KR20180117986A - System for changing battery of electric bus and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery replacement system and method of operation of an electric bus according to various embodiments is characterized in that the position of the electric bus is determined by sensing the position of the electric bus in front of the sensor attachment station installed on at least one of the station or the electric bus, If it is within a predetermined range, the station can be configured to mount the battery at the top of the electric bus and the electric bus to correct the position of the battery.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a battery replacement system for an electric bus,

Various embodiments relate to a system for battery replacement of an electric bus and a method of operation thereof.

In general, electric vehicles are the most promising alternative to solve environmental pollution and energy depletion. Such an electric vehicle drives by using electric power charged in an internal battery. For example, an electric vehicle may include a hybrid car, an electric bus, an electric bicycle, a golf cart, and the like. The electric bus travels along predetermined routes and stops at a plurality of stations disposed on the route. At this time, the battery of the electric bus can be replaced at the stations. That is, the stations can pick up the battery inside the electric vehicle and drop the battery.

However, such stations have difficulty in replacing the battery of the electric bus. This is because the stations must accurately locate the battery on the electric bus. Accordingly, it takes a long time to replace the battery of the electric bus at the stations.

(Patent Literature) Korean Patent Publication No. 1373598

The battery replacement system of the electric bus according to various embodiments can easily replace the battery of the electric bus at the stations. Thus, the battery replacement system of the electric bus according to various embodiments can save time spent replacing the battery of the electric bus at the stations.

A battery replacement system for an electric bus according to various embodiments includes a sensor portion for sensing a position of an electric bus in opposition to a station, a mounting portion for receiving a battery mounted from the station at an upper end of the electric bus, And moving means for correcting the position of the battery within the battery.

According to various embodiments, the system further comprises: determining a correction value for moving the battery to a predetermined position on the electric bus; and controlling the moving means to move the battery based on the correction value And a control unit.

According to various embodiments, the moving means comprises: first moving means for moving the battery along a first axis on a plane on which the battery is mounted; and second means for moving the battery along the second axis, And a second moving means for moving the first moving means.

According to various embodiments, the moving means may further comprise third moving means for rotating the battery about a third axis perpendicular to the plane.

According to various embodiments, the system may further include mounting means for supporting the battery within the mounting portion and moving with the battery on the moving means.

 According to various embodiments, the station may mount the battery on top of the electric bus if the position of the electric bus is within a predetermined range.

According to various embodiments, the sensor unit may be installed in at least one of the station or the electric bus.

A method of operating a battery replacement system for an electrical bus in accordance with various embodiments includes the steps of sensing a position of the electrical bus relative to the station, wherein a sensor portion is mounted on at least one of the station or the electrical bus, If the position is within a predetermined range, the station may include mounting a battery on top of the electric bus and the electric bus correcting the position of the battery.

According to various embodiments, the correcting operation may include an act of the electric bus determining a correction value for moving the battery to a predetermined position, and an operation of moving the battery, based on the correction value, . ≪ / RTI >

According to various embodiments, the compensating operation includes moving the battery along a first axis on a plane on which the battery is mounted, moving the battery along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis on the plane Or rotating the battery about a third axis perpendicular to the plane.

According to various embodiments, an electric bus can correct the position of the battery therein. That is, when the battery is mounted by the station, the electric bus can move the battery from the inside to the desired position. This allows the station to pick up the battery on the electric bus or drop the battery on the electric bus without having to precisely locate the battery on the electric bus. Thus, the battery of the electric bus in the station can be easily replaced. In addition, the time required to replace the battery in the electric bus at the station can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a system according to various embodiments.
2 is a side view illustrating a system according to various embodiments.
3A is a perspective view illustrating a system according to various embodiments.
3B is a front view illustrating a system according to various embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a mounting portion of the electric bus in FIG. 3B. FIG.
5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of a system in accordance with various embodiments.
6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical bus in accordance with various embodiments.
7 is a block diagram showing the mounting portion in Fig.
8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an electrical bus in accordance with various embodiments.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are plan views for explaining a method of operating an electric bus according to various embodiments.
10 is a block diagram illustrating a station in accordance with various embodiments.
11 is a block diagram showing the replacement unit in FIG.
12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of a station in accordance with various embodiments.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present document will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the techniques described herein are not intended to limit the particular embodiments, but rather include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar components.

In this document, the expressions "have," "have," "include," or "may include" refer to the presence of such features, such as numerals, functions, And does not exclude the presence of additional features.

As used herein, the expressions " first " or " second ", and the like, may denote various components, regardless of their order and / or importance, and may be used only to distinguish one component from another But do not limit the components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a system 100 in accordance with various embodiments, and FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a system 100 in accordance with various embodiments. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a system 100 according to various embodiments, and FIG. 3B is a front view illustrating a system 100 according to various embodiments. 4 is a top view and a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110 in FIG. 3B.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b and 4, the system 100 according to various embodiments may include a plurality of electrical buses 110 and a plurality of stations 120 .

