Charge control device, charging system, and charge control method

Abstract

To provide a charge control device capable of controlling to prevent a charging device from being overloaded.SOLUTION: A charge control device for a charging device controls charging to each of a plurality of electrically chargeable vehicles connected to the charging device, the charging device being a device which electrically charges each vehicle in an apartment house and in which maximum usage power to simultaneously charge the plurality of vehicles is set. In the case where, when there is a new charging request while at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is being charged with first charging power, charging, in addition to the vehicle during charging, a vehicle that requests a new charge with the first charging power results in that the total power usage exceeds the maximum usage power, the vehicle that requests the new charge and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power are charged with second charging power that is less than the first charging power while the total power usage is less than the maximum usage power ("Yes" in steps S1752-S1755).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the electrical charging of electrically chargeable vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technology for charging a vehicle, for example, one has been disclosed that "has a plurality of chargers 2 for charging vehicles 4, and a charging control unit 3 that controls the charging current of the chargers 2, has a first measurement unit 31a that obtains received power information from an electricity meter 10 that measures received power from commercial power P, and a second measurement unit 31b that obtains current and voltage information flowing through a step-down transformer 5b that converts the received high-voltage power to low-voltage power and supplies it to the charger 2, and the charging control unit 3 compares the received power information obtained by the first measurement unit 31a with a predetermined first set value and controls it so that it does not exceed the first set value, and also compares the power information obtained by the second measurement unit 31b with a predetermined second set value and controls it so that it does not exceed the second set value" (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-188669 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-034166 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above technology makes it possible to control charging of a vehicle so that the capacity of the power receiving equipment is not overloaded. However, there is a problem in that it is necessary to provide a first measurement unit and a second measurement unit, making the equipment complicated. An object of the present invention is to provide a charge control device and the like that can control a charging device so as not to overload it, without providing a measuring unit or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The charging control device of the present invention is a device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment building, and the charging control device controls charging of the vehicles connected to the charging device, where a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set.When a new charging request is made while at least one of the plurality of vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage would exceed the maximum power usage if the new vehicle requested to be charged was charged with the first charging power in addition to the vehicle being charged, the charging control device charges the vehicle requested to be newly charged and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power and has a total power usage that is less than the maximum power usage. The charging system of the present invention is a charging system that electrically charges a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment building, and comprises a charging device having a plurality of connectors that can be connected to each of the plurality of vehicles, and a charging control device that controls charging of the vehicles by the charging device, wherein the charging device is set with a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, and the charging control device is the charging control device described above. The charging control method of the present invention is a charging control method for controlling charging of vehicles connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment building and has a maximum power usage set for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, and when a new charging request is made while at least one of the plurality of vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage of the vehicle being charged with the first charging power and the newly requested vehicle being charged with the first charging power would exceed the maximum power usage, the new charging request and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power are charged with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power and has a total power usage that is less than the maximum power usage. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above configuration and method, it is possible to control the power receiving equipment (distribution board) so that it does not become overloaded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a charging system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a charging control device. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a charging request table in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a status table in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 4C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user information table. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle connected to a charging device at 21:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle connected to a charging device at 22:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 5C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle connected to a charging device at 6:50 on 4 / 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the charging state from 7 PM on 4 / 1 to 9 AM on 4 / 2. [Figure 7A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a charging request table as of 21:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 7B] This is a diagram showing the status table as of 21:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 8A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a charging request table at 22:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 8B] This is a diagram showing the status table as of 22:30 on 4 / 1. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a charging request table at 6:50 on 4 / 2. [Figure 9B] This is a diagram showing the status table as of 6:50 on 4 / 2. [Figure 9C] This is a diagram showing the status table as of 6:50 on 4 / 2. [Figure 10A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a charging request table at 7:00 on 4 / 2. [Figure 10B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the status table as of 7:00 on 4 / 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic sequence diagram of a charging system. [Figure 12A] FIG. 11 is a schematic sequence diagram of a case where charging is not possible in the charging system. [Figure 12B] FIG. 11 is a schematic sequence diagram of a case where charging is possible in the charging system. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is completed in the charging system. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram for changing a charging state in the charging system. [Figure 15] 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit of the charging device. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a control unit of the OCPP server. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing charging start processing of an OCPP server. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing charging completion processing of the OCPP server. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing a charging change process of an OCPP server. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a control unit of a database. [Figure 21A] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a control unit of the AP server. [Figure 21B] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a control unit of the AP server. [Figure 21C] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of a control unit of the AP server. [Figure 22] 21B is a flowchart showing the process of step S175 in FIG. 21A. [Diagram 23] 21D is a flowchart showing the process of step S193 in FIG. 21C. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a charge control device according to a first embodiment A. [Diagram 25]FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is possible in the charging system according to the first embodiment A. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is not possible in the charging system according to the first embodiment A. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is completed in the charging system according to the first embodiment A. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram for changing a charging state in the charging system according to the first embodiment A. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a charge control device according to a first embodiment B. [Figure 30A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a status table according to the first embodiment C. [Figure 30B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a status table according to the first embodiment C. [Figure 30C] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a charging condition table according to the first embodiment C. [Diagram 31] 21B is a flowchart showing the process of the AP server of the first embodiment C, which corresponds to step S175 in FIG. 21A. [Diagram 32] 21D is a flowchart showing the process of the AP server of the first embodiment C, which corresponds to step S193 in FIG. 21C. [Diagram 33] 23 is a flowchart showing the process of the AP server of the first embodiment D, which corresponds to FIG. 22. [Diagram 34] 24 is a flowchart showing the process of the AP server of the first embodiment D, which corresponds to FIG. 23. [Diagram 35] FIG. 11 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is completed in the charging system according to the first modified example. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is a schematic sequence diagram when charging is completed in the charging system according to the first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 101 is used in a parking lot of a collective housing complex such as an apartment building or an apartment complex, or in an indoor parking lot (contract parking) capable of parking a plurality of vehicles. The charging system 101 performs electrical charging on a plurality of vehicles 1 that are parked in a parking lot under a contract or the like and that are capable of being electrically charged. The electrically rechargeable vehicle 1 referred to here includes electric vehicles that do not have an engine, hybrid vehicles that are combined with an engine, electric vehicles that run on electricity generated by an engine, etc. Vehicles 1 also include four-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, etc. The charging system 101 includes a charging device 103 having a plurality of connectors 131 connectable to a plurality of vehicles 1, respectively, and a charging control device 105 that controls charging of the vehicles 1 by the charging device 103. When the vehicle 1 is connected to the connector 131 of the charging device 103 and an operation to request the start of charging (also called a charging request operation) is received from the owner or user (of the mobile terminal 3) of the vehicle, the charging control device 105 instructs the charging device 103 to start charging while taking into account the power usage. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a charging system 101, in which, for example, a charging device 103 can be connected to six vehicles 1, that is, the charging system 101 has six connectors 131.

[0009] First Embodiment 1. Overall structure In the charging system 101 of the first embodiment, a maximum power usage is set for charging multiple vehicles 1 simultaneously, and if charging a new vehicle that has been requested to be charged would exceed the maximum power usage, the charging power is reduced for the vehicle that is being charged and the new vehicle that has been requested to be charged. In other words, the maximum power usage when charging simultaneously is set in advance, and if the total power usage (also called "total power usage") when charging the vehicle 1 that has requested charging with the first charging power is less than the maximum power usage, the vehicle 1 that has requested charging is charged with the first charging power, and if the total power usage is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage, all vehicles 1, including the vehicle 1 that has requested charging, are charged with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power, within the maximum power usage. It should be noted that these specific forms are provided for the purpose of explaining the embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to these forms.

[0010] 2.Each part Each device constituting the charging system 101 will be described below. (1)Charging device The charging device 103 is connected to the distribution board 2 and receives a supply of power. The charging device 103 has a circuit unit 132 that receives power from the distribution board 2 and generates charging power instructed by the charging control device 105, a control unit 133 that controls charging of the vehicle 1 by instructing the circuit unit 132 to start and complete charging, and a communication unit 134 that communicates with the charging control device 105. The control unit 113 instructs the circuit unit 132 on charging power, charging start, charging completion, etc., for the connector 131 instructed by the charging control device 105 via the communication unit 134.

