Charging device and control method of charging device

Abstract

A charging device and a control method for the charging device. The present invention is a control device that performs processing, the processing comprising: when the device is in a first state (yes in S100), a step of obtaining weather information (S102); when it is precipitation (yes in S104) or when precipitation is predicted within a first time (yes in S108), a step of performing ascending control (S110); when the precipitation ends (yes in S110), a step of maintaining the second state (S112); when the second time has passed (yes in S114), a step of performing descending control (S116).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to control of a movable charging device for charging a vehicle-mounted power storage device. Background Art

[0002] Charging equipment for charging power storage devices mounted on vehicles is installed in parking lots or sidewalks outside vehicles, but it occupies installation space, which sometimes hinders walking and driving of vehicles. Therefore, it is known to make the charging equipment movable, such as storing it under the ground.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-109807 discloses a charging rod.

[0004] The charging pole is provided so as to be able to be raised and lowered in a state in which it can be placed upright from the ground or in a state in which it can be placed under the ground. Summary of the invention

[0005] When the movable charging device that can be raised and lowered is not in use, it is stored under the ground, so mud and dirt easily enter and contaminate the movable parts. Moreover, the parts contaminated by mud and dirt may cause rust, corrosion and other problems.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device and a control method for the charging device that can suppress the occurrence of a malfunction caused by mud and dirt intruding into a movable part.

[0007] A charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a movable charging device that is installed on the bottom surface of a recessed portion formed on the ground and can charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle. The charging device includes: a movable portion, which includes a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; a lifting device that lifts and lowers the movable portion in a manner that becomes any of a plurality of states, the plurality of states including a first state in which the movable portion is stored under the ground and a second state in which the movable portion is exposed on the ground; an information acquisition device that acquires weather information related to precipitation at the location where the charging device is installed; and a control device that controls the operation of the lifting device. The control device controls the lifting device to the second state in any of the following cases: when precipitation is observed at the location where the charging device is installed using the weather information, and when precipitation is predicted at the location where a preset time has passed.

[0008] In this way, since the second state is achieved during rain or other precipitation, the contamination caused by mud and dirt attached to the exposed portion of the movable part can be washed away by water, thereby suppressing the occurrence of adverse conditions caused by the intrusion of mud and dirt into the movable part.

[0009] In one embodiment, a seal is provided between an outer peripheral portion of an upper end of the movable portion and the ground.

[0010] In this way, when the movable part is raised and lowered between the first state and the second state, mud and dirt adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the movable part can be removed by the sealing member.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control device controls the lifting device so as to change the lifting device to the second state after being set to the first state during at least any period of time during and after precipitation.

[0012] In this way, the movable part is wetted with water to be in a state where mud and dirt attached to the outer periphery of the movable part can be easily removed. When the movable part is raised and lowered between the first state and the second state, mud and dirt attached to the outer periphery of the movable part can be removed by the seal.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control device maintains the second state until a preset time has passed since the precipitation ends.

[0014] In this way, since the portion wetted with water can be dried, it is possible to suppress the portion from being kept wet.

[0015] A control method for a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a movable charging device that is disposed on the bottom surface of a recess formed on the ground and that can charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle. The charging device includes: a movable portion that includes a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; and a lifting device that lifts and lowers the movable portion in a manner that allows the movable portion to be in any of a plurality of states, the plurality of states including a first state in which the movable portion is stored under the ground and a second state in which the movable portion is exposed on the ground. The control method includes: a step of obtaining weather information related to precipitation at a location where the charging device is installed; and a step of controlling the lifting device to be in the second state in any of the following cases: a case in which precipitation is observed at the location in which the charging device is installed using the weather information, and a case in which precipitation is predicted at the location in which a predetermined time has passed.

