Charging control system

Abstract

The present application provides a charging control system capable of setting an upper limit SOC reflecting a user's intention. A charging control system (12) for a battery (11) mounted on a vehicle (1), the charging control system comprising: a user intention acquisition unit (121) that acquires an intention of a user related to charging; an upper limit SOC range setting unit (122) that sets a range of an upper limit SOC that is an SOC at which charging of the battery (11) ends, based on the intention of the user; a power consumption history acquisition unit (124) that acquires a power consumption history of the battery (11); and an upper limit SOC setting unit (126) that sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the upper limit SOC based on the power consumption history.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging control system for electric vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, in order to ensure that more people can use appropriate, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy, research and development related to the charging and power supply of vehicles equipped with secondary batteries that contribute to energy efficiency are underway.

[0003] In addition, in the charging and power supply of vehicles equipped with secondary batteries, a scheme has been proposed to set the upper limit of the State of Charge (SOC) at which the charging of the battery ends to be lower than the SOC of a full charge (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5847923

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-294303

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-114874 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] Setting the upper limit SOC to a low value can suppress battery degradation and potentially extend battery life, but it may increase the number of charging cycles or cause insufficient power, a condition known as "short-running." Therefore, it is preferable to reflect the user's intentions in the upper limit SOC setting.

[0011] The present invention provides a charging control system that can set an upper limit SOC based on the user's intention.

[0012] Solution for solving the problem

[0013] This invention provides a charging control system, which is a charging control system for a battery installed in an electric vehicle, wherein...

[0014] This charging control system has the following features:

[0015] The User Intention Acquisition Department acquires the intentions of users related to charging.

[0016] The upper limit SOC range setting unit sets an upper limit SOC range as the SOC at which the charging of the battery ends, based on the user's intention.

[0017] The power consumption history acquisition unit acquires the power consumption history of the battery; and

[0018] The upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the power consumption history.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to the present invention, the upper limit of SOC can be set to reflect the user's intention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the relationship between a vehicle 1 equipped with a battery 11 and a charging control system 12, a management server 2, and a user's portable terminal 3.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a block diagram representing the functional structure of the charging control system 12.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating multiple charging modes.

[0024] Figure 4 This is an image showing the charging mode settings screen.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a graph illustrating the upper limit of SOC for each charging mode.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the registration and processing of electricity consumption history.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a flowchart representing the process of setting the upper limit SOC.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 1. Vehicles (electric vehicles)

[0030] 11 Storage batteries

[0031] 12 Charging Control System

[0032] 121 User Intention Acquisition Department

[0033] 122 Upper Limit SOC Range Setting Department

[0034] 123 Charging Permissible Numbers Setting Section

[0035] 124. Historical Data on Electricity Consumption

[0036] 125 Necessary SOC Computing Unit

[0037] 126 Upper Limit SOC Setting Department Detailed Implementation

[0038] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 7 An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the relationship between a vehicle 1 equipped with a battery 11 and a charging control system 12, a management server 2, and a user's portable terminal 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle 1 only needs to be able to move via power supplied from the battery 11. Therefore, this embodiment is applicable to various types of vehicles 1, such as two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled vehicles. Additionally, the vehicle 1 includes electric vehicles that operate via power supplied from the battery 11, and hybrid vehicles equipped with a motor and an internal combustion engine that are driven by power supplied from the battery 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, the case where the battery 11 is charged from the external power source 4 by plugging in is explained, but the battery 11 can also be charged from the external power source 4 by non-contact power supply.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 1 includes a battery 11, a charging control system 12, an in-vehicle display 13, a communication control unit 14, and a charging port 15. The external power source 4 is, for example, a charging device located on the property of the user of vehicle 1. When vehicle 1 is on the property, the user can charge the battery 11 from the external power source 4 by inserting the charging connector (charging gun) located at the end of the cable 41 extending from the external power source 4 into the charging port 15.

[0041] When the charging connector is connected to the charging port 15, the charging control system 12 controls the charging of the battery 11 from the external power source 4. Furthermore, the charging control system 12 sets an upper limit SOC (State of Charge) for ending the charging of the battery 11. The functional structure of the charging control system 12 for setting the upper limit SOC will be described later. In this embodiment, the charging control system 12 is mounted on the vehicle 1, but it can also be mounted on the management server 2 or the portable terminal 3, or it can be distributed among the vehicle 1, the management server 2, and the portable terminal 3.

