Charging communication system, charging control unit and charging station

Abstract

Charging equipment (3) designed to charge a battery (10) in an electrically powered vehicle (1), wherein the charging equipment (3) comprises the following: - a charging cable (2) designed to be connected between the electrically powered vehicle (1) and the charging equipment (3) when the battery (10) is being charged; - a first communication device (11) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a first communication method by using a signal line in the charging cable (2); - a second communication device (12) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection device (15) designed to establish or disconnect the connection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a signal line voltage calculation unit (134) designed to calculate the rate of change of the signal line voltage, which represents a voltage on the signal line, both before and after the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line, - wherein the signal line connection device (15) disconnects the second communication device (12) from the signal line when the change value of the signal line voltage does not fall within the predetermined permissible range, and - wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to prevent the charging of the battery (10) for a certain period of time after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication procedure to begin.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging control device that has a communication function using a cable for charging a battery. It also relates to a charging communication system that uses the charging control device. State of the art

[0002] Recently, in the context of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving energy efficiency, electric vehicles, which use electricity as their energy source, have been introduced into practical use. Consequently, a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles has begun to be built in various locations. To fully charge the battery of a typical electric vehicle, a quantity of electricity as large as 10 kWh is required (enough for two or three days based on the average electricity consumption of a typical family).

[0003] For this reason, a key task in the field of electrical energy supply systems is to improve functions such as charging control and distribution control. A next-generation energy grid, also known as a smart grid, equipped with a system for automatically controlling the demand and supply of electrical energy, has come into focus. Within the context of an energy network managed by a smart grid, predicting the charging demand (energy supply from the grid to the vehicle) for an on-board battery and controlling the charging based on this prediction have been considered.

[0004] With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, it has become common practice to install charging equipment in homes capable of charging an on-board battery. This charging equipment includes, for example, outdoor sockets, circuit breakers, distribution boxes, and similar devices. The maximum charging current for this equipment is increased to 30 A or higher, in accordance with the charging specifications of an electric vehicle (the maximum is approximately 15 A for existing household circuit breakers).

[0005] On the other hand, the charging specification (the maximum value, the minimum value, and the like of a chargeable / chargeable current and a chargeable / chargeable voltage) of an electric vehicle depends on the vehicle type, and the value of the electric current flowing through the charging cable when the battery is being charged is determined on the side of the charging device on the vehicle.

[0006] Consequently, it is difficult for a single charging device to meet the charging specifications of different types of electric vehicles. Furthermore, the matter is complicated by the fact that the specifications (including the amount of current that flows through a circuit breaker installed in the home) of the charging equipment are limited by regulations that vary between nations and local governments.

[0007] To solve this problem, a technique has been proposed in which the charging equipment informs the electric vehicle about the value of an available electrical current. This technique includes, for example, communication using a control pilot signal as defined in IEC61851 (hereinafter referred to as "control pilot communication") and communication using the communication protocol developed by the CHAdeMO association ("CHAdeMO" is a registered trademark).

[0008] These technologies incorporate a signal line (communication line) in the charging cable connecting the electric vehicle and the charging equipment, in addition to the power line for charging the battery. Communication between the charging equipment and the electric vehicle takes place via this signal line.

[0009] The control pilot communication offers an arrangement in which a signal line voltage and a duty cycle (relative on-time) of a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal are used to provide information not only about connecting / disconnecting the charging cable, but also about the value of the electrical current that can be supplied from the charging equipment to the electric vehicle.

[0010] The communication protocol developed by the CHAdeMO association (“CHAdeMO” is a registered trademark) provides an arrangement using CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, not only to inform the electric vehicle about the value of the electric current that can be supplied by the charging equipment, but also to inform the charging equipment about an upper limit (standing voltage) of the voltage that can be charged (charged) by the electric vehicle, the battery charge level, and the like.

[0011] However, control pilot communication and CAN communication have limitations regarding communication speed and the amount of data that can be transmitted at any one time (for example, CAN communication can only transmit 8 data bytes at a time). Consequently, it is difficult to implement a smart grid use case (e.g., communicating billing information between the electric vehicle and the charging equipment and providing an energy generation schedule from the system side to the electric vehicle).

[0012] To address this problem, recent studies have focused on using Power Line Communication (PLC), as disclosed in patent document WO 2011 / 016 466 A1, to transmit data over the charging cable's power line for communication between the charging equipment and the electric vehicle. PLC communication utilizes the standard 100V or 200V AC power line. It can transmit and receive a larger volume of data than conventional control / pilot communication and CAN communication.

[0013] The power line, which serves as a communication path for PLC communication, is branched off in a household electrical panel and connected to other appliances, such as an air conditioner and a refrigerator. Consequently, interference generated by an inverter in the air conditioner can reach, for example, the charging cable connected to the charging equipment in the same house. If the interference reaches the charging cable, PLC communication using it cannot function normally. Furthermore, the power line in the house is connected to a neighboring house via the external power line.

[0014] Consequently, PLC communication can lead to problems such as communication leaks if, for example, the charging equipment in one house mistakenly communicates with an electric vehicle connected to the charging equipment in a neighboring house. This can also result in a stray electric field problem originating from the external power line and caused by the communication itself.

[0015] As a result, when configuring a system that performs PLC communication between the electric vehicle and the charging equipment, it is necessary to create a wiring diagram of the power lines that takes into account communication leaks (stray communication) and the electric stray field.

[0016] For further technological background, reference should be made to the article by Christian Lewandowski, Sven Gröning, Jens Schmutzler, and Christian Wietfeld, “Interference analyses of Electric Vehicle charging using PLC on the Control Pilot,” published in: 2012 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications, Date of Conference: March 27–30, 2012, Conference Location: Beijing, China, as well as to patent documents US 2012 / 0029728A1 and US 2012 / 0002714A. Summary of the invention Problems to be solved with the invention

[0017] In light of the technical background described above, for a communication method between an electric vehicle and the charging equipment, it is preferable, from an operational perspective, to use a physically closed signal line, such as the control pilot communication and CAN communication. Particularly when considering the costs of providing a new signal line and ensuring the connection coupling (secure the connection of the wires) between the electric vehicle and the charging equipment, a communication method that uses an already existing signal line is preferred.

[0018] When different types of communication are superimposed on an existing signal line, a new communication device (second communication device) is connected to the existing signal line, in addition to the existing communication device (first communication device). From the perspective of the first communication device, this arrangement is equivalent to a change in the impedance (resistance) of the signal line. Consequently, the voltage applied to the signal line by the first communication device has an unexpected value, and the existing communication via the first communication device cannot function normally.

[0019] The present invention was designed to solve the problems mentioned above. It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent a communication malfunction caused by an arrangement in which a plurality of communication devices for different communication methods are connected to the same signal line in the charging communication system, wherein the communication between the electric vehicle and the charging equipment is carried out by means of the charging control device using the signal line in the charging cable. Ways to solve the problems

[0020] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a loading device as described in one of independent claims 1, 3, 5 or 7. Advantageous further developments of this loading device according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 2, 4 or 6.