[0016] The above and other objects, features, modes and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a charging station in which an electric vehicle and a movable part are stored under the ground.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a charging station in which an electric vehicle and a movable part are exposed on the ground.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the layout of charging piles and parking spaces.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing another example of the layout of charging piles and parking spaces.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device of the charging pile.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device of the charging pile in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0024] Hereinafter, the structure of the charging stand 300 as the charging equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a charging stand 300 in a state where an electric vehicle 200 and a movable unit 300a (described later) are stored under the ground. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the charging stand 300 in a state where the electric vehicle 200 and the movable part 300a are exposed on the ground.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the charging pile 300 is configured so that the upper end is substantially the same as the ground, and can be in a first state where the movable part 300a is stored under the ground (see Figure 1 ) and the second state in which the upper end rises to a predetermined position on the ground and the movable part 300a is exposed (refer to Figure 2 ) to lift or lower.

[0026] The charging pile 300 has, for example, a cylindrical frame, which is arranged on the bottom surface of a recess formed on the ground. The recess formed on the ground is formed to have a predetermined gap with the outer peripheral surface of the frame of the charging pile 300, and the depth is formed to be substantially the same as the length of the charging pile 300 in the vertical direction in the first state.

[0027] The charging pile 300 includes a movable part 300a and a fixed part 300b. A storage space capable of accommodating a connector 302 is formed on the upper part of the movable part 300a. In the connector 302, the other end is connected to one end of a cable 304 connected to a power source 350. The power source 350 is, for example, an AC power source constituted by a commercial power source or the like. The cable 304 has, for example, a telescopic part having a shape of a curled part or a structural telescopic part having a winding structure, and can be extended to the entrance 220 of the electric vehicle 200 parked in the parking space when the connector 302 is taken out.

[0028] A precipitation sensor 312 is provided at the upper end of the movable part 300a. The precipitation sensor 312 is provided, for example, at the upper end of the movable part 300a to detect the presence or absence of precipitation. The precipitation sensor 312 may be, for example, a sensor for detecting the amount of precipitation or a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water droplets. The precipitation sensor 312 transmits information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation to the control device 308.

[0029] A lip seal 310 is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable part 300a and the ground. The lip seal 310 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber. The lip seal 310 has a hollow disk shape, and the diameter of the inner peripheral portion is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral portion of the movable part 300a. The lip seal 310 is provided so that its central axis coincides with the central axis of the cylindrical movable part 300a. The outer peripheral portion of the lip seal 310 is fixed to the ground.

[0030] The lip seal 310 formed in this way is configured to, when the charging pile 300 is in the first state, Figure 1 As shown, the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable part 300a and the ground is covered. Therefore, when the charging pile 300 is in the first state, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of mud and dirt into the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the movable part 300a and the ground.

[0031] On the other hand, when the charging pile 300 is in the second state, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the movable portion 300a moves in an ascending manner. Therefore, in a state where the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal 310 abuts against the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300a, the lip seal 310 is deformed so that the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal 310 moves above the initial position in the first state. When changing from the first state to the second state, the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300a rises while sliding toward the inner side of the lip seal 310.

[0032] The fixing part 300b is fixed to the bottom surface of the recessed part formed on the ground. In addition, the fixing part 300b only needs to be fixed to any of the recessed parts formed on the ground, and is not particularly limited to being fixed to the bottom surface of the recessed part.

[0033] The fixed portion 300 b includes a lifting device 306 that lifts the movable portion 300 a in the vertical direction, and a control device 308 that controls the operation of the lifting device 306 .

[0034] The lifting device 306 may have a rack-and-pinion type mechanism for lifting the movable part 300a, a mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder for lifting the movable part 300a, or a mechanism for lifting the movable part 300a by generating a repulsive force based on magnetic force between the movable part 300a and the fixed part 300b. The rack-and-pinion type mechanism uses an electric actuator to rotate a pinion gear meshing with a rack gear fixed to the movable part 300a, thereby lifting the movable part 300a. The mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder fixes a rod connected to a piston to the movable part 300a, and lifts the movable part 300a by increasing or decreasing the hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder body fixed to the fixed part 300b.

[0035] The lifting device 306 lifts and lowers the movable part 300a in a manner such that the movable part 300a is in any of a plurality of states including a first state and a second state. In the present embodiment, the lifting device 306 is configured such that the movable part 300a does not descend beyond a position corresponding to the first state and does not rise beyond a position corresponding to the second state, for example, by a stopper mechanism.

