Charging device and control method of charging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging device and a control method for the charging device. A control device performs processing including the following steps: a step of determining whether the state is the first state; a step of obtaining the operating state of the wipers of surrounding vehicles when the state is determined to be the first state; a step of determining whether rainfall of a predetermined amount or more is predicted; and a step of performing a rising control when the rainfall of a predetermined amount or more is determined to be predicted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to control of a mobile charging device that charges 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 may hinder walking and driving of vehicles. Therefore, there is a known technology that designs charging equipment to be movable and, for example, stored under the ground.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-109807 discloses a charging stand that is provided to be able to rise and fall so as to be able to stand up from the ground and to be able to be stored under the ground.

[0004] When the movable charging device that can be raised and lowered as described above is not in use, it is stored under the ground, so there is a concern that it may be flooded by heavy rainfall such as a guerrilla rainstorm or a typhoon. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging facility and a control method of the charging facility that suppress flooding due to rainfall.

[0006] The charging device involved in a certain aspect of the present disclosure is set in a recessed portion formed on the ground, and is a movable charging device capable of charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle. The charging device includes: a movable part, including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; a lifting device that lifts and lowers the movable part so as to become any one of a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, the first state being a state in which the movable part is stored under the ground, and the second state being a state in which the movable part is exposed on the ground; an information acquisition device that acquires information related to rainfall at the location where the charging device is installed; and a control device that controls the operation of the lifting device. When the information is used to predict a rainfall amount exceeding a specified amount at the location where the charging device is installed, the control device controls the lifting device so as to become the second state.

[0007] In this way, when a predetermined amount of rainfall is predicted at the location where the charging equipment is installed, the lifting device is controlled to enter the second state. Therefore, even when a large amount of rainfall occurs during a guerrilla rainstorm or a typhoon, the charging equipment can be prevented from being flooded.

[0008] In one embodiment, the information acquisition device acquires information on the operating state of the wiper device from vehicles within a predetermined range centered on the installation location.

[0009] In this way, when information on the operating state of the wiper device of the vehicle within a predetermined range is obtained, for example, the amount of rainfall exceeding a predetermined amount can be predicted at the installation location based on the amount of operation of the wiper device.

[0010] In still another embodiment, the information acquisition device acquires information indicating a detection result of a rain sensor of a vehicle within a predetermined range centered on the installation location.

[0011] In this way, when information indicating the detection results of the rain sensors of vehicles within a predetermined range is acquired, for example, it is possible to predict a rainfall amount of a predetermined amount or more at the installation location based on the detected rainfall amount.

[0012] In still another embodiment, when the use information predicts that a predetermined amount or more of rainfall will occur at the installation location, the control device controls the lifting device to enter the second state and requests the other charging equipment to raise the movable portion of the other charging equipment.

[0013] In this way, in addition to preventing the charging equipment at the installation location from being flooded, other charging equipment can also be prevented from being flooded.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a control method for a charging device that is disposed in a recess formed on the ground and that can charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle. The charging device comprises: a movable portion, including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; and a lifting device that lifts and lowers the movable portion so as to be in any one of a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which the movable portion is stored under the ground, and the second state is a state in which the movable portion is exposed on the ground. The control method comprises: a step of obtaining information related to rainfall at a location where the charging device is installed; and a step of controlling the lifting device so as to be in the second state when a rainfall of more than a specified amount is predicted at the location where the charging device is installed using the information.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a charging device and a method for controlling the charging device that can suppress flooding due to rainfall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Hereinafter, features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components, wherein:

[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 2This 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 stations and parking spaces.

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

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining communication between a management server and a plurality of vehicles.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device in the modification example.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device in another modification example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0026] Hereinafter, the structure of the charging stand 300 as the charging device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as an example. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the charging stand 300 in a state where the 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.

[0027] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the charging pile 300 is configured to be able to be in the first state (refer to Figure 1 ) and the second state (refer to Figure 2 ), the first state is a state in which the position of the upper end becomes approximately the same as the ground and the movable part 300a is stored under the ground, and the second state is a state in which the upper end rises to a specified position on the ground and the movable part 300a is exposed.