[0021] Furthermore, the object underlying the invention is solved by a charging control device as described in one of independent claims 8, 11, 14 or 16. Advantageous further developments of these charging control devices according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 9, 10, 12, 13 or 15. Effects of the invention

[0022] In the charging communication system according to the present invention, the second communication device is connected to the signal line only if the signal line voltage or signal duty cycle is maintained even when the second communication device is connected to the signal line used for communication by the first communication device. Consequently, normal communication via the first communication device can be maintained. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a complete configuration diagram of a charging communication system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 a block diagram showing the structure of a charging control device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 a flowchart showing the operation of the charging control device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 a block diagram showing the structure of a charging communication device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 5 a flowchart showing the operation of a charging control device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6 a block diagram showing the structure of a charging communication device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 7 a flowchart showing the operation of a charging control device according to embodiment 4. Fig. Figure 8 shows a block diagram illustrating the operation of a charging communication device according to embodiment 5. Fig. 9 a flowchart showing the operation of a charging control device according to embodiment 5. Description of the embodiments: Embodiment 1

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a charging communication system according to embodiment 1. An electric vehicle 1 (electrically powered vehicle) is equipped with the following: a battery 10, a first communication device 11, a second communication device 12, a charging control device 13, a signal line load control 14, and a signal line connection device 15.

[0025] When the battery 10 is being charged, the electric vehicle 1 is connected to the charging equipment 3 by means of a charging cable 2, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows. In the present invention, the electric vehicle 1 is not limited to a vehicle that has only a motor as its energy source, which is supplied with electricity by a battery. The electric vehicle 1 can, for example, also be a plug-in hybrid vehicle in which a motor and an internal combustion engine are used in combination.

[0026] The first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 provided in the electric vehicle 1 each carry out different types of communication with the charging equipment 3, and both use the same signal line in the charging cable 2 as a communication path.

[0027] Although not shown in the drawings, the charging equipment 3 is provided with a device for communicating with the first communication device 11 as well as with a device for communicating with the second communication device 12, so that the charging equipment 3 can communicate with both the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 of the electric vehicle 1.

[0028] However, in some cases the charging equipment 3 only has a means of communicating with the first communication device 11, and the charging control device 13 is designed to be able to function with such a charging equipment 3 as will be described later.

[0029] The communication method (a first communication method) of the first communication device 11 is a communication (control pilot communication) that uses a signal line in the charging cable 2 and the control pilot signal defined in IEC 61851. In the control pilot communication, the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 mutually detect their connection through the charging cable 2 by controlling the voltage on the signal line (signal line voltage), and the electric vehicle 1 informs the charging equipment 3 that the battery 10 is ready to be charged.

[0030] In the control pilot communication, communication is also carried out via the same signal line using the PWM (pulse width modulation) method, and the maximum supplyable value (maximum current supply value) of the current supplied by the charging equipment 3 is communicated by the charging equipment 3 to the electric vehicle 1 by means of the signal duty cycle.

[0031] These pieces of information, which the first communication device 11 receives from the charging equipment 3, are the minimum information required by the charging control device 13 to charge the battery 10. Hereinafter, the communication carried out by the first communication device 11 will occasionally be referred to as the "first communication".

[0032] Here, the "voltage on the signal line (signal voltage)" corresponds to a voltage with a low (L, "Low") signal level of the PWM communication signal and is different from a "signal voltage" which indicates the voltage level of the signal that relates to the signal line voltage.

[0033] A communication method (a second communication method) of the second communication device 12 performs spread-band spectrum communication such as OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) by using the signal line (the existing signal line for control pilot communication) in the charging cable 2 in a similar manner to the first communication device 11, and the communication uses a frequency range (e.g., a few hundred kHz to MHz) that does not interfere with the signal at the frequency used by the first communication device 11.

[0034] The information that the second communication device 12 receives from the charging equipment 3 is the information used to create a charging schedule to reduce the charging costs of the battery 10, such as electricity price information (for example, information like "X o'clock X minutes to Y o'clock Y minutes: Z Yen for 1 W (watt)"). Hereinafter, the communication carried out by the second communication device 12 is occasionally referred to as the "second communication".

[0035] The charging control unit 13 controls a charging process to store in the battery 10 the electrical energy supplied by the charging equipment 3 via a power line of the charging cable 2. The process is defined on the basis of the different types of information received by the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12.

[0036] As described above, the first communication device 11 has received the minimum information required to charge the battery 10. Consequently, the charging control device 13 can charge the battery 10 if it has at least the information received from the first communication device 11. This means that the charging control device 13 can charge the battery 10 if it can detect the connection to the charging equipment 3 via the first communication device 11 and if it can receive the maximum power supply value from the charging equipment 3.

[0037] However, in this case, the operation of the charging control device 13 is a basic operation in which the battery 10 is continuously charged after the electric vehicle 1 has been connected to the charging equipment 3 and until the charging rate of the battery 10 reaches a value of 100% (the state in which no further charging is possible), and a reduction in charging costs is not taken into account.

[0038] When the charging control device 13 receives the electrical energy price information received from the second communication device 12 in addition to the minimum information for charging the battery 10 received from the first communication device 11, the charging control device 13 can perform an extended charging process in which the charging costs can be reduced by preferably selecting low-priced electrical energy to charge the battery 10 (for example, charging is carried out by selecting the time when the electrical price for 1 W reaches a predetermined value or is lower).

[0039] The second communication device 12 communicates using the same signal line (the signal line for control pilot communication) as the first communication device 11, and the signal line load control 14 and the signal line interconnection device 15 are connected between the signal line and the second communication device 12.

[0040] The signal line connection device 15 connects / disconnects the second communication device 12 to / from the signal line, and the operation of the signal line connection device 15 is controlled by the charging control device 13. When the electric vehicle 1 is not connected to the charging equipment 3, the charging control device 13 switches off (disconnects) the signal line connection device 15, so that the second communication device 12 is not connected to the signal line.

[0041] However, after the electric vehicle 1 has been connected to the charging equipment 3, the charging control device 13 switches on (connects) the signal line connection device 15 as required to connect the second communication device 12 to the signal line.

[0042] The signal line load control 14 is connected between the second communication device 12 and the signal line connection device 15 and changes the load characteristics (resistance, capacitance and the like, which are connected to the signal line) of the signal line when the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line.

[0043] This means that the signal line load control 14 changes the load characteristics of the signal line depending on the two states, one of which is the state when only the first communication device 11 is connected to the signal line (the state in which the signal line connection device 15 is switched off), and the other of which is the state in which the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 are both connected (the state in which the signal line connection device 15 is switched on).

[0044] The signal line load control 14 compensates for the change in the impedance of the signal line seen by the first communication device 11 and caused by the second communication device 12 being connected to the signal line.

