Electric vehicle and electric vehicle system

Abstract

Disclosed are an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle system. Provided is an electric vehicle capable of electric power control including at least one of charging from a power station corresponding to at least one version of a predetermined communication standard and power supply to the power station, and a system of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes a communication unit corresponding to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard. The electric vehicle also includes a control unit that controls the communication unit to cause electric power control protocol communication between the electric vehicle and the power station to be performed using the predetermined communication standard. The plurality of versions are provided with priorities in advance. The control unit determines a version for the electric power control protocol communication based on the priorities.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle system. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, a charging system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-127296 has a vehicle and a charger that are electrically connected to each other. The vehicle has a CPU that controls charging of a storage battery by controlling transmission and reception of messages in accordance with a prescribed communication sequence. The above-described CPU advances the communication sequence regardless of the content indicated by a specific signal in a case where the message received from the charger is the specific signal that is predetermined. SUMMARY

[0003] As described above, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-127296 described above, the CPU of the vehicle advances the communication sequence regardless of the content indicated by a specific signal in a case where the message received from the charger is the specific signal that is predetermined. However, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-127296 described above, a communication standard utilized in charging protocol communication between the vehicle and the charger is not considered. For example, in a case where the vehicle is able to correspond to a plurality of versions of a prescribed communication standard, one of the plurality of versions is randomly selected, and as a result of this, a version that is not suitable for charging protocol communication is sometimes used in charging protocol communication. In this case, it is considered that it is difficult to charge the vehicle. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain an electric vehicle that is able to appropriately perform power control such as charging in a case where the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of a prescribed communication standard.

[0004] The present disclosure provides an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle system that are able to appropriately perform power control such as charging in a case where the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of a prescribed communication standard.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle that has a communication section and a control section. The electric vehicle is able to perform power control that includes at least one of charging from a power station that corresponds to at least one version of a prescribed communication standard and power supply to the power station. The communication section is configured to correspond to a plurality of versions of the prescribed communication standard. The control section is configured to control the communication section so that power control protocol communication between the electric vehicle and the power station is performed using the prescribed communication standard. Moreover, the plurality of versions are provided with priorities in advance. The control section is configured to decide the version used for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the above-described priorities. Here, the electric vehicle can also be any one of a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle.

[0006] The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can determine the version used for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the priority. Thus, the version of the predetermined communication standard is selected in accordance with the priority, and it is possible to easily reduce the possibility that a version unsuitable for the power control protocol communication is randomly selected. Therefore, in a case where the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard, it is possible to easily select a suitable version, and it is possible to appropriately perform the power control.

[0007] The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can include a first version and a second version having a lower priority than the first version. The control portion can be configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication. The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can perform communication using the second version even if communication using the first version having a higher priority fails, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress a failure in the power control protocol communication than in a case where communication is attempted only by the first version.

[0008] The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can include a first version and a second version having a lower priority than the first version. The control portion can be configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication. The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can perform communication using the second version even if communication using the first version having a higher priority fails, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress a failure in the power control protocol communication than in a case where communication is attempted only by the first version.

[0009] The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can include a first version and a second version having a lower priority than the first version. The control portion can be configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication. The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can perform communication using the second version even if communication using the first version having a higher priority fails, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress a failure in the power control protocol communication than in a case where communication is attempted only by the first version.

[0010] The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can include a first version and a second version having a lower priority than the first version. The control portion can be configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication. The electric vehicle according to the above-described aspect can perform communication using the second version even if communication using the first version having a higher priority fails, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress a failure in the power control protocol communication than in a case where communication is attempted only by the first version.

[0011] In the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the control section can be further configured to determine, in a case where a plurality of versions that have been able to perform the power control protocol communication exist, a version having the highest priority among the plurality of versions that have been able to perform the power control protocol communication as the version used for the power control protocol communication. According to the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the version that is most suitable for the power control protocol communication among the plurality of versions that have been able to perform the power control protocol communication can be used for the power control protocol communication.

[0012] In the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the control section can be further configured to perform control to switch to communication using a version that has not been able to perform the power control protocol communication in a case where communication using the plurality of versions that have been able to perform the power control protocol communication all fail. According to the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the likelihood of success of the power control protocol communication can be improved compared to a case where the switch to the version that has not been able to perform the power control protocol communication is not performed.

