TWI880725B - Battery management methods and systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Battery management methods and systems are provided, which are suitable for a battery energy station and a remote server used to store and charge multiple batteries. First, a placement time of at least one specific battery in the battery energy station is record, wherein the placement time represents the time that the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station without being taken out of the battery energy station. The battery energy station transmits the placement time corresponding to the specific battery to the remote server through a network. The remote server determines whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period. When the placement time exceeds the predetermined period, the remote server generates a notification and sends the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding administrator.

Description

Battery management method and system

The present invention relates to a battery management method and system, and in particular to a battery management method and system that can manage and subsequently process low-frequency batteries in battery energy stations.

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.

Encouraged by the government's subsidy policy, many people have also begun to try to buy and use electric vehicles as a means of transportation. Generally speaking, traditional fuel vehicles are refueled only after the gasoline is almost used up. Since the refueling time is short, the time spent on refueling will not affect the user's overall driving plan. However, for electric vehicles, there are technological limitations in the battery supply and charging of the vehicle. When riding an electric vehicle, the user must always pay attention to the battery status of the vehicle so that it can be charged in time before the battery power is used up.

At present, battery exchange through battery energy stations has become one of the most satisfactory ways to recharge electric vehicles for users. Users can intuitively and quickly place low-power batteries into battery energy stations, and battery energy stations will provide users with high-power batteries. However, although battery exchange at battery energy stations is convenient, it also seriously tests the battery operator's ability to distribute/manage batteries. For example, the batteries available for exchange in battery energy stations need to meet the needs of local users, whether in terms of quantity or time. Since batteries are important assets, how to properly manage batteries and avoid battery idleness or improper use will become an important issue in the industry.

In view of this, the present invention provides a battery management method and system.

A battery management method of an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station and a remote server for storing and charging multiple batteries. First, a placement time of at least one specific battery in the battery energy station is recorded, wherein the placement time indicates the time that the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not taken out of the battery energy station. The battery energy station transmits the placement time of the corresponding specific battery to the remote server via a network. The remote server determines whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period. When the placement time exceeds the predetermined period, the remote server generates a notification and transmits the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding manager.

A battery management system of an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery energy station and a remote server. The battery energy station stores and charges a plurality of batteries, records a placement time of at least one specific battery among the batteries in the battery energy station, wherein the placement time indicates the time that the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not taken out of the battery energy station, and transmits the placement time of the corresponding specific battery through a network. The remote server receives the placement time of the corresponding specific battery from the battery energy station through the network, and determines whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period. When the placement time exceeds the predetermined period, the remote server generates a notification and transmits the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding manager.

In some embodiments, the remote server further determines a specific battery energy station and instructs the administrator in the notification to move the specific battery to the specific battery energy station.

In some embodiments, the remote server further selects the specific battery energy station from the candidate battery energy stations based on a battery turnover rate and a setting location of the plurality of candidate battery energy stations.

In some embodiments, the remote server further transmits a first instruction to the battery energy station via the network, so that when the battery energy station receives a first specific input, the specific battery is removed from the battery energy station.

In some embodiments, the remote server further transmits a second instruction to the specific battery energy station via the network, so that when the specific battery is placed in the specific battery energy station, the specific battery energy station receives the specific battery and does not eject any battery in the specific battery energy station.

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 management system

110: Battery Energy Station

112:Battery storage system

BA:Battery

114: Storage unit

PT: placement time

116: Network connection unit

118: Processing unit

120: Remote server

130: Internet

S310, S320, S330, S340, S350: Steps

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

S510: Step

S610, S620: Steps

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

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

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a method for determining a specific battery energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A battery management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station 110 and a remote server 120. The battery energy station 110 can be connected to the remote server 120 using a network 130, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. It is noted that in some embodiments, the remote server 120 can simultaneously manage other battery energy stations located at the same location or at different locations. In some embodiments, the battery energy station 110 can be connected to the remote server 120 via the network 130, and the remote server 120 receives relevant information and performs relevant operations based on the received information.

FIG. 2 shows a battery energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention. A battery energy station 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an electronic device. As shown in the figure, the battery energy station 110 includes at least a battery storage system 112, a storage unit 114, a network connection unit 116, and a processing unit 118. The battery storage system 112 has a specific mechanism (not shown in the figure) that can store a plurality of batteries BA and selectively lock or release the batteries. The battery energy station 110 can provide batteries to at least one electrical device, such as an electric motorcycle or an electric car. The battery energy station 110 may have an energy module (not shown in the figure) for electrically coupling to a power grid to obtain a total current to supply power to the battery energy station 110 and charge the battery BA according to the signal of the processing unit 118. It must be explained that the battery storage system 112 may include a charging module corresponding to each battery BA, 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 can actively detect the total current supplied by the power grid to the battery energy station 110, and notify the processing unit 118 of the corresponding total current information.

The storage unit 114 can store the placement time PT of each corresponding battery BA staying in the battery energy station 110. The placement time PT indicates the time that the battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not taken out of the battery energy station. The usage of the placement time PT will be described later. The network connection unit 116 can be connected to a network, so that the battery energy station 110 has a network connection capability. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The processing unit 118 can control the operation of all hardware and software in the battery energy station 110 and execute the battery management method of this case, the details of which will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station and a remote server for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, as shown in FIG. 1.