[0036] The control device 308 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 308a, a memory 308b composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and a communication unit (information acquisition device) 308c that can communicate with external devices. The control device 308 controls the electrical equipment (for example, the lifting device 306) provided in the charging pile 300 based on the information stored in the memory 308b, the information received via the communication unit 308c, and the information obtained from the sensor type (for example, the precipitation sensor 312, etc.). In addition, regarding these controls, it is not limited to a structure in which software-based processing is performed by the CPU 300a, and it can also be a structure constructed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit).

[0037] The communication unit 308c is configured to communicate various information and the like with devices outside the charging pile 300. The communication unit 308c is configured, for example, to communicate with the management server 600. In addition, the communication unit 308c may be configured to communicate with a portable terminal (not shown) held by a user who is charging in the charging pile 300, or may be configured to communicate with other charging piles 300, in addition to the management server 600.

[0038] The communication unit 308c is configured to communicate with the management server 600 and other charging posts 300, for example, through wired communication. Alternatively, the communication unit 308c is configured to communicate with the management server 600, the portable terminal or other charging posts 300, for example, through wireless communication.

[0039] For example, when the execution condition of the ascending control is satisfied, the control device 308 executes the ascending control in the lifting device 306 in such a way that the charging pile 300 switches from the first state to the second state. The execution condition of the ascending control includes, for example, a condition that the charging pile 300 is in the first state and a condition that there is an ascending request of the charging pile 300. The ascending request may be received from, for example, the management server 600, a portable terminal or another charging pile 300.

[0040] Alternatively, the control device 308, for example, performs the descent control in the lifting device 306 in such a manner that the charging pile 300 switches from the second state to the first state when the execution condition of the descent control is satisfied. The execution condition of the descent control includes, for example, a condition that the charging pile 300 is in the second state and a condition that there is a descent request for the charging pile 300. The descent request may be received, for example, from the management server 600, a portable terminal or another charging pile 300.

[0041] The management server 600 includes a control device, a communication device, and a storage device (none of which are shown in the figure). The control device of the management server 600 is composed of a CPU and a memory, etc. The communication device of the management server 600 is configured to be able to communicate with other devices such as the charging pile 300 or a portable terminal via a communication network or directly. The specified information is stored in the storage device of the management server 600. The control device of the management server 600 receives the specified information from the electric vehicle 200 and the charging pile 300 via the communication device, and stores part or all of the received information in the storage device.

[0042] The management server 600 is configured to access an external server of the meteorological bureau, for example, via a communication device, and obtain information such as atmospheric observation data regularly provided by the meteorological bureau. The management server 600 stores the obtained information in a storage device. The information obtained from the external server, for example, includes information related to precipitation at the installation location of multiple charging piles (including the charging pile 300) managed by the management server 600.

[0043] The information obtained from an external server, etc. includes, for example, at least any of information related to the presence or absence of precipitation at the current time at the location where the charging pile 300 is installed, information related to the amount of precipitation at the current time at the location where the charging pile 300 is installed, information related to the presence or absence of precipitation from the current time to a predetermined time, and information related to the amount of precipitation from the current time to a predetermined time.

[0044] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an example of the structure of an electric vehicle 200 parked in a parking space that can be charged by a charging pile 300 is also shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electric vehicle 200 includes, for example, a plug-in hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device. In addition, the structure of the electric vehicle 200 is not particularly limited to the above-mentioned vehicles as long as it has a structure capable of receiving power supply from the charging station 300, and may also be a vehicle equipped with a power storage device for external power supply.

[0045] The electric vehicle 200 includes a charger 212 , a battery 214 , a converter 216 , a motor generator 218 , and an inlet 220 .

[0046] When AC power is supplied from inlet 220, charger 212 converts the supplied AC power into DC power and supplies it to battery 214. Battery 214 is charged by the operation of charger 212. Charger 212 is controlled by a control signal from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) of electric vehicle 200, for example.

[0047] The battery 214 is, for example, a rechargeable power storage element, and is typically a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery containing a liquid or solid electrolyte. Alternatively, the battery 214 may be any power storage device capable of storing power, and for example, a large-capacity capacitor may be used instead of the battery 214.