[0013] In the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, in the electric vehicle in which the control to switch to communication using the version that has not been able to perform the power control protocol communication is performed, the control section can be further configured to control the communication section to update information related to the ability to perform the power control protocol communication corresponding to the version in which the power control protocol communication is successful in a case where the communication using the version that has not been able to perform the power control protocol communication is successful. According to the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the version used for the power control protocol communication can be determined based on the latest information related to the ability to perform the power control protocol communication in the next power control protocol communication.

[0014] In the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the communication section can be configured to communicate with a first server that stores information related to the performance of the power control protocol communication. The control section can be configured to control the communication section to acquire the information related to the performance of the power control protocol communication from the first server. According to the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, it is not necessary to store the information related to the performance in the electric vehicle. As a result, the work of storing the information related to the performance in the storage device or the like of the electric vehicle can be omitted. In addition, the data capacity stored in the storage device or the like of the electric vehicle can be reduced.

[0015] In the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, the communication section can be configured to communicate with a second server that stores information related to the priority. The control section can be configured to control the communication section to acquire the information related to the priority from the second server. According to the electric vehicle of the above-described aspect, it is not necessary to store the information related to the priority in the electric vehicle. As a result, the work of storing the information related to the priority in the storage device or the like of the electric vehicle can be omitted. In addition, the data capacity stored in the storage device or the like of the electric vehicle can be further reduced.

[0016] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle system including an electric power station and an electric vehicle. The electric power station is configured to correspond to at least one version of a predetermined communication standard. The electric vehicle is configured to perform electric power control including at least one of charging from the electric power station and power supply to the electric power station. The electric vehicle includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit is configured to correspond to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard. The control unit is configured to control the communication unit to perform electric power control protocol communication between the electric vehicle and the electric power station using the predetermined communication standard. Further, the plurality of versions are provided with priorities in advance, and the control unit is configured to determine a version for the electric power control protocol communication in accordance with the priorities.

[0017] According to the electric vehicle system of the above-described aspect, the control unit determines a version for the electric power control protocol communication in accordance with the above-described priorities. Thus, a version of the predetermined communication standard is selected in accordance with the above-described priorities, and thus it is possible to easily reduce the possibility that a version unsuitable for the electric power control protocol communication is randomly selected. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle system that can easily select a suitable version and appropriately perform electric power control when the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard.

[0018] According to the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle system of the present disclosure, when the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard, it is possible to appropriately perform electric power control such as charging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The features, advantages, and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric vehicle, an EVSE, and a server according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between each version of a predetermined communication standard and a priority according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating sequence control between an electric vehicle, an EVSE, and a server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric vehicle, an EVSE, and a server according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 5is a graph showing a relationship of the performance of the communication of the power control protocol by each version of the predetermined communication standard involved in the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 is a graph showing sequence control among the electric vehicle, the EVSE, and the server involved in the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 is a graph showing an updated relationship of the performance of the communication of the power control protocol by each version of the predetermined communication standard involved in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are applied to the same or equivalent portions in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0028] [First Embodiment]

[0029] Figure 1 is a graph showing an outline structure of the electric vehicle 10 and the electric vehicle system 1 involved in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] The electric vehicle system 1 is provided with the electric vehicle 10 and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) 20. The EVSE 20 is an example of the “power station” of the present disclosure.

[0031] The electric vehicle 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the EVSE 20 by a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined communication standard includes, for example, the CHAdeMO standard, the GB / T standard, or the CSS (Communications Standards Summary) standard, and the like.

[0032] The server 100 is a server that manages the communication of the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20. The server 100 is configured to be able to communicate with the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20, respectively. In addition, the server 100 is an example of the “second server” of the present disclosure.

[0033] The server 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication section 103. The processor 101 performs predetermined information processing. The memory 102 is configured to be able to hold various information. In the memory 102, in addition to a program executed by the processor 101, information used in the program (for example, a map, a mathematical expression, and various parameters) is stored. The communication section 103 includes various communication I / F.

[0034] In addition, the server 100 is configured to manage information of the registered plurality of electric vehicles 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle information"), information of the registered users (hereinafter also referred to as "user information"), and information of the registered EVSEs 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "EVSE information"). The user information, the vehicle information, and the EVSE information are distinguished by identification information (ID) and stored in the storage 102.

[0035] The user ID is identification information for identifying a user, and also functions as information for identifying the portable terminal 16 carried by the user (terminal ID). The server 100 is configured to store information received from the portable terminal 16 for each user ID. The user information includes a communication address of the portable terminal 16 carried by the user and a vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10 belonging to the user.

