Charging system

Abstract

Ensure that both AC and DC charging can be performed appropriately. [Solution] The system includes a DC inlet 5 for DC charging into which a charging connector 4, which supplies AC and DC power on a common power line and also supplies a power type signal for charging, is inserted and removed; an AC inlet 6 for AC charging, which is provided separately from the DC inlet 5 and has the same configuration as the DC inlet 5; a DC charger 7 for DC charging; and an AC charger 8 for AC charging. The DC charger 7 determines whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector is connected to the DC inlet 5, and prohibits charging by the DC charger 7 if AC power is supplied to the DC inlet. The AC charger 7 determines whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector is connected to the AC inlet 6, and prohibits charging by the AC charger 8 if DC power is supplied to the AC inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging system mounted on an electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electric vehicles (hereinafter also simply referred to as "vehicles") equipped with a battery as an energy source for vehicle driving include electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. In order to charge the battery mounted on the vehicle with electric power from an external power feeder, a charging inlet for connecting the charging connector of the power feeder is provided on the vehicle side.

[0003] The charging connector and charging inlet for charging the vehicle battery are compatible with both AC (Alternating Current) charging using AC power and DC (Direct Current) charging using DC power, that is, a configuration in which AC charging and DC charging are performed with one charging connector and one charging inlet is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the charging connector of Patent Document 1, power lines for AC charging and power lines for DC charging are provided separately. Correspondingly, in the charging inlet, power lines for AC charging and power lines for DC charging are also provided separately, and the power lines for AC charging are connected to the charging circuit for AC charging, and the power lines for DC charging are connected to the charging circuit for DC charging. Note that, for example, the CCS (abbreviation for Combined Charging System) standard is known as a vehicle charging standard compatible with both AC charging and DC charging.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in configurations where AC charging and DC charging are performed using a single charging connector and charging inlet, a technology is being considered to supply AC power and DC power using a common power line. However, since the charging system has separate charging circuits for AC charging and DC charging, it is necessary to treat AC charging and DC charging as distinct processes. Therefore, there is room for improvement in conventional charging systems when applying technology that supplies AC and DC power for charging through a common power line.

[0006] This invention was conceived in light of the above-mentioned issues, and one of its objectives is to enable both AC and DC charging to be properly implemented in a charging system that uses a charging connector that supplies AC and DC power through a common power line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications.

[0008] The charging system according to this application example is a charging system equipped on an electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle with charging power supplied from an external power supply via a charging connector, comprising: a DC inlet used for charging with DC power, which is an insertion port into which the charging connector is inserted and removed, and which supplies AC power and DC power as charging power via a common power line and supplies an identification signal to identify the type of charging power; an AC inlet provided separately from the DC inlet, which is an insertion port into which the charging connector is inserted and removed, and which supplies AC power and DC power as charging power via a common power line and supplies an identification signal to identify the type of charging power, and which is used for charging with AC power; a DC charger connected to the DC inlet, which receives the identification signal and charges the battery using the DC power; and an AC charger connected to the AC inlet, which receives the identification signal and charges the battery using the AC power. The DC charger determines, based on the identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector is connected to the DC inlet, and prohibits charging by the DC charger if AC power is supplied to the DC inlet. The AC charger determines, based on the identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector is connected to the AC inlet, and prohibits charging by the AC charger if DC power is supplied to the AC inlet.

[0009] According to this application example, since both a DC inlet and an AC inlet are provided, when DC charging, the charging connector should be connected to the DC inlet, and when AC charging, the charging connector should be connected to the AC inlet. Since both a DC inlet and an AC inlet are provided here, it is possible to mistakenly connect the charging connector to the AC inlet when DC charging, or to mistakenly connect the charging connector to the DC inlet when AC charging.