[0048] Converter 216 converts DC power of battery 214 into AC power, for example, and supplies the power to motor generator 218. Converter 216 converts AC power (regenerative power) from motor generator 218 into DC power, for example, and supplies the power to battery 214 to charge battery 214.

[0049] Motor generator 218 receives the electric power from converter 216 and provides a rotational force to drive wheel 222. Drive wheel 222 rotates due to the rotational force provided by motor generator 218, so that electric vehicle 200 travels.

[0050] The inlet 220 is provided together with a cover such as a lid (not shown) on the exterior of the electric vehicle 200. The inlet 220 is a power receiving unit that receives the supply of charging power from an external charging device (e.g., a charging pile 300). The inlet 220 has a shape that can be mounted with a connector 302 of the charging pile 300. Contacts are built into both the inlet 220 and the connector 302. When the connector 302 is mounted on the inlet 220, the contacts are in contact with each other, and the inlet 220 is electrically connected to the connector 302. At this time, the battery 214 of the electric vehicle 200 becomes capable of being charged using the power supplied from the charging pile 300.

[0051] Charging post 300 may be installed on a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces in a parking lot, a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces set on a road, or the like. Figure 3 3 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the charging pile 300 and the parking space 400. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when a plurality of parking spaces 400 are arranged in a horizontal arrangement by a dividing line 402 in a parking lot, a charging pile 300 is provided at a position adjacent to each parking space 400. Figure 3 As an example, the parking space 400 is shown at one end in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 3 In this case, the charging pile 300 is arranged along the sidewalk 500. When the electric vehicle 200 is parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces 400 and the charging pile 300 is in the second state, the user takes the connector 302 out of the charging pile 300 and connects it to the entrance 220 of the electric vehicle 200.

[0052] Figure 4 4 is a diagram showing another example of the layout of the charging pile 300 and the parking space 410. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when a plurality of parking spaces 410 are arranged in a longitudinal direction along a road through a dividing line 412 , a charging pile 300 is also provided at a position adjacent to each parking space 410 . Figure 4, a structure in which parking spaces 410 are set along sidewalks 510 is shown as an example. In this case, charging posts 300 are set along sidewalks 510. When the electric vehicle 200 is parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces 410 and the charging posts 300 are in the second state, the user takes the connector 302 out of the nearest charging post 300 and connects it to the entrance 220 of the electric vehicle 200.

[0053] When charging pile 300 is in the first state, the user sends a lift request to charging pile 300 using the mobile terminal, and sends the lift request to charging pile 300 via the management server. Upon receiving the lift request, control device 308 of charging pile 300 controls lifting device 306 to the second state.

[0054] When the movable charging pile 300 is not in use, it is stored in a recessed portion under the ground, so mud and dirt easily intrude and contaminate the movable portion. Moreover, the portion contaminated by mud and dirt may cause rust, corrosion, and other undesirable conditions.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 308 of the charging pile 300 controls the lifting device 306 to the second state in any of the following cases: when precipitation is observed at the installation location of the charging pile 300 using weather information, or when precipitation is predicted at the installation location of the charging pile 300 until a predetermined time has passed. In addition, the weather information includes at least any of information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation detected by the precipitation sensor 312 and information obtained by the management server 600 from an external server or the like.

[0056] Thus, since the second state is achieved during rain or other precipitation, the contamination of mud and dirt attached to the exposed portion of the movable portion 300a can be washed away by water, thereby suppressing the occurrence of adverse conditions caused by mud and dirt intruding into the movable portion 300a.

[0057] Below, refer to Figure 5 , describing an example of the control processing performed by the control device 308. Figure 5 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device 308. The series of processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the control device 308 in each predetermined control cycle.

[0058] In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 100, the control device 308 determines whether the charging pile 300 is in the first state. For example, when the lifting mark that is set to the on state when performing the ascending control and is set to the off state when performing the descending control is in the off state, the control device 308 determines that the charging pile 300 is in the first state. When it is determined that the charging pile 300 is in the first state (yes in S100), the process is transferred to S102.

