Electric vehicle

Abstract

An electric vehicle according to the present disclosure, which is capable of charging a storage battery with supply power supplied from an external charging device to a charging socket and charging the storage battery with power obtained by boosting the supply power on a vehicle side, includes: a position information acquisition device that acquires position information of the external charging device; and a charging control device that acquires the voltage of the supplied power of the external charging device associated with the positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition device, and sets the acquired voltage of the supplied power as a required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket. And the external charging equipment is informed of the set required voltage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle capable of charging a storage battery with electric power supplied from an external charging device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric vehicle including a rechargeable storage battery and a charge controller, which travels using the electric power of the storage battery, has been known (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-112181). The charge controller of the electric vehicle outputs (notifies) at least one of charge information and a charging algorithm to a charging station (external charging device) outside the vehicle. The charge information includes at least one of a charging current and a charging voltage inherent to the storage battery. Thereby, the charging station can use the data supplied from the electric vehicle to determine an optimal charging voltage and current. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, among electric vehicles, there are vehicles that can boost the supply power from a charging station and charge a storage battery with the boosted power. There is a case where the maximum voltage (rated voltage) allowable during charging of the storage battery is notified to the charging station as a charging voltage (required voltage) from the above-described electric vehicle. When the voltage of the supply power of the charging station is lower than the voltage notified from the electric vehicle, it is determined on the charging station side that the voltage required by the electric vehicle cannot be supplied. As a result, there is a possibility that the storage battery cannot be charged. In contrast, it is conceivable to notify the charging station from an electric vehicle having a boosting function as described above of the voltage that should be supplied from the charging station to the electric vehicle when using the boosting function. In this case, it may be possible to charge the storage battery with the supply power from the charging station regardless of the magnitude of the voltage of the supply power of the charging station. However, when the charging station can supply a voltage higher than the voltage notified from the electric vehicle, boosting control that is not originally required is performed on the electric vehicle side. Therefore, the efficiency during charging of the storage battery is reduced.

[0004] Therefore, a main object of the present disclosure is to suppress the inability to charge the storage battery of the electric vehicle with the supply power regardless of the magnitude of the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device, and at the same time, to efficiently charge the storage battery.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an electric vehicle including: an electric motor that outputs power for traveling; a storage battery that supplies power to the electric motor; and a charging socket, wherein the electric vehicle can charge the storage battery with supply power supplied from an external charging device to the charging socket, and can charge the storage battery with power obtained by boosting the supply power on the vehicle side, and the electric vehicle includes:

[0006] a position information acquisition device that acquires position information of the external charging device; and

[0007] The charging control device obtains the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device associated with the position information obtained by the position information obtaining device, and sets the obtained voltage of the supply power as the required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the set required voltage to the external charging device.

[0008] The electric vehicle of the present disclosure can charge the storage battery with the supply power supplied from an external charging device to a charging socket, and can charge the storage battery with the power obtained by boosting the supply power on the vehicle side.

[0009] Moreover, the charging control device of the electric vehicle obtains the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device associated with the position information obtained by the position information obtaining device. At the same time, the charging control device sets the obtained voltage of the supply power as the required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the set required voltage to the external charging device.

[0010] Thereby, it is possible to suppress the determination on the external charging device side that the voltage corresponding to the required voltage from the electric vehicle cannot be supplied. Furthermore, by previously grasping the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device on the electric vehicle side, charging control corresponding to the voltage of the supply power can be executed, so that the storage battery can be charged efficiently. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inability to charge the storage battery of the electric vehicle with the supply power regardless of the magnitude of the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device, and to charge the storage battery efficiently.

[0011] The present disclosure provides an electric vehicle, including: a motor that outputs power for traveling; a storage battery that supplies power to the motor; and a charging socket. The electric vehicle can charge the storage battery with the supply power supplied from an external charging device to the charging socket, and can charge the storage battery with the power obtained by boosting the supply power on the vehicle side. Among them, the electric vehicle includes:

[0012] a communication device that obtains the charging history information of the external charging device including the voltage of the supply power from a plurality of vehicles including the electric vehicle and exchanges information with an information management device that stores the obtained charging history information; and

[0013] a charging control device that obtains the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device from the information management device via the communication device, and sets the obtained voltage of the supply power as the required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the set required voltage to the external charging device.