[0010] Therefore, when the charging connector is connected to the DC inlet, the DC charger determines whether DC power or AC power is supplied based on an identification signal, and when the charging connector is connected to the AC inlet, the AC charger determines whether DC power or AC power is supplied based on an identification signal. This allows them to determine whether the charging connector is properly connected or not. If AC power is supplied to the DC inlet, the DC charger prohibits charging, and if DC power is supplied to the AC inlet, the AC charger prohibits charging. Therefore, charging will not occur in the event of an incorrect connection, and will only take place when the device is correctly connected. In other words, DC chargers are configured to operate only with DC charging, and AC chargers are configured to operate only with AC charging. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this case, in a charging system that uses a charging connector that supplies AC power and DC power through a common power line, both AC charging and DC charging can be performed appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of a charging system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing examples of terminal arrangements in DC inlets and AC inlets. [Figure 3] This flowchart illustrates control examples for starting and stopping DC charging. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates control examples for starting and stopping AC charging. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments (appearances, examples of application) of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly shown in these embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0014] [1. Structure] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging system according to one embodiment. This charging system 1 is installed on an electric vehicle (not shown) to charge a battery 2 mounted on the electric vehicle. The charging system 1 charges the battery 2 using charging power supplied to the electric vehicle from an external power supply 3 via a charging connector 4. An electric vehicle (hereinafter also simply referred to as "vehicle") is a vehicle equipped with a battery 2 as an energy source for driving the vehicle. An example of a vehicle is an electric car that runs on an electric motor powered by electricity from the battery 2. However, the vehicle is not limited to electric cars; it may also be a hybrid electric car or a fuel cell vehicle.

[0015] The charging system 1 supports both AC charging, which uses AC power as the power source for charging, and DC charging, which uses DC power as the power source for charging. AC charging is a charging mode that uses AC power. Compared to DC charging, AC charging uses lower power (for example, around 20 kW) and requires more charging time, but it places less load on battery 2 and is low-cost because it can use common electrical equipment such as household chargers. DC charging is a charging mode that uses DC power. Compared to AC charging, DC charging uses higher power (for example, around 100 kW), which shortens charging time (allows for rapid charging), but it places a higher load on battery 2 and is more expensive than AC charging because it requires the use of relatively large-scale electrical equipment such as public charging stations.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the power feeder 3 and the charging connector 4 arranged on the left side of the dashed-dotted line A are components provided outside the electric vehicle. The power feeder 3 is a device for supplying AC power or DC power as charging power to the charging system 1, and the charging connector 4 is connected via a cable (not shown). The charging connector 4 is a terminal (interface) that connects the power feeder 3 and the charging system 1. The charging connector 4 is configured to supply both AC power and DC power as charging power through a common power line L1 and supply an identification signal for identifying the type of charging power through a communication line L2 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 1).

[0017] This charging connector 4 is configured to supply AC power and DC power through a single common power line L1, and the charging inlets 5 and 6 described later are also configured to receive AC power and DC power through a single common power line. For charging standards regarding such a configuration, for example, there is NACS (North American Charging Standard).

[0018] The power line L1 is a power line that supplies the charging power from the power feeder 3 to the charging system 1 and is used for transmitting both AC power and DC power. When the power feeder 3 outputs AC power, the AC power is supplied through the power line L1, and when the power feeder 3 outputs DC power, the DC power is supplied through the power line L1. The communication line L2 transmits communication signals used for communication between the charging connector 4 and the charging system 1. The communication signals may include various control signals such as the above-mentioned identification signal, connection confirmation of the charging connector 4, and the charge amount of the battery 2. The identification signal is a signal capable of identifying the type of charging power. The type of charging power is AC power or DC power. It can be said that the identification signal is a signal capable of identifying whether AC power or DC power is being supplied.

[0019] The components drawn on the right side of the dashed-dotted line A in FIG. 1 are components mounted on the vehicle and include the components of the charging system 1. The charging system 1 includes a DC inlet 5, an AC inlet 6, a DC charger 7, an AC charger 8, and a control device 9. In the charging system 1, the DC inlet 5 and DC charger 7 form a circuit for DC charging, and the AC inlet 6 and AC charger 8 form a circuit for AC charging. In other words, while the charging connector 4 is configured to supply DC power and AC power through a single common power line L1, the charging system 1 is configured to have separate circuits for DC charging and AC charging.