[0059] In S102, the control device 308 obtains weather information. The control device 308 obtains information obtained by the management server 600 from an external server, etc., for example, from the management server 600. The information obtained by the management server 600 from the external server, etc. is as described above, so the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Furthermore, the control device 308 obtains information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor 312. The control device 308 stores the weather information obtained from the management server 600 and the precipitation sensor 312 in the memory 308b.

[0060] In S104, the control device 308 determines whether it is precipitation. For example, when the precipitation sensor 312 contains information that water droplets are attached, the control device 308 determines that it is precipitation. Or, when the precipitation amount per unit time detected by the precipitation sensor 312 is greater than a threshold, the control device 308 determines that it is precipitation. Or, when the information obtained from the management server 600 contains information indicating that it is precipitation at the setting location of the charging pile 300, the control device 308 determines that it is precipitation. Or, when the information obtained from the management server 600 contains information related to the precipitation amount at the setting location, the control device 308 determines that it is precipitation when the precipitation amount per unit time at the setting location is greater than a threshold. In addition, as a threshold, for example, it can also be a pre-set value, which sets the precipitation amount per unit time to the extent that the pollution attached to the movable part 300a is washed away. In the case of being judged as precipitation (yes in S104), the processing is transferred to S106.

[0061] In S106, the control device 308 performs the ascending control. The control device 308 controls the lifting device 306 so that the movable part 300a ascends to the position corresponding to the second state. At this time, the control device 308 sets the lifting flag to the on state. The control device 308 transfers the subsequent processing to S110. In addition, when it is determined that it is not precipitation (No in S104), the processing is transferred to S108.

[0062] In S108, the control device 308 determines whether precipitation is predicted within the first time. For example, when the information obtained from the management server 600 contains information that precipitation is predicted during the period from the current moment to the first time at the location where the charging pile 300 is set, the control device 308 determines that precipitation is predicted within the first time. Alternatively, when the predicted value of the precipitation amount (or precipitation amount per unit time) during the period from the current moment to the first specified time at the location where the charging pile 300 is set, which is contained in the information obtained from the management server 600, is greater than the threshold, the control device 308 determines that precipitation is predicted within the first time. The first time is a preset time, and it can also be adjusted by experiments, etc. For example, the longer the period between the most recent moment to the second state and the current moment is, the longer the first time is, and the shorter the period is, the shorter the first time is. In this way, the charging pile 300 can be suppressed from frequently becoming the second state. In the case where it is determined that precipitation is predicted within the first time (yes in S108), the process is transferred to S106.

[0063] In S110, the control device 308 determines whether the precipitation is over. The control device 308 determines that the precipitation is over, for example, when the precipitation sensor 312 contains information that no water droplets are attached during a fixed period. Alternatively, the control device 308 determines that the precipitation is over, for example, when the precipitation amount per unit time detected by the precipitation sensor 312 is below a threshold. Alternatively, the control device 308 determines that the precipitation is over, when the information obtained from the management server 600 contains information indicating that there is no precipitation at the setting location of the charging pile 300. Alternatively, when the information obtained from the management server 600 contains information related to the precipitation amount at the setting location, the control device 308 determines that the precipitation is over when the precipitation amount per unit time at the setting location is below a threshold. In the case where it is determined that the precipitation is over (Yes in S110), the process is transferred to S112. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the precipitation is not over (No in S110), the process returns to S110.

[0064] In S112, control device 308 maintains the second state. For example, even when there is a descent request, control device 308 does not perform descent control and maintains the second state.

[0065] In S114, the control device 308 determines whether the second time has passed since the end of precipitation. The second time is a preset time, for example, set in a manner that the water attached to the exposed portion of the movable part 300a dries. In the case where it is determined that the second time has passed (Yes in S114), the process is transferred to S116. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the second time has not passed since the end of precipitation (No in S114), the process returns to S114.

[0066] In S116, the control device 308 performs the descending control. The control device 308 controls the lifting device 306 so that the movable part 300a descends to the position corresponding to the first state. At this time, the control device 308 sets the above-mentioned lifting flag to the off state.