[0042] The in-vehicle display 13 is a navigation device or similar device provided in the vehicle 1. Therefore, the in-vehicle display 13 can display various information as images and output the information as sound. In addition, the in-vehicle display 13 has an operating unit such as a touch panel that accepts user operation input.

[0043] The communication control unit 14 is capable of transmitting and receiving information wirelessly with the management server 2 and the portable terminal 3. For example, the communication control unit 14 transmits information related to the charging control of the battery 11 (e.g., current SOC, charging warning notification, charging mode change request, etc.) to the management server 2 or the portable terminal 3, and receives indication information related to charging control (e.g., charging mode change indication, etc.) from the management server 2 or the portable terminal 3.

[0044] The management server 2 includes a communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communication information between the communication control unit 14 of the vehicle 1 and the portable terminal 3. For example, the communication unit 21 mediates communication between the communication control unit 14 of the vehicle 1 and the portable terminal 3.

[0045] The portable terminal 3 is a smart device, such as a smartphone, and includes a communication unit 31, a display unit 32, and an operation unit 33. The communication unit 31 can transmit and receive information wirelessly between itself and the communication unit 21 of the management server 2 and the communication control unit 14 of the vehicle 1. The display unit 32 displays various information as images. The operation unit 33 is a touch panel or similar device that accepts user input.

[0046] Next, the functional structure of the charging control system 12 will be explained.

[0047] The charging control system 12 includes: hardware, comprising a control processor such as a CPU, and storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and memory; and software, such as a charging control program, stored in ROM or memory. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the charging control system 12 includes a user intention acquisition unit 121, an upper limit SOC range setting unit 122, a charging allowable number of times setting unit 123, a power consumption history acquisition unit 124, a necessary SOC calculation unit 125, and an upper limit SOC setting unit 126, which are functional structures realized through the cooperation of hardware and software.

[0048] The user intent acquisition unit 121 acquires the intent of users related to charging. For example, such as... Figure 3 As shown, multiple charging modes with pre-set upper limit SOC range and allowable number of charging cycles are prepared, and any one of the multiple charging modes is set based on user input. In this embodiment, as a charging cycle priority mode that prioritizes the number of charging cycles, a 100% charging mode and a balancing charging mode are prepared, and as a battery life priority mode that prioritizes the lifespan of the battery 11, a protection charging mode is prepared.

[0049] The battery life priority mode is set to allow for more charging cycles and has a lower lower limit for the upper limit SOC range compared to the charge cycle priority mode. For example, ... Figure 3 As shown, in Protective Charging Mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 60% to 100%, and the allowable number of charging cycles is set to 3 to 4 times per week. In Balanced Charging Mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 80% to 100%, and the allowable number of charging cycles is set to 1 to 2 times per week. In 100% Charging Mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 100%.

[0050] The charging mode is set by the user, for example by displaying it on the in-vehicle display 13. Figure 4 The setting screen 131 is used as shown. Setting screen 131 includes: multiple mode selection buttons 131a, 131b, and 131c, which can be used to select each charging mode via touch operation (click operation); and descriptions 131d, 131e, and 131f for each charging mode. The user selects a preferred charging mode by reading the descriptions 131d, 131e, and 131f, and then activates the selected charging mode by touching the mode selection buttons 131a, 131b, and 131c.

[0051] The upper limit SOC range setting unit 122 sets an upper limit SOC range as the SOC at which the charging of the battery 11 ends, based on the user's intention. For example, as Figure 3 As shown, when the user selects the protection charging mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 60% to 100%; when the user selects the balance charging mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 80% to 100%; and when the user selects the 100% charging mode, the upper limit SOC setting range is set to 100%.

[0052] The charging allowance setting unit 123 sets the number of charging allowances within a specified period based on the user's intentions or the user's charging history. The specified period is, for example, one week. Figure 3 As shown, for example, if the user selects the protection charging mode, the allowed number of charging times is set to 3 to 4 times per week; if the user selects the balance charging mode, the allowed number of charging times is set to 1 to 2 times per week. Furthermore, if the user selects the 100% charging mode, no limit on the number of charging times during a specified period is set.