The electric buses 110 can run along predetermined routes. Here, the electric buses 110 can run along different routes, and at least two of the electric buses 110 can run along the same route. And the electric buses 110 may run for predetermined travel times. Here, the electric buses 110 can run at different operating times, and at least two of the electric buses 110 can run along the same running time. There may also be a plurality of bus companies (not shown) for the electric buses 110. For example, electrical buses 110 may belong to different bus companies, and at least two of the electrical buses 110 may belong to the same bus company. For example, each electric bus 110 may have unique identification information and identification information of the bus company to which the electric bus 110 belongs.

According to various embodiments, the electric buses 110 can be driven using the battery 111 inside. At this time, the battery 111 can be mounted on the electric buses 110 in one direction. To this end, the electrical buses 110 may include a mounting portion 113. The mounting portion 113 can sense the stop position of each electric bus 110 in opposition to any one of the stations 120. [ The mounting portion 113 can accommodate the battery 111 and mount the battery 111 inside the electric buses 110. Also, the mounting portion 113 can correct the position of the battery 111 inside. Thus, the electric buses 110 are electrically connected to the battery 111, so that they can be driven using the battery 111. [

The stations 120 may be located on the operating routes of the electrical buses 110. [ At this time, the stations 120 may be disposed apart from each other. In this way, each electrical bus 110 can be sequentially stopped on stations 120 on each service route. Here, each electric bus 110 can enter each station 120 along a predetermined entering direction as shown in FIG. 3A, and depart from each station 120 along the entering direction . And there may be a plurality of station companies (not shown) for the stations 120. For example, the stations 120 may be operated by different station companies, and at least two of the stations 120 may be operated by the same station company. Here, each station 120 may have unique identification information.

According to various embodiments, the stations 120 may replace the battery 111 of the electric buses 110. That is, when the electric buses 110 are stopped, the stations 120 can replace the batteries 111 of the electric buses 110. At this time, the stations 120 may move the battery 111 along the entry direction of the electric buses 110 as shown in FIG. 3A. And the stations 120 can mount the battery 111 on the electric buses 110 in one direction. Here, opposite to each station 120, when the stationary position of one of the electric buses 110 is within a predetermined range, each station 120 is positioned at the top of any one of the electric buses 110 The battery 111 can be mounted.

According to various embodiments, the stations 120 may include at least one holding means 121 and a conveying means 123 as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Here, the stations 120 can replace the battery 111 at the top of the electric buses 110. And the stations 120 can charge the battery 111 at the loading section 125. [

The gripping means 121 can pick up the battery 111 or drop the battery 111. [ The gripping means 121 can pick up the battery 111 from the electric bus 110 or the loading section 125 and can drop the battery 111 to the electric bus 110 or the loading section 125 have. The gripping means 121 can pick up the battery 111 in the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110 or drop the battery 111 into the mounting portion 113. [

The transfer means 123 can transfer the holding means 121 to a desired position. At this time, the transfer means 123 can transfer the holding means 121 between the electric bus 110 and the loading section 125. Here, the transfer means 123 can transfer the holding means 121 in correspondence with the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110. [

According to one embodiment, the gripping means 121 may include a first gripping means and a second gripping means. The first holding means can move along the conveying means 123 in an empty state to pick up the current battery 111 from the electric bus 110. [ The second gripping means may move along the conveying means 123 while holding the new battery 111 to drop the new battery 111 on the electric bus 110. [

According to various embodiments, the mounting portion 113 of the electrical buses 110 may include a sensor portion 410, mounting means 420 and moving means 430, as shown in FIG. At this time, the size of the mounting portion 113 may be larger than the size of the battery 111. This allows the gripping means 121 of the stations 120 to pick up the battery 111 in the mounting portion 113 or drop the battery 111 in the mounting portion 113. And the electric buses 110 can move the battery 111 within the mounting portion 113. [

The sensor unit 410 can locate the electric buses 110 in opposition to the stations 120. At this time, the sensor unit 410 may be installed in at least one of the electric buses 110 or the stations 120. According to one embodiment, the sensor portion 410 may be disposed in the edge region of the mounting portion 113 in the electric buses 110. [ For example, the sensor unit 410 may be installed on the inner surface of the mounting portion 113, or on the bottom surface adjacent to the inner surface. Accordingly, the sensor unit 410 can determine the position of the battery 111 in the electric buses 110. According to another embodiment, the sensor portion 410 may be further disposed in the upper region of the mounting portion 113 in the stations 120. [ Here, the sensor unit 410 may include at least one sensor. For example, when the sensor portion 410 includes a plurality of sensors, the sensors may be disposed dispersedly in at least one of the electric buses 110 or the stations 120.

The mounting means 420 can support the battery 111 at the mounting portion 113. At this time, the mounting means 420 may be configured to support at least one of the lower surface and the side surface of the battery 111. For example, the mounting means 420 may be implemented in the form of a flat plate. Or the mounting means 420 may be configured to be fastened to at least one of the lower surface and the side surface of the battery 111. [ For example, the mounting means 420 may include at least one holder (not shown) for fixing the battery 111. On the other hand, the area of the mounting means 420 and the area of the battery 111 can be determined corresponding to a plane perpendicular to one direction. Here, the area of the mounting means 420 may be equal to or less than the area of the battery 111.