[0028] The charging pile 300 has, for example, a cylindrical shell, which is disposed 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 shell of the charging pile 300, and is formed to have a depth equal to the vertical length of the charging pile 300 in the first state.

[0029] The charging pile 300 includes a movable part 300a and a fixed part 300b. A storage space capable of accommodating the connector 302 is formed on the upper part of the movable part 300a. One end of a cable 304 is connected to the connector 302, and the other end of the cable 304 is connected to a power source 350. The power source 350 is, for example, an AC power source constituted by an industrial power supply or the like. The cable 304, for example, has a telescopic part having a shape of a curled part or a telescopic part having a winding structure, and is configured to be able to be extended to the charging port 220 of the electric vehicle 200 parked in the parking space when the connector 302 is taken out.

[0030] The fixing part 300b is fixed to the bottom surface of the concave part formed on the ground. However, the fixing part 300b can be fixed to any place in the concave part formed on the ground, and is not particularly limited to being fixed to the bottom surface of the concave part.

[0031] The fixed part 300 b includes: a lifting device 306 for lifting the movable part 300 a in the up-down direction; and a control device 308 for controlling the operation of the lifting device 306 .

[0032] The lifting device 306 may, for example, have a rack-and-pinion mechanism that uses an electric actuator to rotate a pinion meshing with a rack fixed to the movable part 300a to lift the movable part 300a; it may also have a mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder that fixes a rod connected to a piston to the movable part 300a and lifts the movable part 300a by increasing the hydraulic pressure supplied to a cylinder body fixed to the fixed part 300b; it may also have a mechanism that generates a repulsive force caused by magnetic force between the movable part 300a and the fixed part 300b to lift the movable part 300a.

[0033] The lifting device 306 lifts the movable part 300a so as to be in any of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state. In the present embodiment, the lifting device 306 is configured so that the movable part 300a does not descend beyond a position corresponding to the first state due to a limit mechanism or the like, and is also configured so that the movable part 300a does not rise beyond a position corresponding to the second state.

[0034] 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 308c with which external devices can communicate. The control device 308 controls the electrical equipment (such as 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 class. In addition, regarding these controls, it is not limited to the structure in which the processing involved in the software is executed by the CPU 300a, and it can also be a structure constructed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit).

[0035] 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 to communicate with the management server 600, for example. Furthermore, the communication unit 308c is configured to communicate with the communication device 204 of the electric vehicle 200, for example. In addition, the communication unit 308c can be configured to communicate with a portable terminal (not shown) owned by a user who is charging at the charging pile 300 in addition to being able to communicate with the management server 600, or can also be configured to be able to communicate with other charging piles 300.

[0036] The communication unit 308c may be configured to communicate with the management server 600 and other charging posts 300 through wired communication, for example. Alternatively, the communication unit 308c may be configured to communicate with the management server 600, the communication device 204, the portable terminal or other charging posts 300 through wireless communication, for example. The communication unit 308c may be built into the control device 308, or may be independently provided from the control device 308.

[0037] 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 so that the charging pile 300 switches from the first state to the second state. The execution condition of the ascending control includes, for example, the condition that the charging pile 300 is in the first state and the 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.

[0038] Alternatively, for example, when the execution condition of the descent control is satisfied, the control device 308 executes the descent control in the lifting device 306 so that the charging pile 300 switches from the second state to the first state. The execution condition of the descent control includes, for example, the condition that the charging pile 300 is in the second state and the 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.

[0039] exist Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 FIG. 2 also shows an example of a structure of an electric vehicle 200 parked in a parking space that can be charged by a charging pile 300. Figure 1 as well as 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. The structure of the electric vehicle 200 is not particularly limited to the vehicles listed above 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.

[0040] Electric vehicle 200 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 202 , a communication device 204 , a position detection device 206 , a charger 212 , a battery 214 , an inverter 216 , a motor generator 218 , a charging port 220 , a rain sensor 230 , and a wiper device 232 .

[0041] ECU 202 includes a CPU and a memory composed of ROM, RAM, etc. ECU 202 controls electrical devices (e.g., communication device 204, wiper device 232) provided in electric vehicle 200 based on information stored in the memory and information obtained from sensors (e.g., position detection device 206, rain sensor 230, etc., which will be described later).