[0011] (2) Mobile devices 2, the mobile terminal 3 includes a display unit, an operation unit, a control unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage unit 35, and has a mobile terminal application (hereinafter, referred to as a "mobile application") installed. A user may use the mobile terminal 3 to access an application on the web and perform various operations using the application. Here, the display section and the operation section are configured by a touch panel section 36. The control unit 33 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and performs various processes by the CPU executing programs and applications stored in the storage unit 35 in accordance with operations by the user. The storage unit 35 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, and stores, for example, an operating system, programs, applications, and various data for performing various processes. The communication unit 34 performs data communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication, and the like via a network (eg, the Internet) using a telephone line or an optical line. When the mobile application is executed, the application becomes capable of communicating with the AP server 108, and various types of information are transmitted and received. The user registers user information such as a user ID for identifying the user, a connector ID indicating the connector 131 to be used, and set power for normal charging via a mobile application. The user information is registered in a user information table T13 of the database 107 as shown in Fig. 4C. This associates (links) the vehicle 1 of the user when charging with the connector 131 of the charging device 103 to be used for the vehicle 1 and the charging power. When the user connects the vehicle 1 to be used to the connector 131 of the charging device 103, the user uses the mobile application of the mobile terminal 3 to perform a charging request operation on the touch panel unit . When the control unit 33 receives a charging request operation from the touch panel unit 36, it transmits a request for charging (hereinafter, referred to as a “charging request”) to the AP server 108. When the control unit 33 receives, via the mobile application, a report that charging has started (hereinafter, referred to as a “charging start report”), a report that charging has been completed (hereinafter, referred to as a “charging completion report”), a report that charging power is being adjusted (hereinafter, referred to as a “power adjustment report”), a report that charging is waiting (hereinafter, referred to as a “charging waiting” report), or the like, it displays the report on the touch panel unit 36.

[0012] (3) Charging control device As shown in FIG. 3, the charging control device 105 is configured with one or more servers, virtual servers, or a combination thereof. The charging control device 105 includes an OCPP server 106 that functions as a first server capable of communicating with the charging device 103, a database (hereinafter referred to as "DB" in the drawings) 107 that stores charging request data (charging request history) of the vehicle 1 to be charged by the charging device 103, and an AP server 108 that functions as a second server that issues charging instructions, etc. to the OCPP server 106 in accordance with a charging request from a user (mobile terminal 3). The OCPP server 106, the database 107, and the AP server 108 are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the OCPP server 106 and the charging device 103 are connected based on the OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol). In other words, the charging device 103 is a so-called CP (Charge Point). The OCPP server 106, the database 107, and the AP server 108 are provided on a public cloud such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. This can improve communication efficiency and can be easily implemented. Each server will be described below.

[0013] (3-1) Database As shown in FIG. 3, the database 107 includes a control unit 171, a storage unit 173, and a clock 175. The storage unit 173 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD, an SDD, or a flash memory, and stores, for example, a charging request table T11 (see FIG. 4A) for storing charging requests, a status table T12 (see FIG. 4B) for storing charging states (status), and a user information table T13 (see FIG. 4C) for storing user information of users. The clock 175 has a calendar function and measures the date.

[0014] 4A, the charging request table T11 keeps a record of charging requests, and new charging requests are added if any. The charging request table T11 stores data such as a "charging number" indicating the order in which the charging requests were received, a "connector ID" indicating the ID of the connector 131 to which the vehicle 1 to be charged is connected, a "charging result" indicating whether charging is complete or not, a "request date and time" indicating the date and time when the charging request was made, and a "charging completion date and time" indicating the date and time when the requested charging was completed. When referring to an item in the charging request table T11 and the data stored in that item, " " may be added to the item. For example, "charging number" may refer to the item "charging number" in the table, or may refer to data such as "20230401-1."

[0015] As shown in FIG. 4B, the status table T12 stores data such as a "charging number" that indicates the order of the charging request and is the same data as the "charging number" in the charging request table T11, a "connector ID" that indicates the ID of the connector 131 to which the vehicle 1 to be charged is connected and is the same data as the "connector ID" in the charging request table T11, a "charging status" that indicates the status of charging, and "charging power" that indicates the charging power of the vehicle 1 being charged. The charging state includes "charging" shown in FIG. 4B, "standby" shown in FIG. 8B, and "charged" shown in FIG. 9C. The charging power is available in two options: "20" and "15," with "20" indicating charging at the set power shown in FIG. 4C, and "15" indicating charging power adjustment, which is lower than the power during normal charging. In this example, the adjustment power is set to 75% of the set power. Charging at the set power is referred to as "normal charging," and charging at 75% of the set power is referred to as "adjusted charging." Here, only one adjustment power of 75% is assumed, but if charging at 75% exceeds the maximum power usage, charging at 50% of the set power (in this case "10") may also be used. Note that " " may be added to an item in the status table T12 and the information stored in that item. For example, "charging number" may mean the item "charging number" in the table, or may mean information such as "20230401-1."

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4C, the user information table T13 registers, for example, a “user ID” indicating the user's identification number, a “connector ID” indicating the connector 131 used by the user, a “set power” set for normal charging, and the like. In addition, when referring to an item in the user information table T13 and the information stored in that item, " " may be added to the item. For example, "user ID" may refer to the item "user ID" in the table, or may refer to information such as "AAA." Hereinafter, a connector 131 with a connector ID of "A" or a charging number with a charging number of "AA" may be referred to simply as connector "A" or charging number "AA." Specifically, a connector with a connector ID of "3" will be displayed as connector "3."

[0017] The charging request table T11 and the status table in Figures 4A and 4B show the state in Figure 1. Note that Figures 1, 4A, and 4B show the state as of 21:15 on April 1st. In the charge request table T11, as shown in FIG. 4A, charge requests are made in the order of connectors "3," "1," "5," and "2," and charge numbers are assigned and stored in this order. Connectors "3" and "1" have already completed charging, and the "Charging result" item is "Complete." Connectors "5" and "2" are currently charging, and the "Charging result" item is "Incomplete." For charging number "20230401-2", a charging request was made at "12:00" and charging was completed at "20:15". For charging number "20230401-3", a charging request was made at "14:00" and normal charging with a charging power of "20" was being performed. In the first embodiment, the maximum power usage is set to 50 kW, and the normal power usage (set power) of one vehicle is set to 20 kW (see user information table T13). In Fig. 4B, the charging power is "20", and two vehicles 1 are being charged at 20 kW. In other words, the total power usage is 40 kW, which is less than the maximum power usage.

[0018] 6 is a diagram showing the charging state of vehicle 1 connected to charging device 103, showing the period from 7 PM on April 1st to 9 AM on April 2nd. In the diagram, dashed lines indicate normal charging, solid lines indicate adjusted charging, and dotted lines indicate standby states, and the numbers to the right of the arrows indicate the minutes of the time; for example, the "15" in charging number "20230401-2" is 8:15 PM.

[0019] 5A, 7A, and 7B show the state at 21:30 on April 1st in FIG. 6, immediately after charging of the vehicle 1 connected to the connector "6" has started. In FIG. 5A, compared to FIG. 1, vehicles 1 connected to connectors "1" and "3" that have already been charged are used outside the apartment building, and a new vehicle 1 is connected to connector "6" and is currently being charged. In the charging request table T11 shown in Fig. 7A, data of "2023-0401-5" has been added to the "charging number" field of a new record as a new charging request using connector "6" compared to Fig. 4A. In the status table T12 shown in Fig. 7B, data of "20230401-5" has been added to the "charging number" field of a new record as a new charging request using connector "6" compared to Fig. 4B. Before the new vehicle 1 with charging number "20230401-5" is connected, two vehicles (with charging numbers "20230401-3" and "20230401-4") are being charged at "20" kW, which is normal charging, as shown in Figure 4B. In this state, if new vehicle 1 (charging number "20230401-5") is charged normally, the total power usage for the three vehicles will be 60 kW, exceeding the maximum power usage of 50 kW, and regulated charging will be performed at regulated power. For this reason, "15" is stored in the charging power in Figure 7B.

