Vehicle charging parking support system

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle charging and parking support system with high practicability. A vehicle charging and parking assistance system for assisting in parking a vehicle (C) to an appropriate position within a charging area (12) when the vehicle (C) is charged by a charger (14) provided in the charging area (12) is configured so as to comprise: an information storage device (24) for storing charger information, which is information about the charger; an appropriate position determination device (28) that determines an appropriate position on the basis of the charger information stored in the information storage device and charged vehicle information, which is information about a vehicle to be charged; and a guide device (32) that is mounted on the vehicle and guides the vehicle to the determined appropriate position. As a result, the charging vehicle can be parked in the charging area at an appropriate position with respect to the charger, and the connector (18) of the charging cable (16) can be easily connected to the charging socket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle charging parking support system that supports parking when charging a vehicle using a charger. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle used for charging (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "charging vehicle") is parked in a charging area and uses a charger provided for that area to charge the battery of a vehicle such as an electric vehicle. Specifically, charging is performed by connecting the connector at the end of the charging cable provided at the charger to a charging socket (sometimes referred to as a "charging port") provided in the charging vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, the configuration of the charging socket varies, so, for example, in the technology described in the following documents, instructions are given regarding which charging area the charging vehicle should be parked in and what orientation it should face.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-257914 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned documents, the configuration includes a designated charging area and the orientation of the charging vehicle. However, the arrangement of the charging socket is also considered to be varied. For example, depending on the charging cable, it may be difficult to connect the connector to the charging socket even if the vehicle is parked as specified. Specifically, for example, depending on the location of the charging socket, the charging cable may not be accessible, or if the charging cable is stiff, it may be difficult to route the cable smoothly and connect it to the connector. In other words, there is room for improvement in the practicality of parking a vehicle while it is charging. The present invention was made in view of this reality, and its objective is to provide a highly practical vehicle charging and parking support system.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, the vehicle charging and parking support system of the present invention supports parking the vehicle at an appropriate location within the charging area when the vehicle is being charged using a charger located in the charging area. The vehicle charging and parking support system is configured to include:

[0008] An information storage device that stores charger information, which is information about the charger;

[0009] The appropriate location determining device determines the appropriate location based on the charger information stored in the information storage device and the charging vehicle information, which is information about the vehicle being charged; and

[0010] A guiding device, mounted on a vehicle, is used to guide the vehicle to a determined appropriate location.

[0011] The vehicle charging parking support system according to the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "the system of the present invention") enables the charging vehicle to park in a suitable position relative to the charger within the charging area, so that the connector of the charging cable can be easily connected to the charging socket.

[0012] In the system of this invention, "appropriate location" does not refer to a specific charging area where the charging vehicle (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "vehicle") should be parked, but rather to a specific location within the charging area where it should be parked. Appropriate location includes not only the vehicle's position in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, but also its position in the vertical direction and its orientation—for example, whether the vehicle should be parked facing forward or backward within the charging area. In other words, appropriate location signifies the position relative to the charger, i.e., the relative position of the vehicle and the charger. Furthermore, the determined appropriate location can also be a location that includes a certain degree of margin, i.e., an appropriate range.

[0013] The "charger" in the system of this invention can also be a charger with a general structure, such as a charger comprising a charger body and a charging cable extending from the charger body and having a connector at its front end. Furthermore, the "charger information" includes various information such as the size of the charging area, the location of the charger relative to the charging area, its orientation, the charging capacity of the charger, the length of the charging cable, the location of the root of the charging cable in the charger, and the type of the charging cable. The type of charging cable also includes, for example, physical properties such as the stiffness of the charging cable. On the other hand, the "charging vehicle information" is vehicle information about the charging vehicle, including the vehicle's size, the location of the charging socket in the vehicle, and its power receiving capabilities (whether fast charging is possible).

[0014] The "information storage device" in the system of the present invention can be, for example, a database storing information about various chargers. In the case of a management center that manages the charger in its entirety or includes multiple chargers, the database can be located at the management center or be a database in the cloud. The information storage device is a device that stores charger information, but it can also be a device that stores vehicle information for various vehicles in the form of a database. Furthermore, the aforementioned management center can also have a function for managing charger reservations.