[0042] The communication device 204 is configured to communicate various information with devices outside the electric vehicle 200. For example, the communication device 204 is configured to communicate with the management server 600 and the charging station 300. In addition, the communication device 204 may be configured to communicate with a portable terminal.

[0043] The position detection device 206 obtains the current position of the electric vehicle 200 based on a signal (radio wave) from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, for example, and outputs a signal (position information) indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 200 to the ECU 202. As a method of obtaining the current position of the electric vehicle 200, a method of obtaining the current position by using a satellite capable of position detection other than a GPS satellite or the like, or a method of obtaining the current position by sending and receiving predetermined information with a mobile base station or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point may be used.

[0044] When AC power is supplied from charging port 220 , charger 212 converts the supplied AC power into DC power and supplies the DC power to battery 214 . Battery 214 is charged by the operation of charger 212 . Charger 212 is controlled by a control signal from ECU 202 of electric vehicle 200 , for example.

[0045] The battery 214 is, for example, a rechargeable power storage member, and a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery including a liquid or solid electrolyte can be typically used. Alternatively, the battery 214 can be any power storage device capable of storing power, and for example, a large-capacity capacitor can be used instead of the battery 214.

[0046] Inverter 216 converts DC power of battery 214 into AC power, for example, and supplies the power to motor generator 218. Inverter 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.

[0047] Motor generator 218 receives electric power from inverter 216 to apply rotational force to drive wheel 222. Drive wheel 222 rotates with the rotational force applied by motor generator 218, so that electric vehicle 200 travels.

[0048] The charging port 220 is provided on the exterior of the electric vehicle 200 together with a cover such as a lid (not shown). The charging port 220 is a power receiving unit that receives charging power from an external charging device (such as a charging pile 300). The charging port 220 has a shape that can be installed on the connector 302 of the charging pile 300. Contact points are built into both the charging port 220 and the connector 302. If the connector 302 is installed in the charging port 220, the contact points contact each other, and the charging port 220 and the connector 302 are electrically connected. At this time, the battery 214 of the electric vehicle 200 is in a state where it can be charged using the power supplied from the charging pile 300.

[0049] When water droplets adhere to the front windshield, rain sensor 230 detects the amount of water droplets adhered (rainfall) and transmits a signal indicating the detected amount of rainfall to ECU 202 .

[0050] The wiper device 232 includes, for example, a wiper blade that is arranged in contact with the front windshield and a wiper motor that causes the wiper blade to operate within a specified wiping range of the front windshield (neither of which is shown in the figure). The wiper device 232 uses the wiper motor to operate the wiper blade and wipe the water droplets attached to the specified wiping range according to the control signal from the ECU 202. The ECU 202, for example, causes the wiper device 232 to operate in an operating mode corresponding to the amount of rain detected by the rain sensor 230. The operating modes include, for example: a high-speed mode that causes the wiper blade to operate at the maximum speed; a low-speed mode that causes the wiper blade to operate at a speed lower than the high-speed mode; and an intermittent mode that causes the wiper blade to operate at a predetermined time interval or a time interval corresponding to the amount of rain. In addition, the operating mode of the wiper device 232 can also be manually selected by operating an operating component that is not shown in the figure.

[0051] Charging post 300 may be installed on a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces in a parking lot or on a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces set on a road. Figure 3 4 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the charging pile 300 and the parking space 400. Figure 3 As shown, when a plurality of parking spaces 400 are arranged in a horizontal arrangement by a dividing line 402 in the parking lot, a charging pile 300 is provided at a position adjacent to each parking space 400 . Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows a parking space 400 at one end in the length direction ( Figure 3 As an example, a structure in which a sidewalk 500 is provided (on the right side of the paper) is provided. In this case, the charging pile 300 is provided 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 out the connector 302 from the charging pile 300 and connects it to the charging port 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, when a plurality of parking spaces 410 are set in a column 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 4 shows a structure in which a parking space 410 is set along a sidewalk 510 as an example. In this case, a charging post 300 is set along the sidewalk 510. When the electric vehicle 200 is parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces 410 and the charging post 300 is in the second state, the user takes out the connector 302 from the nearest charging post 300 and connects it to the charging port 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 a mobile terminal or sends a lift request to charging pile 300 via a management server. Control device 308 of charging pile 300 receives the lift request and controls lifting device 306 to enter the second state.