[0036] The vehicle ID is identification information for identifying the electric vehicle 10. The vehicle ID can be a number of a license plate, or can be a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The vehicle information includes a movement schedule of each electric vehicle 10.

[0037] The EVSE-ID is identification information for identifying the EVSE 20. The EVSE information includes a communication address of each EVSE 20 and a state of the electric vehicle 10 connected to each EVSE 20. In addition, the EVSE information also includes information indicating a combination of the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 connected to each other (for example, a combination of the EVSE-ID and the vehicle ID).

[0038] The electric vehicle 10 is configured to be able to perform power control including charging from the EVSE 20 (external charging) and power supply to the EVSE 20 (external power supply). The electric vehicle 10 includes, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), an electric vehicle (BEV, Battery Electric Vehicle), and a fuel cell vehicle (FCeV, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). In addition, the electric vehicle 10 can also include at least one of a personally owned vehicle (POV (Personally Owned Vehicle)) and a vehicle managed by a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) operator (MaaS vehicle). Furthermore, the electric vehicle 10 can also be configured to be able to perform only one of the external power supply and the external charging.

[0039] The electric vehicle 10 is provided with a traveling electric motor 11, a storage battery 12, a communication section 13, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 14, and a charge-discharge device 15.

[0040] The storage battery 12 supplies electric power to the traveling electric motor 11. The storage battery 12 includes a secondary battery that accumulates electric power for traveling. The secondary battery is a group battery including a plurality of lithium-ion batteries or a plurality of nickel-hydrogen batteries. In addition, instead of the secondary battery, another storage device such as an electric double layer capacitor can be adopted.

[0041] In addition, the communication section 13 communicates with the server 100 and the EVSE 20, respectively. The communication section 13 can include a communication I / F corresponding to a DCM (Data Communication Module) or 5G (5th Generation mobile communication system).

[0042] The ECU 14 performs electric power control (charge control and discharge control) of the storage battery 12. The ECU 14 includes a processor 14a and a storage device 14b. The ECU 14 can be a computer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 14b is configured to be able to hold stored information. In the storage device 14b, in addition to a program, information used in the program (for example, a map, a mathematical expression, and various parameters) is stored. By the processor 14a executing the program stored in the storage device 14b, various controls in the ECU 14 are performed. In addition, the processor 14a is an example of the "control section" of the present disclosure.

[0043] The EVSE 20 means a power supply device for a vehicle. The electric vehicle 10 is configured to be able to be electrically connected to the EVSE 20. For example, by connecting a charging cable 30 connected to the EVSE 20 to a socket of the electric vehicle 10, electric power can be given and received between the EVSE 20 and the electric vehicle 10. The number of EVSEs 20 managed in the electric vehicle system 1 is arbitrary, and can be about 5, can be more than 10, and can be more than 100.

[0044] The EVSE 20 includes an EVSE of a DC system. Therefore, direct-current electric power is supplied from the electric vehicle 10 to the EVSE 20, and DC / AC conversion is performed by an inverter built in the EVSE 20. The charge-discharge device 15 that adjusts charge-discharge electric power of the storage battery 12 of the electric vehicle 10 is configured to adjust the charge-discharge electric power by a DC / DC converter, for example. However, the EVSE 20 is not necessarily of a DC system, and can be of an AC system.

[0045] Further, the EVSE 20 corresponds to at least one of the versions of the predetermined communication standard. In the first embodiment, the EVSE 20 corresponds to the version A, the version B, and the version C of the predetermined communication standard. Further, in the first embodiment, the order of the version A, the version B, and the version C is the order of the new version.

[0046] Further, the communication section 13 of the electric vehicle 10 corresponds to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard. In the first embodiment, the communication section 13 of the electric vehicle 10 corresponds to the version A, the version B, and the version C of the predetermined communication standard. Further, an example in which the versions corresponding to the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 are the same as each other is described, but the versions corresponding to each other can be different.

[0047] Further, the processor 14a of the electric vehicle 10 controls the communication section 13 to perform the power control protocol communication between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 using the predetermined communication standard. Specifically, the processor 14a performs control to decide the version of the predetermined communication standard to be used in the power control protocol communication between the communication section 13 and the EVSE 20. The method of deciding the version will be described later in detail. Further, the power control protocol communication in the first embodiment means communication for deciding the protocol between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 required to start the power control.