[0020] Figures 5B, 8A, and 8B show the state at 22:30 on April 1st in Figure 6, in which a charging request has been made from vehicle 1 at connector "3," but charging of the vehicle at connector "3" is on hold. In FIG. 5B, in contrast to FIG. 5A, a vehicle 1 is newly connected to connector "3." 8A, a record of the charging number "20230401-6" has been added as a new charging request using the connector "3" to the charging request table T11 and the status table T12 shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Before charging number "20230401-6" was connected, the three vehicles 1 were being charged at 15 kW (see FIG. 7B), and if adjusted charging is also performed on the new vehicle 1 with charging number "20230401-6" in this state, the total power usage for these four vehicles will be 60 kW, exceeding the maximum power usage (50 kW). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8B, "Waiting" is stored in the "Charging Status" for charging number "20230401-6" in status table T12.

[0021] 5C, 9A, and 9B show the state at 6:50 on April 2 in FIG. 6, immediately after the vehicle 1 connected to connector "2" has completed charging. In FIG. 9A , in the record with charging number "20230401-4", the charging result is updated to "Completed", and the charging completion date and time is updated to "20230402 / 06:50". In Figure 9C, charging of vehicle 1 with charging number "20230401-4" has just been completed, so the charging status is "charged." However, as shown in Figure 9B, charging of charging number "20230401-4" has now been completed, so the record for this "charging number" is deleted, and the number of vehicles 1 with a charging status of "charging" becomes two.

[0022] 10A and 10B show the state at 7:00 on April 2nd in FIG. 6, where the charging of the two vehicles 1 has been changed to normal charging. The charging of the two vehicles 1 with charging numbers "20230401-5" and "20230401-6" shown in Figure 9B is regulated charging, but if the charging of these vehicles 2 were normal charging, the power usage would be 40 kW, which is less than the maximum power usage. Therefore, charging is changed from adjusted charging to normal charging, and the charging power becomes "20" as shown in FIG. 10B.

[0023] The control unit 171 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and creates and updates a new charging request in the charging request table T11, registers, updates, and deletes in the status table T12, and registers, changes, and deletes user information in the user information table T13 in response to a request from the OCPP server 106 or the AP server 108. After updating the tables T11, T12, and T13 in response to a request, the control unit 171 responds to the requesting server.

[0024] (3-2) OCPP Server 3, the OCPP server 106 includes a control unit 161, a communication unit 162, and a storage unit 163, and executes a CP application. The OCPP server 106 is connected to an external payment system that manages charges due to charging, for example, via a communication protocol such as OICP (Open InterChange Protocol) or OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface). The control unit 161 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 163 to process the CP application. The storage unit 163 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD, an SDD, or a flash memory, and stores, for example, an operating system for performing various processes, application programs, and various data. Here, the communication unit 162 communicates with the charging device 103 based on the OCPP, which is an international standard, and communicates with the AP server 108 by using a WEB-API. The database 107 is provided on a public cloud where the OCPP server 106 is provided, and requests to the database 107 are made using SQL.

[0025] As shown in Figures 11 and 12B, when the OCPP server 106 receives an instruction to start charging (hereinafter referred to as a "charging start instruction") from the AP server 108, it outputs a signal to the charging device 103 to start charging (hereinafter referred to as a "charging start signal"), and also, as shown in Figures 12B and 12C, requests the database 107 to register a status indicating the start of charging (hereinafter referred to as a "start registration request"), and, if charging starts normally, responds to the AP server 108 that charging is normal (hereinafter referred to as a "charging start response"). In this case, "charging" includes "normal charging" and "adjusted charging".

[0026] When the OCPP server 106 receives a charging start instruction, it outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as a "start preparation signal") including the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging target to the charging device 103, and in response to this, the charging device 103 outputs a response signal (hereinafter referred to as a "start preparation response signal") indicating that the vehicle 1 is connected to the target connector 131. This makes it possible to confirm whether the user's vehicle 1 is actually connected to the connector 131 for which the user has requested charging. The charge start instruction to the charging device 103 utilizes transaction management, and the response signal (remote start transaction) output from the charging device 103 in response to the charge start signal (start transaction) is also a "charge start response signal" indicating that charging has started normally. Here again, "charging" includes "normal charging" and "adjusted charging".

[0027] 11 and 13, when the OCPP server 106 receives an instruction to complete charging (hereinafter referred to as a "charging completion instruction") from the AP server 108, it outputs a signal to complete charging (hereinafter referred to as a "charging completion signal") to the charging device 103, and also requests the database 107 to update the status indicating the completion of charging (hereinafter referred to as a "completion update request") as shown in Fig. 13, and when charging is normally completed, responds to the AP server 108 that charging has been normally completed (hereinafter referred to as a "charging completion response"). Note that here, "charging" includes "normal charging" and "adjusted charging". When the OCPP server 106 receives a charging completion instruction, it outputs a signal including the "connector ID" of the charging target (hereinafter referred to as the "completion preparation signal") to the charging device 103, and in response to this, the charging device 103 outputs a response signal indicating that the vehicle 1 is being charged to the target connector 131 (hereinafter referred to as the "completion preparation response signal"). This makes it possible to confirm whether the user's vehicle 1 connected to the connector 131 requested by the user to be charged will complete charging. The charge completion instruction utilizes transaction management, and the response signal (remote stop transaction) output from the charging device 103 in response to the charge completion signal (stop transaction) is also a "charge completion response signal" indicating that charging is complete. Here again, "charging" includes "normal charging" and "adjusted charging".

[0028] As shown in Figures 11 and 14, when the OCPP server 106 receives an instruction to change the charging state from the AP server 108 (hereinafter referred to as a "charging change instruction"), it outputs a signal to the charging device 103 to change the charging state (hereinafter referred to as a "charging change signal"), and also, as shown in Figure 14, requests the database 107 to update the status indicating the change in the charging state (hereinafter referred to as a "change update request"), and, if the charging state is changed to normal, responds to the AP server 108 that the charging state has been changed to normal (hereinafter referred to as a "charging change response"). When a charging change instruction is received, the OCPP server 106 outputs a signal including the "connector ID" and "charging power" to be changed (hereinafter referred to as "change preparation signal") to the charging device 103, and in response to this, the charging device 103 outputs a response signal indicating that the vehicle 1 of the target connector 131 is being charged in the charging state before the change (hereinafter referred to as "change preparation response signal"). This makes it possible to confirm whether or not a change is required to the charging state of the vehicle of the target connector 131. The charge change instruction utilizes transaction management, and the response signal output from the charging device 103, which is a response signal (remote change transaction) to the charge change signal (change transaction), is also a "charge change response signal" indicating that the charging state has been changed successfully. Here, there are, for example, the following two "charging changes." The first is when charging of the vehicle with charging number "20230401-3" in FIG. 8B is completed, and the vehicle 1 with waiting charging number "20230401-6" undergoes adjusted charging. The second is when, in FIG. 9B, there are two vehicles 1 undergoing adjusted charging, with power receiving numbers "20230401-5" and "20230401-6," and the charging of these two vehicles is changed to normal charging.

[0029] In this way, by making the control unit 161, the communication unit 162, and the memory unit 163 work together, the OCPP server 106 includes, as shown in FIG. 12B, a charging start instruction receiving unit that receives a charging start instruction from the AP server 108, a charging start signal output unit that outputs a charging start signal (which may include a start preparation signal) for causing the charging device 103 to start charging in accordance with the charging start instruction from the AP server 108, a charging start response signal input unit to which a charging start response signal (including the start preparation response signal if the start preparation signal is included) is input from the charging device 103, a charging start response transmitting unit that transmits a charging start response to the AP server 108 when the charging start response signal is input from the charging device 103, a start registration request output unit that outputs a status start registration request to the database 107, and a start registration response input unit to which the response to the start registration request is input from the database 107. In addition, by making the control unit 161, the communication unit 162 and the memory unit 163 work together, the OCPP server 106 is provided with a charging completion instruction receiving unit that receives a charging completion instruction from the AP server 108, a charging completion signal output unit that outputs a charging completion signal (which may include a completion preparation signal) to cause the charging device 103 to complete charging in accordance with the charging completion instruction from the AP server 108, a charging completion response signal input unit to which a charging completion response signal (including the completion preparation response signal if the completion preparation signal is included) is input from the charging device 103, a charging completion response sending unit that transmits a charging completion response to the AP server 108 when the charging completion response signal is input from the charging device 103, a completion update request output unit that outputs a status completion update request to the database 107, and a completion update response input unit to which the response to the completion update request is input from the database 107, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0030] In addition, by making the control unit 161, the communication unit 162, and the memory unit 163 work together, the OCPP server 106 is provided with a charging change instruction receiving unit that receives a charging change instruction for the charging conditions from the AP server 108, a charging change signal output unit that outputs a charging change signal (which may include a change preparation signal) for causing the charging device 103 to change the charging conditions in accordance with the charging change instruction from the AP server 108, a charging change response signal input unit that receives a charging change response signal (which may include the change preparation response signal if the change preparation signal is included) from the charging device 103, a charging change response transmitting unit that transmits a charging change response to the AP server 108 when the charging change response signal is input from the charging device 103, a change update request output unit that outputs a change update request for the status to the database 107, and a change update response input unit that receives a response to the change update request from the database 107, as shown in FIG. 14B.