[0014] Other electric vehicles of the present disclosure can charge a storage battery using supply power supplied from an external charging device to a charging socket, and can charge the storage battery using power obtained by boosting the supply power on the vehicle side.

[0015] In addition, the electric vehicle includes: a communication device that acquires charging history information of an external charging device including the voltage of supply power from a plurality of vehicles and exchanges information with an information management device that stores the acquired charging history information; and a charging control device.

[0016] The charging control device acquires the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device from the information management device via the communication device, sets the acquired voltage of the supply power as a required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the set required voltage to the external charging device. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the determination on the external charging device side that a voltage corresponding to the required voltage from the electric vehicle cannot be supplied. Furthermore, by grasping in advance on the electric vehicle side the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device, it is possible to execute charging control corresponding to the voltage of the supply power, so that the storage battery can be charged efficiently. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inability to charge the storage battery of the electric vehicle using the supply power regardless of the magnitude of the voltage of the supply power of the external charging device, and to charge the storage battery efficiently. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements and are accompanied by:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electric vehicle of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining processing performed by an electric vehicle and an external charging device before charging a storage battery of the electric vehicle of the present disclosure using supply power from the external charging device.

[0020] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by a charging control device of the electric vehicle of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing another routine executed by a charging control device of the electric vehicle of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, a detailed description of the present disclosure will be given with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Figure 1FIG. 0 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electric vehicle 1 of the present disclosure. The electric vehicle 1 shown in this figure is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) including a storage battery (power storage device) 2, a system main relay SMR, an inverter 3, and an electric generator MG. Further, the electric vehicle 1 includes a motor electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "MGECU") 5, a navigation device (position information acquisition device) 6, and an in-vehicle communicator 7, each connected to the CAN bus. In addition, the electric vehicle 1 is configured to be able to charge the storage battery 2 with electric power from a DC type charging station (external charging device) 20. Further, the electric vehicle 1 may also be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0024] The storage battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1 has a rated output voltage slightly lower than 800V, for example, and includes a plurality of battery modules (battery packs) connected in series. Each battery module of the storage battery 2 includes a plurality of battery cells (not shown) connected in series or in parallel. Each battery cell is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel metal hydride secondary battery. The positive terminal of the storage battery 2 is connected to the positive power line PL via the positive side relay of the system main relay SMR. The negative terminal of the storage battery 2 is connected to the negative power line NL via the negative side relay of the system main relay SMR.

[0025] The inverter 3 drives the electric generator MG and is connected to the storage battery 2 via the positive power line PL, the negative power line NL, and the system main relay SMR. The inverter 3 includes, for example, six transistors and six diodes connected in antiparallel to each transistor, and is controlled (switching control) by the MGECU 5. The electric generator MG is a synchronous generator motor (three-phase AC motor). The rotor of the electric generator MG is connected to the left and right drive wheels DW via a reduction gear, a differential gear, and a drive shaft DS. The electric generator MG is driven by electric power from the inverter 3 (storage battery 2) and outputs a driving torque (driving force) for traveling to the drive shaft DS. Further, the electric generator MG outputs a regenerative braking torque (braking force) to the drive shaft DS when the electric vehicle 1 brakes.

[0026] The navigation device 6 includes a GPS receiver and the like, and can determine the vehicle position of the electric vehicle 1 and obtain information associated with the vehicle position. In addition, the navigation device 6 can obtain navigation information associated with the destination and vehicle position of the electric vehicle 1 from the navigation information server 30 through wireless communication. The navigation information server 30 has a storage device that stores navigation information associated with each of a large number of spots in association with the spots. The navigation information includes charging conditions such as the voltage Vs of the supply power from the charging station 20 associated with the position information of a plurality of charging stations 20.