[0048] Further, the plurality of versions (A to C) of the predetermined communication standard are provided with priorities (priority orders) in advance. For example, the priorities are set to be high in the order of the new version (i.e., the order of A, B, and C). Information related to the priorities is stored in the memory 102 of the server 100. Specifically, the relationship between the priorities and the versions of the predetermined communication standard is stored in the memory 102. A table corresponding to the priorities and the versions of the predetermined communication standard can also be stored in the memory 102.

[0049] Here, a charging system has been known in the past, which includes an electric vehicle that proceeds with a communication sequence regardless of the content of a specific signal indicated by the specific signal when a message received from an EVSE is the specific signal. However, the charging system does not consider a communication standard used in a charging protocol communication between the electric vehicle and the EVSE. For example, in a case where the vehicle can correspond to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard, one of the plurality of versions is randomly selected, and as a result, a version not suitable for the charging protocol communication can be used in the charging protocol communication. In this case, it is considered that it is difficult to charge the vehicle. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain an electric vehicle (electric vehicle system) that can appropriately perform the power control such as charging in a case where the electric vehicle corresponds to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard.

[0050] Thus, in the first embodiment, the processor 14a of the electric vehicle 10 decides the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the above-described priority. Specifically, the processor 14a controls the communication section 13 to acquire the information related to the above-described priority from the server 100 (the memory 102). Then, the processor 14a selects the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the acquired information related to the priority and the relationship of the plurality of versions (A to C).

[0051] In detail, the processor 14a (initially) selects the version A, which is the highest in priority among the plurality of versions (A to C), as the version for the power control protocol communication.

[0052] In addition, in the first embodiment, in the case where the communication using the version A fails in the power control protocol communication, the processor 14a performs control to switch to the communication using the version B, which is one level lower in priority than the version A. The version A and the version B in this case are examples of the "first version" and the "second version" of the present disclosure, respectively. Further, the "failure" of the communication includes, for example, a case where a response signal is not returned from the EVSE within a predetermined period for a request signal from the vehicle, a case where there is no response from the EVSE even if a retry action is performed, and the like.

[0053] Thereafter, in the case where the communication using the version B also fails in the power control protocol communication, the processor 14a performs control to switch to the communication using the version C, which is one level lower in priority than the version B. The version B and the version C in this case are examples of the "first version" and the "second version" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0054] (Sequence Control)

[0055] Next, the method of deciding the version of the predetermined communication standard for the power control protocol communication will be described with reference to the sequence chart of Figure 3 Further, FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the method of deciding the version used in the protocol communication before the start of power control. Figure 3

[0056] First, in step S1, the server 100 transmits the information related to the above-described priority (the information related to the priority and the relationship of the versions of the predetermined communication standard, with reference to FIG. 9) to the electric vehicle 10 (the communication section 13). At this time, the electric vehicle 10 (the processor 14a) controls the communication section 13 to acquire the information related to the above-described priority from the server 100 (the memory 102). Figure 2

[0057] Next, in step S2, the processor 14a selects the version (version A) highest in priority as the version to be used in the communication with the EVSE 20 in accordance with the information related to the above-described priority acquired in step S1. ​​

[0058] Thus, in step S3, the communication using version A is started between the electric vehicle 10 (the communication section 13) and the EVSE 20. As a result, it is possible to exchange information between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20.

[0059] Next, in step S4, the electric vehicle 10 (the communication section 13) transmits information of the version for communication to the EVSE 20. Specifically, the communication section 13 communicates to the EVSE 20 that version A is to be used in communication with the EVSE 20.

[0060] Next, in step S5, the version for the power control protocol communication is decided based on the information communicated from the electric vehicle 10 to the EVSE 20 in step S4. For example, the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 can decide to perform the power control protocol communication by mutually using version A selected in step S2.

[0061] Next, in step S6, the processor 14a determines whether the power control protocol communication using version A has failed (determines communication compatibility). Specifically, the above determination can include a bonding check phase, an insulation test phase, a handshake phase, and a power control specification configuration phase.

[0062] In the bonding check phase, it is determined whether the contactors provided in the electric vehicle 10 are bonded. In the insulation test phase, it is determined whether the insulation between the wirings between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 electrically connected to each other is good. In the handshake phase, the exchange of charging (discharging) compatibility information, identification messages is performed between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20. In the power control specification configuration phase, the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 transmit and receive various charging (discharging) specification messages, and it is determined whether the both can be charged (discharged).

