JP7793426B2 - Mobile - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a moving object.

In recent years, batteries have been used with the aim of increasing the proportion of renewable energy, as electricity charged using renewable energy can be used in places other than the charging point. Technologies using batteries have been proposed for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle that has a main battery attached to the vehicle body and a drive source that outputs driving force for traveling using the power of the main battery, and that has a holder attached to the vehicle body that detachably holds a user battery owned by the user, separate from the main battery, and has the function of charging the user battery.

Patent No. 6882588

In the prior art, a rental system is conceivable in which a user who owns a user battery rents it to a third party.
This rental system is equipped with a mechanism that allows a third party to remove a user battery from the holder of the user's electric vehicle and borrow the user battery, allowing the user to rent out the user battery at a rental location where the user has traveled in the electric vehicle.
Furthermore, by making it possible to use the power of the user battery to drive the electric vehicle, it is possible to compensate for a power shortage in the main battery and extend the driving distance.

However, when a user lends out their user battery at their destination, if the user battery's power is used to drive to their destination, the remaining charge in the user battery may decrease to a level that is inappropriate for lending, making it impossible to lend out the battery at their destination. In this case, the user's need for a removable battery, which allows them to lend out their user battery, is not met.

The present invention aims to provide a mobile device that can prevent situations where users' needs for removable batteries are not met.

One aspect of the present invention is a device for controlling a vehicle including a drive unit having an electric motor that outputs a driving force for movement, a first battery and a second battery that supply power to the drive unit, a power supply control unit that controls the supply of power from the first battery and the second battery to the drive unit, a movable distance calculation unit that calculates a movable distance based on the amount of charge stored in the first battery and the second battery, a display device that displays the movable distance calculated by the movable distance calculation unit, a communication device that communicates with a management server that manages lending and borrowing of the second battery between a user and a third party, and a communication device that responds to the lending request when a borrowing request from the third party is received from the management server by the communication device. and a rental request response unit that sends a response to the management server in response to instructions from the user , wherein the first battery is a stationary battery, the second battery is a detachable battery, the power supply control unit stops the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit based on instructions from the user , the movable distance calculation unit calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of stored power in the second battery when the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped, and the movable distance calculation unit calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of stored power in the second battery when the response to the borrowing request indicates acceptance of the request .

One aspect of the present invention can prevent situations where users' needs for removable batteries are not met.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a manner in which a battery station is attached to a mobile object. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving body together with a configuration of a battery station. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device provided in a moving body. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a charging screen that displays a charging status. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a charging screen that displays a charging status. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a movable distance display screen that displays a movable distance. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a movable distance display screen that displays a movable distance.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rental system 1 according to this embodiment.
The rental system 1 is a system that provides a lending and borrowing service for a power pack 2, which is a portable battery (second battery), between a user (hereinafter referred to as a "lender" and designated by reference numeral 4) who lends the power pack 2 and a third party (hereinafter referred to as a "borrower" and designated by reference numeral 6) who borrows the power pack 2. As shown in Fig. 1 , the rental system 1 of this embodiment includes a battery station 10 that is provided on a mobile object 8 operated by the lender 4 and detachably holds the power pack 2, a first electronic device 14 operated by the lender 4, a second electronic device 16 operated by the borrower 6, an electric vehicle 24 that is an example of a device that can use the power pack 2 borrowed by the borrower 6, and a management server 20 that manages the lending and borrowing of the power pack 2, each of which is connected to a communication network 22 such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The lessor 4 is a person who has the right to rent the power pack 2 to a third party, such as the owner of the power pack 2, or a person who has the right to sublease a power pack 2 rented from an operator of the rental system 1. In this embodiment, the lessor 4 also has ownership or usage rights to the mobile object 8.