[0045] As a specific way in which the signal line load control 14 changes the load characteristics of the signal line, for example, a specific load circuit (a circuit with a predefined impedance and a predefined capacitance) is provided in advance at the signal line load control 14, and the load circuit is connected to the signal line when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the charging control unit 13. The charging control unit 13 is equipped with the following: a first communication control 131, a second communication control 132, a signal line connection control 133, a signal line voltage calculation unit 134, and a charging control 135.

[0047] The first communication controller 131 receives the communication status (connection / disconnection of the charging cable 2, possibility of charging the battery 10, etc.) of the first communication device 11 and instructs a change in the communication status (instruction to change the signal line voltage). Furthermore, the first communication controller 131 can also receive voltage (signal voltage) and waveform information (signal waveform information) of the signal used for communication (first communication) of the first communication device 11.

[0048] The signal waveform information that the first communication control 131 can obtain includes the following: a signal duty cycle; a duration that the signal maintains a high (H, High) level (H-level time); a duration that the signal maintains a low (L, Low) level (L-level time); the time the signal takes to transition from the L-level to the H-level (rise time); the time the signal takes to transition from the H-level to the L-level (fall time), and the like.

[0049] The second communication device 132 controls the sending and receiving of the signal in the communication (second communication) of the second communication device 12. The second communication control 132 receives various types of information, such as electrical energy price information, from the second communication device 12.

[0050] The signal line connection control 133 controls the switching on and off of the signal line connection device 15 for connecting and disconnecting the second communication device 12 to and from the signal line. When the signal line connection device 15 is switched on and the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line, the signal line voltage calculation unit 134 can predict changes in the signal line voltage and calculate the value of the changed signal line voltage (the details are described later).

[0051] The charging controller 135 determines an electrical current value when the battery 10 is being charged, based on the information received from the first communication controller 131 and the second communication controller 132, and then charges the battery 10.

[0052] Fig. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging control unit 13 when the electric vehicle 1 is connected to the charging equipment 3. The operation of the charging control unit 13 is described based on this diagram. The communication of information between the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 via the charging cable 2, with regard to the charging process of the battery 10, is also referred to below as "charging communication".

[0053] When a user connects the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 using the charging cable 2, the signal line and the power line on the side of the electric vehicle 1 and the signal line and the power line on the side of the charging equipment 3 are each connected to each other by the charging cable 2.

[0054] The charging control unit 13 monitors the voltage (signal line voltage) on the signal line via the first communication unit 11 by using the first communication controller 131 to detect the connection of the charging equipment 3 based on the change in the signal line voltage (step S1). At this point, the charging control unit 13 also obtains the value of the signal line voltage from the first communication unit 11.

[0055] The charging control unit 13 checks whether the signal line voltage received from the first communication unit 11 is equal to a predefined value A (e.g., 9 V) (step S2). The predefined value A corresponds to a signal line voltage that is intended to represent the voltage in the state in which the signal line, with which the first communication unit 11 is correctly connected to the signal line on the side of the charging equipment 3, is at the correct level, so that the first communication is carried out normally.

[0056] In step S2, the following applies: If the signal line voltage is within a permissible range with respect to the predefined value A, then the signal line voltage is determined to be equal to the predefined value A. For example, if the predefined value A is 9 V and the permissible range is ±1 V, then if the signal line voltage is 8 V or greater and 10 V or less, the signal line voltage is determined to be equal to the predefined value A.

[0057] If the signal line voltage is equal to the predefined value A in step S2, then the charging communication (first communication) is started using the first communication device 11 (step S3). Alternatively, if the signal line voltage differs from the predefined value A, then the first communication device 11 cannot normally perform the charging communication, and the information required to carry out the charging cannot be obtained; consequently, the charging control device 13 terminates the process.

[0058] In step S3, the first communication device 11 informs the charging equipment 3 that the battery 10 can be charged. More precisely: the notification is carried out by the first communication device 11, whose load resistor is connected to the signal line in order to reduce the voltage on the signal line to a predefined value B (e.g., 6 V).

[0059] After step S3, the charging control unit 13 receives the signal line voltage again from the first communication unit 11 to confirm that the signal line voltage is correctly equal to the first predefined value B (step S4). The following also applies in step S4: If the signal line voltage is within a permissible range with respect to the predefined value B, then it is determined that the signal line voltage is equal to the predefined value B.

[0060] For example, if the predefined value B is 6 V and the permissible range is ± 1 V, and the signal line voltage is 5 V or greater and 7 V or less, it is determined that the signal line voltage is equal to the predefined value B.

[0061] If the signal line voltage is equal to the predefined value B in step S4, then the charging control device 13 switches on the signal line connection device 15 using the signal line connection control 133 (step S5). When the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line via the signal line load control 14.

[0062] If, on the other hand, the signal line voltage is not equal to the pre-defined value B, then the charging control device 13 terminates the charging communication of the first communication device 11 (e.g., resetting the signal line voltage to the pre-defined value A), and it terminates the process (step S9).

[0063] When the signal line connection device 15 is switched on and the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line in step S5, the charging control device 13 receives the signal line voltage in this state from the first communication device 11, and it determines whether or not the signal line voltage is maintained at the predefined value B described above (in other words, the signal line voltage before the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line) (step S6).

[0064] If the signal line voltage is maintained at the pre-defined B, then the charging control unit 13 causes the second communication unit 12 to start the charging communication (second communication) (step S7).

[0065] If, on the other hand, the signal line voltage is not maintained at the predefined value B, then the signal line connection device 15 is switched off to disconnect the second communication device 12 from the signal line (step S8). After the second communication device 12 has been disconnected from the signal line, the signal line voltage returns to the predefined value B. Consequently, charging communication (first communication) of the first communication device 11 is possible.

[0066] In step S6 – similar to step S4 – the following applies: If the signal line voltage is within a certain permissible range with respect to the predefined value B, then it is determined that the signal line voltage is maintained at the predefined value B. However, in step S6, a predicted value of the signal line voltage is calculated after a certain period of time, different from the calculations in steps S2 and S4, and it is determined whether the predicted value is equal to the predefined value B (within the permissible range or not). The calculation of the predicted value of the signal line voltage is performed by the signal line voltage calculation unit 134 of the charging control device 13.

[0067] The following describes a specific prediction procedure for a change in the signal line voltage (calculation of the predicted value) in step S6. The calculation of the predicted value of the signal line voltage is performed by the signal line voltage calculation unit 134 and is repeated on a predefined cycle (e.g., a few nanoseconds to a few microseconds) during a specific period (e.g., 1 ms to 2 ms) after the signal line connection device 15 has been switched on and until it has been determined whether or not the signal line voltage is maintained at the predefined value B.

[0068] First, the charging control unit 13 calculates a gradient λ of the change in voltage per unit time from an actual measured value of the signal line voltage of the first communication unit 11. If the measured value of the signal line voltage at time t has the value V(t) and the measurement cycle is Δt, then the gradient λ of the signal line voltage is expressed by the following expression (1): λ={V(t)−V(t−Δt)} / Δt

[0069] The charging control unit 13 then calculates a predicted value V. f the signal line voltage, based on the gradient λ at the latest time after a certain period T x The predicted value V f The signal line voltage is obtained by the following expression (2). Vf=V(t)+λ⋅Tx.