[0031] (3-3) AP Server As shown in FIG. 3, the AP server 108 includes a control unit 181, a communication unit 182, a storage unit 183, and a clock unit 184. The control unit 181 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 183 to process an AP application. The storage unit 183 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD, an SDD, or a flash memory, and stores, for example, application programs and various data. The communication unit 182 communicates with the OCPP server 106 and the mobile terminal 3, for example, by using a WEB-API, or by using data communication using a network (for example, the Internet) that uses a telephone line or an optical line, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication, etc. For communication with the database 107, SQL is used. The clock unit 184 includes a normal counter that measures the charging time of normal charging and an adjustment counter that measures the charging time of adjustment charging, and measures the normal charging time of normal charging and the adjustment charging time of adjustment charging. The AP server 108 receives a charging request from the portable terminal 3, and transmits a charging start report, a charging completion report, a charging standby report, a charging change report, and the like. The AP server 108 transmits a charging start instruction (including normal charging and adjusted charging), a charging completion instruction, a charging change instruction, etc. to the OCPP server 106, and receives a charging start response (including normal charging and adjusted charging), a charging completion response, a charging change response, etc. When a new charging request is received from the mobile terminal 3, the AP server 108 instructs the OCPP server 106 to start charging by determining whether or not charging is possible for the vehicle 1 that has received the charging request, and if charging is possible (including normal charging and adjusted charging). The AP server 108 performs communication with the database 107, such as a request to create a new charging request or a request to change the charging request data, a request to obtain the status of the charging state, a request to register / update / delete the status, and a request to register / update / delete user information.

[0032] 11 and 12, when the AP server 108 receives a charge request from the mobile terminal 3, the AP server 108 requests the database 107 to create a new charge request in the charge request table T11, obtain a status, etc. In response to these requests, the database 107 makes a creation response or an acquisition response. The AP server 108 determines whether charging is possible for the vehicle 1 for which a new charging request has been made, and if charging is possible (including normal charging and adjusted charging), it sends a charging start instruction to the OCPP server 106, and when it receives a charging start response from the OCPP server 106 indicating that charging has started normally in response to the charging start instruction, it reports the start of charging to the mobile terminal 3 (including normal charging and adjusted charging). As shown in FIG. 12A, the AP server 108 determines whether charging is possible for the vehicle 1 for which a new charging request has been made, and if charging is not possible, requests that the vehicle 1 be registered as "waiting" in the status table T12 of the database 107 (hereinafter referred to as a "waiting registration request"). When a registration response is input from the database 107 to the waiting registration request, the AP server 108 transmits a charging waiting report to the mobile terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 13, the AP server 108 determines whether charging of the vehicle 1 being charged has been completed, and if charging has been completed, sends a charging completion instruction to the OCPP server 106. If a charging completion response is received from the OCPP server 106 indicating that charging has been completed successfully in response to the charging completion instruction, the AP server 108 reports charging completion to the mobile terminal 3, and if a charging completion response is received, makes a request to the database 107 to update the charging request table T11 (represented by the "charging request update request" in the figure). As shown in FIG. 14 , the AP server 108 determines whether or not to change the charging state of the vehicle 1 that is being charged or the charging state of the vehicle 1 that is waiting, and if a change is to be made, sends a charging change instruction to the OCPP server 106, or, upon receiving a charging change response from the OCPP server 106 indicating that the charging state has been changed in response to the charging change instruction, sends a charging change report to the mobile terminal 3.

[0033] In this way, by making the control unit 181, the communication unit 182, and the memory unit 183 cooperate with each other, the AP server 108 has a charging request receiving unit that receives a charging request from the portable terminal 3, a charging feasibility determination unit that determines whether charging is possible for the vehicle 1 that has requested charging, a charging start instruction transmitting unit (including normal charging and adjusted charging) that transmits a charging start instruction to the OCPP server 106 when it is determined that charging is possible, a charging start response receiving unit (including normal charging and adjusted charging) that receives a charging start response from the OCPP server 106, a charging start report transmitting unit (including normal charging and adjusted charging) that transmits a charging start report to the portable terminal 3 when there is a charging start response, a charging completion determination unit that determines whether charging of the vehicle 1 being charged is completed, a charging completion instruction transmitting unit that transmits a charging completion instruction to the OCPP server 106 when it is determined that charging is completed, and a charging completion report transmitting unit that transmits a charging completion report from the OCPP server 106. the charging change response receiving unit receives a response, a charging completion report transmitting unit transmits a charging completion report to the portable terminal 3 when a charging completion response is received, a charging change determination unit determines whether or not there is a change in the charging state, a charging change instruction transmitting unit transmits a charging change instruction to the OCPP server 106 when it is determined that there is a change, a charging change response receiving unit receives a charging change response from the OCPP server 106, a charging change report transmitting unit transmits a charging change report to the portable terminal 3 when a charging change response is received, a request output unit outputs to the database 107 requests for creating a charging request, updating a charging request, etc., to the charging request table T11, requests for acquiring, registering, updating, waiting, deleting, etc., of a status to the status table T12, and requests for registering, updating, deleting, etc. of user information to the user information table T13, and a response input unit into which the requested response is input from the database 107.

[0034] 3. Sequence (1) Charging request This will be explained using Figure 1. 1, a case where the vehicle is connected to connector "2" is taken as an example. The user connects the vehicle 1 to connector 131, and uses the mobile application to perform a charging request operation as shown in FIG 12A. When the AP server 108 receives a charging request (for example, connector "2" in FIG. 1) from the mobile terminal 3, it requests the database 107 to create a new charging request. In response to this request, the database 107 creates a record with a charging number of "20230401-4" as a new request in the charging request table T11 as shown in FIG. 4A, registers "2" as the connector ID, "incomplete" as the charging result, and "20230401 / 21:00" as the request date and time, and sends a creation response to the AP server 108. Next, the AP server 108 requests the database 107 to obtain a status. In response to this request, the database 107 obtains the contents of the status table T12 shown in Fig. 4B and responds to the AP server 108. Here, charging is being performed for the connector 131 with the connector ID "5" in Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 4B, charging of the vehicle with the connector ID "5" is being performed as normal charging because the "charging power" is "20".