[0067] If it is determined that charging pile 300 is not in the first state (No in S100 ) or if it is determined that precipitation is not predicted within the predetermined time (No in S108 ), the process ends.

[0068] An example of the operation of the control device 308 of this embodiment based on the above-mentioned structure and flowchart will be described.

[0069] For example, it is assumed that it rains at the location where charging station 300 is installed.

[0070] When the charging pile 300 is in the first state (Yes in S100), weather information is obtained (S102). That is, information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor 312 and information obtained by the management server 600 from an external server, etc. are obtained. For example, when information indicating precipitation by water droplets attached to the precipitation sensor 312 is obtained, it is judged to be precipitation (Yes in S104), and the rise control (S106) is performed. That is, the lifting device 306 is controlled to become the second state. By the charging pile 300 becoming the second state, the part of the movable part 300a exposed to the ground is wetted by water, and the mud, soil, etc. attached to the movable part 300a are washed away.

[0071] Next, it is assumed that precipitation is predicted at the time when charging pile 300 is installed.

[0072] When the charging pile 300 is in the first state (Yes in S100), weather information is obtained (S102). That is, information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor 312 and information obtained by the management server 600 from an external server, etc. are obtained. For example, when information indicating that there is no precipitation is obtained by the fact that no water droplets are attached to the precipitation sensor 312, it is judged that there is no precipitation (No in S104), and it is judged whether precipitation is predicted within the first time (S108). For example, when it is predicted that the precipitation per unit time exceeds the threshold value until the first time, it is judged that precipitation is predicted within the first time (Yes in S108), and the rise control is performed (S106). That is, the lifting device 306 is controlled to become the second state. The charging pile 300 becomes the second state, and thus, it will rain until the first time passes. When the part of the movable part 300a exposed to the ground is wetted by water, the mud, soil, etc. attached to the movable part 300a are washed away.

[0073] When the rainfall stops, water droplets no longer adhere to the precipitation sensor 312, and information indicating that there is no precipitation is obtained, it is determined that the precipitation is over (Yes in S110), and the second state is maintained. In the absence of precipitation, the second state is maintained to dry the part of the movable part 300a exposed on the ground that is wetted by water. Then, after the second time has passed after the precipitation ends (Yes in S114), the descent control is performed (S116). By performing the descent control, the movable part 300a is placed in the first state of the recess under the ground.

[0074] Furthermore, when changing from the first state to the second state and from the second state to the first state, since the movable portion 300a slides relative to the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal 310, the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300a is further freed from contamination caused by mud and dirt.

[0075] As described above, according to the charging pile 300 as the charging device of this embodiment, since it becomes the second state during precipitation such as rain, snow, ice or hail, the pollution based on mud and dirt attached to the exposed part of the movable part 300a can be washed away by water. Therefore, the occurrence of adverse conditions such as rust and corrosion caused by the invasion of mud and dirt into the movable part 300a of the charging pile 300 can be suppressed. Therefore, a charging device and a control method for the charging device that suppress the occurrence of adverse conditions caused by the invasion of mud and dirt into the movable part can be provided.

[0076] Furthermore, when the movable portion 300 a is moved up and down between the first state and the second state, mud and dirt adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300 a can be further removed by the lip seal 310 .

[0077] Furthermore, after it is determined that the precipitation has ended, the second state is maintained until the second time has passed, so that the wetted portion of the movable portion 300a exposed on the ground during the second state can be dried. Therefore, the wetted state of the movable portion 300a can be suppressed from changing to the first state.

[0078] Modifications will be described below.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the case where the power source 350 is an AC power source has been described, but the power source 350 may be a DC power source. In this case, the electric vehicle 200 may be configured such that the charger 212 is omitted, for example.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the structure in which the connector 302 is stored in the storage space at the upper part of the movable part 300a is described as an example, but for example, a socket may be provided on the upper side of the movable part 300a so as to be exposed. In this way, the user uses a separately prepared charging cable to connect the socket of the charging pile 300 to the inlet 220 of the electric vehicle 200, thereby charging the battery 214 mounted on the electric vehicle 200.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the frame of the charging pile 300 has a cylindrical shape is used as an example for description, but any shape that can be raised and lowered is not particularly limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the frame of the charging pile 300 may have a rectangular shape.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is described that the ascending control is performed during precipitation or when precipitation is predicted within a first time, and the descending control is performed after the second state is maintained from the end of precipitation to the second time. However, for example, the ascending control may be performed during precipitation after the ascending control is performed, or while the second state is maintained from the end of precipitation. The ascending and descending control that moves the movable part 300a up and down may be performed.