[0027] The in-vehicle communication device 7 can perform high-speed data communication (wireless packet communication) with various external devices. In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 7 can exchange information with the information management server 40 that manages information collected from a large number of vehicles including the electric vehicle 1. The information management server 40 has a storage device that stores information collected from a large number of vehicles. Among the information stored in the storage device, there is charging history information sent from the vehicles that use the charging station 20. In the charging history information, charging conditions such as position information associated with the identification information of the charging station 20 and the voltage Vs of the supply power supplied from the charging station 20 to the electric vehicle 1 are associated.

[0028] Furthermore, in order for the electric vehicle 1 to be able to charge the battery 2 with the power from the charging station 20, it includes a charging relay DCR, a charging socket 8, and a charging electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "charging ECU") 10. The charging relay DCR is connected to the neutral point NP of the motor generator MG via a power line, and is connected to the negative side power line NL between the system main relay SMR and the inverter 3 via a power line. The charging socket 8 is disposed inside an unillustrated charging cover of the electric vehicle 1 and is connected to the charging relay DCR via a power line. Thus, when both the system main relay SMR and the charging relay DCR are closed, the battery 2 is electrically connected to the charging socket 8 via the motor generator MG and the inverter 3. Moreover, a charging connector 21 of the charging station 20 selected by the user of the electric vehicle 1 from a large number of charging stations 20 is inserted (connected) to the charging socket 8.

[0029] The charging ECU 10 includes a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage device, etc. (not shown). The charging ECU 10 is connected to the CAN bus, and can exchange various information with the MG ECU 5, the navigation device 6, and the in-vehicle communication device 7 via this CAN bus. The charging ECU 10 controls the opening and closing of the charging relay DCR. At the same time, when charging the battery 2 with the power from the charging station 20, the charging ECU 10 causes the three-phase coils of the electric generator MG and each phase of the inverter 3 to function as a multiphase boost converter as needed. This is carried out in cooperation with the MG ECU 5. That is, in the electric vehicle 1, when charging the battery 2 with the power from the charging station 20, the multiple transistors of the inverter 3 are switched and controlled. Thereby, the power supplied to the charging socket 8 can be boosted by the electric generator MG and the inverter 3 that function as a multiphase boost converter, and the boosted power is applied to the battery 2.

[0030] The multiple charging stations 20 are DC charging stations. It includes a low-voltage station where the supply power voltage Vs is the first voltage Vlow (e.g., 400V), and a high-voltage station. In the high-voltage station, as the supply power voltage Vs, either the first voltage Vlow or the second voltage Vhigh (e.g., 800V) higher than the first voltage Vlow can be selectively set. Consider the case where the supply power voltage Vs supplied to the charging socket 8 from the charging station 20 via the charging connector 21 is the first voltage Vlow. In this case, in the present embodiment, the electric generator MG and the inverter 3 that function as a multiphase boost converter can boost the supply power from the charging station 20 to a voltage (e.g., 800V) above the rated output voltage of the battery 2. In addition, each charging station 20, in addition to the charging connector 21, also includes a station control device 25 that exchanges information with the electric vehicle 1 to control the power equipment, etc. of this charging station 20. The station control device 25 includes a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage device, etc. (not shown). When the charging connector 21 of the charging station 20 is connected to the charging socket 8 of the electric vehicle 1, the station control device 25 is connected to the charging ECU 10 of this electric vehicle 1 via a communication line (refer to the dashed line in Figure 1 ).

[0031] Figure 2This is a flowchart for explaining the processes executed on the side of the electric vehicle 1 and the charging station 20 from when the electric vehicle 1 parks at the charging station 20 and connects the charging connector 21 to the charging socket 8 until the charging of the storage battery 2 starts. As shown in this figure, the charging ECU 10 of the electric vehicle 1 and the station control device 25 of the charging station 20 can communicate. Thus, predetermined information is exchanged between the two, and the system main relay SMR of the electric vehicle 1 is closed by the charging ECU 10. In addition, the charging ECU 10 sets the required voltage Vreq for the charging station 20 at a predetermined timing after the charging connector 21 is connected to the charging socket 8 (S1). The required voltage Vreq is the voltage that should be supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 when charging the storage battery 2.