[0035] (2) Start charging The AP server 108 determines, based on the status returned from the database 107, whether charging is possible in response to the new request, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. (2-1) Normally rechargeable For example, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, before connector "2" is connected, one vehicle at connector "5" is being normally charged. Therefore, when a vehicle 1 is connected to connector "2" and normal charging is performed on vehicles 1 at connectors "5" and "2", the total power usage of the two vehicles 1 is 40 kW, which is less than the maximum power usage of "50 kW". Therefore, it is determined that charging is possible for vehicle 1 with charging number "20230401-4", which is a new charging request. Note that in this case, charging is performed at the set power of "20 kW", so normal charging is being performed. When it is determined that normal charging is possible, the AP server 108 transmits a charge start instruction for normal charging to the OCPP server 106 as shown in Fig. 12B. The charge start instruction has a transaction function and becomes a remote start transaction. The charge start instruction includes data on the "connector ID" and "charging power" for which charging has been requested. In this example, the connector ID is "2" and the charging power is "20". 12B, upon receiving a charging start instruction, the OCPP server 106 outputs a normal charging start preparation signal to the charging device 103. Upon receiving the start preparation signal, the charging device 103 checks the connection of the "connector ID" included in the start preparation signal, and outputs a start preparation response signal to the OCPP server 106 indicating that the connector is connected. In response to this, the OCPP server 106 determines that the "connector ID" for the charging request matches the "connector ID" to which the vehicle 1 of the charging device 103 is connected, and requests the database 107 to register the start of normal charging. As shown in Fig. 4B, the database 107 registers "20230401-4" as the charging number, "2" as the connector ID, "charging" as the charging state, and "20" as the charging power, and responds to the OCPP server 106 with a registration start. The OCPP server 106 outputs a charging start signal for normal charging to the charging device 103, and the charging device 103 starts normal charging to the connector "2" with 20 kW of charging power that is included in the start preparation signal, and outputs a charging start response signal to the OCPP server 106 to the effect that charging has started. Note that the charging start response signal becomes a remote start transaction. When the OCPP server 106 receives the charging start response signal, it transmits a charging start response to the AP server 108, and in response to this, the AP server 108 sends a normal charging start report to the portable terminal 3.

[0036] (2-2) Adjustment charging For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a case will be described in which two vehicles 1 connected to connectors "2" and "5" are being normally charged, and a new charging request is made for a vehicle 1 connected to connector "6." As shown in Figure 4C, the new charging request, charging number "20230401-5", has a set power of "20 kW." If the three vehicles with charging numbers "20230401-3" to "20230401-5" are charged at the set power, the total power usage will be "60 kW," and the maximum power usage will be greater than "50 kW," so it is not possible to charge the three vehicles using normal charging. However, in the case of adjusted charging, the charging power for each vehicle 1 is "15 kW", and the total power usage for the three vehicles is "45 kW", which is less than the maximum power usage. Therefore, it is determined here that regulated charging in which the charging power is regulated is possible (see FIG. 7B). When it is determined that charging is possible, the AP server 108 transmits a charge start instruction for adjusted charging to the OCPP server 106 as shown in FIG. 12B. The charge start instruction has a transaction function, as with normal charging, and is a remote start transaction. The charge start instruction includes data on the "connector IDs" and their "charging power" of all charging targets, including new charging requests. In this example, the connector IDs are "2," "5," and "6," and the charging power is "15," indicating that the charging power is adjusted power. The charge start instruction for normal charging and the charge start instruction for adjusted charging differ only in the "charging power" included in the instruction, and the data structure of the instruction is the same. This makes it possible to simplify the data structure of the instruction. 12B, upon receiving a charging start instruction, the OCPP server 106 outputs a charging start preparation signal for adjusted charging to the charging device 103. Upon receiving the start preparation signal, the charging device 103 checks the connection of the "connector ID" included in the start preparation signal, and outputs a start preparation response signal to the OCPP server 106 indicating that the connector is connected. In response to this, the OCPP server 106 determines that the "connector ID" for the charging request matches the "connector ID" to which the vehicle 1 of the charging device 103 is connected, and requests the database 107 to register the start of adjusted charging. For the start registration here, it requests the registration of the start of charging for the new charging request ("20230401-5") and an update of the charging power for all charging numbers to "15". As shown in FIG. 7B, the database 107 adds a new charging number "20230401-5", registers the connector ID of the record for "20230401-5" as "6", registers the charging status as "charging", updates the charging power of all charging numbers to "15", and responds to the OCPP server 106 with a start registration. The OCPP server 106 outputs a charging start signal to the charging device 103, and the charging device 103 starts (or continues) adjusted charging with the charging power included in the adjustment start preparation signal being "15" for the three vehicles 1 with charging numbers "20230401-3", "20230401-4", and "20230401-5", and outputs a charging start response signal to the OCPP server 106 indicating that adjusted charging has started. Note that the charging start response signal is a remote start transaction, as in normal charging. When the charging start response signal is input, the OCPP server 106 transmits a charging start response for adjusted charging to the AP server 108, and upon receiving this, the AP server 108 reports the start of adjusted charging to the mobile terminal 3. Specifically, it reports to charging numbers "20230401-3" and "20230401-4" that charging has been changed from normal charging to adjusted charging, and to charging number "20230401-5" that adjusted charging has started.

[0037] (2-3) Cannot be charged For example, in Fig. 5B, when vehicles 1 connected to connector "3" are being charged at connectors "2", "5", and "6", if a new charging request is received from the user of vehicle 1, charging is being performed on three vehicles other than connector "3", namely connectors "2", "5", and "6", and as shown in Fig. 8B, charging is being performed with a charging power of "15". In this case, the total power usage of the three vehicles 1 is 45 kW, and if vehicle 1 connected to connector "3" is charged at connector "3" in this state, the total power usage will be 60 kW, which is more than the maximum power usage of 50 kW, and it is determined that charging is not possible. When the AP server 108 determines that the new charging request is not chargeable, it requests the database 107 to register a charging standby state, as shown in Fig. 12A. The database 107 registers "20230401-6" as the charging number, "4" as the connector ID, and "waiting" as the charging state, as shown in Fig. 8B, and responds to the OCPP server 106 with the standby registration. When the AP server 108 receives a standby registration response from the database 107, the AP server 108 reports to the mobile terminal 3 that it is on standby for charging.

[0038] (3) Charging completed The AP server 108 judges whether or not charging is completed, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 13. Here, the judgment is made based on the charging time. Note that the judgment of charging completion may also be referred to as "completion judgment" as shown in Fig. 11. The AP server 108 acquires the normal time and the adjusted time from the clock unit 184, and if the sum of these times is equal to or longer than the time at which charging is deemed complete, it determines that charging is complete, and if it is less than that time, it determines that power reception is incomplete. When it is determined that charging is complete based on the acquired charging time, a charging completion instruction is sent to the OCPP server 106 as shown in Fig. 13. The charging completion instruction has a transaction function and becomes a remote stop transaction. The charging completion instruction includes data on the "connector ID" of charging completion. When receiving the charge completion instruction, the OCPP server 106 outputs a completion preparation signal to the charging device 103. When the completion preparation signal is input, the charging device 103 checks the connection of the "connector ID" included in the completion preparation signal, and outputs a response signal to the OCPP server 106 to the effect that the connection is established. In response to this, the OCPP server 106 requests the database 107 to update the completion of charging, since the "connector ID" for the completed charging matches the "connector ID" to which the vehicle 1 of the charging device 103 is connected. The database 107 updates the charging state in the status table T12 to "charged" (see FIG. 9C), and responds with a completion update to the OCPP server 106. The OCPP server 106 outputs a charging completion signal to the charging device 103, and the charging device 103 completes charging for the connector ID "5" and outputs a charging completion response signal to the OCPP server 106 to notify the completion of charging. Note that this charging completion response signal becomes a remote stop start transaction. When the OCPP server 106 receives the charging completion response signal, it transmits a charging completion response to the AP server 108, and in response to this, the AP server 108 reports the charging completion to the portable terminal 3. Furthermore, upon receiving the charging completion response, the AP server 108 requests updating of the charging result and charging completion date and time for the corresponding charging number (connector ID) in the charging request table T11 of the database 107. The database 107 updates the "charging result" of the record with the charging number "20230401-3" to "completed" and the charging completion date and time to "20230402 / 22:45" in the charging request table T11 as shown in FIG. 9A, and responds to the AP server 108.

[0039] (4) Changing the charging state The AP server 108 judges whether or not there is a change in the charging state, as shown in Fig. 11. Here, the judgment is made from the "charging state" and "charging power" in the status table T12. For this reason, the AP server 108 requests and acquires the status of the charging state and charging power from the database 107, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0040] There are two changes: (4-1) Charging vehicles in standby For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, charging of one vehicle 1 (charging number "20230401-3") is completed, and a vehicle 1 (charging number "20230401-6") in a standby state is to be charged. The AP server 108 determines that there has been a change in the charging state when the "charging state" column of the acquired status includes "charged" and "standby." For example, in Fig. 8B, three vehicles with charging numbers "20230401-3", "20230401-4", and "20230401-5" are charging, and charging with charging number "20230401-6" is "on standby". After that, charging with charging number "20230401-3" is completed, and charging (adjusted charging) with charging number "20230401-6" is performed.