[0020] DC inlet 5 and AC inlet 6 are insertion ports (charging inlets) into which the charging connector 4 is inserted and removed. In this specification, DC inlet 5 and AC inlet 6 are sometimes referred to simply as "charging inlets" without distinction. DC inlet 5 and AC inlet 6 are separate charging inlets, and in this charging system 1, two charging inlets 5 and 6 are provided on a single vehicle. The charging inlets 5 and 6 may be provided together in a common location, such as one side of the vehicle (for example, the left side), or they may be provided in two separate locations, such as the front and rear or both sides of the vehicle.

[0021] DC inlet 5 and AC inlet 6 have the same configuration but serve different purposes. Specifically, DC inlet 5 is used for DC charging, and AC inlet 6 is used for AC charging. In other words, the user connects the charging connector 4 to either the DC inlet 5 or the AC inlet 6. The charging connector 4 is never connected to both the DC inlet 5 and the AC inlet 6. Specifically, when DC charging, the user connects the charging connector 4 to the DC inlet 5 (white arrow C1 in Figure 1). When AC charging, the user connects the charging connector 4 to the AC inlet 6 (white arrow C2 in Figure 1).

[0022] For DC inlet 5 and AC inlet 6 to be "identical in configuration" means that, at the very least, their size, shape, and terminal arrangement are identical. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the terminal arrangement of the charging inlets 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 2, the charging inlets 5 and 6 have contours that correspond to the shape of the charging connector 4. The charging inlets 5 and 6 are provided with power terminals 11 and 12, a ground terminal 13, and two control terminals 14 and 15 in a predetermined arrangement.

[0023] When DC power is supplied from the charging connector 4, one of the power terminals 11 and 12 functions as the terminal for +DC power, and the other functions as the terminal for -DC power. When AC power is supplied from the charging connector 4, one of the power terminals 11 and 12 functions as the L1 terminal (Line 1), and the other functions as the L2 terminal (Line 2). Control terminals 14 and 15 are terminals for communication signals transmitted over communication line L2. The control terminals 14 and 15 shown in Figure 2 are, for example, the PP terminal 14 for the proximity pilot signal and the CP terminal 15 for the control pilot signal. Furthermore, the terminal arrangement in charging inlets 5 and 6 can be based on well-known arrangements, including those specified in the NACS standard.

[0024] Although not shown in the diagram, the charging connector 4 is provided with terminals corresponding to each of the terminals 11 to 15, in their respective corresponding arrangements. When the charging connector 4 is connected to the charging inlets 5 and 6, the terminals 11 to 15 of the charging inlets 5 and 6 are connected to the corresponding terminals of the charging connector 4, and AC power or DC power and communication signals (identification signals) are supplied from the charging connector 4 to the charging inlets 5 and 6.

[0025] The output side of the DC inlet 5 is connected to the input side of the DC charger 7 via power line L3 and communication line L4 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 1), and the output side of the DC charger 7 is connected to the battery 2 via power line L7. The DC charger 7 is a device for charging the battery 2 (DC charging) using DC power supplied via power line L3, and is also called a DC-BOX. The DC charger 7 also receives communication signals (including identification signals) via communication line L4.

[0026] The output side of the AC inlet 6 is connected to the input side of the AC charger 8 via power line L5 and communication line L6 (shown as dashed lines in Figure 1), and the output side of the AC charger 8 is connected to the battery 2 via power line L8. The AC charger 8 is a device for charging the battery 2 using AC power supplied via the power line L5 (AC charging), and is also called an OBC (On-Board Charger). The AC charger 8 also receives communication signals (including identification signals) via the communication line L6.