[0032] When setting the required voltage Vreq, the charging ECU 10, as Figure 3 shown, requests the navigation device 6 to provide the vehicle position information of the electric vehicle 1 indicating the position of the charging station 20, the information associated with this vehicle position, and the navigation information (S100). Further, the charging ECU 10 acquires the information sent from the navigation device 6 according to the request (S110), and determines whether the acquired information includes the voltage Vs of the supply power supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (S120). When the information from the navigation device 6 includes the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 (S120: "Yes"), the charging ECU 10 sets the voltage Vs acquired from the navigation device 6 as the required voltage Vreq for the charging station 20 (S130), and completes the setting of the required voltage Vreq. In the present embodiment, in S130, either one of the above first and second voltages Vlow and Vhigh is set as the required voltage Vreq.

[0033] In addition, when the information from the navigation device 6 does not include the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 (S120: "No"), the charging ECU 10 sends the vehicle position information of the electric vehicle 1 or the identification information of the charging station 20 acquired separately to the information management server 40. In S110, the vehicle position information is acquired via the in-vehicle communication device 7. Moreover, the charging ECU 10 requests the information management server 40 to provide the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 (S140). The information management server 40 searches for the voltage Vs of the supply power of the corresponding charging station 20 from the above charging history information, and sends the search result to the in-vehicle communication device 7 of the electric vehicle 1. The charging ECU 10 acquires the information from the information management server 40 via the in-vehicle communication device 7 (S150), and determines whether the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 is acquired from the information management server 40 (S160).

[0034] When the charging ECU 10 has obtained the voltage Vs of the power supply from the information management server 40 for the charging station 20 (S160: "Yes"), the charging ECU 10 sets the voltage Vs obtained from the information management server 40 as the required voltage Vreq for the charging station 20 (S130), and completes the setting of the required voltage Vreq. In contrast, when the voltage Vs of the power supply of the charging station 20 is not included in the information from the navigation device 6 (S120: "No") and the voltage Vs of the power supply of the charging station 20 is not obtained from the information management server 40 (S160: "No"), the charging ECU 10 sets the first voltage Vlow as the required voltage Vreq (S170), and completes the setting of the required voltage Vreq. The first voltage Vlow is the lower one of the first and second voltages Vlow and Vhigh.

[0035] After the process of S1, the charging ECU 10 sends vehicle-side charging information to the station control device 25 of the charging station 20 as shown in Figure 2 . In the vehicle-side charging information, at least the required voltage Vref set in S1 is included, and the charging ECU 10 notifies the station control device 25 of this required voltage Vref as the voltage Vin in the charging socket 8. After performing a predetermined process, the station control device 25 that has received the vehicle-side charging information sends station-side charging information to the charging ECU 10 of the electric vehicle 1 (S2). In the station-side charging information, at least the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (here 400V or 800V) is included.

[0036] When the charging ECU 10 receives the station-side charging information from the charging station 20, it determines whether boost control needs to be executed (S5). The boost control is a control for boosting the voltage supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 according to the required voltage Vreq set in S1. In S5, when the charging ECU 10 sets the first voltage Vlow lower than the second voltage Vhigh as the required voltage Vreq in S1, it determines that it is necessary to boost the voltage supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (S5: "Yes"). Moreover, in order to execute the boost control in which the motor generator MG and the inverter 3 operate as a multiphase boost converter, the charging ECU 10 sends a command signal to the MGECU 5 (S7). As a result, the motor generator MG and the inverter 3, which are multiphase boost converters, operate in such a way that the voltage on the DCR side of the charging relay is lower (step-down) than the voltage between the terminals of the battery 2. In the present embodiment, the motor generator MG and the inverter 3 are controlled in such a way that the voltage between the terminals of the battery 2 is stepped down and the voltage on the DCR side of the charging relay is made to coincide with the first voltage Vlow (400V). In addition, when the second voltage Vhigh is set as the required voltage Vreq in S1, the charging ECU 10 determines that it is not necessary to boost the voltage supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (S5: "No") and skips the process of S7.