[0070] In the event that the upper limit and the lower limit of a permissible range are in relation to the pre-defined value BV max or V min If the following expression (3) is satisfied, in step S6 it is determined that the signal line voltage is kept at the pre-defined value B. Vmin <Vf<Vmax

[0071] One condition here is that the signal line voltage V is in the ratio V min < V < V max fulfilled, namely that the first communication device 11 is capable of maintaining normal charging communication.

[0072] Here, the time T described above can be used. x a sum of time T d1 be, which the signal line voltage calculation unit 134 needs to obtain the value of the signal line voltage from the first communication device 11 at time T d2(including a determination time in step S6), which the signal line voltage calculation unit 134 needs to calculate the predicted value V f to calculate the signal line voltage, and the time T d3 , which the signal line connection control 133 requires to switch off the signal line connection device 15. As a result, the time T can x are defined as the following expression (4): Tx=Td1+Td2+Td3

[0073] If time T x If expression (4) is defined, then the value of the predicted value V is f the signal line voltage obtained by means of expression (2), the predicted value at the time when the signal line connection device 15 is switched off in step S8, in the case that it is determined that V f is not equal to the predetermined value B. If the time T xWhen shortened, the predicted value V f The signal line voltage can be obtained with higher accuracy.

[0074] However, the time when the signal line connection device 15 is switched off in step 8 is later than the time at which the signal line voltage V is predicted to be f This would cause the signal line voltage to assume an abnormal value, and communication could not proceed normally. For this reason, it is preferred that the time T x as defined by the above expression (4).

[0075] Since an appropriate value (predetermined value B) of the signal line voltage depends on the state of communication (connection / non-connection of the charging cable 2, possibility of charging the battery 10, and the like) of the first communication device 11, the values ​​of the upper limit V max and the lower limit V minthe permissible range was changed accordingly with respect to the pre-defined value B.

[0076] For example, in the state where charging cable 2 is connected, the values ​​are displayed as V min = 8 V and V max = 10 V set; and in the state in which charging is possible, for example V min = 5 V and V max = 7 V set.

[0077] The values ​​of V min and V max can be stored in advance in the charging control unit 13; if instead the first communication unit 11 has a function to supply voltages that V min and V max The charging control unit 13 can also maintain the voltages. In the present embodiment, the charging control unit 13 stores the values ​​of V in advance. min and V max for each of the communication states of the first communication device 11.

[0078] In the charging communication system according to the present embodiment, the following applies: when the second communication device 12 with which the electric vehicle 1 is equipped is connected to the signal line, and when it is predicted that the signal line voltage has an abnormal value (the voltage with which the first communication cannot be carried out normally), then the charging control device 13 switches off the signal line connection device 15 in order to disconnect the second communication device 12 from the signal line.

[0079] For example, this arrangement prevents the second communication device 12 from being connected to the signal line if the charging equipment 3 is not compliant with the second communication, and prevents the first communication device 11 from malfunctioning.

[0080] To determine whether the second communication device 12 should be connected to the signal line or not, it is only necessary to monitor the signal line voltage for a specific period of time (e.g. 1 ms to 2 ms) after the charging control device 13 switches on the signal line connection device 15.

[0081] The signal line voltage can be obtained using the first communication device 11. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the charging control device 13 does not require any costly additional microcomputers, sensor devices, or the like, and it can be implemented simply and at low cost.

[0082] The above description describes the calculation of the predicted value of the signal line voltage in step S6 of the Fig. 3 necessarily performed within a certain period of time after the signal line connection device 15 has been switched on; however, the calculation can also be performed only if the signal line voltage deviates from the predetermined value B by a certain value (e.g. a deviation from the predetermined value by 0.5 V or more) after the signal line connection device is switched on.

[0083] In this case, the calculation of the predicted value of the signal line voltage is only performed if it is likely that the signal line voltage will become abnormal. It can be assumed that this arrangement not only improves the accuracy of the determination process in step S6, but also reduces the power consumption of the charging control device 13 compared to the case where a high-speed operation is necessarily performed after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on. Design 2

[0084] In the event that the signal used for communication (first communication) of the first communication device 11 is a signal in which the high level and the low level alternately repeat as in a PWM, the time (the time when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on) when the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line falls within one of the following periods: a period during which the signal voltage is at a high level; a period during which the signal voltage is at a low level; a transition period (rise) from low level to high level; and a transition period (fall) from high level to low level.

[0085] In particular, the following are important for PWM communication: the low-level voltage VL (in other words, the signal line voltage); and the duty cycle D, which is a ratio between the duration of the high level of the signal and the duration of the low level of the signal. As described in embodiment 1, in control pilot communication, the signal line voltage represents the communication state (connection / disconnection of the charging cable 2, possibility of charging the battery 10, and the like) of the first communication device 11, and the duty cycle D represents the value of the electrical current that the charging equipment 3 can supply, whether communication different from that carried out by means of the first communication device 11 is used, and the like.

[0086] If, in this context, the time the signal needs to transition from the low level to the high level (rise time), TUP is the time the signal needs to transition from the high level to the low level (fall time), T DOWN is the period when the signal is held at a high level (high-level period), T H is, and the period when the signal is held at a low level (low-level period), T L If the duty cycle D is expressed by the following expression (5): D={(TH−TUP) / (TH+(TL−TDOWN))}

[0087] If the rise time T UP If the duty cycle is large, then the duty cycle D is small. If the fall-off time T DOWN If the duty cycle is large, then the duty cycle D is large.

[0088] In the event that the communication (first communication) carried out by the first communication device 11 is PWM communication, the following applies: when the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line of the first communication, a change can occur not only in the signal voltage but also in the duty cycle D, both before and after the connection. If the duty cycle D changes significantly, the first communication cannot be carried out normally. Consequently, charging of the battery 10 cannot be carried out normally. Embodiment 2 proposes a charging control device 13 which can solve this problem.

[0089] Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a charging control device 13 according to embodiment 2. The charging control device 13 is configured by adding a change detection unit 136 for the duty cycle to the structure of the Fig. 2 is added. The duty cycle change detection unit 136 has a function to detect the change in the duty cycle 136 between the time before and after the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line.

[0090] The change detection unit for the duty cycle 136 receives the rise time T. UP , the waste disposal time T DOWN , the H-level period T H and the L-level period T Lof the signal of the first communication, both before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on. It calculates the duty cycles D and the change value (difference) between the duty cycles D.

[0091] Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the operation when the second communication device 12 of the charging control device 13 of the present embodiment is connected to the signal line. The drawing shows the same steps as in the flowchart of the Fig. 3 were assigned the same reference symbols.

[0092] In the flowchart of the Fig. 5. The following applies: Step S11 for obtaining the waveform information (signal waveform information) of the signal used for initial communication is shown in the flowchart of the Fig. 3 added, immediately before step S5 for switching on the signal line connection device 15 (connecting the second communication device 12 to the signal line).