The moving means 430 can move the battery 111 at the mounting portion 113. [ At this time, the moving means 430 can move the battery 111 in the other direction perpendicular to one direction. Here, the other direction may include at least one of a horizontal direction, that is, a left-right direction or a back-and-forth direction. Here, the moving means 430 can move the battery 111 together with the mounting means 420. That is, the moving means 430 can move the battery 111 by moving the mounting means 420. For example, the moving means 430 may include at least one of a rail or a conveyor.

According to one embodiment, the moving means 430 may include a first moving means 431 and a second moving means 433 as shown in Fig. 4 (b). The first moving means 431 can move the mounting means 420 along the first axis. The second moving means 431 can move the mounting means 420 along the second axis. At this time, the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to one direction and can be perpendicular to each other. For example, the first axis may correspond to the lateral direction, and the second axis may correspond to the longitudinal direction. Or the first axis may correspond to the longitudinal direction and the second axis may correspond to the lateral direction. The first moving means 431 and the second moving means 433 can operate with a time difference and operate simultaneously. For example, the first moving means 431 and the second moving means 433 may include at least one of a rail or a conveyor.

According to another embodiment, the moving means 430 includes a first moving means 431, a second moving means 433 and a third moving means 435 as shown in Figures 4 (c) and 4 (d) ). Here, the first moving means 431 and the second moving means 433 are the same as those described above with reference to Fig. 4 (b), and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third moving means 435 can rotate the mounting means 420 about the third axis. In this case, the third axis is parallel to the first direction and may be perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. For example, the third moving means 435 can rotate the mounting means 420 in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. The third moving means 430 may operate at a time difference from the first moving means 431 and the second moving means 433 and may operate simultaneously. For example, when at least one of the first moving means 431 or the second moving means 433 is in operation, the third moving means 430 may move the mounting means 420 (see FIG. 4 ), Or may be stationary. On the other hand, when the first moving means 431 and the second moving means 433 are not in operation, the third moving means 430 contacts or comes into contact with the mounting means 420 as shown in Fig. 4 (d) It can be raised and rotated.

5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating system 100 in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method of operating system 100 according to various embodiments may begin with electrical bus 110 and station 120 establishing a connection with each other in operation 511. At this time, as the electric bus 110 approaches the station 120, the electric bus 110 and the station 120 can form a connection with each other. For example, if the electrical bus 110 moves and approaches a predetermined radius of radius around the station 120, the electrical bus 110 and the station 120 can detect each other and form a connection. Here, the electric bus 110 and the station 120 can form a connection wirelessly based on the local area communication method.

Next, the electrical bus 110 may transmit status information to the station 120 in 513 operation. At this time, the status information may indicate the status of the electric bus 110. For example, the status information may include at least one of identification information of the electric bus 110, identification information of a bus company to which the electric bus 110 belongs, or a charged amount of the battery 111. [

Next, when status information is received from the electrical bus 110, the station 120 may determine whether to replace the battery 111 of the electrical bus 110 in 515 operation. At this time, the station 120 can determine whether to replace the battery 111 based on the state information of the electric bus 110. [ According to one embodiment, the station 120 may determine whether to replace the battery 111 of the electric bus 110 by itself. According to another embodiment, the station 120 may determine whether to replace the battery 111 of the electric bus 110 via a server (not shown). For example, the server is for controlling the electrical bus 110 and the station 120, and may be wirelessly connected to the station 120.

Next, the station 120 may transmit the first signal to the electrical bus 110 in operation 517. [ The station 120 may then transmit the first signal to the electrical bus 110 if it is determined that the battery 111 of the electrical bus 110 needs to be replaced at the station 120 at this time. Here, the first signal may indicate the start of replacement of the battery 111 of the electric bus 110.

Next, after transmitting the first signal to the electric bus 110, the station 120 may replace the battery 111 of the electric bus 110 in 519 operation. The station 120 can replace the battery 111 of the electric bus 110 when the position of the electric bus 110 is within a predetermined range. To that end, when a first signal is received from the station 120, the electric bus 110 can locate the electric bus 110, opposite the station 120, and provide it to the station 120 . Or the station 120 can transmit the first signal and then locate the electric bus 110 in opposition to the station 120. Here, the station 120 may pick up the battery 111 from the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110. And the station 120 may drop another battery 111 to the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110. [ For example, the station 120 can move the first gripping means in the empty state and the second gripping means holding the new battery 111 along the conveying means 123. This allows the first gripping means to pick up the battery 111 of the electric bus 110 and then the second gripping means to drop the other battery 111 to the electric bus 110.

Next, after replacing the battery 111 of the electrical bus 110, the station 120 may send a second signal to the electrical bus 110 in the 521 operation. At this time, the second signal may indicate completion of replacement of the battery 111 of the electric bus 110.

Next, when a second signal is received from the station 120, the electric bus 110 can correct the position of the battery 111 within the mounting portion 113 in 523 operation. The electric bus 110 can move the battery 111 to a predetermined position in the electric bus 110 by moving the mounting means 420 using the moving means 430. [ Here, the predetermined position may be a position in which the battery 111 is electrically connected to the electric bus 110 within the mounting portion 113. [ Accordingly, the electric bus 110 is electrically connected to the battery 111, so that the battery 111 can be driven. This allows the method of operation of the system 100 according to various embodiments to be terminated.

