charging device, wherein the fast charging specification power receiving unit is configured to provide the charging plug with a connection in a manner that can prevent or inhibit the user from removing the charging plug. The replaceable shared battery charging device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured such that when the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle via the fast charging specification power receiving unit is supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle via the extended charging plug instead of via the shared battery. A replaceable shared battery charging device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the replaceable shared battery charging control unit is configured such that when the extended charging plug is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, in addition to the power supplied from the shared fast charging device for the plug-in vehicle via the fast charging specification power receiving unit instead of the shared battery, the power discharged from the shared battery is also supplied to the plug-in electric vehicle via the extended charging plug. A battery sharing service system, comprising: A replaceable shared battery charging device as in any one of claim items 1 to 7; and A battery sharing service management server capable of communicating with the replaceable shared battery charging device; and The replaceable shared battery charging device sends management data and power data to the battery sharing service management server, wherein the management data is data indicating the shared battery taken out from the slot of the replaceable shared battery charging device, i.e., the provided battery, and the power data is data corresponding to the power charged from the shared fast charging device for plug-in vehicles to the provided battery via the fast charging specification receiving unit, and the battery sharing service management server stores the management data of the provided battery and the power data in correspondence.