[0041] (4-2) Changing the charging power For example, as shown in Figs. 9C and 10B, charging of one vehicle 1 (charging number "20230401-4") is completed, and charging is changed from regulated charging (Fig. 9B) to normal charging (Fig. 10B). The AP server 108 determines that there has been a change in the charging state when the "charging state" column of the acquired status contains "charged" and does not contain "standby" and when the "charging power" column is "15". For example, in FIG. 9C, charging number "20230401-4" is "charged", there is no "on standby" charging number, and the "charging power" of charging numbers "20230401-5" and "20230401-6" is "15". After that, as shown in FIG. 10B, the "charging power" of charging numbers "20230401-5" and "20230401-6" is changed to "20".

[0042] (4-3) Sequence when there is a change When the AP server 108 determines that there is a change in the charging state, it transmits a charging change instruction to the OCPP server 106 as shown in Fig. 14. The charging change instruction has a transaction function and becomes a remote change transaction. The charging change instruction includes data on the "connector ID" and "charging power" to be changed. When receiving the charging change instruction, the OCPP server 106 outputs a change preparation signal to the charging device 103. The charging device 103 to which the change preparation signal has been input checks the connection of the "connector ID" included in the change preparation signal, and outputs a response signal to the OCPP server 106 to the effect that it is connected. In response to this, the OCPP server 106 determines that the "connector ID" of the charging change matches the "connector ID" to which the vehicle 1 of the charging device 103 is connected, and requests the database 107 to update the charging change. The database 107 changes the charging status of the charging number that was "waiting" in the status table T12 to "charging," registers "15" in "charging power," deletes the "charged" record, and updates the charging power of "15" to "20," and responds with the change update to the OCPP server 106. The OCPP server 106 outputs a charge change signal to the charging device 103. In response to this, the charging device 103 outputs a charge change response signal to the OCPP server 106 to the effect that the charging state has been changed by starting adjusted charging of the connector while in standby or by changing the charging power and charging. The charge change response signal becomes a remote change transaction. When the OCPP server 106 receives the charge change response signal, it transmits a charge change response to the AP server 108, and in response to this, the AP server 108 reports the charge change to the mobile terminal 3.

[0043] 4. Flowchart The processing of the control unit of each device will be described. (1)Charging device The process of control unit 133 of charging device 103 will be described with reference to FIG. When the program starts and a start preparation signal is input from the OCPP server 106 ("Yes" in the figure), the control unit 133 checks the connection of the vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the start preparation signal, and outputs a response signal (start preparation response signal) indicating the confirmation to the OCPP server 106 (S102). There are two types of signals here: a normal signal indicating that the connection of the vehicle 1 to be charged has been confirmed, and an error signal indicating that the connection has not been confirmed. Thereafter, if a charging start signal is input from the OCPP server 106 within a specified time ("Yes" in S103), charging is turned on for the vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the start preparation signal using the charging power included in the start preparation signal, and a response signal indicating that charging has started (charging start response signal) is output to the OCPP server 106 (S104). In step S103, if the charging start signal is not input within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S105 ("No" in S103). If, in step S101, a start preparation signal has not been input ("No"), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0044] In step S105, when a completion preparation signal is input from OCPP server 106 ("Yes" in the figure), the connection of vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the completion preparation signal is confirmed, and a response signal (completion preparation response signal) indicating the confirmation is output to OCPP server 106 (S106). Thereafter, if a charging completion signal is input from the OCPP server 106 within a specified time ("Yes" in S107), charging to the vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the completion preparation signal is turned off, and a response signal indicating that charging is complete (charging completion response signal) is output to the OCPP server 106 (S108). In step S107, if the charging completion signal is not input within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S109 ("No" in S107). If the completion preparation signal has not been input in step S105 ("No"), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0045] In step S109, when a change preparation signal is input from the OCPP server 106 ("Yes" in the figure), the connection of vehicle 1 to the "connector ID" included in the change preparation signal is confirmed, and a response signal (change preparation response signal) indicating the confirmation is output to the OCPP server 106 (S110). Thereafter, if a charging change signal is input from the OCPP server 106 within a specified time ("Yes" in S111), the vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the change preparation signal is charged with the "charging power" included in the change preparation signal, and a response signal (charging change response signal) indicating that the charging state (charging power) has been changed is output to the OCPP server 106 (S112), and the process returns to step S101. In step S111, if the charge change signal is not input within a predetermined time, the process returns to step S101 ("No" in S111). If, in step S109, a change preparation signal has not been input ("No"), the process returns to step S101.

[0046] (2) OCPP Server In the OCPP server 106, the control unit 161 executes a program, and the OCPP application performs various processes. The following will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figs. 16 to 19. When the OCPP application is started (start of FIG. 16), it is determined whether a charging start instruction has been received from the AP server 108 (S120). If a charging start instruction has been received ("Yes"), the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging target are obtained (S121), charging start processing is performed (S121), and then the process proceeds to step S123. Here, the charge start instruction includes the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging target, and these are acquired from the charge start instruction. Note that the charge start process in step S122 will be described later. In step S120, if a charging start instruction has not been received ("No"), the process proceeds to step S123.

[0047] In step S123, it is determined whether a charging completion instruction has been received from the AP server . If a charge completion instruction has been received ("Yes"), the "connector ID" that is the target of charge completion is acquired (S124), and a charge completion process (S125) is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S126. Here, the charge completion instruction includes the "connector ID" of the charge completion target, and is acquired from the charge completion instruction. Note that the charge completion process in step S125 will be described later. In step S123, if a charging completion instruction has not been received ("No"), the process proceeds to step S126.

[0048] In step S126, it is determined whether a charge change instruction has been received from the AP server 108. If a charge change instruction has been received ("Yes"), the "connector ID" and "charging power" that are the target of the charge change are obtained (S127), and the charge change process (S128) is performed, and then the process returns to step S120. Here, the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging change target are included in the charging change instruction and are acquired from the charging change instruction. Note that the charging completion process in step S128 will be described later. If a charge change instruction has not been received in step S126 ("No"), the process proceeds to step S120.

[0049] (2-1) Charging start process 17, the charging start process S122 outputs a start preparation signal to the charging device 103 (S1221). The start preparation signal includes the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging target, and the charging device 103 outputs a response signal (start order response signal) indicating that the connection state of the "connector ID" has been confirmed (step S102 in FIG. 15). In the OCPP server 106, a response signal is input in step S1222 ("Yes"), and if the response signal is a normal signal ("Normal" in S1223), a start registration is requested from the database 107 in the status table T12 (S1224), and if a start registration response is received from the database 107 indicating that the start registration has been completed ("Yes" in S1225), the process proceeds to step S1226. In step S1226, a charging start signal is output to charging device 103. In response to this, charging device 103 starts charging with the "charging power" included in the start preparation signal, and when a response signal (charging start response signal) indicating that charging has started normally is input from charging device 103 ("Yes" in S1227), a charging start response indicating that charging has started normally is transmitted to AP server 108, and the process proceeds to step S123 in FIG. In step S1223, if the input signal is an error signal ("Error"), an error indicating that the vehicle 1 and the connector 131 are not electrically connected is transmitted to the AP server 108 (S1229), and the process proceeds to step S123 in FIG.

[0050] (2-2) Charging completion process As shown in Fig. 18, the charging completion process S125 outputs a completion preparation signal to the charging device 103 (S1251). The completion preparation signal includes the "connector ID" of the charging target, and the charging device 103 outputs a response signal (completion preparation response signal) indicating that the connection state of the "connector ID" has been confirmed (step S106 in Fig. 15). There are two types of response signals: a normal signal indicating that the connection has been confirmed, and an error signal indicating that the connection has not been confirmed. In the OCPP server 106, a response signal is input in step S1252 ("Yes"), and if the response signal is a normal signal ("Normal" in S1253), a completion update is requested to the database 107 for the status table T12 (S1254), and if a completion update response is received from the database 107 indicating that the completion update has been completed ("Yes" in S1255), the process proceeds to step S1256. In step S1256, a charging completion signal is output to charging device 103. In response to this, charging device 103 completes charging, and when a response signal (charging completion response signal) indicating that charging has been completed normally is input from charging device 103 ("Yes" in S1257), a charging completion response indicating that charging has been completed normally is transmitted to AP server 108 (S1258), and the process proceeds to step S126 in FIG. In step S1253, if the input signal is an error signal ("Error"), an error indicating that the vehicle 1 and the connector are not electrically connected is transmitted to the AP server 108 (S1259), and the process proceeds to step S126 in FIG.