On the other hand, although not shown, as the electrical bus 110 is separated from the station 120, the connection between the electrical bus 110 and the station 120 can be released. For example, if the electric bus 110 moves and deviates from a predetermined radius about the station 120, the connection between the electric bus 110 and the station 120 may be released.

6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical bus 110, 600 in accordance with various embodiments. And FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the mounting portions 113 and 660 in FIG.

Referring to Figure 6, an electrical bus (110, 600 in Figure 4) according to various embodiments includes a communication unit 610, a memory 620, a battery (111, 630 in Figure 4), a driver 640, 650, a mounting portion (113, 660 in FIG. 4), and a control portion 670. [

The communication unit 610 can perform wireless communication on the electric buses 110 and 600. At this time, the communication unit 610 can communicate with an external device through various communication methods. Here, the external device may include at least one of an electronic device, a base station, a server, and a satellite. On the other hand, the communication method is a cellular communication method, and a long term evolution (LTE), an LTE-advance (LTE), a code division multiple access (CDMA), a wideband CDMA (WCDMA), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) wireless broadband) or global system for mobile communications (GSM). Or the communication method is a short distance communication method and may include at least one of wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), or global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The GNSS may include at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a Beidou (beidou navigation satellite system), or a Galileo depending on the area or bandwidth to be used. For example, the communication unit 610 can communicate with the stations 120 by a short-distance communication method.

The memory 620 may store programs for operation of the electrical buses 110, 600. According to various embodiments, the memory 620 may store programs for supporting the replacement of the batteries 111, 630. The memory 620 may store data generated during execution of the programs. The memory 620 may store at least one of identification information of the electric buses 110 and 600 or identification information of a bus company to which the electric buses 110 and 600 belong.

Batteries 111 and 630 may be storing power. At this time, the batteries 111 and 630 may be mounted on the electric buses 110 and 600. Here, the batteries 111 and 630 may be accommodated in the electric buses 110 and 600. [ And the batteries 111 and 630 can be replaced on the electric buses 110 and 600. That is, the batteries 111 and 630 may be mounted on the electric buses 110 and 600 and may be detached from the electric buses 110 and 600.

The driving unit 640 can drive the electric buses 110 and 600. At this time, the driving unit 640 can generate the movement of the electric buses 110 and 600 by using the electric power of the batteries 111 and 630. For example, the driving unit 640 may include a motor. According to one embodiment, the driver 640 may be directly connected to the batteries 111 and 630. [ According to another embodiment, the driving unit 640 may be connected to the batteries 111 and 630 through the mounting unit 660. [

The sensing unit 650 may sense the states of the batteries 111 and 630 on the electric buses 110 and 600. At this time, the sensing unit 650 can detect the charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630. For this, the sensing unit 650 can monitor the batteries 111 and 630 in real time. According to one embodiment, the sensing unit 650 can be directly connected to the batteries 111 and 630. According to another embodiment, the sensing unit 650 may be connected to the batteries 111 and 630 through the mounting unit 660. [

The mounting portions 113 and 660 may be provided for mounting the batteries 111 and 630. To this end, the mounting portions 113 and 660 can receive the batteries 111 and 630 in one direction. Here, one direction may include a vertical direction, that is, a vertical direction. According to one embodiment, the mounting portions 113 and 660 can be mechanically coupled to the batteries 111 and 630 without electrical connection. According to another embodiment, the mounting portions 113 and 660 are not only mechanically coupled to the batteries 111 and 630, but also can be electrically connected. At this time, the size of the mounting portions 113 and 660 may be larger than the size of the batteries 111 and 630. [

According to various embodiments, the mounting portions 113 and 660 may include a sensor portion (410 and 710 in FIG. 4), mounting means (420 and 720 in FIG. 4), and moving means 430, 730). Here, the sensor units 410 and 710, the mounting units 420 and 720, and the moving units 430 and 730 are the same as those described above with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 670 can control the overall operation of the electric buses 110 and 600. The control unit 670 can control at least one of the communication unit 610, the memory 620, the batteries 111 and 630, the driving unit 640, the sensing unit 650, or the mounting units 113 and 660 have. According to various embodiments, the controller 670 may drive the mounts 113, 660 to support replacement of the batteries 111, 630. At this time, the control unit 670 can sense the stop positions of the electric buses 110 and 600 in opposition to the station 120 using the sensor units 410 and 710. The control unit 670 can move the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting units 113 and 660. Further, the controller 670 can correct the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting portions 113 and 660. [ Here, the controller 670 can sense the batteries 111 and 630 using the sensor units 410 and 710. Accordingly, the control unit 670 can determine the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 on the mounting means 420 and 720. For example, the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 may include at least one of a center position, an orientation, and a direction of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting portions 113 and 660. In addition, the controller 670 may determine a correction value for the batteries 111 and 630. [ In addition, the control unit 670 can move the mounting means 420, 720 along the moving means 430, 730 based on the correction value. Accordingly, the controller 670 can move the batteries 111 and 630 to predetermined positions.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an electrical bus 110, 600 in accordance with various embodiments. And FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are plan views for explaining a method of operating the electric buses 110 and 600 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the method of operating the electrical buses 110 and 600 according to various embodiments may begin with the controller 670 determining the amount of charge of the batteries 111 and 630 in operation 811. While the batteries 111 and 630 are mounted on the electric buses 110 and 600 at this time, the control unit 670 can detect the charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630 through the sensing unit 650. For example, in response to the movement of the electric buses 110 and 600, the driving unit 640 may consume the power of the batteries 111 and 630. [ Or over time, the power of the battery 111, 630 may be consumed. Accordingly, the amount of charge of the batteries 111 and 630 can be gradually reduced.