The mobile object 8 is an electrically powered object (i.e., an electrically powered mobile object) that moves on land, in the air, on the sea, or underwater together with the battery station 10 by being operated by the lessor 4, and is, for example, a vehicle, an aircraft, or a ship. In this embodiment, an electric four-wheeled automobile, which is one type of electric vehicle, is exemplified as the mobile object 8, and its configuration will be described later together with the configuration of the battery station 10.

The power pack 2 is a portable battery that is removably attached to the mobile object 8 by being removably held in the battery station 10, and the type of battery (electrode material) is optional.

The lessee 6 is a person who has the right to borrow and use the power pack 2 from the lessor 4. In this embodiment, the lessee 6 is the user of the electric vehicle 24.

The electric vehicle 24 is a vehicle such as a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle equipped with the above-mentioned replaceable power pack 2 and an electric motor that uses the electric power of the power pack 2 to output driving force for driving the drive wheels of the vehicle body.

The management server 20 is a server computer that provides the above-mentioned lending and borrowing service and manages the lending and borrowing of power packs 2 between lenders 4 and borrowers 6.

The first electronic device 14 and the second electronic device 16 are both devices equivalent to client computers that receive lending and borrowing services from the management server 20, and are, for example, portable electronic devices such as smartphones or notebook personal computers, or stationary electronic devices such as desktop personal computers.

In this embodiment, the first electronic device 14 executes processing related to the lending of the power pack 2 on the management server 20 based on the operation of the lender 4, and the second electronic device 16 executes processing related to the borrowing of the power pack 2 on the management server 20 based on the operation of the borrower 6.

The processes executed by the first electronic device 14 include a lending application process and a permission process.
The loan application process is a process in which the first electronic device 14 sends an application to the management server 20 for the lender 4 to loan the power pack 2, and information such as the loan location where the loan will be performed and the start date and time of the loan is sent to the management server 20 through such application.
The permission process is a process in which, when the first electronic device 14 receives from the management server 20 a request from the borrower 6 for permission to borrow the power pack 2, the first electronic device 14 prompts the lender 4 to input an input operation to approve or reject the request, and based on the result of the input operation, sends an approval or rejection of the request to the management server 20.

The processes executed by the second electronic device 16 include a search process and a borrowing permission request process.
The search process is a process in which the second electronic device 16 requests the management server 20 to search for power packs 2 that are currently on loan based on the operation of the borrower 6, and then presents the search results received from the management server 20 to the borrower 6 by display.
The borrowing permission request process is a process in which the second electronic device 16 transmits a message to the management server 20, based on an operation by the borrower 6, requesting permission to borrow the power pack 2 that is currently being lent out.

When the management server 20 receives such a request, it sends a message to the first electronic device 14 indicating that the borrower 6 is requesting permission to borrow the power pack 2, which causes the first electronic device 14 to execute the permission process. Then, when the management server 20 receives a message of permission from the first electronic device 14, it grants permission to borrow the power pack 2 to the second electronic device 16, thereby granting permission to the borrower 6. On the other hand, when the management server 20 receives a message of denial from the first electronic device 14, it denies the request for permission to borrow by sending a message to the second electronic device 16 denial of the request.

Here, the lending and borrowing service in the rental system 1 of this embodiment is premised on the following first to fourth items.
The first condition is that the lender 4 lends out the power pack 2 using the current location of the mobile unit 8 as the lending location.
The second point is that when the borrower 6 borrows the power pack 2, the borrower 6 exchanges the power pack 2 that he or she is using in his or her own electric vehicle 24 for the power pack 2 that he or she borrows (so-called exchange method).
The third point is that if the power pack 2 is exchanged by the lessee 6, the lessor 4 can rent out the power pack 2 acquired through the exchange. In other words, the lessor 4 has the right to sublease the power pack 2 acquired through the exchange.
The fourth item is that the lessor 4 receives an incentive from the operator of the rental system 1 according to the rental performance of the power pack 2 .