[0083] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device 308 of the charging stand 300 in the modified example.

[0084] Figure 6 Flowchart and Figure 5 The difference from the flowchart of is that it also includes the processing of S200 and the processing of S202. For the processing other than that, except for the following description, it is the same as Figure 5 The same processing as that shown in the flowchart is indicated by the same step number, and therefore, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0085] In S106, when the ascending control is executed, the process is transferred to S200. In S200, the control device 308 executes the ascending control to make the movable part 300a ascend and descend. In the ascending control, for example, after the descending control is executed in a manner of changing from the second state to the first state, the ascending control is executed from the first state to the second state. In addition, the ascending control may include a control of repeatedly performing the descending control and the ascending control, or may include a control of descending the movable part 300a to a predetermined position between the first state and the second state, and then ascending to a position corresponding to the second state. The control device 308 transfers the subsequent process to S110.

[0086] In S110, when it is determined that the precipitation has ended (Yes in S110), the process transfers to S202. In S202, the control device 308 performs the lifting control. The lifting control is as described above, so its detailed description is not repeated. In addition, the lifting control in the process of S202 can be performed in the same manner as the lifting control in the process of S200, or the number of times of repeating the lowering control and the raising control can be different, or the position where the movable part 300a is lowered in the lowering control can be different.

[0087] An example of the operation of the control device 308 in the modified example based on the above-mentioned flowchart will be described.

[0088] For example, it is assumed that it rains at the installation location where charging station 300 is installed.

[0089] When the charging pile 300 is in the first state (Yes in S100), weather information is obtained (S102). When precipitation is judged using the obtained weather information (Yes in S104), ascending control is performed (S106). That is, the lifting device 306 is controlled to be in the second state. When the charging pile 300 is in the second state and the part of the movable part 300a exposed on the ground is wetted by water, mud, soil, etc. attached to the movable part 300a are washed away. In addition, the pollution remaining on the outer peripheral part of the movable part 300a is in a state that can be easily removed by being wetted by water.

[0090] Therefore, when the lifting control is performed thereafter ( S200 ), since the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300 a slides relative to the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal 310 , contamination remaining on the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300 a is removed by the lip seal 310 .

[0091] When the rain stops, water drops no longer adhere to the precipitation sensor 312, and information indicating that there is no precipitation is obtained, it is determined that the precipitation has ended (Yes in S110), and the lifting control is performed again (S202). By performing the lifting control, the contamination remaining on the outer peripheral portion of the movable part 300a is further removed by the lip seal 310.

[0092] Then, the charging pile 300 is maintained in the second state (S112). In the absence of precipitation, by maintaining the second state, the part of the movable part 300a exposed on the ground that is wetted by water is dried. Then, after the second time has passed after the precipitation ends (Yes in S114), the descent control is performed (S116). By performing the descent control, the movable part 300a is stored in the first state in the recess under the ground.

[0093] Even in this case, since the second state can be set during precipitation, pollution based on mud and dirt attached to the exposed movable part can flow into the water due to precipitation, and the pollution can be removed by lifting and lowering control during precipitation and after precipitation.