[0054] Management server 600 is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of vehicles. Figure 5 6 is a diagram for explaining the communication between the management server 600 and the plurality of vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. It is assumed that the plurality of vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 have the same structure as the electric vehicle 200, for example. Therefore, the detailed description of the structure of each vehicle will not be repeated. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where the management server 600 communicates with five vehicles is described as an example. However, the number of vehicles that can communicate with the management server 600 is not particularly limited to five.

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, the management server 600 includes a control device 601, a communication device 604 and a storage device 602. The control device 601 is composed of a CPU and a memory, etc. The communication device 604 is configured to be able to communicate with multiple vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 via a communication network 6 and a base station 7. In addition, although not specifically shown in the figure, the communication device 604 is configured to be able to communicate with vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and other devices such as charging piles 300 or portable terminals via a communication network 6 and a base station 7. Specified information is stored in the storage device 602. The control device 601 receives specified information from the above-mentioned electric vehicle 200, vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and charging piles 300 via the communication device 604, the communication network 6 and the base station 7, and stores part or all of the received information in the storage device 602.

[0056] The management server 600 obtains prescribed information from, for example, a plurality of vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The prescribed information obtained from the plurality of vehicles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 includes, for example, position information of each vehicle and information related to the operating state of the wiper device 232 of each vehicle. The information related to the operating state of the wiper device 232 includes, in addition to information indicating whether the wiper device 232 is operating, information indicating in which operating mode of a plurality of operating modes (such as the high speed mode, the low speed mode, and the intermittent mode described above) the wiper device 232 is operating. The management server 600 causes the storage device 602 to store the prescribed information obtained from each vehicle.

[0057] Furthermore, the management server 600 is configured to access an external server of the Meteorological Bureau (not shown) via the communication device 604 to obtain information such as observation data of the automatic meteorological data collection system provided regularly by the Meteorological Bureau. The management server 600 causes the storage device 602 to store the acquired information. The information acquired from the external server, etc., for example, includes information related to rainfall around the installation locations of multiple charging piles (including the charging pile 300) managed by the management server 600. The information acquired from the external server, etc., for example, includes information related to the presence or absence of precipitation around the installation location of the charging pile 300.

[0058] Since the movable charging stand 300 that can be raised and lowered as described above is stored in a recessed portion under the ground when not in use, there is a concern that it may be flooded by heavy rainfall such as a guerrilla rainstorm or a typhoon.

[0059] In view of this, in this embodiment, the control device 308 of the charging pile 300 uses the communication unit 308c to obtain information related to rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300. When the rainfall above the specified amount is predicted at the installation location of the charging pile 300 using the obtained information, the lifting device 306 is controlled to enter the second state.

[0060] In this way, when a predetermined amount of rainfall is predicted at the location where charging pile 300 is installed, the lifting device is controlled to enter the second state. Therefore, even when a large amount of rainfall occurs due to a guerrilla rainstorm or a typhoon, the charging equipment can be prevented from being flooded.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control device 308 uses the communication unit 308 c to obtain information related to the operating state of the wiper device of the vehicle within a predetermined range centered on the installation location of the charging pile 300 as information related to rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300 .

[0062] Below, refer to Figure 6 An example of the control process executed by the control device 308 will be described. Figure 6 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device 308. The series of processing shown in the flowchart is repeatedly executed by the control device 308 in a predetermined control cycle.

[0063] 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 and lowering flag is in the invalid (off) state, the control device 308 determines that the charging pile 300 is in the first state. The lifting and lowering flag is a flag that is set to the valid (on) state if the lifting control is executed and is set to the invalid state if the lowering control is executed. When it is determined that the charging pile 300 is in the first state ("Yes" in S100), the process moves to S102.