According to this rental system 1, the lessor 4 can rent out the power pack 2 not only at his/her own home but also at a location (e.g., a shopping mall) while traveling in the mobile object 8. Furthermore, the lessor 4 can repeatedly rent out the power pack 2 without being limited by the number of power packs 2 in stock, and can receive incentives.
On the other hand, when the remaining amount of stored electricity in the power pack 2 of the electric vehicle 24 becomes low, the lessee 6 can borrow a power pack 2 from a lender 4 that is lending out power packs in the vicinity and exchange it for the power pack 2 of the electric vehicle 24. As a result, even if the power pack 2 runs low in stored electricity while the lessee 6 is driving the electric vehicle 24 in an area where charging facilities are insufficient, the lessee 6 can solve the problem of insufficient stored electricity by exchanging it for the power pack 2 borrowed from the lender 4.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the battery station 10 is attached to the mobile object 8. As shown in FIG.
As described above, the mobile object 8 of this embodiment is an electric four-wheeled vehicle, and the battery station 10 can be attached in two modes, mode 1 and mode 2, shown in FIG. 2 . Mode 1 is a mode in which the battery station 10 is installed in a location on the rear surface 8R of the body 30 of the mobile object 8 where a spare tire (so-called rear tire) is fixed. Mode 2 is a mode in which the battery station 10 is fixed to a roof carrier 9 installed on the roof 8U of the body 30 of the mobile object 8, instead of a roof box. The dimensions, shape, and appearance of the battery station 10 differ between mode 1 and mode 2. The battery station 10 in mode 1 is box-shaped with dimensions corresponding to the spare tire, and the battery station 10 in mode 2 has an appearance similar to that of a roof box.
In both aspects 1 and 2, the battery station 10 is located outside the body of the vehicle 8, in a position that is visible to the renter 6, and from which the renter 6 can easily remove the power pack 2.

Fig. 3 is a diagram that schematically shows the configuration of the mobile object 8 together with the configuration of the battery station 10. Note that Fig. 3 is merely a schematic diagram and does not accurately show the layout, shape, size, etc. of each part.
The mobile object 8 includes a vehicle body 30, which is the main body, and the battery station 10 attached to the vehicle body 30. The vehicle body 30 is also provided with drive wheels 31A and driven wheels 31B, and a drive unit 32 that drives the drive wheels 31A. The mobile object 8 in the illustrated example is a four-wheeled vehicle with drive wheels 31A as the front wheels and driven wheels 31B as the rear wheels, and the drive unit 32 includes an electric motor 34 that outputs drive force to drive the drive wheels 31A (i.e., for traveling), a drive unit 36 that includes an inverter device or the like that drives the electric motor 34, and a transmission mechanism 38 that transmits the drive force to the drive wheels 31A.

Furthermore, the mobile object 8 is equipped with two types of batteries that supply power to the drive unit 32: a stationary on-board battery 40 (first battery) installed on the vehicle body 30, and one or more (three in the illustrated example) power packs 2 detachably held in the battery station 10.The mobile object 8 also has a power supply device 42 that selectively supplies power from the on-board battery 40 and the power packs 2 to the drive unit 32, and a first charge amount detector 43 that detects the amount of charge stored in the on-board battery 40.

The mobile object 8 also includes a position detection device 44 , a navigation device 46 , an HMI (Human Machine Interface) unit 48 , a communication device 50 , and a control device 52 .
The position detection device 44 is a device that detects the current position of the mobile body 8, and is equipped with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver that receives positioning signals transmitted from a plurality of positioning satellites.
The navigation device 46 is a device that has at least a route search function that searches for a travel route from the current position of the mobile object 8 to the destination, and a route guidance function that guides the user along the travel route.
The HMI unit 48 includes an input device 48A that accepts inputs from the lessor 4, and a display device 48B that displays various information.
The communication device 50 is a device including a receiver 50A and a transmitter 50B that transmit and receive data to and from the management server 20 via the communication network 22 .

