TWI859750B - Battery charging management methods based on utilization rate of energy station and battery energy stations thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Battery charging management methods based on utilization rate of energy station is applicable to a battery energy station for storing and charging a plurality of batteries. First, the batteries are charged with a first charging parameter. Then, a utilization rate of the battery energy station is obtained, and it is determined whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate, the first charging parameter is adjusted to a second charging parameter, and the batteries are charged with the second charging parameter.

Description

Battery charging management method based on energy station utilization rate and battery energy station

The present invention relates to a battery energy station and a charging management method thereof, and in particular to a battery energy station and a charging management method thereof that can perform different charging management on the batteries of the energy station according to the utilization rate of the energy station and has the flexibility to adjust the charging parameters.

In recent years, with the rise of environmental awareness and the advancement of electric vehicle technology, the development of electric vehicles powered by electricity to replace traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels has gradually become an important goal in the automotive field, making electric vehicles more and more popular. In order to improve the range and willingness of electric vehicles, many countries or cities have begun to plan to set up charging stations and battery energy stations in public places to provide electric cars and/or electric motorcycles with charging or battery exchange, making the use of electric vehicles more convenient.

As electric vehicles become more popular, the demand for electricity has also increased accordingly. Since the upgrade of existing power plants and power grids requires huge costs and time, if it is necessary to meet the electricity consumption of various fields at the same time, such as industrial electricity consumption, household electricity consumption, and public electricity consumption, it will cause a serious burden on the existing power grid, thereby increasing the risk of power outages and power outages. In response to the crisis of the power grid, power plants and power users, such as charging stations/battery energy station manufacturers, can cooperate on energy regulation agreements, such as demand response to manage the power consumption of the power grid.

On the other hand, for different electric vehicles, the charging or battery demand during peak hours and off-peak hours may be different. For example, the battery demand of electric motorcycles during peak hours will be higher than that during off-peak hours. During peak hours, the battery energy station needs to charge the battery at a high speed, with the goal of making the battery reach a full state as soon as possible. However, during off-peak hours, since the battery demand is not high, the battery energy station can charge the battery slowly to meet specific battery needs while saving costs. In addition, considering the high cost of batteries, different charging parameters for battery charging will also affect the battery life. Therefore, how to maintain the normal operation of the power grid, meet the power demand of users, and consider the battery life at the same time is a problem that the industry urgently needs to solve.

In view of this, the present invention provides a battery energy station and a charging management method thereof.

A battery energy station of an embodiment of the present invention has a battery storage system including a plurality of batteries, an energy module, and a processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the battery storage system and the energy module, and charges the batteries with a first charging parameter. The processing unit obtains a usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station, and determines whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined usage rate. When the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate, the processing unit adjusts the first charging parameter to a second charging parameter, and uses the energy module to charge the battery with the second charging parameter.

A battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station for storing and charging a plurality of batteries. First, the batteries are charged with a first charging parameter. Then, a utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station is obtained, and it is determined whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate, the first charging parameter is adjusted to a second charging parameter, and the battery is charged with the second charging parameter.

In some embodiments, the method for obtaining the utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station is to obtain the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time to calculate the utilization rate.

In some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are the amperes used by the battery energy station to charge the same battery, and the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter.

In some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are a full charge ratio when each battery is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge, and charging is stopped when each battery is charged to the full charge ratio, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter.

In some embodiments, the usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station is re-obtained, and whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate is re-determined. When the usage rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined usage rate, the battery is recharged with the first charging parameter.

In some embodiments, the battery energy station is connected to a cloud server via a network, and transmits at least one battery demand received to the cloud server via the network. The cloud server calculates the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time to calculate the utilization rate. Afterwards, the cloud server can transmit a command for adjusting the first charging parameter to the battery energy station via the network.

The above method of the present invention can exist in the form of program code. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, the machine becomes a device for implementing the present invention.

In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following is a detailed description of the embodiments with accompanying diagrams.