[0027] The DC charger 7 includes, as functional elements, a first converter 7A, a first communication controller 7B [EVCC1 (EVCC stands for Electric Vehicle Communication Controller)], and a first switch 7C. The first converter 7A includes a DC / DC converter that converts the voltage of the supplied DC power to the voltage required for charging the battery 2. The first communication controller 7B receives a communication signal (identification signal) and controls the start of DC charging and the prohibition of AC charging, and transmits the communication signal to the control device 9 described later. In other words, the first communication controller 7B has the function of a controller that controls the start of DC charging and the prohibition of AC charging, and the function of a relay device that relays communication between the power supply unit 3 and the control device 9. The first switch 7C connects and disconnects the power supply from the DC charger 7 to the battery 2. The first switch 7C is set to be off (disconnected) at all times except when the DC charger 7 is performing charging.

[0028] The AC charger 8 includes, as functional elements, a second converter 8A, a second communication controller 8B (EVCC2), and a second switch 8C. The second converter 8A includes an AD converter that converts the supplied AC power into DC power of the voltage required to charge the battery 2. The second communication controller 8B receives a communication signal (identification signal) and controls the start of AC charging and the prohibition of DC charging, and transmits the communication signal to the control device 9 described later. In other words, the second communication controller 8B has the function of a controller that controls the start of AC charging and the prohibition of DC charging, and the function of a relay device that relays communication between the power supply unit 3 and the control device 9. The second switch 8C connects and disconnects the power supply from the AC charger 8 to the battery 2. The second switch 8C is set to be off (disconnected) at all times except when the AC charger 8 is performing charging.

[0029] The control device 9 is connected to the DC charger 7 and the AC charger 8 in a communication manner, and controls the DC charger 7 and the AC charger 8 (charge control). Here, charge control includes checking the charging status and terminating the charging after DC charging or AC charging has started by the DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) or the AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B).

[0030] The control device 9 is, for example, an electronic control device (e.g., a VCU; Vehicle Control Unit) that comprehensively controls various devices installed in the vehicle, and is configured as an LSI device or embedded electronic device that integrates a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. Control signals, including various communication signals from the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8, are input to the input side of the control device 9. These various communication signals include those transmitted from the power supply unit 3 and relayed by the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8. Control signals, including various communication signals, are output from the output side of the control device 9 to the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8. The control signals output from the control device 9 are transmitted to the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8, and can also be relayed by the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 and transmitted to the power supply unit 3. The control signals include signals instructing the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 to terminate charging.

[0031] Furthermore, the battery 2 is connected to the input side of the control device 9 in a communicative manner, and status signals indicating the state of the battery 2, including, for example, the charge level, are input from the battery 2. After, for example, charging the battery 2, the control device 9 can check the charging status based on the status signals from the battery 2 and decide whether or not to terminate the charging. Furthermore, for communication between the control device 9 and the DC charger 7, AC charger 8, and battery 2, as well as for communication with the power supply unit 3 via the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8, communication technologies conforming to well-known communication standards, such as CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, can be applied.

[0032] [2. Control Configuration] Next, we will explain the control of starting and stopping charging by the DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) and the AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B). The charging start and stop control includes (1) control to determine whether the charging connector 4 is connected to the appropriate charging inlets 5 and 6, and (2) control to start charging if the charging connector 4 is correctly connected, and to stop charging if the charging connector 4 is not correctly connected.

[0033] The DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 can determine whether the charging connector 4 is connected to the appropriate charging inlet 5 or 6 by determining whether DC power or AC power is supplied to the charging inlet 5 or 6 to which the charging connector 4 is connected. In other words, the DC charger 7 determines, based on an identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied from the charging connector 4 when the charging connector 4 is connected to the DC inlet 5. Similarly, the AC charger 8 determines, based on an identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied from the charging connector 4 when the charging connector 4 is connected to the AC inlet 6. The presence or absence of the charging connector 4 can be detected based on a communication signal (for example, the proximity pilot signal mentioned above) transmitted via communication line L4 or L6 when the charging connector 4 is connected.