The control device 52 includes a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors. In this embodiment, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) is used as the computer. The processor executes computer programs stored in the memory device or storage device, causing the control device 52 to realize various functions described below. Note that the control device 52 may include multiple computers and ECUs, with the computers and ECUs working together to realize various functions.

In addition to the components shown in the figure, the vehicle body 30 of the mobile unit 8 also includes components typically found in electric vehicles. Such components include, for example, a charging device that charges the onboard battery 40 with power supplied from an external power source.

The battery station 10 comprises a housing 60 that houses multiple (three in the illustrated example) power packs 2. Inside this housing 60 are a holding unit 62 that detachably holds the power packs 2, a charging device 64, a second charge detector 66, and a storage space 68 in which the renter 4 (i.e., the user of the vehicle 8) can store luggage.

The holding unit 62 includes a charging connector that electrically connects to the electrodes of the power pack 2, and a lid 69 (Figure 2) that opens and closes when inserting or removing the power pack 2. The charging device 64 charges the power packs 2 using power supplied from the vehicle's onboard battery 40. The second charge detector 66 detects the charge level of each power pack 2. The detection result of the second charge detector 66 is sent from the battery station 10 to the control device 52 of the vehicle 8.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 52 provided in the mobile object 8.
As shown in the figure, the control device 52 includes a power supply control unit 70 , a destination determination unit 72 , a borrowing request response unit 74 , a movable distance calculation unit 76 , and a display control unit 78 .

The power supply control unit 70 controls the power supply device 42 to control the supply of power from the vehicle battery 40 and power pack 2 to the drive unit 32. Furthermore, when a specific instruction is input by the lessor 4 via the input device 48A, the power supply control unit 70 controls the power supply device 42 to stop the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 based on the specific instruction.

The destination determination unit 72 determines whether the destination of the mobile unit 8 is a location where the power pack 2 can be charged. Specifically, when the navigation device 46 is providing route guidance, the destination determination unit 72 determines whether the destination is a location where charging is possible based on the presence or absence of charging facilities at or near the destination of the route guidance to which the mobile unit 8 is being directed. The determination of the presence or absence of charging facilities may be made, for example, based on map information used by the navigation device 46 for route search and route guidance, or by the destination determination unit 72 querying the management server 20. Furthermore, because the lender 4 typically charges the on-board battery 40 and power pack 2 at home, in this embodiment, if the destination is the lender 4's home, it is also considered to be a location where charging is possible.

When the communication device 50 receives a request from the management server 20 to borrow a power pack 2 from a third-party borrower 6, the borrowing request response unit 74 displays on the display device 48B that the borrowing request has occurred and presents this to the lender 4. Furthermore, when the lender 4 instructs the input device 48A to accept or reject the borrowing request, the borrowing request response unit 74 transmits a response to the management server 20 indicating acceptance or rejection of the borrowing request based on that instruction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the lender 4 performs an operation to approve the borrowing request and the borrowing request response unit 74 sends a response indicating such approval to the management server 20, the power supply control unit 70 controls the power supply device 42 to stop the supply of power from the power packs 2 to the drive unit 32 in order to prevent the power stored in the power packs 2 from running out. In this case, the power supply control unit 70 stops the supply of power to the drive unit 32 for only the number of power packs 2 that are scheduled to be loaned out based on the approval, out of the multiple power packs 2 stored in the battery station 10, and continues to supply power to the drive unit 32 for the remaining power packs 2.

The travelable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the travelable distance, which is the distance that the mobile object 8 can travel, based on the amount of electricity stored in the on-board battery 40 and each power pack 2. More specifically, the travelable distance calculation unit 76 determines the amount of electricity stored in the on-board battery 40 based on the detection result of the first electricity storage amount detector 43, and determines the amount of electricity stored in each power pack 2 based on the detection result of the second electricity storage amount detector 66. The travelable distance calculation unit 76 then calculates the travelable distance based on these amounts of electricity stored. Any publicly known or well-known calculation method can be used to calculate the travelable distance.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the supply of power from the power packs 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped by control of the power supply control unit 70, the travelable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the travelable distance excluding the amount of electricity stored in the power packs 2. In this case, for example, when the supply of power to the drive unit 32 is stopped because some of the power packs 2 are scheduled to be used for rental, the travelable distance is calculated excluding only the amount of electricity stored in these power packs 2.