[0015] The "appropriate location determination device" in the system of the present invention can be installed either in the aforementioned management center or in the charging vehicle. That is, the appropriate location determination device is not installed in the charger itself, thereby reducing the equipment and processing burden on the charger itself.

[0016] When the appropriate location determination device is located in the management center, the device obtains information about the vehicle type (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "vehicle type information") of the charging vehicle, for example, based on reservation information or directly from the charging vehicle via a communication unit. Based on this obtained vehicle type information, the charging vehicle information is determined while referring to a database. Alternatively, when the appropriate location determination device is located within the charging vehicle, it obtains the charging vehicle information directly from the vehicle or from information it already possesses.

[0017] Regarding the appropriate location, it should be determined in a way that meets conditions such as ensuring the charging vehicle is not exposed from the charging area, the connector can be connected to the charging socket (considering the length of the charging cable and the compatibility of the connector and charging socket models), and that the connector can be easily connected to the charging socket (allowing the charging cable to be easily unloaded). As explained later, for example, in the case of fast charging, the charging cable is relatively thick and stiff due to built-in coolant pipes or a thick cover. In particular, at low temperatures, the charging cable hardens and becomes very difficult to unload, making the relative position of the charging vehicle and charger extremely demanding. Therefore, in this case, it is best to also determine the appropriate location based on the ambient temperature.

[0018] The "guidance device" in this invention is specifically mounted on a vehicle. For example, it can also be a function of a so-called vehicle navigation system (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "vehicle navigation"). Specifically, by displaying the appropriate position on a display, the driver can position the charging vehicle in the appropriate position based on the display of the appropriate position. Furthermore, the guidance device can also be a device that provides guidance via sound or the like while monitoring the relationship between the position of the charging vehicle and the appropriate position. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically illustrating the charging equipment of a vehicle charging parking support system according to an application embodiment, and a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the vehicle charging parking support system.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the proper position of a charging vehicle and the image displayed by the guiding device to guide the charging vehicle to that proper position.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the appropriate location determination process and guidance process performed in the vehicle charging parking support system of the embodiment.

[0022] (Symbol Explanation)

[0023] 12: Charging area; 14: Charger; 16: Charging cable; 18: Connector; 20: Management center; 22: Processing unit; 24: Database (information storage device); 26: Vehicle navigation system; 28: Appropriate location determination unit (appropriate location determination device); 30: Reservation management unit; 32: Guidance unit (guidance device); C: Charging vehicle; I: Charging socket; PD: Appropriate location display. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, a vehicle charging and parking support system, as an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in addition to the embodiments described below, the present invention can be implemented in various ways, including but not limited to those described in the above [Summary of the Invention], with various modifications and improvements made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0025]

Example

[0026] [A] Functional structure of vehicle charging equipment and vehicle charging parking support system

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown in (a), the vehicle charging device (hereinafter referred to as the "charging device") of the vehicle charging parking support system (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "system") of the application embodiment is configured to include a charger 14 disposed on one side of a charging area (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "area") facing the vehicle passage 10. A charging cable 16 is provided on the charger 14, and a connector 18 is installed at the front end of the charging cable 16 to connect to the charging socket (charging port) of the vehicle C (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "charging vehicle C" or simply "vehicle C") used for charging.

[0028] Detailed description omitted. This charging device, along with other charging devices, is managed by a remote management center 20. Therefore, the charger 14 and the management center 20 can communicate. The management center 20 is equipped with a computer-based processing unit 22 and a database 24. On the other hand, the vehicle C is equipped with a vehicle navigation system (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "vehicle navigation") 26, which consists of a computer, a display, etc. In addition to the vehicle navigation 26, cameras for monitoring the front and rear of the vehicle C (or cameras for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle C) are also provided.

[0029] This system consists of a processing unit 22 in the management center 20, a database 24, and a vehicle navigation system 26 for vehicle C. The functional structure of this system will be described in relation to this invention as follows: Figure 1As shown in the functional block diagram (b), the database 24 functions as an information storage device for storing charger information, and the processing device 22 includes an appropriate location determination unit 28, which determines the appropriate location (i.e., the position of vehicle C) in area 12 during charging. Furthermore, it also includes a reservation management unit 30 for managing reservations for multiple charging devices. On the other hand, the vehicle navigation 26 for vehicle C includes a guidance unit 32 that guides vehicle C to the appropriate location during charging. The appropriate location determination unit 28 functions as an appropriate location determination device in this invention, and the guidance unit 30 functions as a guidance device in this invention. Incidentally, the reservation management unit 30 can be set independently of the processing device 22 within the management center 20, or communicatively located outside the management center 20, such as in the cloud. Additionally, the database 24 can be located either within the processing device 22 or outside the management center 20, such as in the cloud. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown in (c), the system can also be configured as a vehicle navigation 26 for vehicle C with a suitable position determination unit 28.