[0034] Specifically, DC charger 7 determines that the charging connector 4 is connected to the correct charging inlet 5 when DC power is supplied to the DC inlet 5. Similarly, AC charger 8 determines that the charging connector 4 is connected to the correct charging inlet 6 when AC power is supplied to the AC inlet 6. Conversely, DC charger 7 determines that the charging connector 4 is incorrectly connected to an incorrect charging inlet 5 when AC power is supplied to the DC inlet 5. Similarly, AC charger 8 determines that the charging connector 4 is incorrectly connected to an incorrect charging inlet 6 when DC power is supplied to the AC inlet 6.

[0035] The DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 make the above determination before starting to charge the battery 2. As described above, charging inlets 5 and 6 are provided and have the same configuration, so it is possible that the charging connector 4 may be mistakenly connected to the charging inlets 5 and 6. Therefore, after the charging connector 4 is connected to the charging inlets 5 and 6, and before charging begins, the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 determine whether the connection is correct. Charging will only begin if the connection is correct, and if the connection is incorrect (mistakenly connected), charging can be prohibited by the charging prohibition control described later.

[0036] The identification signal can be any signal that can determine the type of power used for charging (DC power or AC power). For example, the identification signal is a pulse width modulated signal, and it is pre-configured so that the type of charging power (DC power or AC power) can be identified depending on whether the pulse width is within a predetermined first duty cycle range (e.g., 3-7%) or a predetermined second duty cycle range (e.g., 8-97%). For example, the power supply unit 3 is pre-configured to output an identification signal with a pulse width within the first duty cycle range when supplying DC power, and to output an identification signal with a pulse width within the second duty cycle range when supplying AC power.

[0037] Based on the above determination, the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 perform a control to start charging (charging start control) if the charging connector 4 is properly connected, and a control to prohibit charging (charging prohibition control) if the charging connector 4 is not properly connected. Charging start control involves setting the first switch 7C or the second switch 8C corresponding to the DC inlet 5 or AC inlet 6 to which the charging connector 4 is connected to the ON (connected) setting. Charging prohibition control means setting the first switch 7C or the second switch 8C corresponding to the DC inlet 5 or AC inlet 6 to which the charging connector 4 is connected to to the off (disconnected) state (in other words, not turning it on). Furthermore, the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8 make the above determination before starting charging, and the first switch 7C and the second switch 8C are always off (disconnected) except when charging is in progress. Therefore, "prohibiting charging" means "not starting charging."

[0038] [3. Flowchart] Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating control examples of charging start and stop control performed by the DC charger 7 and the AC charger 8. Figure 3 shows a control example of charging start and stop control related to DC charging, and Figure 4 shows a control example of charging start and stop control related to AC charging. The DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) starts the flowchart in Figure 3 when the charging connector 4 is connected to the DC inlet 5, and the AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B) starts the flowchart in Figure 4 when the charging connector 4 is connected to the AC inlet 6.

[0039] First, let's explain the case where the charging connector 4 is connected to the DC inlet 5. In step SA1, the DC charger 7 determines whether or not DC power is supplied based on the identification signal (indicated as "DC?" in the diagram). Specifically, in step SA1, the DC charger 7 determines whether or not the pulse width of the identification signal is within a predetermined first duty cycle range (for example, 3-7%). For example, if the pulse width of the identification signal is 5%, it can be determined that DC power is supplied (YES in step SA1). Also, for example, if the pulse width of the identification signal is 50%, it can be determined that AC power is supplied (NO in step SA1).

[0040] If the charging connector 4 that supplies DC power is properly connected to the DC inlet 5 (if step SA1 is YES), in step SA2 the DC charger 7 turns on the first switch 7C and starts DC charging by the DC charger 7 (charging starts). After charging begins, the control device 9 receives a status signal from the battery 2 indicating the state of the battery 2. Based on the status signal, when it detects that charging has ended (for example, that the battery has been charged to a predetermined amount), it outputs a control signal to the DC charger 7 instructing it to stop charging. Based on the control signal, the DC charger 7 turns off the first switch 7C and ends charging (charging complete).