Next, when connected to the station 120, the control unit 670 can sense this in operation 813. [ As the electrical buses 110 and 600 approach the station 120 at this time, the electrical buses 110 and 600 may be connected to the station 120 wirelessly. The electric buses 110 and 600 can be wirelessly connected to the station 120 when the electric buses 110 and 600 move within a predetermined radius around the station 120. [ For example, the station 120 may periodically transmit a signal. When a signal is received through the communication unit 610, the controller 670 can measure the signal reception intensity. Also, when the reception intensity of the signal exceeds a predetermined value, the controller 670 can respond to the station 120 using the communication unit 610. [ Thereby, the electric buses 110, 600 can be wirelessly connected to the station 120.

Next, the control unit 670 can transmit status information to the station 120 in operation 815. [ At this time, the status information may indicate the status of the electric buses 110 and 600. For example, the state information may include at least one of identification information of the electric buses 110 and 600, identification information of a bus company to which the electric buses 110 and 600 belong, or a charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630 have.

Subsequently, when the first signal is received from the station 120, the control unit 670 can sense this in operation 817. [ Here, the first signal may indicate the start of the battery 111, 630 replacement operation. The control unit 670 can then determine the stop position of the electric bus 110 in opposition to the station 120 in the 819 operation. At this time, the control unit 670 can use the sensor units 410 and 710 to determine the stop position of the electric bus 110 and provide it to the station 120, opposite to the station 120. Here, the sensor units 410 and 710 may be continuously driven. That is, while the electric buses 110 and 600 are operating, the sensor units 410 and 710 can continue to be driven. Or the sensor units 410 and 710 may be driven based on the first signal. That is, the sensor units 410 and 710 are not driven, the controller 670 can drive the sensor units 410 and 710 based on the first signal.

According to one embodiment, the controller 670 may move the batteries 111 and 630 within the mounting portions 113 and 660 based on the first signal. To this end, the control unit 670 may drive the moving means 430 and 730 to move the mounting means 420 and 720. At this time, the control unit 670 can move the batteries 111 and 630 to the predetermined positions in the mounting units 113 and 660. For example, the controller 670 can arrange the batteries 111 and 630 in the central region of the mounting portions 113 and 660. [

According to another embodiment, the controller 670 can maintain the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting portions 113 and 660 even if the first signal is received. That is, the control unit 670 can maintain the batteries 111 and 630 at their current positions without moving the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting units 113 and 660.

According to another embodiment, if the batteries 111 and 630 disappear from the mounting portions 113 and 670 after the first signal is received, the controller 670 can sense the same. At this time, if the batteries 113 and 670 are not detected through the sensor units 410 and 710, the control unit 670 can detect that the batteries 111 and 630 have disappeared from the mounting units 113 and 670. The control unit 670 may drive the moving means 430 and 730 to move the mounting means 420 and 720. At this time, the control unit 670 can move the mounting means 420 and 720 from the mounting portions 113 and 660 to predetermined positions. For example, the control unit 670 can arrange the mounting means 420 and 720 in the central region of the mounting portions 113 and 660 as shown in FIG. 9A.

Subsequently, when the second signal is received from the station 120, the control unit 670 can detect this in the 821 operation. Here, the second signal may indicate completion of the battery 111, 630 replacement operation. Then, the controller 670 can determine the correction value based on the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 in the operation 823. At this time, the control unit 670 can grasp the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting units 113 and 660. The controller 670 can sense the batteries 111 and 630 using the sensor units 410 and 710. The positions of the batteries 111 and 630 may include at least one of the center position, the orientation and the orientation of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting portions 113 and 660. For example, the control unit 670 may control the distance between the sensor units 410 and 710 and the batteries 111 and 630, the shape or the area of the areas facing the sensor units 410 and 710 in the batteries 111 and 630, And the position of the battery 111, 630 can be grasped based on this. The control unit 670 compares the current positions of the batteries 111 and 630 with the predetermined positions in the mounting units 113 and 660 and calculates the correction values. Here, the predetermined position may be a position in which the batteries 111 and 630 are electrically connected to the electric buses 110 and 600 in the mounting portions 113 and 660, respectively.

Finally, the control unit 670 may move the batteries 111 and 630 based on the correction value in the 825 operation. At this time, the control unit 670 may drive the moving means 430 and 630 to move the mounting means 420 and 720. Here, the controller 670 may drive at least one of the first moving means (431 in FIG. 4) or the second moving means (433 in FIG. 4) to move the center position of the batteries (111, 630) . Meanwhile, the control unit 670 may drive at least one of the posture and the direction of the batteries 111 and 630 by driving the third moving unit (435 of FIG. 4). Accordingly, the controller 670 can correct the positions of the batteries 111 and 630 in the mounting portions 113 and 660. [ That is, the batteries 111 and 630 can be moved to the predetermined positions in the mounting portions 113 and 660. [ Thereafter, the controller 670 can stop the driving of the sensor units 410 and 710. Or the control unit 670 may continue to drive the sensor units 410 and 710. Accordingly, the electric buses 110 and 600 are electrically connected to the batteries 111 and 630, so that the electric buses 110 and 600 can be driven using the battery 111. [ Thereby, the method of operating the electrical buses 110, 600 according to various embodiments can be terminated.