[0030] [B] The appropriate location of charging vehicles and the determination of the appropriate location of charging vehicles

[0031] The charger 14 has a charging cable 16 of a fixed length, so the reach of the connector 18 is limited. That is, the range at which the charging socket of the vehicle C should be located during charging varies depending on the length of the charging cable 16.

[0032] Furthermore, since the charger 14 is designed for fast charging, the charging cable 16 is made of a cable with built-in coolant pipes for cooling and a relatively thick sheathing material such as rubber. Therefore, the charging cable 16 is relatively thick and stiff, making it difficult to remove or insert. In particular, when the temperature of the charging cable 16 is low due to low ambient temperature, it becomes extremely stiff and very difficult to remove.

[0033] If reference Figure 2 To explain further, for vehicle C, which has a charging socket I (indicated by ☆) located on the right rear side, the appropriate position of the charger 14 located on the right side of area 12 (including the concept of vehicle orientation) is as follows: Figure 2 As shown in (a). For example, as Figure 2 As shown in (b), even when the charger 14 and the charging socket I are very close, the charging cable 16 cannot be smoothly routed, making it difficult to connect the connector 18 to the charging socket I. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown in (c), for vehicle C with the charging socket I located at the front, when parked with the front of the vehicle facing forward, the charging cable 16 will not be able to reach the vehicle when it has driven deep into the inner part of area 12. On the other hand, as... Figure 2As shown in (d), when parking in front of the charging area 12, although the charging cable 16 is reachable, there is a possibility that vehicle C may be exposed to the passageway 10. Therefore, for vehicle C with the charging socket I located at the front, it is best to park with the front of the vehicle facing backwards in area 12 for charging. Although not stated, for vehicles with the charging socket I located on the right side, it is best to park with the front of the vehicle facing forwards, and for vehicles with the charging socket I located on the left side, it is best to park with the front of the vehicle facing backwards.

[0034] In summary, the appropriate position of vehicle C in area 12, or in other words, the appropriate relative position of vehicle C and charger 14, is determined by the vehicle type of vehicle C, i.e., the location of the charging socket I, and the length of the charging cable 16. Furthermore, this appropriate position range (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "appropriate position range") varies depending on the height at which the charging socket I is positioned within the vehicle. Moreover, as mentioned above, the appropriate position range of vehicle C is also determined by the stiffness of the charging cable 16 (as a physical property). Furthermore, as mentioned above, the stiffness of the charging cable 16 also varies depending on its temperature, so the appropriate position range also varies depending on the ambient temperature.

[0035] In view of the above, in this system, the appropriate location determination unit 28 determines the appropriate location of vehicle C in area 12 based on the charger information stored in database 24, the charging vehicle information which is related to charging vehicle C, and the ambient temperature of the location where the charger 14 is installed.

[0036] [C] Guide the charging vehicle to the appropriate location.

[0037] The appropriate position determined by the appropriate position determination unit 28 includes the orientation of the vehicle to be parked in area 12. The guidance unit 32 of the vehicle navigation 26 installed in vehicle C displays whether the vehicle should be parked facing forward or facing backward.

[0038] Next, the guidance section 32, as shown Figure 2 of (e) Figure 2 As shown in (f), by displaying the appropriate position determined by the appropriate position determination unit 28 as an appropriate position display PD on the display, the driver of the vehicle C is prompted to stop the vehicle C at the appropriate position.

[0039] In detail, Figure 2 (e) is the image from the front camera of vehicle C, with a PD displayed at an appropriate position on the composite image. This image changes in real time as vehicle C moves. Incidentally, although omitted in the illustration, the image from the rear camera is used when the vehicle is parked with its front facing backwards.