[0037] After the process of S5 or S7, the charging ECU 10 closes the charging relay DCR (S9). After the closing of the charging relay DCR is completed, the charging ECU 10 executes a predetermined process and sends a vehicle ready completion signal indicating that the charging preparation in the electric vehicle 1 is completed to the station control device 25 of the charging station 20 (S11). The station control device 25 that has received the vehicle ready completion signal acquires the voltage Vc in the charging connector 21 detected by the voltage sensor 22 of the charging station 20 (S4). Furthermore, the station control device 25 determines whether to permit charging of the battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1 (S6). In S6, the station control device 25 determines whether the required voltage Vreq is included in a relatively narrow predetermined range (for example, a range of ±5%) centered on the voltage Vc in the charging connector 21 acquired in S6. The required voltage Vreq is the voltage Vin in the charging socket 8 included in the vehicle-side charging information from the charging ECU 10 (electric vehicle 1). At the same time, the station control device 25 determines whether this voltage Vin exceeds the minimum output voltage of the charging station 20 and is lower than the maximum output voltage of the charging station 20.

[0038] When the voltage Vin is not included in a predetermined range centered on the voltage Vc, when the voltage Vin is less than the minimum output voltage of the charging station 20, and when the voltage Vin exceeds the maximum output voltage of the charging station 20 (S6: "No"), the station control device 25 deems that the voltage corresponding to the required voltage Vreq of the electric vehicle 1 cannot be supplied from the charging station 20, and prohibits charging the battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1. In contrast, when the voltage Vin is included in a predetermined range centered on the voltage Vc, the voltage Vin is equal to or higher than the minimum output voltage of the charging station 20, and the voltage Vin is equal to or lower than the maximum output voltage of the charging station 20 (S6: "Yes"), the station control device 25 deems that the voltage corresponding to the required voltage Vreq of the electric vehicle 1 can be supplied from the charging station 20, and permits charging the battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1. Further, the station control device 25 controls a power device (not shown) in such a way as to supply the supply power of the voltage Vs corresponding to the required voltage Vreq from the electric vehicle 1. At the same time, the station control device 25 closes a relay (not shown) provided between the power device and the charging connector 21 (S8). After the closing of the relay is completed, the station control device 25 sends a station preparation completion signal indicating that the charging preparation in the charging station 20 is completed to the charging ECU 10 (S10). Thereby, the supply power is supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 of the electric vehicle 1, and charging of the battery 2 is started.

[0039] During the charging of the battery 2, the charging ECU 10 obtains the SOC of the battery 2 calculated by a battery management device (not shown) of the electric vehicle 1 at a predetermined time interval as shown in Figure 4 . Moreover, the charging ECU 10 determines whether the obtained SOC has reached a predetermined target SOC to complete the charging of the battery 2 (S210). When the SOC has not reached the target SOC and the charging of the battery 2 is not completed (S210: "No"), the charging ECU 10 continues the charging of the battery 2, and executes the processes of S20 and S210 at a predetermined time interval. Further, when the first voltage Vlow is set to the required voltage Vreq in S1 (S130 or S170), the motor generator MG and the inverter 3, which are multi-phase boost converters, are controlled in such a way as to boost the voltage Vs of the supply power supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 to a voltage higher than the rated output voltage of the battery 2 during the charging of the battery 2.

[0040] In addition, when the SOC reaches the target SOC and the charging of the secondary battery 2 is completed (S210: "Yes"), the charging ECU 10 performs post-charging processing (S220). The post-charging processing includes disconnecting the charging relay DCR, stopping boosting, disconnecting the system main relay, exchanging various information with the station control device 25, etc. After the post-charging processing is completed, the charging ECU 10 acquires the voltage Vin in the charging socket 8 detected by the voltage sensor 9 (refer to Figure 1 ) during the charging of the secondary battery 2, that is, the voltage of the supply power supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (actual voltage) (S230). The voltage Vin obtained in S230 can be either the voltage detected by the voltage sensor 9 at a predetermined timing during the charging of the secondary battery 2 or the average value of the voltage Vin during the charging of the secondary battery 2. Furthermore, the charging ECU 10 determines whether the voltage Vin obtained in S230 is included in a relatively narrow predetermined range centered on the required voltage Vreq (S240). And when the voltage Vin is included in the predetermined range centered on the required voltage Vreq and the voltage Vin is substantially the same as the required voltage Vreq (S240: "Yes"), the Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown series of processes are ended.