[0053] The power consumption history acquisition unit 124 acquires the power consumption history of the storage battery 11. For example, it acquires the SOC when leaving home and the SOC when returning home, calculates the ΔSOC (% / day) used for one day based on the difference, and registers the ΔSOC in association with the date data in the storage unit.

[0054] The necessary SOC calculation unit 125 calculates the necessary SOC, which is the SOC required for one charge, based on power consumption history and the number of charge cycles allowed. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the necessary SOC calculation unit 125 calculates the necessary SOC based on power consumption history by multiplying the normal SOC (which is the SOC consumed in a typical day) by the necessary number of days determined by the number of charging allowances (charging mode) (e.g., 3 days in protection charging mode and 6 days in balance charging mode). Additionally, the necessary SOC calculation unit 125 obtains the maximum SOC, which is the maximum SOC consumed in a typical day over a past specified period, based on power consumption history. The past specified period could be, for example, a week prior to the calculation, or the week of the previous week. Furthermore, when obtaining the maximum SOC, even if the maximum value is not simply taken, the data with the highest SOC consumption among driving data excluding irregular driving (outliers) can be set as the maximum value.

[0055] The upper limit SOC setting unit 126 sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC. For example, the upper limit SOC setting unit 126... Figure 5 As shown, a first SOC is obtained by adding a necessary SOC to the current SOC of the battery 11, and a second SOC is obtained by adding a reference SOC to a maximum SOC. The larger of the first SOC and the second SOC is set as the upper limit SOC. The reference SOC may be the charging warning light operating SOC, which is the SOC that activates the charging warning light of the vehicle 1, or the lower limit of the SOC usage of the battery 11, or a setting value set by the charging control system 12 or by the user. The setting value set by the charging control system 12 may be, for example, the normal SOC, which is the SOC typically consumed in a day, or the SOC set to account for a calculation error (e.g., 5%). Figure 5 In the example, the reference SOC is recorded as the charging warning light operating SOC, which is the SOC that enables the charging warning light of vehicle 1 to operate.

[0056] exist Figure 5 In the example, if the charging mode is the protection charging mode, the second SOC is set to the upper limit SOC; if the charging mode is the balance charging mode, the first SOC is set to the upper limit SOC.

[0057] Furthermore, if the upper limit SOC setting unit 126 cannot set the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC, it requests the user to change the charging mode. For example, it displays a screen requesting a change of charging mode on the vehicle display 13, or sends a charging mode change request notification to the portable terminal 3. If the user changes the charging mode according to the request, the upper limit SOC setting unit 126 sets the upper limit SOC based on the changed charging mode.

[0058] The charging control system 12, configured in this way, sets the upper limit SOC range based on the user's intention, thus enabling charging that reflects the user's intent. Therefore, a lower upper limit SOC can be set for users prioritizing battery life, while a higher upper limit SOC can be set for users who want to reduce the number of charging cycles. Furthermore, since the charging control system 12 sets the upper limit SOC based on the necessary SOC for one charge, it can suppress insufficient power while reflecting the user's intention. Additionally, by setting the upper limit SOC to the larger of the first and second SOCs, the charging control system 12 can prevent insufficient charging even when the user travels a distance equivalent to the maximum SOC during a previously specified period, taking into account their intentions.

[0059] Furthermore, users only need to select a charging mode that links the upper limit of SOC to the allowable number of charging cycles, thus avoiding the hassle of setting it up. Then, in a charging mode that prioritizes the number of charging cycles, the amount of charge for one charge is fully guaranteed, thus limiting the number of charging cycles. Additionally, in a charging mode that prioritizes battery life, battery life reduction is prevented. Moreover, if the charging control system 12 cannot meet the user's expectations, it prompts a change of charging mode, preventing charging in an unwanted mode. Then, when the charging mode is changed, by setting the upper limit of SOC in the changed charging mode, charging can be performed in the optimal charging mode.

[0060] Next, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The processing steps of the charging control system 12 are explained.