[0094] In addition, in this modification, the case where the lifting control is performed during and after precipitation is described as an example, but the lifting control may be performed only during precipitation, or may be performed only after precipitation.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control device 308 illustrates the case of obtaining weather information from the management server 600 as an example, but for example, the weather information of the location where the charging pile 300 is set can also be obtained directly from an external server of the Meteorological Bureau, or the weather information of the location where the charging pile 300 is set can also be obtained from a site on precipitation conditions publicly available on the Internet, or the weather information of the location where the charging pile 300 is set can also be obtained from a portable terminal moving around the charging pile 300 or other charging piles.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the charging pile 300 is in the first state, the lip seal 310 is described as being provided in a manner covering the area between the outer periphery of the upper end of the movable part 300a and the ground, but it may also be provided between the outer peripheral portion of the movable part 300a and the inner peripheral surface of the recess, and is not particularly limited to being fixed on the ground. For example, a single or multiple lip seals 310 may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess. Furthermore, the lip seal 310 is described as being formed in a hollow disc shape, but it is not particularly limited to a hollow disc shape, and may be formed by winding a plate-like elastic member into a spiral shape, or may be formed in a shape that increases the area of ​​the abutment portion compared to the movable part 300a. In this way, since the area of ​​the abutment portion between the lip seal 310 and the movable part 300a is greater than that of the movable part 300a, the lip seal 310 may be provided in a manner covering the area between the upper end of the movable part 300a and the ground. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Since the hollow disk shape shown is larger than that shown in the figure, it is possible to easily remove contamination from the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion 300a.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control device 308 determines that it is precipitation when it detects water droplets attached to the precipitation sensor 312, but the control device 308 may also determine that it is precipitation when it detects water droplets attached to the precipitation sensor 312 multiple times during a pre-set period.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of obtaining weather information from the precipitation sensor 312 and the management server 600 is described, but for example, weather information may be obtained from the management server 600, and the information detected by the precipitation sensor 312 may be used to determine whether there is precipitation at the current moment, and the information obtained from the management server 600 may be used to determine whether precipitation is predicted within a specified time.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case where weather information is obtained from the precipitation sensor 312 and the management server 600 is described, but in a case where a first judgment result of whether or not there is precipitation at the current moment using the precipitation sensor 312 is different from a second judgment result of whether or not there is precipitation at the current moment using the information obtained from the management server 600, the presence or absence of precipitation at the current moment is judged based on a priority pre-set for the first judgment result and the second judgment result.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the movable part 300a is raised to the position corresponding to the second state when it is raining or when it is predicted that it will rain within the first time is described, but as long as it is a device that raises the movable part 300a to at least a state where the movable part 300a is exposed, it is not particularly limited to the position corresponding to the second state in the above embodiment. For example, when it is raining or when it is predicted that it will rain within the first time, the control device 308 may also raise the movable part 300a in a manner that it is in a predetermined state between the first state and the second state.

[0101] Furthermore, all or part of the above-mentioned modifications may be appropriately combined and implemented.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be considered that the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Claims

1. A charging device, which is a movable charging device installed on the bottom surface of a recessed portion formed on the ground and capable of charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a movable part including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; a lifting device for lifting the movable part so as to be in any of a plurality of states, the plurality of states including a first state in which the movable part is stored under the ground and a second state in which the movable part is exposed on the ground; an information acquisition device for acquiring weather information related to precipitation at a location where the charging device is installed; a control device for controlling the movement of the lifting device, The control device controls the lifting device to the second state in either a case where the precipitation is observed at the installation location using the weather information or a case where the precipitation is predicted at the installation location before a predetermined time elapses, A seal is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable portion and the ground. The control device controls the lifting device so that the lifting device is set to the second state after being set to the first state during at least any period of the precipitation and after the precipitation.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device maintains the second state until a predetermined time has passed since the precipitation ends.

3. A method for controlling a charging device, which is a movable charging device that is arranged on the bottom surface of a recessed portion formed on the ground and is capable of charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle, The charging device has: a movable part including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; a lifting device for lifting the movable part so as to be in any of a plurality of states, the plurality of states including a first state in which the movable part is stored under the ground and a second state in which the movable part is exposed on the ground, A seal is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable portion and the ground. The control method comprises: a step of obtaining weather information related to precipitation at a location where the charging device is installed; In any of the cases where the precipitation is observed at the installation location using the weather information and the precipitation is predicted at the installation location until a predetermined time has passed, the step of controlling the lifting device to the second state; as well as The step of controlling the lifting device so as to be in the second state after being in the first state during at least any period of the precipitation and after the precipitation.

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