[0041] On the other hand, when the voltage Vin in the charging socket 8 obtained in S230 is not included in the predetermined range centered on the required voltage Vreq (S240: "No"), the charging station 20 does not supply a voltage substantially the same as the required voltage Vreq to the charging socket 8 during the charging of the secondary battery 2. That is, in this case, the required voltage Vreq set in S130 is incorrect. The required voltage Vreq set in S130 is the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 obtained from the navigation device 6 or the information management server 40 in Figure 2 S110 or S150. Therefore, the charging ECU 10 uses the one of the first and second voltages Vlow and Vhigh that is different from the required voltage Vreq set in S130 as the correct voltage Vs (correction value), and creates charging history information associated with the vehicle position information (identification information of the charging station 20) of the electric vehicle 1 corresponding to the position information of the charging station 20 (S250). Furthermore, the charging ECU 10 sends the charging history information created in S250 to the information management server 40 (S260), and ends the Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown series of processes.

[0042] As described above, the electric vehicle 1 includes: an electric generator MG that outputs power for traveling; a storage battery 2 that supplies power to the electric generator MG; and a charging socket 8. The electric vehicle 1 can charge the storage battery 2 with the supply power supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8, and can also charge the storage battery 2 with the power obtained by boosting the supply power on the vehicle side. In addition, the electric vehicle 1 includes a navigation device (position information acquisition device) 6 that can acquire the position information (own vehicle position information) of the charging station 20, and a charging ECU (charging control device) 10. The charging ECU 10 acquires the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 associated with the position information acquired by the navigation device 6 (S1, S110, S150). At the same time, the acquired voltage Vs of the supply power is set as the required voltage Vreq to be supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (S130), and the set required voltage Vreq is notified to the charging station 20 (S3).

[0043] Thereby, it is possible to suppress the determination on the charging station 20 side that a voltage corresponding to the required voltage Vreq from the electric vehicle 1 cannot be supplied. Furthermore, by previously grasping the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 on the electric vehicle 1 side, charging control corresponding to the voltage Vs of the supply power can be executed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress wastefully executing the boosting control even though the voltage of the supply power supplied to the charging socket 8 is 800V, and the storage battery 2 can be charged efficiently. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inability to charge the storage battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1 with the supply power regardless of the magnitude of the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20. At the same time, the storage battery 2 can be charged efficiently.

[0044] In addition, the electric vehicle 1 includes an in-vehicle communication device 7 that acquires charging history information including the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 from a plurality of vehicles including the electric vehicle 1. At the same time, the electric vehicle 1 exchanges information with an information management server 40 that stores the acquired charging history information. Moreover, the charging ECU 10 can acquire the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 from the information management server 40 via the in-vehicle communication device 7 (S140 - S150). Thereby, even when the voltage Vs of the supply power of the charging station 20 is not associated with the position information of the charging station 20 (S120: "No"), the voltage Vs of the supply power can be acquired from the information management server 40.

[0045] Furthermore, when the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 cannot be obtained from the navigation device 6 or the information management server 40 (S120: "No", S160: "No"), the charging ECU 10 notifies the charging station 20 of the first voltage Vlow, which should be supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 when charging the storage battery 2 with the power obtained by boosting the power supply from the charging station 20, as the required voltage Vref (S170). Thereby, even when the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 cannot be obtained, it is possible to prevent the storage battery 2 from not being charged.

[0046] In addition, during the charging of the storage battery 2, the charging ECU 10 obtains the voltage (actual voltage) Vin supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8 (S230). At the same time, based on this voltage Vin, the charging ECU 10 determines the suitability of the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 obtained in S1 (S110 or S150) before charging the storage battery 2 (S240). Furthermore, when it is determined that the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 is not suitable (S240: "No"), the charging ECU 10 transmits the charging history information including the location information (identification information) of the charging station 20 and the correction value of the voltage Vs corresponding to the voltage Vin (actual voltage) to the information management server 40 (S250 - S260). Thereby, it is possible to update the charging history information stored in the information management server 40 to useful information that conforms to the actual state.