[0061] exist Figure 6 In the power consumption history registration process shown, the charging control system 12 determines whether the ignition switch of vehicle 1 is turned on (S11) and whether the location of vehicle 1 is its own (S12). If either determination result is negative, the process ends. If both determination results in S11 and S12 are positive, the charging control system 12 obtains the SOC at departure (S13) and the SOC at return (S14). Afterwards, the charging control system 12 calculates the ΔSOC (% / day) used in one day (S15) and registers the calculated ΔSOC in the storage unit (S16).

[0062] exist Figure 7In the process of setting the upper limit SOC shown, the charging control system 12 obtains the charging mode and charging consumption history (S21, S22), and obtains the normal SOC and maximum SOC based on the charging consumption history (S23). Furthermore, the charging control system 12 calculates the necessary SOC for one charge based on the normal SOC (S24), and calculates the first SOC and the second SOC (S25). Then, the charging control system 12 determines whether the first SOC is greater than the second SOC (S26). If the determination result is yes, i.e., if the first SOC is greater, the first SOC is set as the upper limit SOC (S27). If the determination result is no, i.e., if the second SOC is greater, the second SOC is set as the upper limit SOC (S28).

[0063] Various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art will conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical solutions described, and these modifications or alterations naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0064] For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, the system is configured to provide the user with multiple charging modes, each with a set upper limit SOC range and a permissible number of charges, allowing the user to select one of these modes. However, it is also possible to set only the upper limit SOC range within a charging mode. Alternatively, the upper limit SOC range can be configured to be input by the user. In this case, the upper limit SOC setting unit 126 sets the upper limit SOC within the input upper limit SOC range based on power consumption history.

[0065] Furthermore, the number of charging attempts allowed within a specified period (e.g., one week) can also be input by the user. In this case, the charging attempt setting unit 123 sets the user-inputted value as the charging attempt count. Alternatively, the charging attempt setting unit 123 can also set the charging attempt count based on the user's charging history. For example, if a user charges twice within a week, the charging attempt setting unit 123 will set the allowed number of charging attempts within a week to two. When the upper limit SOC range and the charging attempt count are set, the upper limit SOC setting unit 126 sets the upper limit SOC within the upper limit SOC range based on the necessary SOC required for one charge.

[0066] In addition, at least the following matters are described in this specification. Furthermore, although corresponding components and the like are shown in parentheses in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067] (1) A charging control system (charging control system 12), which is a charging control system for a battery (battery 11) mounted on an electric vehicle (vehicle 1), wherein,

[0068] This charging control system has the following features:

[0069] The user intention acquisition unit (user intention acquisition unit 121) acquires the intentions of users related to charging.

[0070] The upper limit SOC range setting unit (upper limit SOC range setting unit 122) sets an upper limit SOC range as the SOC at which the charging of the battery ends, based on the user's intention.

[0071] The power consumption history acquisition unit (power consumption history acquisition unit 124) acquires the power consumption history of the battery; and

[0072] The upper limit SOC setting unit (upper limit SOC setting unit 126) sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the upper limit SOC based on the power consumption history.

[0073] According to (1), the upper limit SOC range is set based on the user's intention, thus enabling charging that reflects the user's intention. Therefore, a lower upper limit SOC can be set for users who prioritize battery life. On the other hand, a higher upper limit SOC can be set for users who want to reduce the number of charging cycles.

[0074] (2) According to the charging control system described in (1), wherein,

[0075] The charging control system also features:

[0076] The charging allowance setting unit (charging allowance setting unit 123) sets the charging allowance number of times for a specified period based on the user's intention or the user's charging behavior history; and

[0077] The necessary SOC calculation unit (necessary SOC calculation unit 125) calculates the necessary SOC as the SOC required for one charge based on the power consumption history and the allowable number of charging cycles.

[0078] The upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC.

[0079] According to (2), the upper limit SOC is set based on the necessary SOC required in one charge, so that power shortage can be suppressed while reflecting the user's intention.

[0080] (3) According to the charging control system described in (2), wherein,

[0081] The charging control system has multiple charging modes that set the upper limit of SOC and the allowable number of charging cycles.