[0064] In S102 , the control device 308 obtains the operating status of the wiper devices of the surrounding vehicles. For example, the control device 308 requests the management server 600 for information indicating the operating status of the wiper devices of the vehicles around the installation location of the charging station 300 .

[0065] When receiving a request for this information from the charging station 300, the management server 600 determines the target vehicles within a predetermined range centered on the installation location of the charging station 300 based on the location information of the charging station 300 as the request source. For example, the management server 600 uses the location information received from the vehicle as described above to determine all vehicles within the predetermined range as target vehicles.

[0066] The management server 600 obtains information indicating the operating state of the wiper device of the identified target vehicle, and transmits the obtained information to the control device 308 of the charging station 300 as information indicating the operating state of the wiper device of vehicles around the installation location of the charging station 300 .

[0067] The predetermined range preferably includes, for example, an area in a direction (e.g., upwind) where rainfall is easily predicted based on the installation location. Furthermore, the management server 600 preferably determines as the target vehicle a vehicle included in at least the area in the predetermined direction. The predetermined range can be set by the management server 600 or the control device 308 based on the wind direction at the installation location that can be obtained from meteorological information.

[0068] In S104, the control device 308 determines whether rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted. As rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount, for example, guerrilla rainstorms, rainfall with a high rainfall amount per unit time caused by typhoons, etc. can be considered. The rainfall exceeding the prescribed amount may refer to rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount per unit time, or may refer to rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount in total amount from any time. Therefore, for example, when the wiper device of at least one vehicle around the location where the charging pile 300 is installed is operating in high-speed mode, the control device 308 determines that rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted. When it is determined that rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted ("Yes" in S104), the process moves to S106.

[0069] In S106, the control device 308 performs the ascending control. The control device 308 controls the elevating device 306 so that the movable part 300a ascends to a position corresponding to the second state. At this time, the control device 308 sets the above-mentioned elevating flag to the effective state. In addition, when it is determined that it is not the first state ("No" in S100), or when it is determined that rainfall of a predetermined amount or more is not predicted ("No" in S104), the processing is terminated.

[0070] An example of the operation of the control device 308 in this embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

[0071] Management server 600 receives position information and information indicating the operating status of the wiper device from vehicles traveling around the installation location of charging station 300 at predetermined intervals, for example, and stores the received information in storage device 602 .

[0072] When the charging pile 300 is in the first state ("Yes" in S100), information indicating the operating state of the wiper device of the vehicle around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is obtained from the management server 600 (S102). When the wiper device of any of the multiple vehicles around the charging pile 300 is operating in the high-speed mode, it is determined that rainfall of a rainfall amount exceeding the prescribed amount is predicted ("Yes" in S104), and the rising control is executed (S106).

[0073] Thus, since lifting device 306 is controlled to be in the second state, even if a heavy rainfall due to a guerrilla rainstorm, a typhoon, etc. occurs at the installation site and water enters the recessed portion where charging pile 300 is installed, charging pile 300 can be prevented from being flooded.

[0074] As described above, according to the charging pile 300 as the charging device involved in this embodiment, when it is predicted that the amount of rainfall at the location where the charging pile 300 is installed is greater than the specified amount, the lifting device 306 is controlled to be in the second state, so that even if a large amount of rainfall occurs due to a guerrilla rainstorm, a typhoon, etc., the charging pile 300 can be prevented from being flooded. Therefore, a charging device that prevents flooding caused by rainfall and a control method of the charging device can be provided.

[0075] Modifications will be described below.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the power source 350 is described as an AC power source, 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.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the connector 302 is stored in the storage space of the upper part of the movable part 300a is described as an example, but for example, a socket may be exposed on the upper side of the movable part 300a. In this way, the user can charge the battery 214 mounted on the electric vehicle 200 by connecting the socket of the charging pile 300 to the charging port 220 of the electric vehicle 200 using a charging cable prepared separately. Alternatively, it may be a structure in which a terminal portion that can be connected to the charging port provided on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle 200 is provided on the upper part of the movable part 300a. In this way, since the charging port of the electric vehicle 200 is electrically connected to the charging pile by the movable part 300a, the user can charge the battery 214 mounted on the electric vehicle 200 without connecting the charging port of the electric vehicle 200 to the charging pile.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the case where the housing of the charging pile 300 has a cylindrical shape is described as an example, but any shape that can achieve lifting action is not particularly limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the housing of the charging pile 300 may also have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0079] In addition, a case where the management server 600 can communicate with a vehicle having the same structure as the electric vehicle 200 is described as an example, but the vehicle that can communicate with the management server 600 is not specifically limited to electric vehicles as long as it can send location information and information related to the working status of the wiper device to the management server 600.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is assumed that rainfall is determined to be a predicted rainfall amount exceeding a specified amount when the wiper device of at least one vehicle around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is operating in high-speed mode, but it is not particularly limited to such a situation where rainfall is determined to be a predicted rainfall amount exceeding the specified amount.