The display control unit 78 controls the display of the display device 48B, and controls the display of the charge status of the on-board battery 40 and each power pack 2, as well as the possible travel distance calculated by the possible travel distance calculation unit 76.

5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of a charging screen D1 that displays the charging state.
The charging screen D1 displays a vehicle body icon E1 representing the vehicle body 30, superimposed on which are an on-board battery icon E2 representing the on-board battery 40, a power pack icon E3 representing several power packs 2 stored in the battery station 10, and an electric motor icon E4 representing the electric motor 34, and also displays the amount of electricity stored in the on-board battery 40 (remaining battery capacity).
When at least one of the in-vehicle battery 40 and the power pack 2 is being charged using a power source outside the vehicle 8 (hereinafter referred to as the "external power source"), the charging screen D1 displays a first message M1 indicating that the battery is "charging" and a charging cable icon E5 that resembles a charging cable extending from the external power source, corresponding to the battery being charged.

Specifically, an example of a charging screen D1 in aspect A1 is a screen when the vehicle battery 40 is being charged by an external power source, and in this case, a first message M1 and a charging cable icon E5 are attached to the vehicle battery icon E2.
An example of the charging screen D1 of mode A2 is a screen when each power pack 2 is being charged by an external power source, and in this case, a first message M1 and a charging cable icon E5 are added to the power pack icon E3.
An example of a charging screen D1 in aspect A3 is a screen when the vehicle battery 40 and each power pack 2 are being charged by an external power source, and in this case, a first message M1 and a charging cable icon E5 are attached to each of the vehicle battery icon E2 and the power pack icon E3.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the power pack 2 may be charged using power from the vehicle battery 40 rather than an external power source. In this case, as shown in aspect A4, the charging screen D1 displays an internal charging power supply icon E6 indicating that charging power is being supplied from the vehicle battery 40 to the power pack 2, and a second message M2 indicating that the power source for charging is the vehicle battery 40.

Note that charging using an external power source requires connecting a charging cable to the vehicle body 30, and is therefore performed while the vehicle 8 is stationary. In contrast, charging the power pack 2 using power from the onboard battery 40 does not require an external charging cable, and can be performed based on instructions from the lessor 4 even while the vehicle 8 is moving, not just when the vehicle is stationary.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing an example of a movable distance display screen D2 that displays the movable distance.
As with the charging screen D1, the travelable distance display screen D2 displays the vehicle body icon E1 superimposed with an in-vehicle battery icon E2, a power pack icon E3, and an electric motor icon E4, and also displays a fourth message M4 indicating the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculation unit 76 (in the illustrated example, "travelable distance").

Furthermore, on the travelable distance display screen D2, when at least one of the on-board battery 40 and the power pack 2 is supplying power to the drive unit 32, a drive power supply icon E7 indicating that power is being supplied to the drive unit 32 is displayed on the on-board battery icon E2 and power pack icon E3 corresponding to the battery currently supplying power. Note that a message indicating that power is being supplied to the drive unit 32 may be displayed together with the drive power supply icon E7 or instead of the drive power supply icon E7.

Specifically, an example of a travelable distance display screen D2 in mode B1 is a screen when power is being supplied to the drive unit 32 from the vehicle battery 40 and the power pack 2, and in this case, a drive power supply icon E7 is attached to both the vehicle battery icon E2 and the power pack icon E3.
An example of a travelable distance display screen D2 in mode B2 is a screen when power is supplied from the vehicle battery 40 to the drive unit 32 and the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, and in this case, only the vehicle battery icon E2 is accompanied by a drive power supply icon E7.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the mobile body 8 is operating, power from the on-board battery 40 is always supplied to the drive unit 32, and there is no case in which the drive power supply icon E7 is attached only to the power pack icon E3.