100:Battery Energy Station

110:Battery storage system

112:Battery

120: Energy module

130: Network connection unit

140: Processing unit

200: Remote server

300: Network

S310, S320, S330, S340, S350: Steps

S410, S420, S430, S440, S450, S460: Steps

S510, S520, S530, S540, S550: Steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a battery energy station according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a battery charging management method based on energy station utilization rate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a battery charging management method based on energy station utilization rate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a battery charging management method based on energy station utilization rate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a battery energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery energy station 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be an electronic device. As shown in the figure, the battery energy station 100 includes at least a battery storage system 110, an energy module 120, a network connection unit 130, and a processing unit 140. The battery storage system 110 has a specific mechanism (not shown in the figure) that can store a plurality of batteries 112 and selectively lock or release the batteries. The battery energy station 100 can provide batteries for at least one electrical device, such as an electric motorcycle or an electric car. The energy module 120 can be electrically coupled to a power grid (not shown in the figure) to obtain a total current to supply electricity to the battery energy station, and charge the battery 112 according to the signal of the processing unit 140. It must be explained that the battery storage system 110 may include a charging module corresponding to each battery 112, and the charging module has an upper current limit and/or a lower current limit to charge the corresponding battery. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the energy module 120 can actively detect the total current supplied by the power grid to the battery energy station 100, and notify the processing unit 140 of the corresponding total current information. The network connection unit 130 can be connected to a network, so that the battery energy station 100 has a network connection capability. In some embodiments, the network 300 can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The processing unit 140 can control the operation of all hardware and software in the battery energy station 100 and execute the charging management method of the battery energy station in this case, the details of which will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows a battery energy station according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, the battery energy station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be an electronic device having a plurality of batteries that can be provided to at least one electrical device, such as an electric motorcycle or an electric car. The battery energy station 100 may have similar components as those in FIG. 1, which will not be described in detail here. The battery energy station 100 may be connected to a remote server 200 via a network 300, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, using a network connection unit 130. It is noted that in some embodiments, the remote server 200 may simultaneously manage other battery energy stations located at the same location or at different locations. As mentioned above, the energy module 120 of the battery energy station 100 can actively detect the total current supplied by the power grid to the battery energy station 100, and notify the processing unit 140 of the corresponding total current information. In some embodiments, the remote server 200 can also notify the battery energy station 100 of the corresponding total current information through the network 300. In some embodiments, the cloud server, such as the remote server 200, can also transmit relevant information of different time periods, such as peak hours, off-peak hours, etc. to the battery energy station 100 through the network 300. The battery energy station 100 can perform charging management operations based on the received information.

FIG. 3 shows a battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an electronic device for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, such as the battery energy station in FIG. 1.

First, as in step S310, the battery in the battery energy station is charged with a first charging parameter. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the charging parameter may be the ampere of the battery in the battery energy station for charging. In some embodiments, the charging parameter may be a full charge ratio when the battery is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge. When the battery is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped. It is reminded that the aforementioned charging parameters are only embodiments of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Next, as in step S320, a utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station is obtained. It is reminded that the battery energy station can receive at least one battery demand from the user. In some embodiments, the method for obtaining the utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station can be to obtain the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time, such as 1 hour, 8 hours or 24 hours, to calculate the utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station. For example, in step S330, it is determined whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the predetermined utilization rate can be set according to different fields, requirements and/or applications. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined utilization rate (No in step S330), the process returns to step S310. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate (Yes in step S330), as in step S340, the charging parameter of the battery energy station is adjusted from the first charging parameter to a second charging parameter, and as in step S350, the battery is charged with the second charging parameter. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter may be the ampere at which the battery energy station charges the same battery, and the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. For example, the maximum current required or acceptable for each battery/charging module is 17A, and the minimum current required or acceptable for each battery/charging module is 6A. In this example, the first charging parameter may be 17A, and the second charging parameter may be 6A. In addition, in some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are a full charge ratio when each battery is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge, and when each battery is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. In one embodiment, the full charge ratio of the first charging parameter can be 90%, and the full charge ratio of the second charging parameter can be 70%. It is reminded that the aforementioned embodiments are only examples of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4 shows a battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an electronic device for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, such as the battery energy station in FIG. 1.

First, as in step S410, a battery in the battery energy station is charged with a first charging parameter. Similarly, in some embodiments, the charging parameter may be the ampere of the battery in the battery energy station. In some embodiments, the charging parameter may be a full charge ratio when the battery is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge. When the battery is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped. It is noted that the aforementioned charging parameters are only embodiments of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Next, as in step S420, a usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station is obtained. It is noted that the battery energy station may receive at least one battery demand from a user. Similarly, in some embodiments, the method for obtaining the utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station can be to obtain the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time to calculate the utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station. For example, in step S430, it is determined whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate. Similarly, in some embodiments, the predetermined utilization rate can be set according to different fields, requirements and/or applications. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined utilization rate (No in step S430), the process returns to step S410. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate (Yes in step S430), as in step S440, the charging parameter of the battery energy station is adjusted from the first charging parameter to a second charging parameter, and as in step S450, the battery is charged with the second charging parameter. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter may be the ampere at which the battery energy station charges the same battery, and the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. In addition, in some embodiments, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are a full charge ratio when each battery is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge, and when each battery is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. Next, as in step S460, the usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station is obtained again, and it is re-determined whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate. When the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate (yes in step S460), as in step S450, the battery continues to be charged with the second charging parameter. When the usage rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined usage rate (no in step S460), the process returns to step S410 and the battery is recharged with the first charging parameter. In other words, the usage rate of the battery energy station can be monitored in real time, and when the usage rate of the battery energy station is higher than the predetermined usage rate, the battery energy station can dynamically adjust to the appropriate charging parameter to perform the battery charging operation.