For example, when the batteries 111 and 630 are mounted on the mounting portions 113 and 660 as shown in FIG. 9B, the controller 670 calculates the center position CP of the batteries 111 and 630 from a predetermined center position It is possible to calculate the distance as a correction value by the distance SP. Here, the center position CP of the batteries 111 and 630 and the set center position SP are set to coordinate values such as (Xc, Yc) on the first axis and the second axis defined by the moving means 430 and 730, And (Xs, Ys). Accordingly, the correction value can be determined to correspond to each of the first axis and the second axis, for example, (DELTA X, DELTA Y). Accordingly, the controller 670 can move the batteries 111 and 630 based on the correction values as shown in FIG. 9C. Thus, the center position CP of the batteries 111 and 630 can be matched with the set center position SP.

On the other hand, if the first signal is not received in the 817 operation, the controller 670 can maintain the batteries 111 and 630 mounted inside the electric buses 110 and 600. That is, the control unit 670 may continuously accommodate the batteries 111 and 630 without driving the mounting units 113 and 660. Thereby, the method of operating the electrical buses 110, 600 according to various embodiments can be terminated.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a station 120, 1000 in accordance with various embodiments. And FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the replacing unit 1060 in FIG.

10, stations (120 and 1000 in FIGS. 3A and 3B) according to various embodiments include a communication unit 1010, a memory 1020, a power source 1030, at least one charging unit 1040, (1050), a replacement unit (1060), and a control unit (1070).

The communication unit 1010 can perform wireless communication at the stations 120 and 1000. [ At this time, the communication unit 1010 can communicate with an external device through various communication methods. Here, the external device may include at least one of an electronic device, a base station, a server, and a satellite. Meanwhile, the communication method may be the same as that of the electric buses 110 and 600. For example, the communication unit 1010 can communicate with the electric buses 110 and 600 by a short distance communication method.

The memory 1020 may store programs for operation of the stations 120 and 1000. According to various embodiments, the memory 1020 may store programs for replacing the batteries 111, 630 of the electrical buses 110, 600. The memory 1020 may store data generated during execution of the programs. The memory 1020 may store at least one of the identification information of the stations 120 and 1000 or the identification information of the stations operating the stations 120 and 1000.

The power source 1030 may store power for charging the batteries 111 and 630 at the stations 120 and 1000. [

The charging unit 1040 may be electrically connected to the batteries 111 and 630 at the stations 120 and 1000 to charge the batteries 111 and 630. At this time, the charger 1040 can supply the power of the power source 1030 to the batteries 111 and 630.

The detection unit 1050 can detect the states of the batteries 111 and 630 in the stations 120 and 1000. [ At this time, the detection unit 1050 can detect the charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630. Here, the detecting unit 1050 can detect the charged amount directly from the batteries 111 and 630. [ Alternatively, the detection unit 1050 can measure the amount of power supplied from the power source 1030 to the batteries 111 and 630, and detect the amount of charge as a charged amount.

The replacement unit 1060 can replace the batteries 111 and 630 in correspondence with the electric buses 110 and 600 at the stations 120 and 1000. [ That is, the replacement unit 1060 can mount the batteries 111 and 630 on the electric buses 110 and 600. The replacement unit 1060 transfers the batteries 111 and 630 from the charging unit 1040 to the electric buses 110 and 600. The replacement unit 1060 can remove the batteries 111 and 630 from the electric buses 110 and 600. Here, the replacement unit 1060 can transfer the batteries 111 and 630 to correspond to the charging unit 1040.

According to various embodiments, the replacement portion 1060 may include at least one holding means (121 and 1120 in FIGS. 3A and 3B) and a transfer means (123 and 1130 in FIGS. 3A and 3B). Here, the holding means 121 and 1120 and the conveying means 123 and 1130 are the same as those described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to one embodiment, the replacement unit 1060 may further include a sensor unit 1110 as shown in FIG. The sensor unit 1110 can detect the stop position of the electric buses 110 and 600 in opposition to the stations 120 and 1000. At this time, the sensor unit 1110 may be installed in at least one of the holding means 121, 1120 or the conveying means 123, 1130. Here, the sensor unit 1110 may include at least one sensor. For example, when the sensor unit 1110 includes a plurality of sensors, the sensors may be disposed dispersedly in at least one of the holding means 121, 1120 or the conveying means 123, 1130.