[0041] If the charging connector 4 that supplies AC power is incorrectly connected to the DC inlet 5 (if NO is selected in step SA1), in step SA3, the DC charger 7 outputs a control signal to the control device 9 to notify it of the incorrect connection. Based on the control signal, the control device 9 notifies the user of the incorrect connection. Specifically, the control device 9 illuminates a warning light (not shown) attached to the DC inlet 5, displays a warning on a display device (onboard HMI: Human Machine Interface) installed inside the vehicle, or emits a warning sound. In step SA4, the DC charger 7 turns off the first switch 7C to prohibit charging by the DC charger 7, in other words, it does not start charging (charging prohibited).

[0042] Next, we will explain the case where the charging connector 4 is connected to the AC inlet 6. In step SB1, the AC charger 8 determines whether or not AC power is supplied based on the identification signal (indicated as "AC?" in the diagram). Specifically, in step SB1, the AC charger 8 determines whether or not the pulse width of the identification signal is within a predetermined second duty cycle range (e.g., 8-97%). For example, if the pulse width of the identification signal is 50%, it can be determined that AC power is supplied (YES in step SB1). Also, for example, if the pulse width of the identification signal is 5%, it can be determined that DC power is supplied (NO in step SB1).

[0043] If the charging connector 4 that supplies AC power is properly connected to the AC inlet 6 (if YES in step SB1), in step SB2 the AC charger 8 turns on the second switch 8C and starts AC charging by the AC charger 8 (charging starts). After charging begins, the control device 9 receives a status signal from the battery 2 indicating the state of the battery 2. Based on the status signal, when it detects that charging has ended (for example, that the battery has been charged to a predetermined amount), it outputs a control signal to the AC charger 8 instructing it to stop charging. The AC charger 8 turns off the second switch 8C and ends charging (charging complete).

[0044] If the charging connector 4 that supplies DC power is incorrectly connected to the AC inlet 6 (if NO is found in step SB1), in step SB3, the AC charger 8 outputs a control signal to the control device 9 to notify it of the incorrect connection. Based on the control signal, the control device 9 notifies the user of the incorrect connection. The notification of the incorrect connection may be the same as in step SA3, except that a warning light attached to the AC inlet 6 is illuminated instead of the DC inlet 5. In step SB4, the AC charger 8 turns off the second switch 8C to prohibit charging by the AC charger 8, in other words, it does not start charging (charging prohibited).

[0045] [4. Mechanism of Action and Effects] According to the charging system 1 described above, a DC inlet 5 and an AC inlet 6 are provided. Therefore, when performing DC charging, connect the charging connector 4 to the DC inlet 5, and when performing AC charging, connect the charging connector 4 to the AC inlet 6. Since a DC inlet 5 and an AC inlet 6 are provided here, it is possible that the charging connector 4 may be mistakenly connected to the AC inlet 6 when DC charging, or the charging connector 4 may be mistakenly connected to the DC inlet 5 when AC charging.

[0046] Therefore, the DC charger 7 determines, based on an identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector 4 is connected to the DC inlet 5, and the AC charger 8 determines, based on an identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector 4 is connected to the AC inlet 6. This allows for the determination of whether the charging connector 4 is properly connected or not. Then, charging by the DC charger 7 is prohibited when AC power is supplied to the DC inlet 5, and charging by the AC charger 8 is prohibited when DC power is supplied to the AC inlet 6.

[0047] Therefore, charging will not occur in the event of an incorrect connection, and will only occur when the device is correctly connected. In other words, the DC charger 7 is configured to operate only with DC charging, and the AC charger 8 is configured to operate only with AC charging. Thus, if the user notices an incorrect connection using the above steps SA3, SA4, SB3, SB4, they should simply replace the charging connector 4 with the correct charging inlet 5 or 6. Therefore, according to this charging system 1, both AC charging and DC charging can be properly performed in a charging system 1 that uses a charging connector 4 that supplies AC power and DC power through a common power line. Furthermore, since it only requires the provision of a DC inlet 5 for DC charging and an AC inlet 6 for AC charging, and the system simply determines incorrect connections based on identification signals, the configuration is simple.