[0082] The user intention acquisition unit sets any one of the multiple charging modes based on the user's input.

[0083] According to (3), users only need to select the mode that associates the upper limit of SOC with the number of charging cycles, thus avoiding the hassle of setting it up.

[0084] (4) The charging control system according to (3), wherein,

[0085] The multiple charging modes include a charging cycle priority mode and a battery life priority mode.

[0086] The battery life priority mode is set to allow more charging cycles and has a lower lower limit for the upper limit SOC range compared to the charging cycle priority mode.

[0087] According to (4), in the charging frequency priority mode, the amount of charge for one charge can be fully guaranteed. In addition, in the battery life priority mode, charging is performed with battery life in mind, which can prevent the battery life from being reduced.

[0088] (5) The charging control system according to (3) or (4), wherein,

[0089] If the upper limit SOC setting unit cannot set the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC, it requests the user to change the charging mode.

[0090] According to (5), when it is impossible to meet the user's wishes, by urging a change in the charging mode, it is possible to avoid charging in a charging mode that the user does not want.

[0091] (6) The charging control system according to (5), wherein,

[0092] When the charging mode is changed, the upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC based on the changed charging mode.

[0093] According to (6), when the charging mode is changed, by setting the upper limit SOC in the changed charging mode, it is possible to charge in the optimal charging mode.

[0094] (7) The charging control system according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein,

[0095] The necessary SOC calculation unit is obtained based on the power consumption history:

[0096] The necessary SOC is obtained by multiplying the typical SOC, which is the SOC consumed per day, by the necessary number of days determined by the number of charge allowables; and

[0097] The maximum SOC during a specified period in the past, obtained from the aforementioned electricity consumption history.

[0098] The upper limit SOC setting unit obtains:

[0099] The first SOC is obtained by adding the necessary SOC to the current SOC; and

[0100] The second SOC is obtained by adding the maximum SOC to the baseline SOC.

[0101] The larger of the first SOC and the second SOC is set as the upper limit SOC.

[0102] According to (7), by setting the larger of the first SOC and the second SOC as the upper limit SOC, insufficient charging can be avoided even if the user's intentions are taken into account and the distance traveled is comparable to the maximum SOC during the specified period in the past.

Claims

1. A charging control system, which is a charging control system installed on the battery of an electric vehicle, wherein, This charging control system has the following features: The User Intention Acquisition Department acquires the intentions of users related to charging. The upper limit SOC range setting unit sets an upper limit SOC range as the SOC at which the charging of the battery ends, based on the user's intention. The power consumption history acquisition unit acquires the power consumption history of the battery. The upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the power consumption history. The charging allowance setting unit sets the charging allowance number of times within a specified period based on the user's intention or the user's charging behavior history; as well as The necessary SOC calculation unit calculates the necessary SOC as the SOC required for one charge based on the power consumption history and the allowable number of charging cycles. The upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC. The necessary SOC calculation unit is obtained based on the power consumption history: The necessary SOC is obtained by multiplying the typical SOC, which is the SOC consumed per day, by the necessary number of days determined by the number of charge allowables; and The maximum SOC during a specified period in the past, obtained from the aforementioned electricity consumption history. The upper limit SOC setting unit obtains: The first SOC is obtained by adding the necessary SOC to the current SOC; as well as The second SOC is obtained by adding the maximum SOC to the baseline SOC. The larger of the first SOC and the second SOC is set as the upper limit SOC.

2. The charging control system according to claim 1, wherein, The charging control system has multiple charging modes that set the upper limit of SOC and the allowable number of charging cycles. The user intention acquisition unit sets any one of the multiple charging modes based on the user's input.

3. The charging control system according to claim 2, wherein, The multiple charging modes include a charging cycle priority mode and a battery life priority mode. The battery life priority mode is set to allow more charging cycles and has a lower lower limit for the upper limit SOC range compared to the charging cycle priority mode.

4. The charging control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, If the upper limit SOC setting unit cannot set the upper limit SOC within the range of the required SOC, it requests the user to change the charging mode.

5. The charging control system according to claim 4, wherein, When the charging mode is changed, the upper limit SOC setting unit sets the upper limit SOC based on the changed charging mode.

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