[0063] In a case where it is determined in step S6 that the power control protocol communication has failed (YES in S6), the process proceeds to step S61. In a case where it is determined in step S6 that the power control protocol communication has succeeded (NO in S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0064] In step S61, the processor 14a determines whether there is a version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed. In a case where it is determined in step S61 that there is a version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed (YES in S61), the process proceeds to step S62. In a case where it is determined in step S61 that there is no version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed (NO in S61), the process ends. Specifically, at the time point of the first step S61, it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication using versions B and C can be performed. Therefore, the process proceeds from step S61 to step S62.

[0065] In step S62, the processor 14a switches the version for the power control protocol communication to a version one level lower in priority among the versions for which it is not confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible. That is, the processor 14a switches the version for the power control protocol communication to a version highest in priority among the versions for which it is not confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible. Specifically, in the case where it is determined in step S6 that the power control protocol communication using the version A has failed, the version for the power control protocol communication is switched to a version B higher in priority than the version A.

[0066] Thereafter, the process returns to between steps S2 and S3, and the process after step S3 is repeated. Specifically, in step S6 at the second time, it is determined whether or not the power control protocol communication using the version B switched in step S62 has failed. Then, in the case where the process proceeds to step S62, the version for the power control protocol communication is switched to a version C higher in priority than the version B.

[0067] Thereafter, the process returns to between steps S2 and S3 again. In step S6 at the third time, it is determined whether or not the power control protocol communication using the version C switched in step S62 has failed. Thereafter, in the case where the process proceeds to step S61, it is determined that there is no version for which it is not confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible (NO in S61), and thus the process ends.

[0068] On the other hand, in step S7, the power control between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 is started in accordance with the version for which it is determined in step S6 that the power control protocol communication is possible.

[0069] [Second Embodiment]

[0070] Next, the control in the electric vehicle 110 (electric vehicle system 21) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, unlike the above-described first embodiment in which the version of the predetermined communication standard for the power control protocol communication is decided in accordance with only the above-described priority, the above-described version is decided in accordance with the above-described priority and the actual performance of the power control protocol communication. Further, for the same structures as those of the above-described first embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached, and detailed description will not be repeated.

[0071] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the electric vehicle 110 and the electric vehicle system 21 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] The electric vehicle system 21 includes the electric vehicle 110 and the EVSE 20.

[0073] The server 200 is a server that manages communication of the electric vehicle 110 with the EVSE 20. The server 200 is configured to be able to communicate with the electric vehicle 110 and the EVSE 20, respectively. Further, the server 200 is an example of the "first server" and the "second server" of the present disclosure.

[0074] The server 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, and a communication section 203. The processor 201 performs predetermined information processing. The memory 202 is configured to be able to hold various information. In the memory 202, in addition to a program executed by the processor 201, information used in the program (for example, a map, a mathematical expression, and various parameters) is stored. The communication section 203 includes various communication I / F.

[0075] In the memory 202 of the server 200, in addition to information related to the priority of the above-described first embodiment, information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication is stored. The information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication includes information related to whether or not the past (previous) power control protocol communication was performed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5 the memory 202, information related to whether or not the past (previous) power control protocol communication was performed is stored in association with each of the versions A to C. For example, a table in which the priority and version information is associated with the above-described past performance can be stored in the memory 202. Further, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that, as an example, the past power control protocol communication using the version A failed, and the past power control protocol communication using the versions B and C succeeded.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4 the electric vehicle 110 includes a communication section 113 and an ECU 114. The communication section 113 communicates with the server 200 and the EVSE 20, respectively. The ECU 114 includes a processor 114a and a storage device 114b. By executing a program stored in the storage device 114b by the processor 114a, various controls in the ECU 114 are performed. Further, the processor 114a is an example of the "control section" of the present disclosure.

[0077] The processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to acquire the information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication from the server 200 (the memory 202) (refer to Figure 5 ). That is, the communication section 113 acquires the information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication in association with each of the versions A to C from the memory 202 according to the control (instruction) of the processor 114a.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the processor 114a decides the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the information related to the above-mentioned achievement and the above-mentioned priority. That is, the processor 114a decides the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the above-mentioned priority and the information related to whether or not the past (previous) power control protocol communication can be performed.