[0051] (2-3) Charge change processing As shown in Fig. 19, the charging change process S128 outputs a change preparation signal to the charging device 103 (S1281). The change preparation signal includes the "connector ID" and "charging power" of the charging target, and the charging device 103 outputs a response signal (change preparation response signal) indicating that the connection state of the "connector ID" has been confirmed (step S110 in Fig. 15). There are two types of response signals: a normal signal indicating that the connection has been confirmed, and an error signal indicating that the connection has not been confirmed. In the OCPP server 106, a response signal is input in step S1282 ("Yes"), and if the response signal is a normal signal ("Normal" in S1283), a request is made to the database 107 to update the status table T12 (S1284), and when a change update response is received from the database 107 indicating that the change update has been completed ("Yes" in S1285), the process proceeds to step S1286. In step S1286, a charging change signal is output to the charging device 103. In response to this, when a response signal (charging change response signal) indicating that charging is normal and that charging is performed with the "charging power" included in the change preparation signal for the "connector ID" included in the change preparation signal is input from the charging device 103 ("Yes" in S1287), the charging device 103 transmits a charging change response indicating that charging is normal to the AP server 108 (S1288), and proceeds to step S120 in FIG. In step S1283, if the input signal is an error signal ("Error"), an error indicating that the vehicle 1 and the connector are not electrically connected is transmitted to the AP server 108 (S1289), and the process proceeds to step S120 in FIG.

[0052] (3) Database The processing of the control unit 171 of the database 107 will be described with reference to FIG. (3-1) When the program starts and there is a request to create a power charging request from the AP server 108 ("Yes" in S140), the control unit 133 creates a new power charging request in the bottommost record of the power charging request table T11, as shown in FIG. 4A, sends a creation response (S141), and proceeds to step S142. The charging request creation request includes a "connector ID" for connecting with the vehicle 1 that is making the charging request, and the control unit 171 registers, for example, "20230401-04", "2", and "20230401 / 21:00" in the columns of "charging number", "connector ID", and "request date and time". Note that the clock 175 of the database 107 can also be used for the request date and time.

[0053] (3-2) In step S142, if there is a request for status registration ("Yes"), a new charge request is registered in the bottommost record of the status table T12, a registration response is made (S143), and the process proceeds to step S144. Registration occurs when there is a new charge request. When charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) is possible, the registration request is a start registration request (see Fig. 12B and Fig. 12C), and for example, as shown in the record at the bottom of Fig. 4B, "20230401-4", "2", "charging", and "20" are registered in "charging number", "connector ID", "charging state", and "received power". Note that charging in this case is normal charging. If charging is not possible, the registration request is a standby registration request (see Figure 12A), and for example, as shown in the record at the bottom of Figure 8B, "20230401-6," "3," and "Waiting" are registered in the "Charging Number," "Connector ID," and "Charging Status." The registration request includes the "charging number," "connector ID," "charging status," and "charging power."

[0054] (3-3) In step S144, if there is a request to update the charging request table T11 ("Yes"), the corresponding portion in the charging request table T11 is updated and an update response is made (S145), and the process proceeds to step S146. For example, a charging request update request is issued when a charging request that is in progress is completed. The charging request update request includes at least one of the "charging number" and the "connector ID", and the control unit 171 updates the "charging result" from "uncompleted" in the record with the "charging number" of "20230401-3" in FIG. 4A to "completed" as shown in FIG. 9A, and stores "20230402 / 22:45" in the "charging completion date and time" as shown in the same figure. Note that the charging completion date and time can also be determined using the clock 175 in the database 107.

[0055] (3-4) In step S146, if there is a request to update the status table T12 ("Yes"), the corresponding portion in the status table T12 is updated and an update response is made (S147), and the process proceeds to step S148. The status update requests include updating the charging status from "standby" to "charging", updating the charging status from "charging" to "charged", updating the charging power from "20" to "15" (i.e., changing from normal charging to regulated charging), and updating the charging power from "15" to "20" (i.e., updating from regulated charging to normal charging). For example, when charging of charging number “20230401-6” in FIG. 8B starts from standby, “standby” in the status table T12 is updated to “charging” as shown in FIG. 9B, and “charging power” is updated to “15”. For example, when charging of "20230401-4" with a "charging number" in FIG. 8B is completed, as shown in FIG. 9C, "charging" in the status table T12 is updated to "charged," and "charging power" is updated from "15" to blank. For example, when normal charging for charging numbers "20230401-3" and "20230401-4" in FIG. 4B is changed to adjusted charging, the charging power in the status table T12 is changed to "15" as shown in FIG. 7B. For example, when the adjusted charging for the charging numbers "20230401-5" and "20230401-6" in FIG. 9B is changed to normal charging, the charging power in the status table T12 is changed to "20" as shown in FIG. 10B. The status update request includes at least one of the "charging number" and the "connector ID" and at least the information to be updated.

[0056] (3-5) In step S148, if there is a request to delete the status ("Yes"), the record of the corresponding status in the status table T12 is deleted and a deletion response is made (S149), and the process proceeds to step S150. For example, a status deletion request is made when charging is completed and there is no longer a need to manage it, and includes at least one of the "charging number" and the "connector ID." For example, in FIG. 9C, the control unit 171 deletes the record of the charging number "20230401-4" with the charging status of "charged" as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0057] (3-6) In step S150, if there is a status acquisition request ("Yes"), information on the record of the corresponding status in the status table T12 is sent to the request destination to make an acquisition response (S151), and the process proceeds to step S140. For example, in response to a request to obtain a status, all records in the status table T12 are obtained and transmitted.

[0058] (4) AP server In the AP server 108, the control unit 181 executes a program, and the AP application performs various processes. The following will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. When the AP application is started (start of FIG. 21A) and a charging start operation is performed from the portable terminal 3 ("Yes" in step S170), a charging request including a "connector ID" corresponding to the ID of the portable terminal 3 is requested to the database 107 (S171). In response to this charge request, when a creation response is received from the database 107 indicating that the charge request has been created in the charge request table T11 ("Yes" in S172), a request is made to the database 107 to obtain a status. If a response is received from the database 107 in response to this acquisition request indicating that at least the information on "charging state" and "charging power" from the status table T12 has been acquired ("Yes" in S174), then in step S175, it is determined from the acquired charging state whether charging is possible in response to a new charging request.

[0059] The determination of whether charging is possible for a new vehicle that has been requested to be charged is made if the total power usage when charging is less than the maximum power usage, and it is determined that charging is not possible if the total power usage is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage. For example, if there is one vehicle 1 currently being charged normally, and if the newly requested vehicle 1 is also charged normally, the total power usage will be 40 kW, which is less than the maximum power usage of 50 kW, and it is determined that normal charging is possible. In addition, if there are two vehicles 1 currently being charged normally, and the newly requested vehicle 1 is also charged normally, the total power usage will be 60 kW, which is more than the maximum power usage of 50 kW. However, if three vehicles 1, the two vehicles 1 currently being charged normally and the newly requested vehicle 1, are charged with adjusted charging, the total power usage will be 45 kW, which is less than the maximum power usage of 50 kW, and it is determined that adjusted charging is possible. When a new charging request is made, if the charging status is "waiting" (for vehicle 1), it is determined that charging is not possible. In step S175, a determination is made as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, in step S1750, if the charging state is “on standby” ("Yes"), it is determined that charging is not possible, and if the charging state is not “on standby” ("No"), in step S1751 it is determined whether the charging state is “normal charging”. Whether or not charging is normal is determined based on the charging power. If the charging power is "20", it is determined to be normal charging, and if it is "15", it is determined to be adjusted charging. If normal charging is selected ("Yes"), the total power usage for normal charging of all vehicles 1, including the vehicle 1 currently being charged and the vehicle 1 for which a new charging request has been made, is calculated. Specifically, for the vehicle 1 currently being charged, the "charging power" from the acquired status is used, and for the vehicle 1 for which a new charging request has been made, the "set power" in the user information table T13 in the database 107 is used. If the calculated total power usage is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes" in S1753), it is determined that normal power is possible. In step S1753, if the power usage is greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), in S1754, the total power usage that would occur if adjustment charging were performed on all vehicles 1, including the vehicle 1 currently being charged and the vehicle 1 for which a new charging request has been made, is calculated. Specifically, in this example, the adjustment power is set to 75% of the set power, and therefore becomes 75% of the value (15 kW) of the “set power” in the user information table T13 of the database 107. If the calculated total power usage is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes" in S1755), it is determined that regulated charging is possible, and if it is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), it is determined that charging is not possible. If it is determined in step S1751 that normal charging is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S1754.