The control unit 1070 can control the overall operation of the stations 120 and 1000. The control unit 1070 may control at least one of the communication unit 1010, the memory 1020, the power source 1030, the charging unit 1040, the detection unit 1050, or the replacement unit 1060. According to various embodiments, the control unit 1070 may drive the replacement unit 1060 to replace the batteries 111, 630 of the electric buses 110, 600. At this time, when the stop positions of the electric buses 110 and 600 are opposed to the stations 120 and 1000, the control unit 1070 switches the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 can do. Here, the control unit 1070 can transfer the gripping means 121, 1120 along the conveying means 123, 1130. The control unit 1070 can transfer the gripping means 121 and 1120 in correspondence with the mounting portions 113 and 660 of the electric buses 110 and 600. [ The control unit 1070 can pick up the batteries 111 and 630 using the gripping means 121 and 1120 or drop the batteries 111 and 630. The gripping means 121 can pick up the battery 111 in the mounting portion 113 of the electric bus 110 or drop the battery 111 into the mounting portion 113. [ According to one embodiment, the controller 1070 can sense the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 using the sensor unit 1110. The control units 111 and 630 are provided on the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 so as to correspond to the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600, ).

12 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating stations 120, 1000 in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12, the method of operation of the stations 120, 1000 according to various embodiments may enable the controller 1070 to make a connection with the electrical buses 110, 600 in operation 1211. At this time, as the electric buses 110 and 600 approach the stations 120 and 1000, the stations 120 and 1000 may be connected wirelessly with the electric buses 110 and 600. Here, when the electric buses 110 and 600 move within a predetermined radius around the stations 120 and 1000, the stations 120 and 1000 can be connected to the electric buses 110 and 600 wirelessly. For example, the control unit 1070 can periodically transmit a signal through the communication unit 1010. [ When a response to the signal is received through the communication unit 1010, the controller 1070 can be connected to the electric buses 110 and 600 wirelessly.

Next, when the status information of the electric buses 110 and 600 is received, the controller 1070 can detect this in operation 1213. [ At this time, the status information may indicate the status of the electric buses 110 and 600. For example, the state information may include at least one of identification information of the electric buses 110 and 600, identification information of a bus company to which the electric buses 110 and 600 belong, or a charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630 have.

Next, the control unit 1070 can determine whether to replace the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 in operation 1215. [ At this time, the controller 1070 can determine whether to replace the batteries 111 and 630 based on the status information of the electric buses 110 and 600. According to one embodiment, the controller 1070 can determine whether to replace the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 by itself. According to another embodiment, the control unit 1070 can determine whether to replace the batteries 111, 630 of the electric buses 110, 600 through a server (not shown). For example, the control unit 1070 can transmit status information of the electric buses 110 and 600 to the server. Here, the server can determine whether to replace the batteries 111 and 630 in the stations 120 and 1000 based on the status information of the electric buses 110 and 600. The server may transmit result information indicating the result of the determination as to whether or not the batteries 111 and 630 should be exchanged to the stations 120 and 1000 at the stations 120 and 1000, respectively. When the result information is received from the server, the controller 1070 can determine whether the batteries 111 and 630 should be replaced based on the result information.

For example, the control unit 1070 and the server can determine whether it is possible to charge the batteries 111 and 630 in the stations 120 and 1000 based on the charged amounts of the batteries 111 and 630. The control unit 1070 or the server may determine that the electric buses 110 and 600 arrive at the other stations 120 and 1000 adjacent to the stations 120 and 1000 on the service route based on the charged amount of the batteries 111 and 630 It is possible to predict whether or not it is possible. The control unit 1070 or the server may also be configured to control the amount of electric power supplied from the other station 120 or 1000 to the battery 120 or 1000 based on at least any one of the available electric power of the other stations 120 and 1000 or the number of other electric buses 110 and 600 scheduled to be replaced. It is possible to predict whether or not the replacements 111 and 630 can be replaced.

Subsequently, if it is determined that the battery 111, 630 of the electric bus 110, 600 needs to be replaced in operation 1215, the controller 1070 may transmit the first signal to the electric bus 110, 600 in operation 1217 . Here, the first signal may indicate the start of the battery 111, 630 replacement operation. The control unit 1070 can then determine the stop position of the electric buses 110 and 600 in opposition to the stations 120 and 1000 in operation 1219. [ At this time, the control unit 1070 can determine the stop position of the electric buses 110 and 600 through the electric buses 110 and 600. Alternatively, the control unit 1070 can use the sensor unit 1110 to determine the stop position of the electric buses 110 and 600 in opposition to the stations 120 and 1000.

According to one embodiment, when the sensor unit 1110 is provided in the holding units 121 and 1120, the control unit 1070 drives the conveying units 123 and 1130 to move the holding units 121 and 1120 Can be transported. Here, the predetermined position may be defined as an area corresponding to the mounting portions 113, 660 as the electric buses 110, 600 stop at the stations 120, 1000. The control unit 1070 can sense the batteries 111 and 630 using the sensor unit 1110. FIG. Here, the controller 1070 can detect the batteries 111 and 630 while driving the conveying means 123 and 1130 and finely transferring the holding means 121 and 1120.

According to another embodiment, when the sensor unit 1110 is provided on the transfer means 123 and 1130, the control unit 1070 does not transfer the holding means 121 and 1120, (111, 630). Here, the sensor unit 1110 can be installed in the area corresponding to the mounting units 113 and 660 as the electric buses 110 and 600 stop at the stations 120 and 1000 in the conveying units 123 and 1130 .