[0079] Specifically, the processor 114a decides the version in which the past (previous) power control protocol communication can be performed (hereinafter, referred to as a version in which achievement is "possible") as the version for the power control protocol communication. In detail, the processor 114a decides the version in which the achievement is "possible" having the highest priority among the versions in which the achievement is "possible" as the version for the power control protocol communication, in a case where there are a plurality of versions in which the achievement is "possible". In the second embodiment, as described above, since the versions B and C are in which the achievement is "possible", the version B having the higher priority is decided (initially) as the version for the power control protocol communication.

[0080] In addition, the processor 114a performs control to switch to communication using a version having a priority one level lower than the above-mentioned failed version, in a case where the power control protocol communication using the version in which the achievement is "possible" fails. That is, the processor 114a selects the version C as the version for the power control protocol communication next, in a case where the power control protocol communication using the version B fails.

[0081] In addition, the processor 114a performs control to switch to communication using a version in which the past power control protocol communication cannot be performed (hereinafter, referred to as a version in which achievement is "not possible"), in a case where all of the communications using the versions in which the achievement is "possible" fail. Specifically, the processor 114a selects the version A as the version for the power control protocol communication next, in a case where the power control protocol communication using the versions B and C fails. Further, the processor 114a confirms whether or not the communication based on each of the versions in which the achievement is "not possible" can be performed in order of priority from high to low, in a case where there are a plurality of versions in which the achievement is "not possible".

[0082] In addition, the processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to update the information related to whether or not the power control protocol communication can be performed corresponding to the above-mentioned successful version, in a case where the power control protocol communication using the version in which the achievement is "not possible" succeeds. Specifically, the achievement (not possible) corresponding to the version A stored in the memory 202 of the server 200 is changed to "possible" in a case where the power control protocol communication using the version A succeeds.

[0083] Further, the processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to update the information related to the possibility of the power control protocol communication corresponding to the version of the above-mentioned failure, in the case where the power control protocol communication using the version of the performance "OK" fails. Specifically, in the case where the power control protocol communication using the version B (C) fails, the performance (OK) corresponding to the version B (C) stored in the memory 202 of the server 200 is changed to "NG".

[0084] (Sequence Control)

[0085] Next, a method of deciding the version of the predetermined communication standard for the power control protocol communication will be described with reference to the sequence chart of Figure 6 Further, the sequence chart of Figure 6 is a chart for explaining the method of deciding the version used in the protocol communication before the start of the power control.

[0086] The steps Sll to S13 are the same as the steps Sl to S3 of the first embodiment described above (refer to Figure 3 ), and thus the description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0087] In the step S14, the electric vehicle 110 (the processor 114a) determines the EVSE 20 which performs the power control. For example, the processor 114a can determine the EVSE 20 based on the EVSE-ID transmitted from the EVSE 20, the model information of the EVSE 20, or the GPS (Global Positioning System) function, and the like.

[0088] Next, in the step S15, the server 200 transmits the information related to the possibility of the past (previous) power control protocol communication corresponding to the EVSE 20 determined by the processor 114a in the step S14 to the communication section 113 (refer to Figure 5 ). That is, the processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to acquire the information related to the possibility of the power control protocol communication corresponding to the EVSE 20 determined in the step S14 from the server 200 (the memory 202).

[0089] Next, in the step S16, the processor 114a decides the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the information related to the possibility of the past (previous) power control protocol communication acquired in the step S15 and the above-mentioned priority. Specifically, the processor 114a decides the version B of the highest priority among the versions B and C of the performance "OK" as the version for the power control protocol communication. Further, in the case where there is no version of the performance "OK" at the point of time of the step S16, the processor 114a can decide the version of the highest priority among the versions of the performance "NG" as the version for the power control protocol communication.

[0090] Next, in step S17, communication of the electric vehicle 10 (the communication section 113) with the EVSE 20 is started using the version decided in step S16.

[0091] The following steps S18 and S19 are the same as steps S4 and S5 (refer to FIG. 2) of the first embodiment described above, respectively, and thus the description thereof is not repeated here. Figure 3

[0092] Next, in step S20, the processor 114a determines whether or not the power control protocol communication using the version B has failed (determines communication compatibility). The details of the determination are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is not repeated here.

[0093] In step S20, in the case where the power control protocol communication has failed (YES in S20), the process proceeds to step S201. In step S20, in the case where the power control protocol communication has succeeded (NO in S20), the process proceeds to step S21.