[0093] Furthermore, immediately after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on (after step S6 has determined that the signal line voltage is maintained at the predefined value B), the following steps are added: step S12 to obtain the signal waveform information of the first communication again; and step S13 to determine the existence or non-existence of the change in the duty cycle from the signal waveform information portions obtained in steps S11 and S12, respectively. The steps that differ from these steps S11 to S13 are the same as those described in embodiment 1. The description of these steps is omitted.

[0094] In step S11, the following applies: Immediately before the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, the charging control device 13 receives the signal waveform information of the first communication using the first communication control 131. The signal waveform information received in step S11 is referred to as the "first signal waveform information". The first signal waveform information is stored in the charging control device 13 before the process of step S13, which is described later, is completed.

[0095] The storage medium for storing the information can be any suitable medium, for example, RAM (selective access memory) in the load control unit 13. A storage medium that does not have a large delay time (e.g., several hundred microseconds to one millisecond) for accessing the information stored therein should be used.

[0096] The signal waveform information can be obtained by monitoring the signal line voltage with a cycle of a few nanoseconds to a few microseconds, for example, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The time from the beginning of the signal voltage's rise from a low level until it reaches a predefined high level is called the rise time T. UP The period from when the signal line voltage reaches the high-level voltage until the signal line voltage begins to fall is called the high-level period T. H The period from the start of the signal line voltage's fall from the high level voltage until the signal line voltage reaches the low level voltage is called the fall time T. DOWNThe period from the drop in signal line voltage to the L-level voltage until the start of the signal line voltage rising again is called the L-level period T. L receive.

[0097] Furthermore, in step S12, the charging control unit 13 receives the signal waveform information of the first communication immediately after the signal line connection unit 15 is switched on. Step S12 is performed at a different time than step S11. However, the content of the processing in step S12 is the same as that of step S11. Hereinafter, the signal waveform information received in step S12 is referred to as the "second signal waveform information".

[0098] In step S13, a duty cycle D1 and a duty cycle D2 are calculated using expression (5) from the first signal waveform information obtained in step S11 and the signal waveform information obtained in step S12, respectively, and both are compared. Consequently, it is determined whether the signal duty cycle is maintained with respect to the time before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on (with respect to the time before and after the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line).

[0099] In particular, the difference between the duty cycle D1, which is based on the first signal waveform information, and the duty cycle D2, which is based on the second signal waveform information, is calculated, and if the difference is within a predefined range (e.g. within ±3 % of the duty cycle D1), then it is determined that the duty cycle has not changed.

[0100] If it is determined that the duty cycle has not changed, both before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, then the charging communication (second communication) starts via the second communication device 12 (step S7). However, if it is determined that the duty cycle has changed, then the charging control device 13 has switched off the signal line connection device 15 in order to disconnect the second communication device 12 from the signal line (step S8).

[0101] As described above, in the present embodiment the following applies: even if the signal line voltage does not change from the predetermined value B, with respect to the time before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, then, if the change in the signal duty cycle is large, the second communication device 12 is disconnected from the signal line in order to ensure normal communication of the first communication device 11.

[0102] For example, even if the charging equipment 3 is compatible with the second communication, the following applies: if the connection of the second communication device 12 with the signal line strongly influences the signal waveform of the first communication, a problem will arise in that the first communication will be disrupted; however, the present embodiment can prevent this problem from occurring. Since the normal charging communication of the first communication device 11 is ensured, a high reliability of the charging communication system is guaranteed.

[0103] As described above, during charging communication of the first communication device 11, the signal duty cycle represents the maximum current value of the charging equipment 3. Therefore, if the change in the duty cycle caused by switching on the signal line connection device 15 remains within a permissible range, and if the signal line connection device 15 is kept switched on, then the maximum current value of the charging equipment 3 is communicated to the electric vehicle 1 as a value that differs slightly from the actual value.

[0104] In the present embodiment, since the change value (difference) of the signal duty cycle of the first communication is maintained between the time before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, this difference can be used to correct the duty cycle (in other words, the maximum current value) of the signal obtained from the first communication device 11 in the state when the second communication device 12 is connected to the signal line.

[0105] More precisely, the following applies: The charging control device 13 can calculate the difference in the duty cycle between the time before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, and the battery 10 can be charged with a current corresponding to the value to which the difference is added to the signal duty cycle received from the first communication device 11. Any error in the duty cycle caused by the switching on of the signal line connection device 15 is corrected. The stability of the battery 10 charging process is thus improved. embodiment 3

[0106] In embodiments 1 and 2, the timing when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on is not precisely specified; however, in the event that the signal line connection device 15 is implemented, for example, with a mechanical switch, a disturbance on the signal line can be generated by contact bounce at the time of switching (switching between on and off).

[0107] In particular, if the signal line connection device 15 is switched on during the H-level period or a level transition period (a rising period or a falling period) of the signal, there is a possibility that a drastic change in the signal voltage will occur.

[0108] In this case, it is impossible to precisely determine whether the signal line voltage is maintained between the time before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on (step S6), and there is a possibility that it will be incorrectly determined that the signal line voltage is not maintained at the predetermined value B, for example, due to a voltage change caused by a disturbance. For this reason, the time when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on is preferably within the low-level period of the signal on the signal line.

[0109] In the present embodiment, a charging control device 13 is proposed in which the timing when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on is optimized, so that the change in the signal line voltage caused by a disturbance at the time of switching on the signal line connection device 15 can be reduced.

[0110] Fig. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a charging control device 13 according to embodiment 3. The charging control device 13 is configured by additionally adding a connection time preselection unit 137 to the structure consisting of Fig. 4 is added. The connection timing preset unit 137 has the function of setting an appropriate timing (here: the L-level period of the signal) at which the signal line connection device 15 is switched on.

[0111] Here, the operation of the charging control device 13 from embodiment 3 is essentially the same as that in embodiment 1 ( Fig. 3) or embodiment 2 ( Fig. 5); however, the process (step S5) of switching on the signal line connection device 15 is carried out at the time (timing) that has been set by the connection time preselection unit 137.

[0112] For this reason, the entire operation of the charging control unit 13 and the process of determining the timing at which the connection time preselection unit 137 switches on the signal line connection unit 15 are not described again here.

[0113] The connection time specification unit 137 receives the signal voltage and the signal waveform information of the signal on the signal line from the first communication device 11, predicts a level change of the signal from this information, and receives the time T. c , which will belong to the low-level period of the signal, and determines the time T c than the time when the signal line connection device 15 will be switched on.

[0114] Here, time T represents c The elapsed time from time T0, when the first communication device 11 received the signal voltage, is represented. It is taken into account that no delay time is generated (or that it is negligible) during the communication of information between the components in the charging control device 13.

[0115] Here, T is the time required by the charging control device 13 to receive the signal voltage and signal waveform information from the first communication device 11. d1 , the time that the connection time setpoint unit 137 needs to determine the time T c To calculate T d4 , and the time required for the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on is T d5 .