Subsequently, the control unit 1070 can replace the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 in the operation 1221. [ That is, when the stop positions of the electric buses 110 and 600 are opposed to the stations 120 and 1000, the control unit 1070 changes the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 . At this time, the control unit 1070 may drive the replacement unit 1060 to replace the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600. The controller 1070 can pick up the batteries 111 and 630 from the mounting portions 113 and 660 of the electric buses 110 and 600 using the gripping means 121 and 1120.

According to one embodiment, the control unit 1070 may transfer the gripping means 121 and 1120 corresponding to the mounting units 113 and 660 and then pick up the batteries 111 and 630 from the mounting units 113 and 660 have. When the gripping means 121 and 1120 pick up the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600, the control unit 1070 moves along the conveying means 123 and 1130 to the stacking portion The gripping means 121 and 1120 can be transported by means of the hooks 125 and 125, respectively. The control unit 1070 drops the batteries 111 and 630 to the loading unit 125 using the holding means 121 and 1120 and then picks up the other batteries 111 and 630 from the loading unit 125 . The control unit 1070 transfers the gripping means 121 and 1120 corresponding to the mounting portions 113 and 660 along the conveying means 123 and 1130 so that the batteries 111 and 630 Can be dropped. For example, the first gripping means in the empty state of the control unit 1070 and the second gripping means holding the new batteries 111 and 630 can be moved along the conveying means 123. This allows the first gripping means to pick up the batteries 111 and 630 from the mounting portions 113 and 660 and then the second gripping means to drop the other batteries 111 and 630 to the mounting portions 113 and 660 .

Finally, the controller 1070 may send a second signal to the electrical bus 110, 600 in operation 1223. Here, the second signal may indicate completion of the battery 111, 630 replacement operation. According to one embodiment, after the batteries 111 and 630 are dropped to the mounting portions 113 and 660 of the electric buses 110 and 600 using the holding means 121 and 1120, Can be transmitted. According to another embodiment, after the batteries 111 and 630 are dropped on the electric buses 110 and 600 using the holding means 121 and 1120, the holding means 121 and 1120 are returned, May transmit a second signal. Thereby, the method of operation of the station 120, 1000 according to various embodiments may be terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 need not be replaced in the operation 1215, the controller 1070 may not start the operation of replacing the batteries 111 and 630. That is, the control unit 1070 can maintain the replacement unit 1060 without driving. Thereby, the method of operation of the station 120, 1000 according to various embodiments may be terminated.

According to various embodiments, the electrical buses 110, 600 can correct the position of the batteries 111, 630 internally. That is, when the batteries 111 and 630 are mounted by the stations 120 and 1000, the electric buses 110 and 600 can move the batteries 111 and 630 to desired positions from the inside. This allows the stations 120 and 1000 to pick up the batteries 111 and 630 from the electric buses 110 and 600 without precisely locating the batteries 111 and 630 on the electric buses 110 and 600, It is possible to drop the batteries 111 and 630 to the electric buses 110 and 600. Accordingly, the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 can be easily replaced at the stations 120 and 1000. In addition, the time required to replace the batteries 111 and 630 of the electric buses 110 and 600 at the stations 120 and 1000 can be reduced.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the other embodiments. The singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The general predefined terms used in this document may be interpreted in the same or similar sense as the contextual meanings of the related art and, unless expressly defined in this document, include ideally or excessively formal meanings . In some cases, even the terms defined in this document can not be construed as excluding the embodiments of this document.

100 system
110, 600 electric bus 111, 630 battery
113, 660 a mounting part 410, 710 a sensor part
420, 720 mounting means 430, 730 moving means
120, 1000 stations 1060 replacement part
121, 1120 holding means 123, 1130 conveying means

Claims (10)

A battery replacement system for an electric bus,
A sensor unit for sensing the position of the electric bus, opposite to the station;
A mounting portion for receiving a battery mounted from the station at an upper end of the electric bus; And
And movement means for correcting the position of the battery within the mounting portion. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a control for determining a correction value for moving the battery to a predetermined position on the electric bus and for controlling the moving means to move the battery based on the correction value. The apparatus according to claim 1,
A first moving means for moving the battery along a first axis on a plane on which the battery is mounted; And
And a second moving means for moving the battery along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis on the plane. The apparatus according to claim 3,
Further comprising third moving means for rotating the battery about a third axis perpendicular to the plane. The method according to claim 1,
And mounting means for supporting the battery within the mounting portion and moving with the battery on the moving means. The system of claim 1,
And wherein the battery is mounted on top of the electric bus if the position of the electric bus is within a predetermined range. The apparatus according to claim 1,
Wherein the system is installed in at least one of the station or the electric bus. A method of operating a battery replacement system for an electrical bus,
An operation of sensing a position of the electric bus, wherein a sensor unit installed on at least one of a station or an electric bus is opposed to the station;
Mounting the battery on top of the electric bus if the position of the electric bus is within a predetermined range; And
Wherein the electrical bus includes correcting the position of the battery. 9. The method according to claim 8,
Determining a correction value for the electric bus to move the battery to a predetermined position; And
Wherein the electric bus includes moving the battery based on the correction value. 9. The method according to claim 8,
Moving the battery along a first axis on a plane on which the battery is mounted;
Moving the battery along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis on the plane; or
And rotating the battery about a third axis perpendicular to the plane.

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