Figure 5 shows a battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of the energy station according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the battery energy station can communicate with the cloud server through the network.

First, as in step S510, the battery energy station is connected to the cloud server via the network. As in step S520, the battery energy station transmits at least one battery demand received to the cloud server via the network. Then, as in step S530, the cloud server calculates the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time to calculate a utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station. It should be noted that the unit time can be set according to different fields, requirements and/or applications. As in step S540, it is determined whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate. Similarly, in some embodiments, the predetermined utilization rate can be set according to different fields, requirements and/or applications. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined utilization rate (No in step S540), the process returns to step S510. When the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate (Yes in step S540), as in step S550, the cloud server transmits a command to adjust the first charging parameter to the battery energy station via the network. It is noted that when the battery energy station receives the command transmitted by the cloud server, it can adjust the charging parameter of the battery energy station from the first charging parameter to a second charging parameter, and charge the battery with the second charging parameter.

Therefore, through the battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of the energy station and the battery energy station of this case, different charging management can be performed on the battery of the energy station according to the utilization rate of the energy station, and the charging parameters can be adjusted flexibly, thereby extending the battery life by adjusting the charging parameters and meeting the battery needs of users at the same time.

The method of the present invention, or a specific form or part thereof, may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in a physical medium, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a hard disk, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage medium, or a computer program product that is not limited to an external form, wherein when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted through some transmission medium, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission type, wherein when the program code is received, loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processing unit, the code combines with the processing unit to provide a unique device that operates like an application-specific logic circuit.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with this technology can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application attached hereto.

S310, S320, S330, S340, S350: Steps

Claims (9)

A battery charging management method based on the utilization rate of an energy station is applicable to a battery energy station for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, wherein the battery energy station is an electronic device, and includes the following steps: using the battery energy station to charge the batteries with a first charging parameter; obtaining a utilization rate of the corresponding battery energy station, wherein the utilization rate is calculated based on the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time; determining the utilization rate of the battery energy station; whether the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined utilization rate; when the utilization rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined utilization rate, the battery energy station is used to maintain the first charging parameter to charge the batteries; and when the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate, the first charging parameter is adjusted to a second charging parameter, and the battery energy station is used to charge the batteries with the second charging parameter, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. As described in Item 1 of the patent application scope, the battery charging management method based on the energy station utilization rate, wherein the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are the amperes used by the battery energy station to charge the batteries, and the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. As described in item 1 of the patent application scope, the battery charging management method based on the energy station utilization rate, wherein the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are a full charge ratio when each of the batteries is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge, and when each of the batteries is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. The battery charging management method based on the energy station usage rate as described in Item 1 of the patent application scope further includes the following steps: re-obtaining the usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station; re-determining whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate; and when the usage rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined usage rate, re-charging the batteries with the first charging parameter. The battery charging management method based on the energy station utilization rate as described in Item 1 of the patent application scope further includes the following steps: connecting to a cloud server through a network; transmitting at least one received battery demand to the cloud server through the network; calculating the number of at least one battery demand received within a unit time through the cloud server to calculate the utilization rate; and receiving a command to adjust the first charging parameter from the cloud server through the network. A battery energy station includes: a battery storage system including a plurality of batteries; an energy module; and a processing unit coupled to the battery storage system and the energy module, charging the batteries with a first charging parameter, obtaining a usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station, determining whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than a predetermined usage rate, and when the usage rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined usage rate, using the battery energy station Maintain charging the batteries with the first charging parameter, and when the utilization rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined utilization rate, adjust the first charging parameter to a second charging parameter, and use the energy module to charge the batteries with the second charging parameter, wherein the utilization rate is calculated based on the number of at least one battery demand received by the processing unit within a unit time, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. As described in item 6 of the patent application scope, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are the amperes used by the battery energy station to charge the batteries, and the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. As described in item 6 of the patent application scope, the first charging parameter and the second charging parameter are a full charge ratio when each of the batteries is charged, that is, a full charge divided by a maximum battery charge, and when each of the batteries is charged to the full charge ratio, the charging is stopped, wherein the first charging parameter is higher than the second charging parameter. For example, in the battery energy station described in item 6 of the patent application, the processing unit re-obtains the usage rate of the corresponding battery energy station, re-determines whether the usage rate of the battery energy station is lower than the predetermined usage rate, and when the usage rate of the battery energy station is not lower than the predetermined usage rate, re-charges the batteries with the first charging parameter.

Images