[0116] In this case, the following applies: the time when the charging control device 13 can switch on the signal line connection device 15 after the time T has elapsed. c calculated based on the signal voltage obtained at time T0, is earliest after a delay time T y later than time T0, where the delay time T y is calculated using the following expression (6). Ty=Td1+Td4+Td5.

[0117] Therefore, time T must be c , when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, the time can be set when the delay time T y or more has elapsed after time T0. In other words: the time T c must satisfy the following expression (7). Tc≥T0+Ty

[0118] Below is a specific example of how time T c is set when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on. In the present embodiment, the following applies: to reduce interference at the time when the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, the time T is set. c so that it lies within the low-level period of the signal.

[0119] If the time T0, when the first communication device 11 receives the signal voltage, lies within the high-level period of the signal, then the time T cset so that it is the time immediately after the signal returns to the low level. A time T HL From time T0 until the signal reaches the L level, the signal waveform information received from the first communication device 11 can be calculated.

[0120] More precisely, it took time T HL a value that is calculated by subtracting the sum of the high-level period T from the elapsed time when the signal reaches the H level until time T0. H and the waste time T DOWN is subtracted. For example, if time T0 is immediately after the signal has risen to the high level, then time T HL essentially equal to the sum of the H-level period T H and the waste time T DOWN (T HL ≈ T H + T DOWN ).

[0121] In this case, if the ratio T HL < T yThis is fulfilled if the delay time T y Since time T0 has elapsed, the signal has already reached the low level; consequently, time T c be set as T c = T0 + T y . If, on the other hand, the ratio T HL ≥ T y If this condition is met, then it is necessary to wait for the signal to reach the low level, and for the time T to expire. c is therefore considered T c = T0 + T HL set.

[0122] Alternatively, if time T0 lies within the low-level period of the signal, then time T c set such that it is the time before the signal begins to rise to the high level, or immediately after the signal returns to the low level. The time T LH The time from time T0 until the time when the signal begins to rise can be calculated from the signal waveform information received from the first communication device 11.

[0123] In other words: the time T LH has a value that is calculated by subtracting the elapsed time from the time the signal reaches the low level until time T0 of the low-level period T. L is deducted.

[0124] If in this case the ratio T LH > T y If the condition is met, the signal will still be held at the low level, even if the delay time T y time T0 has elapsed; consequently, time T c be set as T c = T0 + T y . If, on the other hand, the ratio T LH ≤ T y If this condition is met, the following applies: Since it is necessary for the signal to once assume the high level and then return to the low level, the time T c as T c = T0 + T LH + T UP + T H + T DOWN set (T UP is the rise time of the signal, T His the H-level period, and T DOWN (is the waste disposal time).

[0125] The times T described above HL and T LH can be calculated by the charging control unit 13 (connection time specification unit 137), or they can be calculated by the first communication unit 11 and communicated to the charging control unit 13.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the signal line connection device 15 can be switched on during the low-level period of the signal, thus controlling disturbances generated on the signal line. As a result, the charging control device 13 can precisely determine whether the signal line voltage is maintained, both before and after the signal line connection device 15 is switched on (step S6). Furthermore, this prevents a malfunction in the charging communication of the first communication device 11 from being caused by the disturbance. Design 4

[0127] In embodiments 1 to 3, the following applies: after the signal line connection device 15 has been switched on to connect the second communication device 12 to the signal line, if the first communication (PWM communication) of the first communication device 11 cannot be maintained normally (the duty cycle of the signal line voltage or the signal cannot be maintained), the signal line connection device 15 is switched back to the switched-off state to disconnect the second communication device 12 from the signal line.

[0128] The situation in which the connection of the second communication device 12 prevents the first communication from being maintained normally is the situation in which the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 do not adjust the input / output strength matching (impedance matching of the communication) of the first communication and second communication within the range defined by the specification or standard.

[0129] The main reasons for the occurrence of this situation are twofold: While the electric vehicle 1 has a device (first communication device 11) for carrying out the first communication and a device (second communication device 12) for carrying out the second communication, the charging equipment 3 has only a device for carrying out the first communication; on the other hand, the following applies: While the electric vehicle 1 has only a device for carrying out the first communication, it has both a device for carrying out the first communication and a device for carrying out the second communication.

[0130] In these cases, the following applies: Even if the signal line connection device 15 is switched on, the second communication will not take place.

[0131] To solve this problem, embodiment 4 proposes a charging communication system to check – before the signal line connection device 15 is switched on – whether both the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 have a device for carrying out the first communication and a device for carrying out the second communication, and to enable the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on only if both the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 have the device.

[0132] As a prerequisite for the present embodiment, it is defined that if the charging equipment 3 has both a device for carrying out the first communication and a device for carrying out the second communication, the signal (PWM signal) of the first communication must be based on a duty cycle D. NA(e.g. 5%), which prevents the charging of battery 10 for a certain period of time (a few seconds to a few minutes) after the electric vehicle 1 has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication to begin.

[0133] If the second communication begins within the specified time period, battery 10 is charged using the various types of information received from the second communication (e.g., charging taking charging costs into account, etc.). If the second communication does not begin within the specified time period, battery 10 is charged using only the information received from the first communication (e.g., continuous charging). When battery 10 is to be charged, the signal duty cycle of the first communication is set by D. NAto duty cycle D A changed (e.g. 10% to 90%), which allows battery 10 to be charged.

[0134] Furthermore, in the state in which the electric vehicle 1 is not connected to the charging equipment 3, the signal line connection device 15 is always left switched off.

[0135] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a charging control device 13 according to embodiment 4. When the electric vehicle 1 is connected to the charging equipment 3 via the charging cable 2, the charging control device 13 detects the connection to the charging equipment 3 from the change in the signal line voltage (step S21).

[0136] When the charging control unit 13 detects the connection with the charging equipment 3, the charging control unit 13 receives the signal waveform information of the first communication by using the first communication control 131 to check whether the duty cycle of the PWM signal is on the D described above. NA is maintained for a predetermined period of time (a few hundred milliseconds to a few seconds) (step S22).

[0137] If the duty cycle of the PWM signal is set to D NAIf the connection is maintained for the predetermined period (step S22: YES), then the charging control device 13 determines that the charging equipment 3 waits for the second communication to begin (in other words, the charging equipment 3 has a device for carrying out the second communication), and it enables the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on (connecting the second communication device 12 to the signal line) (step S22). In this case, the operations from Fig. 2, described in embodiment 1, and the processes from Fig. 5, as described in embodiment 2, was carried out as described above.

[0138] If, on the other hand, the duty cycle of the PWM signal is not set to D NAIf the charging control device 13 determines that the charging equipment 3 has no device for carrying out the second communication, and it does not allow the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on (step S24).

[0139] In this case, for example, the following applies when carrying out the operation. Fig. 3. The following applies: If the determination in step S4 results in a "YES", then the process jumps to step S8. Similarly, when performing the operation from Fig. 5. The following: If the determination in step S4 results in a “YES”, then the process jumps to step S8.