[0040] Figure 2(f) is the image from a so-called panoramic display monitor, which is a top-down view synthesized from images of multiple cameras surrounding the monitored vehicle C. This image is used in the vehicle C equipped with a panoramic display monitor. A display panel (PD) is also synthesized from this image, and the image changes in real time as the vehicle C moves.

[0041] [D] The appropriate location determines and guides the processing flow.

[0042] When the processing unit 22 of the management center 20 has a suitable position determination unit 28, the processing unit 20 performs the operation. Figure 3 The flowchart shown illustrates the appropriate position determination process, which involves determining the appropriate position as described above. Vehicle C proceeds according to the stop line 40 of vehicle path 10 (refer to...). Figure 1 (a) and wait, so the processing starts according to the procedure, triggered by the processing start request from the waiting vehicle C.

[0043] The system sends information to identify the waiting vehicle C (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "vehicle identification information," such as the license plate number of vehicle C) and information to identify the charger 14 to be charged (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "charger identification information," such as the serial number of charger 14). In the processing according to the above procedure, firstly, in step 1 (hereinafter referred to as "S1," and the other steps are the same) and S2, the vehicle C and charger 14 are identified based on the vehicle identification information and charger identification information sent from vehicle C, respectively. In the following S3, if vehicle C has already made a charging reservation, the reservation information stored in database 24 is referenced based on the vehicle confirmation information. Simultaneously, if no reservation has been made, the vehicle type of vehicle C is determined based on information separately sent from vehicle C, and information about vehicle C (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "charging vehicle information," such as the location and type of the charging socket) is obtained based on that vehicle type. In S4, while referring to the information stored in database 24 based on the charger confirmation information, information about charger 14 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "charger information," such as the location of charger 14 in charging area 12, the length and properties of charging cable 16, and the installation location of charging cable 16 in charger 14) is obtained.

[0044] In the next step, S5, it is determined whether vehicle C can utilize the charger 14. This determination is made by checking whether the types of connector 18 and charging socket, as well as their power supply / receiving capabilities, are consistent with those of the charger 14 and vehicle C. If it is usable, in S6, information related to the temperature of the location where vehicle C is located (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "ambient temperature information") is obtained from vehicle C. Furthermore, in S7, based on the charging vehicle information, charger information, and ambient temperature information, the appropriate position of vehicle C in the charging area 12 (including the concept of vehicle C's orientation) is determined, and in S8, information related to this determined position is sent to vehicle C. Incidentally, if it is determined in S5 that vehicle C cannot utilize the charger 14, in S9, a message indicating this is sent to vehicle C.

[0045] Without going into detail, when the vehicle navigation system 26 of vehicle C has an appropriate location determination unit 28, the management center 20 sends charger information based on charger determination information sent from vehicle C to vehicle C. The vehicle navigation system 26 then determines an appropriate location based on this charger information, its own charging vehicle information, and the ambient temperature information it has acquired. Furthermore, the vehicle navigation system 26 also determines whether the charger 14 is usable.

[0046] Executed via vehicle navigation 26 Figure 3 The flowchart shown illustrates a guidance process that guides vehicle C to the appropriate location. In this process, firstly, in S11, the appropriate location is determined based on information about the appropriate location sent from the management center 20 or a decision from the vehicle navigation system 26. Then, in S12, the display indicates the parking orientation of vehicle C—whether it should be parked facing forward or backward.

[0047] In the next step, S13, the image from the front or rear camera, including the PD displayed at the appropriate position as described above, or the overhead view obtained through the panoramic display monitor function, is displayed on the monitor. In S14, the image is updated according to the movement of vehicle C until the conditions for ending the process are met. These conditions include, for example, the ignition switch of vehicle C being turned off, or the doors of vehicle C being opened or closed. In S15, if it is determined that vehicle C is in an appropriate position, in S16, the display indicates that vehicle C should be stopped.

Claims

1. A vehicle charging and parking support system for supporting parking the vehicle at an appropriate location within a charging area when the vehicle is being charged using a charger located in the charging area, wherein, The vehicle charging and parking support system comprises: An information storage device that stores charger information, which is information about the charger; The appropriate location determining device determines the appropriate location based on the charger information stored in the information storage device and the charging vehicle information, which is information about the vehicle being charged; and A guiding device, mounted on a vehicle, is used to guide the vehicle to a determined appropriate location.

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