By displaying this drive power supply icon E7, the user (renter 4) can see whether the power pack 2 is supplying power or has stopped.

However, the movable distance differs depending on whether or not the power of the power pack 2 is used to drive the drive unit 32. Therefore, when the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, the movable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of electricity stored in the power pack 2 while the supply of power to the drive unit 32 is stopped, and a fourth message M4 indicating this movable distance is displayed on the movable distance display screen D2 (mode B2 in FIG. 7 ).
This allows the user, or lender 4, to accurately grasp the distance that can be traveled when the amount of electricity stored in the power pack 2 is not being used to drive the drive unit 32.
In addition, the travelable distance display screen D2 of mode B2 may display that the power supply from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is currently stopped and the reason for the stop (such as user specification or planned rental, etc.).

Furthermore, as described above, in the mobile object 8 of this embodiment, the power pack 2 may be charged by power from the onboard battery 40 rather than an external power source. In this case, the amount of power stored in the onboard battery 40 available for driving the drive unit 32 is reduced by the amount used to charge the power pack 2, thereby shortening the available travel distance. Therefore, when the power pack 2 is being charged by power from the onboard battery 40, the available travel distance calculation unit 76 calculates the available travel distance based on the amount of power stored in the onboard battery 40 minus the amount of power consumed by charging the power pack 2, and displays a fourth message M4 indicating this available travel distance on the available travel distance display screen D2. Aspect B3 of FIG. 8 is an example of this available travel distance display screen D2. Similar to the charging screen D1 of aspect A4 shown in FIG. 6 , this available travel distance display screen D2 also displays the internal charging power supply icon E6, the first message M1, and the second message M2.
This allows the user, or lender 4, to accurately grasp the travelable distance even when the power of the vehicle-mounted battery 40 is used to charge the power pack 2.

Incidentally, even if the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped due to instructions from the user/lender 4 or due to the occurrence of a plan to lend out the power pack 2, if the destination of the mobile object 8 is a location where the power pack 2 can be charged, even if the power of the power pack 2 is used to drive the drive unit 32, the lender 4 can compensate for the power consumed by the drive unit 32 by charging the power pack 2 at the destination.
Therefore, even if the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, when the destination is a location where charging is possible, the travelable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the travelable distance based on the amount of electricity stored in the on-board battery 40 and also calculates the travelable distance based on the amounts of electricity stored in both the on-board battery 40 and the power pack 2, and displays a fourth message M4 indicating each of the travelable distances on the travelable distance display screen D2. Aspect B4 of Fig. 8 is an example of this travelable distance display screen D2, and on this travelable distance display screen D2, a fourth message M4 is displayed in which the travelable distance based on the amounts of electricity stored in both the on-board battery 40 and the power pack 2 is displayed together with the travelable distance based only on the amount of electricity stored in the on-board battery 40 ("travelable distance" in the illustrated example).

This allows the user/renter 4 to know the distance that can be traveled when the power of the power pack 2 is added to the power of the vehicle battery 40 and used to drive the drive unit 32, while keeping in mind that the power supply from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, even if the power supply from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped.
Therefore, for example, even if the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped and the destination is too far away to be reached using only the stored power in the vehicle battery 40, the user/lessor 4 can compare the distance that can be traveled when using the power of the power pack 2 with the distance to the destination, and decide whether or not to use the power of the power pack 2 for drive, thereby improving user convenience.
The movable distance display screen D2 in mode B4 may also display that the power pack 2 can be charged at the destination.