[0048] [5. Others] The configuration of the charging system 1 described above is just one example. For example, the control device 9 may perform the above-mentioned charging start and stop control instead of the DC charger 7 and AC charger 8. In this case, the control device 9 includes a determination unit 9A (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1) and a charging control unit 9B (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1) as functional elements for performing the charging start and stop control. When the charging connector 4 is connected to the DC inlet 5 or AC inlet 6, the determination unit 9A communicates with the DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) and the AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B) to determine, based on the identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied from the charging connector 4.

[0049] Based on the determination result of the determination unit 9A, the charging control unit 9B performs a control to start charging (charging start control) if the charging connector 4 is properly connected, and performs a control to prohibit charging (charging prohibition control) if the charging connector 4 is not properly connected.

[0050] In charging start control, the charging control unit 9B outputs a control signal to the DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) or AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B) corresponding to the DC inlet 5 or AC inlet 6 to which the charging connector 4 is connected, instructing the start of charging, and sets the first switch 7C or the second switch 8C to ON (connected). Furthermore, in the charging prohibition control, the charging control unit 9B outputs a control signal to the DC charger 7 (first communication controller 7B) or AC charger 8 (second communication controller 8B) corresponding to the DC inlet 5 or AC inlet 6 to which the charging connector 4 is connected, instructing it to prohibit charging, and sets the first switch 7C or the second switch 8C to off (disconnected). The charging control unit 9B that performs the charging prohibition control can be referred to as the "prohibition control unit".

[0051] Thus, even when the control device 9 performs the above-described charging initiation and prohibition control, the same effects as in the embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0052] Furthermore, the pulse width range used for the identification signal is not limited to the first and second duty cycle ranges described above. For example, an identification signal with a pulse width of 3-7% may be output when AC power is supplied, and an identification signal with a pulse width of 8-97% may be output when DC power is supplied. Also, the identification signal is not limited to a signal that identifies DC power and AC power according to the pulse width range. Furthermore, the shape and terminal arrangement of the charging inlets 5 and 6 are not limited to those described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1 Charging System 2 batteries 3 Power supply 4 Charging connector 5 DC Inlet (Charging Inlet) 6. AC Inlet (Charging Inlet) 7 DC charger 7A First Converter 7B First Communication Controller 7C First Switch 8 AC charger 8A Second Converter 8B Second Communication Controller 8C Second Switch 9 Control device 9A Judgment Department 9B Charging Control Unit (Prohibition Control Unit) 11,12 Power terminal 13 Ground terminal 14,15 Control terminals L1,L3,L5,L7,L8 power line L2,L4,L6 communication line

Claims

[Claim 1] A charging system equipped on an electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle with charging power supplied from an external power supply via a charging connector, The charging connector is inserted into and removed from an insertion port that supplies AC power and DC power as charging power via a common power line and supplies an identification signal to identify the type of charging power, and includes a DC inlet used for charging with DC power, A separate port from the DC inlet is provided, into which the charging connector is inserted and removed, which supplies the AC power and DC power as charging power via a common power line and supplies an identification signal to identify the type of charging power, and is used for charging with AC power, A DC charger connected to the DC inlet, which receives the identification signal and charges the battery using the DC power, An AC charger connected to the AC inlet, which receives the identification signal and charges the battery using the AC power, It has, The DC charger, when the charging connector is connected to the DC inlet, determines whether DC power or AC power is supplied based on the identification signal, and if AC power is supplied to the DC inlet, it prohibits charging by the DC charger. The AC charger determines, based on the identification signal, whether DC power or AC power is supplied when the charging connector is connected to the AC inlet, and if DC power is supplied to the AC inlet, it prohibits charging by the AC charger. A charging system characterized by the following features.

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