[0094] In step S201, the processor 114a determines whether or not there is a version for which the performance is "OK" and for which it has not been confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible. In the case where it is determined in step S201 that there is a version for which the performance is "OK" and for which it has not been confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible (YES in S201), the process proceeds to step S202. In the case where it is determined in step S201 that there is no version for which the performance is "OK" and for which it has not been confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible (NO in S201), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0095] Specifically, at the time point of the first step S201, it is confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible for only the version B among the versions B and C for which the performance is "OK". That is, it is not confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible using the version C. Therefore, the process proceeds from step S201 to step S202.

[0096] In step S202, the processor 114a switches the version used for the power control protocol communication to a version for which the performance is "OK" and for which the priority is one level lower than that of the version for which it has not been confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible. That is, in step S202, the processor 114a switches the version used for the power control protocol communication to a version for which the performance is "OK" and for which the priority is the highest among the versions for which it has not been confirmed whether or not the power control protocol communication is possible. Specifically, in the case where it is determined in step S20 that the power control protocol communication using the version B has failed, in step S202, the version used for the power control protocol communication is switched from the version B to the version C. The versions B and C in this case are examples of the "first version" and the "second version" of the present disclosure, respectively. ​

[0097] Then, in step S205, the processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to update the record of the power control protocol communication stored in the memory 202 of the server 200. Specifically, the record of the power control protocol communication using the version B is changed to "NO".

[0098] Then, the process returns to between steps S16 and S17, and the process after step S17 is repeated. At this time, in step S17, the communication using the version switched in step 202 is started. Specifically, in the second step S17, the communication using the version C is started. Further, in the second step S20, it is determined whether the power control protocol communication using the version C has failed.

[0099] In the second step S201, it is determined that there is no record of "YES" and the version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed (NO in S201), and thus the process proceeds to step S203.

[0100] In step S203, the processor 114a determines whether there is a record of "NO" and the version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed in the past (last time). In a case where it is determined in step S203 that there is a record of "NO" and the version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed in the past (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step 204. In a case where it is determined in step S203 that there is no record of "NO" and the version for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed in the past (NO in S203), the process ends.

[0101] In step S204, the processor 114a switches the version for the power control protocol communication to the version having the highest priority among the versions for which it is not confirmed whether the power control protocol communication can be performed and for which the record is "NO" in the past (last time). Specifically, in step S204, the processor 114a switches the version for the power control protocol communication from the version C to the version A.

[0102] Then, the process proceeds to step S205, and the record of the power control protocol communication using the version C is changed to "NO".

[0103] Then, the process returns again to between steps S16 and S17, and the process after step S17 is repeated. At this time, in step S17, the communication using the version switched in step 204 is started. Specifically, in the third step S17, the communication using the version A is started. Further, in the third step S20, it is determined whether the power control protocol communication using the version A has failed.

[0104] In the third time, the process proceeds to step S203 when it is determined in step S201 that there is no record of "can" and the version of the power control protocol communication is not confirmed (NO in step S201). In the second time, the process ends when it is determined in step S203 that there is no record of "cannot" and the version of the power control protocol communication is not confirmed (NO in step S203).

[0105] Further, in the case where there is a record of "cannot" and the version of the power control protocol communication is not confirmed (assume version D) in the second time (YES in step S203), the process proceeds to step S204. The versions A and D in this case are examples of the "first version" and the "second version" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0106] On the other hand, in step S21, the power control between the electric vehicle 110 and the EVSE 20 is started in accordance with the version of the power control protocol communication that is confirmed in step S20.

[0107] Then, in step S22, the processor 114a controls the communication section 113 to update the record of the power control protocol communication stored in the memory 202 of the server 200. Specifically, in the case where the power control protocol communication using the past record of "cannot" of the version A is determined to be successful in step S20 (NO in S20), the record of the power control protocol communication using the version A is changed to "can" (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0108] Further, the other structures of the second embodiment are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

[0109] As described above, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the processor 14a (114a) determines the version for the power control protocol communication in accordance with the above-described priority. Thereby, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the use of the version that is low in priority and not suitable for the power control protocol communication for the power control protocol communication.

[0110] Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which the switching control is performed to use the version that is one level lower in priority in the case where the power control protocol communication fails is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is also possible to perform the switching control to use the version that is two or more levels lower in priority in the case where the power control protocol communication using the version selected initially in accordance with the priority fails.