[0047] In addition, when setting the required voltage Vreq in the above S1, it is not necessary to obtain the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 from both the navigation device 6 and the information management server 40. The processing of S100 - S120 or the processing of S120, S140, and S150 can also be omitted. Figure 3 That is, the charging ECU 10 obtains the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20 only from either the navigation device 6 or the information management server 40. At the same time, the charging ECU 10 can also set the obtained voltage Vs of the power supply as the required voltage Vreq that should be supplied from the charging station 20 to the charging socket 8. By these means, it is possible to prevent the storage battery 2 of the electric vehicle 1 from not being charged using the power supply, regardless of the magnitude of the voltage Vs of the power supply from the charging station 20, and to charge the storage battery 2 efficiently.

[0048] In addition, the setting of the required voltage Vreq in S1 may be performed before the vehicle-side charging information is sent from the electric vehicle 1 to the charging station 20 (S3). It is not necessary to perform it necessarily after the charging connector 21 of the charging station 20 is connected to the charging socket 8 of the electric vehicle 1. That is, for example, there is a case where the user of the electric vehicle 1 sets the charging station 20 as the destination of the navigation device 6. In this case, the process of S1 can also be performed during the period from the setting of the destination to the arrival of the electric vehicle 1 at the charging station 20. Furthermore, in Figure 4 in S260, the charging history information can be sent not only to the information management server 40 but also to the navigation information server 30. Thereby, the navigation information stored by the navigation information server 30 can be updated to useful information that conforms to the actual state. In addition, the electric vehicle 1 can charge the battery 2 by using the power obtained by boosting the power from the external charging device on the vehicle side, and is not limited to charging the battery 2 by so-called neutral point charging.

[0049] Moreover, the invention of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can of course be made within the scope of the extension of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely a specific mode of the invention described in the invention content section, and do not limit the elements of the invention described in the invention content section.

[0050] The invention of the present disclosure can be used in the manufacturing industry of electric vehicles and the like.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising: The electric motor outputs power for driving; the battery supplies power to the electric motor; and a charging socket, wherein the electric vehicle is capable of charging the battery using power supplied from an external charging device to the charging socket, and charging the battery using power obtained by stepping up the supplied power on the vehicle side, wherein the electric vehicle comprises: a location information acquisition device for acquiring location information of the external charging device; and The charging control device obtains the voltage of the supplied power of the external charging device associated with the position information obtained by the position information obtaining device, sets the obtained voltage of the supplied power as a required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the external charging device of the set required voltage.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: further comprising a communication device that acquires charging history information including the voltage of the supplied power of the external charging device from a plurality of vehicles including the electric vehicle and exchanges information with an information management device that stores the acquired charging history information, The charging control device obtains the voltage of the supply power of the external charging equipment from the information management device via the communication device.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: When the voltage of the supplied power cannot be obtained, the charging control device notifies the external charging device of a voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging receptacle when charging the battery with power obtained by boosting the supplied power as the requested voltage.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The charging control device obtains the actual voltage supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket during charging of the battery, and determines the suitability of the voltage of the power supplied by the external charging device obtained before charging of the battery based on the actual voltage. If it is determined that the voltage of the power supplied by the external charging device is not suitable, the charging history information including the identification information of the external charging device and the correction value of the voltage of the power supplied corresponding to the actual voltage is sent to the information management device.

5. An electric vehicle comprising: The electric motor outputs power for driving; the battery supplies power to the electric motor; and a charging socket, wherein the electric vehicle is capable of charging the battery using power supplied from an external charging device to the charging socket, and charging the battery using power obtained by stepping up the supplied power on the vehicle side, wherein the electric vehicle comprises: a communicator that acquires charging history information of the external charging device including the voltage of the supplied power from a plurality of vehicles including the electric vehicle and exchanges information with an information management device storing the acquired charging history information; and The charging control device obtains the voltage of the power supplied by the external charging device from the information management device via the communication device, sets the obtained voltage of the power supplied as a required voltage to be supplied from the external charging device to the charging socket, and notifies the external charging device of the set required voltage.

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