[0140] With the present embodiment, the following applies: Since the charging control device 13 can determine - without switching on the signal line connection device 15 - whether the charging equipment 3 has a device for carrying out the second communication, the charging control device 13 can carry out the first communication more stably, thus improving the reliability of the charging process of the battery 10. Design 5

[0141] In embodiment 5, a further aspect of the charging communication system is proposed, in which the signal line connection device 15 is only allowed to be switched on if both the electric vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 3 have a device for carrying out the first communication and a device for carrying out the second communication.

[0142] Fig. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the operation of a loading control device 13 according to embodiment 5. The loading control device 13 is configured such that a loading pistol socket shape determination unit 138 conforms to the structure of Fig. 2 is added.

[0143] The charging gun socket shape determination unit 138 has the function of detecting the socket shape of a charging gun 21, which is located at the end of the charging cable 2 of the charging equipment 3, and determining whether the shape of the charging gun is compatible with the standard (e.g., the CHAdeMO standard, the SAE standard, and the like) that conforms to the second communication. If the charging gun 21 conforms to the second communication, it is determined that the charging equipment has both a device for performing the first communication and a device for performing the second communication.

[0144] The following also applies to the present embodiment: if the electric vehicle 1 is not connected to the charging equipment 3, then the signal line connection device 15 is always switched off.

[0145] Although Fig. Figure 8 shows a setup in which the charging pistol socket shape determination unit 138 is applied to the charging control device 13 of embodiment 1 ( Fig. 2), the charging pistol socket shape determination unit 138 can also be applied to the charging control devices 13 of embodiments 2 and 3 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) are applied.

[0146] Fig. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging control device 13 according to the embodiment. When the electric vehicle 1 is connected to the charging equipment 3 by the charging gun 21 and the charging cable 2, the charging control device 13 detects the connection of the charging equipment 3 from the change in the signal line voltage (step S31).

[0147] When the loading control unit 13 detects the connection with the loading equipment 3, the loading control unit 13 determines - using the loading gun socket shape determination unit 138 - whether the shape of the loading gun 21 conforms to the second communication (step S32).

[0148] If the shape of the loading gun 21 conforms to the standards that correspond to the second communication (step S32: YES), then the loading control device 13 determines that the loading equipment 3 has a device for carrying out the second communication, and accordingly enables the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on (the connection of the second communication device 12 to the signal line) (step S33). In this case, the operations are carried out according to Fig. 2, as described in embodiment 1, and the processes according to Fig. 5, as described in embodiment 2, is carried out as described above.

[0149] If, on the other hand, the shape of the loading gun 21 is not in conformity with the standards that correspond to the second communication (step S32: NO), then the loading control device 13 determines that the loading equipment 3 does not have a device for carrying out the second communication, and accordingly it does not allow the signal line connection device 15 to be switched on (step S34).

[0150] In this case, for example, the following applies when carrying out operations in accordance with Fig. 2. The following applies: If the determination in step S4 results in a "YES", then the process jumps to step S8. Similarly, when performing the operation from Fig. 5. The following: If the determination in step S4 results in a “YES”, then the process jumps to step S8.

[0151] With the present embodiment, the following applies: Since the charging control device 13 can determine – without activating the signal line connection device 15 – whether the charging equipment 3 has a device for carrying out the second communication, the charging control device 13 can carry out the first communication more reliably, thus improving the reliability of the charging process of the battery 10. Furthermore, the present embodiment also has the advantage that it can be implemented at a lower cost than embodiment 4. Modified example

[0152] In embodiments 1 to 3, charging communication systems are described in which the device (second communication device 12) provided on the electric vehicle 1 is connected to the signal line for carrying out the second communication, and if the first communication cannot be carried out normally, the device is disconnected from the signal line; however, the present invention can also be applied to the case in which the device provided on the charging equipment 3 is connected to the signal line for carrying out the second communication.

[0153] For example, embodiment 1 can be applied to the charging equipment 3, such that a device (corresponding to the signal line voltage calculation unit 134) is provided on the charging equipment 3 for calculating the change value of the signal line voltage between the times before and after a device for carrying out its own second communication is connected to the signal line; if the change value of the signal line voltage does not fall within a permissible range, then the device for carrying out the second communication can be disconnected from the signal line.

[0154] Alternatively, embodiment 2 can be applied to the charging equipment 3, such that a device (corresponding to the change detection unit 136 for the duty cycle) is provided on the charging equipment 3 for calculating the change value of the duty cycle between the times before and after a device for carrying out its own second communication is connected to the signal line; if the change value of the duty cycle does not fall within a permissible range, then the device for carrying out the second communication can be disconnected from the signal line.

[0155] As described above, when the present invention is applied to the charging equipment 3, the following applies: In the event that the electric vehicle 1 has only one device for carrying out the first communication and that the charging equipment 3 has both a device for carrying out the first communication and a device for carrying out the second communication, it is possible to prevent the first communication from failing while maintaining a normal connection.

[0156] The embodiments of the present invention can optionally be combined appropriately, modified, or omitted as necessary, within the scope of the invention. Description of the reference symbols 1 electric vehicle 2 charging cables 3 Loading equipment 10 batteries 11 first communication device 12 second communication device 13 Charging control unit 14 Signal line load control 15 Signal line connection device 21 Loading pistol 131 first communication control 132 second communication control 133 Signal line connection control 134 Signal line voltage calculation unit 135 Charging control 136 Change detection unit for the duty cycle 137 Connection time preset unit 138 Charging pistol socket shape determination unit