The above-described embodiment provides the following advantages:

The mobile body 8 of this embodiment comprises a drive unit 32 having an electric motor 34 that outputs drive force for traveling, an on-board battery 40 and a power pack 2 that supply power to the drive unit 32, and a power supply control unit 70 that controls the supply of power from the on-board battery 40 and the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32, where the on-board battery 40 is a stationary battery and the power pack 2 is a detachable battery, and the power supply control unit 70 stops the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 based on instructions from the user, the lender 4.
According to this configuration, when a user lends out the power pack 2 at a destination, it is possible to prevent the power pack 2 from consuming power due to the driving of the drive unit 32, and it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the user's need to lend out the power pack 2 at a destination is not met.

The mobile object 8 of this embodiment includes a movable distance calculation unit 76 that calculates a movable distance based on the amount of electricity stored in the in-vehicle battery 40 and the power pack 2, and a display device 48B that displays the movable distance calculated by the movable distance calculation unit 76. When the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, the movable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of electricity stored in the power pack 2.
With this configuration, the user (renter 4) can accurately grasp the distance that can be traveled when the amount of electricity stored in the power pack 2 is not being used to drive the drive unit 32.

In the mobile body 8 of this embodiment, when the power pack 2 is charged by the power of the on-board battery 40, the above-mentioned movable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the movable distance based on the amount of stored electricity of the on-board battery 40 minus the amount of electricity consumed by charging the power pack 2.
According to this configuration, the user (renter 4) can accurately grasp the travelable distance even when the power of the vehicle battery 40 is used to charge the power pack 2.

The mobile object 8 of this embodiment includes a communication device 50 that communicates with a management server 20 that manages the lending and borrowing of power packs 2 between a user, the lender 4, and a third party, the borrower 6, and a borrowing request response unit 74 that, when a borrowing request from the borrower 6 is received from the management server 20 by the communication device 50, transmits a response to the borrowing request to the management server 20 in accordance with an instruction from the lender 4. Then, when the response to the borrowing request indicates acceptance of the request, a movable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of stored power in the power pack 2.
With this configuration, the lender 4 who is the user can accurately grasp the travelable distance when the amount of electricity stored in the power pack 2 to be rented is not used to drive the drive unit 32.

The mobile body 8 of this embodiment is equipped with a destination determination unit 72 that determines whether the destination is a location where the power pack 2 can be charged, and if the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped and the destination is a location where charging is possible, the movable distance calculation unit 76 calculates the movable distance based on the amount of electricity stored in both the on-board battery 40 and the power pack 2.
With this configuration, even if the supply of power from the power pack 2 to the drive unit 32 is stopped, the user/renter 4 can understand the distance that can be traveled when the power of the power pack 2 is added to the power of the vehicle battery 40 and used to drive the drive unit 32, while keeping in mind the charging of the power pack 2 at the destination.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and can be modified and applied as desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The various aspects of these embodiments, modifications, and applications can also be combined as desired.

In the above-described embodiment, an electric vehicle driven by the electric motor 34 of the drive unit 32 was exemplified as the mobile object 8. However, the mobile object 8 may also be a so-called hybrid electric vehicle in which the drive unit 32 includes an internal combustion engine in addition to the electric motor 34.

In the above-described embodiment, the diagrams showing the functional configuration are schematic diagrams in which the components of each device are classified according to the main processing content in order to make the present invention easier to understand. These components can also be further classified into more components according to the processing content. Furthermore, a single component can also be classified to perform even more processing.

(Configurations supported by the disclosure herein)
The disclosure herein supports the following configurations:

(Configuration 1)
A mobile body comprising: a drive unit having an electric motor that outputs a drive force for movement; a first battery and a second battery that supply power to the drive unit; and a power supply control unit that controls the supply of power from the first battery and the second battery to the drive unit, wherein the first battery is a stationary battery and the second battery is a detachable battery, and the power supply control unit stops the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit based on a user's instruction.
According to the first configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user's needs for the second battery are not satisfied.