First, as in step S310, the battery energy station is used to record the placement time of at least one specific battery in the battery energy station. It is reminded that the placement time is used to indicate the time that the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not taken out of the battery energy station. Then, as in step S320, the battery energy station transmits the placement time of the corresponding specific battery to the remote server through a network, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. Thereafter, as in step S330, the remote server is used to determine whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period, such as 30 days. It should be noted that the aforementioned predetermined period is only an example of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the predetermined period can also be set to 60 days or 90 days. The predetermined period can be set according to different needs and applications. When the placement time of the corresponding specific battery does not exceed the predetermined period (No in step S340), the process returns to step S310. When the placement time of the corresponding specific battery exceeds the predetermined period (Yes in step S340), as in step S350, the remote server generates a notification and sends the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding manager, such as a mobile device.

FIG. 4 shows a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery management method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station and a remote server for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, as shown in FIG. 1.

First, as in step S410, the battery energy station is used to record the placement time of at least one specific battery in the battery energy station. It is noted that the placement time is used to indicate the time during which the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not removed from the battery energy station. Next, as in step S420, the battery energy station transmits the placement time of the corresponding specific battery to the remote server via a network, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. Thereafter, as in step S430, the remote server is used to determine whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period, such as 30 days. It is noted that the aforementioned predetermined period is only an example of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The predetermined period can be set according to different needs and applications. When the placement time of the corresponding specific battery does not exceed the predetermined period (No in step S440), the process returns to step S410. When the placement time of the corresponding specific battery exceeds the predetermined period (Yes in step S440), as in step S450, the remote server determines a specific battery energy station, and as in step S460, the remote server generates a notification and sends the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding manager, such as a mobile device. The notification is used to instruct the manager to move the specific battery to the specific battery energy station. FIG. 5 shows a method for determining a specific battery energy station according to an embodiment of the present invention. As in step S510, the remote server can select the specific battery energy station from the candidate battery energy stations according to a battery turnover rate and a setting location respectively corresponding to the plurality of candidate battery energy stations. In some embodiments, the candidate battery energy station with a higher battery turnover rate and a setting location closer to the battery energy station will be selected as the specific battery energy station.

FIG. 6 shows a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery management method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery energy station and a remote server for storing and charging multiple batteries, as shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the remote server will send instructions to the battery energy station to assist in the movement of specific batteries.

First, as in step S610, the remote server transmits a first instruction to the battery energy station through a network, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, so that when the battery energy station receives a first specific input, the specific battery is ejected from the battery energy station. Then, as in step S620, the remote server transmits a second instruction to the specific battery energy station through the network, so that when the specific battery is placed in the specific battery energy station, the specific battery energy station receives the specific battery and does not eject any battery in the specific battery energy station. For example, the administrator can input the first specific input in the battery energy station, and when the battery energy station receives the first specific input, the specific battery will be ejected. At this time, the administrator can place the specific battery into the specific battery energy station and/or input the second specific input. When the specific battery energy station receives the specific battery and/or the second specific input, it will store the specific battery without ejecting any battery.

Therefore, the battery management method and system of this case can manage and subsequently process the low-frequency batteries used in the battery energy station, thereby improving the efficiency of battery management and distribution.

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 an apparatus 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 an apparatus 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 (10)

A battery management method, applicable to a battery energy station and a remote server for storing and charging multiple batteries, includes the following steps: Using the battery energy station to record the placement time of at least one specific battery among the batteries in the battery energy station, wherein the placement time indicates the time during which the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not removed from the battery energy station; The battery energy station transmits the placement time corresponding to the specific battery to the remote server via a network; Using the remote server to determine whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period of time; and When the placement time exceeds the predetermined period, the remote server generates a notification and transmits the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding administrator. The battery management method described in Item 1 of the patent application further includes the following steps: Determining a specific battery energy station using the remote server; and Instruct the manager in the notification to move the specific battery to the specific battery energy station. The battery management method described in Item 2 of the patent application further includes using the remote server to select the specific battery energy station from the candidate battery energy stations based on a battery turnover rate and a setting location of a plurality of candidate battery energy stations. The battery management method as described in Item 2 of the patent application scope further includes using the remote server to send a first command to the battery energy station via the network, so that when the battery energy station receives a first specific input, the specific battery is removed from the battery energy station. The battery management method as described in Item 4 of the patent application scope further includes using the remote server to send a second instruction to the specific battery energy station through the network, so that when the specific battery is placed in the specific battery energy station, the specific battery energy station receives the specific battery and does not withdraw any battery in the specific battery energy station. A battery management system, comprising: A battery energy station for storing and charging a plurality of batteries, recording the placement time of at least one specific battery among the batteries in the battery energy station, wherein the placement time indicates the time during which the specific battery continues to stay in the battery energy station and is not removed from the battery energy station, and transmitting the placement time of the corresponding specific battery through a network; and A remote server is used to receive the placement time of the corresponding specific battery from the battery energy station through the network, determine whether the placement time exceeds a predetermined period, and when the placement time exceeds the predetermined period, generate a notification and send the notification to an electronic device of a corresponding manager. As described in item 6 of the patent application scope, the remote server further determines a specific battery energy station and instructs the manager in the notification to move the specific battery to the specific battery energy station. As described in item 7 of the patent application scope, the remote server further selects the specific battery energy station from the candidate battery energy stations based on a battery turnover rate and a setting location of the candidate battery energy stations. As described in item 7 of the patent application scope, the remote server further transmits a first command to the battery energy station via the network, so that when the battery energy station receives a first specific input, the specific battery is removed from the battery energy station. As described in item 9 of the patent application scope, the remote server further transmits a second instruction to the specific battery energy station via the network, so that when the specific battery is placed in the specific battery energy station, the specific battery energy station receives the specific battery and does not withdraw any battery in the specific battery energy station.

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