Claims

[1] Charging equipment (3) designed to charge a battery (10) in an electrically powered vehicle (1), the charging equipment (3) comprising: - a charging cable (2) designed to be connected between the electrically powered vehicle (1) and the charging equipment (3) when the battery (10) is being charged; - a first communication device (11) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a first communication method by using a signal line in the charging cable (2); - a second communication device (12) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection device (15) designed to establish or disconnect the connection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a signal line voltage calculation unit (134) designed to calculate the rate of change of the signal line voltage, which represents a voltage on the signal line, both before and after the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line, - wherein the signal line connection device (15) disconnects the second communication device (12) from the signal line when the change value of the signal line voltage does not fall within the predetermined permissible range, and - wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to prevent the charging of the battery (10) for a certain period of time after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication procedure to begin. [2] Charging equipment (3) according to claim 1, wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to predict a change in the level of the signal on the signal line and to set a timing at which the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line such that it is within a period of time in which the level of the signal assumes a predetermined value. [3] Charging equipment (3) designed to charge a battery (10) in an electrically powered vehicle (1), the charging equipment (3) comprising: - a charging cable (2) designed to be connected between the electrically powered vehicle (1) and the charging equipment (3) when the battery (10) is being charged; - a first communication device designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a first communication method by using a signal line in the charging cable (2); - a second communication device designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection device (15) designed to establish or disconnect the connection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a change detection unit (136) for the duty cycle, designed to calculate the change value of the duty cycle of a signal on the signal line, both before and after the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device to the signal line, - wherein the signal line connection device (15) disconnects the second communication device (12) from the signal line when the change value of the duty cycle does not fall within the predetermined permissible range, - wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to prevent the charging of the battery (10) for a certain period of time after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication procedure to begin. [4] Charging equipment (3) according to claim 3, wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to predict a change in the level of the signal on the signal line and to set a timing at which the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line such that it is within a period of time in which the level of the signal assumes a predetermined value. [5] Charging equipment (3) designed to charge a battery (10) in an electrically powered vehicle (1), the charging equipment (3) comprising: - a charging cable (2) designed to be connected between the electrically powered vehicle (1) and the charging equipment (3) when the battery (10) is being charged; - a first communication device (11) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a first communication method using a signal line in the charging cable (2); and - a second communication device (12) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a second communication method using the signal line, - wherein the charging equipment (3), after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, begins charging the battery (10) by using the second communication method, if communication using the second communication method begins within a predetermined time period, - wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to prevent the charging of the battery (10) for a certain period of time after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication procedure to begin. [6] Charging equipment (3) according to claim 5, wherein the charging equipment (3), after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, begins charging the battery (10) by using the first communication method if communication has not been started using the second communication method. [7] Charging equipment (3) designed to charge a battery (10) in an electrically powered vehicle (1), the charging equipment (3) comprising: - a charging cable (2) designed to be connected between the electrically powered vehicle (1) and the charging equipment (3) when the battery (10) is being charged; - a first communication device (11) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a first communication method using a signal line in the charging cable (2); and - a second communication device (12) designed to communicate with the electrically powered vehicle (1) by means of a second communication method using the signal line, - wherein the charging equipment (3), after being connected to the electrically powered vehicle (1), begins charging the battery (10) by using the first communication method if communication has not been started using the second communication method, - wherein the charging equipment (3) is configured to prevent the charging of the battery (10) for a certain period of time after the electrically powered vehicle (1) has been connected, in order to wait for the second communication procedure to begin. [8] Charging control device (13) comprising the following: - a charging controller (135) designed to control the charging of a battery (10) on the basis of information used by a charging equipment (3) through communication using a signal line in a charging cable (2) for the battery (10); - a first communication control (131) designed to receive information from a first communication device (11) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a first communication method using the signal line; - a second communication control (132) designed to receive information from a second communication device (12) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection control (133) designed to control a signal line connection device (15) for switching the connection or disconnection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - and a signal line voltage calculation unit (134) designed to calculate the change value of the signal line voltage, which represents a voltage on the signal line, both before and after the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line, - wherein, if the change value of the signal line voltage does not fall within a predetermined permissible range, the signal line connection device (15) causes the second communication device (12) to disconnect from the signal line, - wherein the charging control device (13) enables the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line only when the charging control device (13) determines that the charging equipment (3) has started to wait for communication to begin using the second communication method. [9] Charging control device (13) according to claim 8, wherein, after the second communication device (12) has been connected to the signal line, the signal line voltage calculation unit (134) calculates a predicted value of the signal line voltage after a predetermined period from a change in the signal line voltage, and wherein the signal line connection control (133) calculates a change value of the signal line voltage based on the predicted value of the signal line voltage calculated by the signal line voltage calculation unit (134). [10] Charging control device (13) according to claim 8, further comprising: - a connection timing preselection unit (137) configured to predict a level change of the signal on the signal line and to set a timing at which the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line such that it lies within a period in which the level of the signal assumes a predefined value. [11] Charging control device (13) comprising the following: - a charging controller (135) designed to control the charging of a battery (10) on the basis of information used by a charging equipment (3) through communication using a signal line in a charging cable (2) for the battery (10); - a first communication control (131) designed to receive information from a first communication device (11) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a first communication method using a duty cycle of a signal using the signal line; - a second communication control (132) designed to receive information from a second communication device (12) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection control (133) designed to control a signal line connection device (15) for switching the connection or disconnection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a change detection unit (136) for the duty cycle, designed to calculate the change value of the duty cycle of a signal on the signal line, both before and after the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line, - wherein, if the change value of the duty cycle does not fall within a predetermined permissible range, the signal line connection control (133) causes the signal line connection device (15) to disconnect the second communication device (12) from the signal line, - wherein the charging control device (13) enables, only when the charging control device (13) determines that the charging equipment (3) has begun to wait for communication to begin using the second communication method, the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line. [12] Charging control device (13) according to claim 11, wherein when the change value of the duty cycle falls within the permissible range, the charging control (135) uses the change value to correct the duty cycle of a signal received by means of the first communication device (11) after the second communication device (12) has been connected to the signal line, and then controls the charging of the battery (10). [13] Charging control device (13) according to claim 11, further comprising: - a connection timing preselection unit (137) configured to predict a level change of the signal on the signal line and to set a timing at which the signal line connection device (15) connects the second communication device (12) to the signal line such that it lies within a period in which the level of the signal assumes a predefined value. [14] Charging control device (13) comprising the following: - a charging controller (135) designed to control the charging of a battery (10) on the basis of information used by a charging equipment (3) through communication using a signal line in a charging cable (2) for the battery (10); - a first communication control (131) designed to receive information from a first communication device (11) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a first communication method using a duty cycle of a signal using the signal line; - a second communication control (132) designed to receive information from a second communication device (12) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection control (133) designed to control a signal line connection device (15) for switching the connection or disconnection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a change detection unit (136) for the duty cycle, designed to calculate the change value of the duty cycle of a signal on the signal line, - wherein, when the duty cycle is maintained for a predetermined period of time, the signal line connection control (133) causes the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line, - wherein the charging control device (13) enables the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line only when the charging control device (13) determines that the charging equipment (3) has started to wait for communication to begin using the second communication method. [15] Charging control device (13) according to claim 14, wherein the signal line connection control (133) does not allow the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line if the duty cycle is not maintained for a predetermined period of time. [16] Charging control device (13) comprising the following: - a charging controller (135) designed to control the charging of a battery (10) on the basis of information used by a charging equipment (3) through communication using a signal line in a charging cable (2) for the battery (10); - a first communication control (131) designed to receive information from a first communication device (11) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a first communication method using a duty cycle of a signal using the signal line; - a second communication control (132) designed to receive information from a second communication device (12) for communication with the charging equipment (3) by means of a second communication method using the signal line; - a signal line connection control (133) designed to control a signal line connection device (15) for switching the connection or disconnection between the second communication device (12) and the signal line; and - a change detection unit (136) for the duty cycle, designed to calculate the change value of the duty cycle of a signal on the signal line, - wherein the signal line connection control (133) does not allow the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line if the duty cycle is not maintained for a predetermined period of time, - wherein the charging control device (13) enables the signal line connection device (15) to connect the second communication device (12) to the signal line only when the charging control device (13) determines that the charging equipment (3) has started to wait for communication to begin using the second communication method.

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