(Configuration 2)
The vehicle described in configuration 1 includes: a travelable distance calculation unit that calculates a travelable distance based on the amount of power stored in each of the first battery and the second battery; and a display device that displays the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculation unit, wherein the travelable distance calculation unit calculates the travelable distance excluding the amount of power stored in the second battery when the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped.
According to the second aspect, the user can grasp the distance that can be traveled when the amount of electricity stored in the second battery is not used to drive the drive unit.

(Configuration 3)
The mobile body according to configuration 2, wherein, when the second battery is charged with power from the first battery, the movable distance calculation unit calculates the movable distance based on the amount of stored power of the first battery minus the amount of power consumed by charging the second battery.
According to the third aspect, the user can know the travelable distance even when the power of the first battery is used to charge the second battery.

(Configuration 4)
4. The mobile body according to configuration 2 or 3, comprising: a communication device that communicates with a management server that manages the lending and borrowing of the second battery between the user and a third party; and a borrowing request response unit that, when a borrowing request from the third party is received from the management server by the communication device, sends a response to the borrowing request to the management server in accordance with an instruction from the user, wherein the movable distance calculation unit, when the response to the borrowing request indicates acceptance of the request, calculates the movable distance excluding the amount of stored power in the second battery.
According to the fourth aspect, the user can grasp the travelable distance when the stored power of the second battery to be rented is not used to drive the drive unit.

(Configuration 5)
The mobile body according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, further comprising a destination determination unit that determines whether a destination is a location where the second battery can be charged, and the movable distance calculation unit calculates the movable distance based on the amount of power stored in both the first battery and the second battery when the destination is a location where the second battery can be charged while power supply from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped.
According to configuration 5, even if the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped, the user can understand the distance that can be traveled when the power of the second battery is used to drive the drive unit in addition to the power of the vehicle battery, while keeping in mind the charging of the second battery at the destination.

1. Rental system 2. Power pack (second battery)
4. Lender (User)
6. Borrower (Third Party)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Mobile object 10 Battery station 20 Management server 30 Vehicle body 32 Drive unit 34 Electric motor 43 First stored power detector 44 Position detection device 46 Navigation device 48A Input device 48B Display device 50 Communication device 52 Control device 66 Second stored power detector 70 Power supply control unit 72 Destination determination unit 74 Rental request response unit 76 Available travel distance calculation unit D1 Charging screen D2 Available travel distance display screen

Claims (3)

a drive unit having an electric motor that outputs a driving force for movement;
a first battery and a second battery that supply power to the drive unit;
a power supply control unit that controls the supply of power from the first battery and the second battery to the drive unit;
a travelable distance calculation unit that calculates a travelable distance based on the amounts of charge stored in the first battery and the second battery;
a display device that displays the movable distance calculated by the movable distance calculation unit; and
a communication device that communicates with a management server that manages lending and borrowing of the second battery between a user and a third party;
a borrowing request response unit that, when a borrowing request from the third party is received by the communication device from the management server, transmits a response to the borrowing request to the management server in accordance with an instruction from the user;
Equipped with
the first battery is a stationary battery,
the second battery is a detachable battery,
The power supply control unit
Stopping the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit based on an instruction from the user ;
The movable distance calculation unit
When the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped, the movable distance is calculated excluding the amount of stored power of the second battery;
The movable distance calculation unit
If the response to the request for borrowing indicates acceptance of the request, the available travel distance is calculated excluding the amount of charge stored in the second battery.
A moving object characterized by: The movable distance calculation unit
2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, when the second battery is being charged by the power of the first battery, the movable distance is calculated based on the amount of stored power of the first battery minus the amount of power consumed by charging the second battery. a destination determination unit that determines whether the destination is a location where the second battery can be charged;
The movable distance calculation unit
The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the supply of power from the second battery to the drive unit is stopped and the destination is a location where charging is possible, the movable distance is calculated based on the amount of charge stored in both the first battery and the second battery.