[0081] For example, when the number of vehicles operating the wiper device in the high speed mode or the low speed mode around the location where the charging pile 300 is installed is greater than a threshold, the control device 308 may determine that a rainfall of a rain amount greater than a prescribed amount is predicted. Alternatively, for example, when the wiper devices of all vehicles operating in the high speed mode or the low speed mode around the location where the charging pile 300 is installed are installed, the control device 308 may determine that a rainfall of a rain amount greater than a prescribed amount is predicted.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is assumed that information indicating the working status of the wiper device of the vehicles around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is obtained as information related to the rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300, but it is not limited to such information as long as rainfall of a prescribed amount or more can be predicted at the installation location.

[0083] For example, information indicating detection results of rain sensors of vehicles around the installation location of charging pile 300 may be acquired as information on rainfall at the installation location of charging pile 300 .

[0084] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device 308 in the modification.

[0085] Figure 7 Flowchart and Figure 6 Compared with the flowchart of , the processing of S202 and the processing of S204 are different in that the processing of S102 and the processing of S104 are executed. The other processing is the same as that of Figure 6 The same processing as that shown in the flowchart is assigned the same step number, and therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0086] If it is determined to be the first state ("Yes" in S100), the process moves to S202. In S202, the control device 308 obtains the detection results of the rain sensors of the surrounding vehicles. The control device 308 requests the management server 600, for example, for information indicating the detection results of the rain sensors in the vehicles around the installation location of the charging pile 300.

[0087] When receiving the request from the charging station 300, the management server 600 determines the target vehicle within a predetermined range centered on the installation location of the charging station 300 based on the location information of the charging station 300 as the request source. The management server 600 uses the location information received from the vehicle as described above to determine all vehicles within the predetermined range as target vehicles.

[0088] Management server 600 obtains information indicating the detection result of the rain sensor of the identified target vehicle, and transmits the obtained information to control device 308 of charging pile 300 as information indicating the detection result of the rain sensor of vehicles around the installation location of charging pile 300 .

[0089] In S204, the control device 308 determines whether rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted. For example, when the amount of rainfall detected by the rain sensor of at least one vehicle around the location where the charging pile 300 is installed is greater than a prescribed amount, the control device 308 determines that rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted. When it is determined that rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is predicted ("Yes" in S204), the process moves to S106. In addition, when it is determined that rainfall exceeding a prescribed amount is not predicted ("No" in S204), the process ends.

[0090] An example of the operation of the control device 308 in the modified example based on the above-described flowchart will be described.

[0091] Management server 600 receives position information and information indicating detection results of the rain sensor from vehicles traveling around the installation location of charging station 300 at predetermined intervals, for example, and stores the received information in storage device 602 .

[0092] When the charging pile 300 is in the first state ("Yes" in S100), information indicating the detection results of the rain sensors of the vehicles around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is obtained from the management server 600 (S202). When the amount of rainfall detected by the rain sensor of any one of the multiple vehicles around the charging pile 300 is greater than the prescribed amount, it is determined that rainfall of a prescribed amount or greater is predicted ("Yes" in S204), and the rising control is executed (S106).