[0111] Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which the switching control is performed to use the version that is one level lower in priority in the case where the power control protocol communication fails is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is also possible to perform the switching control to use the version that is two or more levels lower in priority in the case where the power control protocol communication fails.

[0112] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the version used for the power control protocol communication is decided depending on whether or not the last power control protocol communication was possible is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the version used for the power control protocol communication can also be decided depending on whether or not the success rate of the power control protocol communication until the last time was a predetermined value or more.

[0113] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the communication using the version with the use performance of "possible" is switched to the communication using the version with the use performance of "not possible" in the case where all of the communications using the plurality of versions with the use performance of "possible" have failed is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The switching to the communication using the version with the use performance of "not possible" can also not be performed.

[0114] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the information related to the priority and the information related to the performance of the power control protocol communication are stored in the server 200 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The information related to the priority and the information related to the performance of the power control protocol communication can also be stored in mutually different servers.

[0115] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which the communication section 13 (113) and the EVSE 20 correspond to three versions (A to C) respectively is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The communication section 13 (113) can also correspond to two or four or more versions. Also, the EVSE 20 can also correspond to one, two, or four or more versions.

[0116] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which the version used in the power control protocol communication for starting the power control is decided depending on the priority is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The version used in the power control protocol communication during the power control can also be decided depending on the priority.

[0117] The above-described various modifications can also be implemented in an arbitrary combination.

[0118] It should be considered that the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the claims, not by the above-described explanation of the embodiments, and intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An electrically powered vehicle capable of electric power control including at least one of charging from and supplying power to a power station corresponding to at least one version of a predetermined communication standard, characterized by, The electric vehicle includes: a communication section configured to correspond to a plurality of versions of a predetermined communication standard; and a control section configured to control the communication section so that a power control protocol communication between the electric vehicle and the power station uses the predetermined communication standard, wherein the communication section is configured to acquire information related to a past performance of the power control protocol communication corresponding to each of the plurality of versions, the plurality of versions are provided with priorities in advance, the control section is configured to determine the version for the power control protocol communication based on the information related to the performance and the priorities, wherein the information related to the performance includes information related to whether the power control protocol communication was possible in the past.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle is any one of a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of versions include a first version and a second version having a lower priority than the first version; and the control section is configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control section is configured to perform control to switch to communication using the second version having a priority one level lower than the first version in a case where communication using the first version fails in the power control protocol communication.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of versions include the version in which the power control protocol communication was possible in the past and the version in which the power control protocol communication was not possible in the past; and the control section is configured to determine the version in which the power control protocol communication was possible in the past as the version for the power control protocol communication.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control section is configured to determine, in a case where there are a plurality of versions in which the power control protocol communication was possible in the past, the version having the highest priority among the plurality of versions in which the power control protocol communication was possible in the past as the version for the power control protocol communication.

7. The electric vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the control section is configured to perform control to switch to communication using the version in which the power control protocol communication was not possible in the past in a case where communication using all of the plurality of versions in which the power control protocol communication was possible in the past fails in the power control protocol communication.

8. The electric vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the control section is configured to control the communication section to update information related to whether the power control protocol communication was possible corresponding to the version in which the power control protocol communication was successful in a case where communication using the version in which the power control protocol communication was not possible is successful.

9. The electrically powered vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication section is configured to communicate with a first server storing information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication; and the control section is configured to control the communication section to acquire the information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication from the first server.

10. The electrically powered vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication section is configured to communicate with a second server storing information related to the priority; and the control section is configured to control the communication section to acquire the information related to the priority from the second server. including: a power station configured to correspond to at least one version of a predetermined communication standard; an electrically powered vehicle configured to be able to perform power control including at least one of charging from the power station and power supply to the power station, wherein the electrically powered vehicle has a communication section configured to correspond to a plurality of versions of the predetermined communication standard, and a control section configured to control the communication section so that a power control protocol communication between the electrically powered vehicle and the power station is performed using the predetermined communication standard, 11. An electric vehicle system characterized by, the communication section is configured to acquire information related to the past performance of the power control protocol communication corresponding to each of the plurality of versions, the plurality of versions are provided with a priority in advance, and the control section is configured to determine the version for the power control protocol communication based on the information related to the past performance and the priority, wherein the information related to the past performance includes information related to whether the power control protocol communication can be performed in the past. ​ ​ ​ ​

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