[0093] In this way, since the lifting device 306 can also be controlled to be in the second state, even if a large amount of rain occurs at the installation site due to a guerrilla rainstorm, a typhoon, etc., and water enters the recessed portion where the charging pile 300 is installed, the charging pile 300 can be prevented from being flooded.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is assumed that information indicating the working state of the wiper device of the vehicle around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is obtained as information related to rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300, but for example, weather information around the installation location of the charging pile 300 may be directly obtained from an external server of the meteorological bureau, or weather information around the installation location of the charging pile 300 may be obtained from a website providing rainfall conditions on the Internet, or information related to the presence or absence of rainfall and rainfall amount may be obtained from a portable terminal moving around the charging pile 300 or other charging piles. The control device 308 may use the obtained information to determine whether rainfall of a prescribed amount or more is predicted at the installation location of the charging pile 300.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is assumed that information indicating the operating state of the wiper device of the vehicle around the installation location of the charging pile 300 is obtained as the information related to the rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300, but for example, information related to the water level in the recessed portion may be obtained as the information related to the rainfall at the installation location of the charging pile 300. When the water level exceeds the threshold, the control device 308 may determine that rainfall of a predetermined amount or more is predicted at the installation location of the charging pile 300.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is assumed that the control device 308 controls the lifting device 306 to enter the second state when it is determined that the rainfall is predicted to be more than the specified amount. However, the control device 308 may, for example, in addition to controlling the lifting device 306 to enter the second state, also send a lifting request to make other adjacent or surrounding charging piles 300 enter the second state. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 When the control device 308 of any of the charging piles 300 determines that rainfall is predicted, it controls the lifting device 306 so that the charging pile 300 is in the second state, and can also send a lifting request to the other two charging piles 300 so that they are in the second state.

[0097] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device 308 in another modification example.

[0098] Figure 8 Flowchart and Figure 6 Compared with the flowchart of FIG. 1 , the processing of S300 is different in that the processing of S106 is performed after the processing of S300. The other processing is the same as Figure 6 The same processing as that shown in the flowchart is assigned the same step number, and therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0099] In S300, the control device 308 transmits an ascending request to the other charging pile 300 so as to enter the second state. The other charging pile 300 to which the ascending request is transmitted may be an adjacent charging pile 300 or a peripheral charging pile 300 within a predetermined range.

[0100] In this way, in addition to being able to suppress the charging pile 300 at the installation location from being flooded, it is also possible to suppress other adjacent or surrounding charging piles 300 from being flooded.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the control device 308 obtains information indicating the operating status of the wiper devices of vehicles around the installation location of the charging station 300 via the management server 600, but the information may be directly obtained from vehicles around the installation location.

[0102] In addition, all or part of the above-mentioned modifications may be combined as appropriate for implementation.

[0103] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A charging device, which is a movable charging device installed in a recessed portion formed in the ground and capable of charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle, wherein: have: A movable part including a connection device capable of being connected to the above-mentioned power storage device; a lifting device for lifting the movable part so as to be in any one of a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which the movable part is stored under the ground, and the second state is a state in which the movable part is exposed on the ground; an information acquisition device for acquiring information related to rainfall at a location where the charging device is installed; as well as A control device controls the movement of the lifting device. When the amount of rainfall exceeding a predetermined amount is predicted at the installation location using the information, the control device controls the lifting device so as to enter the second state. The information acquisition device acquires information on an operating state of a wiper device of a vehicle within a predetermined range centered on the installation location.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The information acquisition device acquires information indicating detection results of rain sensors of vehicles within a predetermined range centered on the installation location.

3. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the amount of rainfall exceeding the predetermined amount is predicted at the installation location using the information, the control device controls the lifting device to be in the second state and requests the other charging device to raise the movable portion of the other charging device.

4. A method for controlling a charging device, the charging device being a movable charging device that is installed in a recess formed in the ground and capable of charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle, wherein: The charging device comprises: a movable part including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; and a lifting device that lifts the movable part so as to be in any one of a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which the movable part is stored under the ground, and the second state is a state in which the movable part is exposed on the ground. The above control method includes: a step of obtaining information related to rainfall at the location where the charging device is installed; and a step of controlling the lifting device to enter the second state when the rainfall at the location where the charging device is installed is predicted to be greater than a predetermined amount using the information, In the acquisition step, information on the operating state of the wiper device of the vehicle within a predetermined range centered on the installation location is acquired.

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