[0060] 21A, if it is determined in step S175 that "charging is possible" ("Yes"), the OCPP server 106 is instructed to start charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) and a counter for measuring the charging time is started (S176), and if there is a charging start response from the OCPP server 106 indicating that charging has started normally ("Yes" in S177), a charging start report is sent to the portable terminal 3 (S178), and the process proceeds to step S184 in Fig. 21B. Also, if there is an "error" response in step S177 ("No"), an error report is sent to the portable terminal 3 (S179), and the process proceeds to step S184. In addition, when changing the charging of a vehicle 1 that is already undergoing normal charging to adjusted charging for a newly requested vehicle 1, the charging start instruction includes information on the “connector ID” being charged and the charging power of “15”. If it is determined in step S175 that charging is not possible (No), charging is not started and a request is made to database 107 to register that charging is in a standby state (S180). If a response to the standby registration is received (Yes in S181), a charging standby report is sent to portable terminal 3 (S182), and the process proceeds to step S184.

[0061] In step S184, the charging time is obtained from clock unit 184, and it is determined whether charging is complete or not based on the charging time. The charging completion is determined as follows: if the sum of the normal time of normal charging and the adjusted time of adjusted charging is less than a predetermined time (here, set to 10 hours in adjusted charging equivalent, which is also the "charge completion set time"), it is determined as "not charged", and if it is equal to or greater than the charge completion set time, it is determined as "charge completed". More specifically, (normal time x 1.25 + adjusted time) is compared with the charge completion set time. If it is determined in step S185 that charging is complete ("Yes"), the charging completion is instructed to the OCPP server 106 and the counter is stopped (S186), and if a charging completion response indicating that charging was completed successfully is received from the OCPP server 106 ("Yes" in S187), a charging completion report is sent to the portable terminal 3 (S188). Next, because charging has been completed in the database 107, a request is made to update the charging request in the charging request table T11 (S189). If a response to the update is received ("Yes" in S190), a request is made to delete the corresponding record in the charging request table T11 (S191). If a response to the deletion is received ("Yes" in S192), the process proceeds to step S193 in FIG. 21C.

[0062] In step S193, it is determined whether there is a change in the charging state. The determination as to whether or not there is a change in charging is performed after charging is completed. In other words, a determination is made as to whether to charge a waiting vehicle 1 with the power used by the vehicle 1 that has completed charging, or to return from regulated charging to normal charging if there is no waiting vehicle 1. In step S193, a determination is made as shown in FIG. In step S1930, a request is made to the database 170 for the charging status, at least one of the "charging number", "connector ID", and "charging status", and "charging power", and it is determined whether the charging status is "standby" in the requested and acquired status ("Yes" in 1731) (S1932). In step S1932, if "Waiting" is present ("Yes"), an instruction to change to adjusted charging is generated to perform adjusted charging for the waiting vehicle 1, and an adjustment counter is started (S1933) to measure the charging time of adjusted charging of the vehicle 1. In this case, in step S193, it is determined that there is a change. If "Waiting" is not present in step S1932 ("No"), it is determined whether the charging in progress is conditioned charging (S1934). If it is not conditioned charging ("No"), the charging in progress is normal charging, and there is no need to change the charging state, and in step S193 it is determined that there is no change. When it is determined in step S1934 that adjustment charging is being performed ("Yes"), if the total power usage during normal charging of all vehicles being charged is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes" in S1935), it is determined that normal charging is possible, and an instruction to change to normal charging is created to perform normal charging on the vehicle 1 being charged, and the counter is changed (S1936) to measure the charging time of normal charging of the vehicle 1. In this case, it is determined in step S193 that there has been a change. Note that changing the counter here means stopping the counting of the adjustment counter that has been measured up until now, and starting counting of the normal counter. Returning to FIG. 21C, if it is determined in step S193 that there has been a change in the charging state ("Yes"), the charging change created in step S1931 or S1933 is instructed to the OCPP server 106 (S194), and if a charging change response is received from the OCPP server 106 indicating that the charging has been changed successfully ("Yes" in S195), a charging change report is sent to the portable terminal 3 (S196), and the process proceeds to step S170 in FIG. 21A.

[0063] <First embodiment A> The charging control device 105 of the first embodiment includes an OCPP server 106, a database 107, and an AP server 108, but for example, the OCPP server 106 may have the same functions as the AP server 108. In this case, the charging control device 105A includes an OCPP server 106A and a database 107A, and will be described below as a first embodiment A.

[0064] 1.Charging control device As shown in FIG. 24, the charging control device 105A includes an OCPP server 106A that is capable of communicating with the charging device 103 and the portable terminal 3 and functions as a server that controls the charging device 103 in accordance with a charging request from a user (portable terminal 3), and a database (hereinafter referred to as "DB" in the drawings) 107A that stores charging request data (charging request history) of the vehicle 1 to be charged by the charging device 103. The OCPP server 106A has the functions of the AP server 108 in the first embodiment, and the database 107A is the same as in the first embodiment, but requests for registration and the like are input only from the OCPP server 106A. The OCPP server 106A includes at least a control unit 161A, a communication unit 162A, a storage unit 163A, and a clock unit 164A. The control unit 161A is basically the same as in the first embodiment, but the contents of the programs it executes are different, and the processing as an OCPP application is different. The communication unit 162A communicates with the database 107A, and also communicates with the portable terminal 3 using, for example, data communication using a network (for example, the Internet) using a telephone line or an optical line, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication, etc. Note that the communication unit 162A communicates with the charging device 103 using OCPP. The storage unit 163A is basically the same as in the first embodiment, but the contents of the programs it stores (that is, the programs executed by the control unit 161A) are different. Clock unit 164A measures the date and time of a charging request, the time when charging starts, and the time when charging is completed. Clock unit 164A also includes a normal counter that counts the charging time during normal charging (normal time) and an adjustment counter that counts the charging time during adjustment charging (adjustment time). The date and time measured by clock unit 164A are stored in database 107A, and the charging time counted by the counter is stored in storage unit 163A. Clock unit 164A has a calendar function and measures up to the date.

[0065] The OCPP server 106A, as shown in Figures 25 to 28, includes a charging request receiving unit that receives a charging request from the portable terminal 3, a charging feasibility determination unit that determines whether charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) is possible for the vehicle 1 that has requested charging, a charging start signal output unit that outputs a charging start signal (which may include a start preparation signal) to cause the charging device 103 to start charging when it is determined that charging is possible, and a charging start response signal (which may include a start preparation response signal if the charging start response signal is included) from the charging device 103, as shown in Figures 25 to 28, by making the control unit 161A, the communication unit 162A, the storage unit 163A, and the clock unit 164A cooperate with each other. a charging start report transmission unit that transmits a charging start report to the portable terminal 3 when a charging start response signal is input from the charging device 103; a charging completion determination unit that determines whether charging of the vehicle 1 being charged (including normal charging and adjustment charging) is completed; a charging completion signal output unit that outputs a charging completion signal (which may include a completion preparation signal) to the charging device 103 to complete charging when it is determined that charging is completed; and a charging completion response signal input unit that receives a charging completion response signal (including the completion preparation response signal if the completion preparation signal is included) from the charging device 103. a charging completion report transmission unit that transmits a charging completion report to the portable terminal 3 when a charging completion response signal is input from the charging device 103; a charging change determination unit that determines whether or not there is a change in the charging state; a charging change signal transmission unit that outputs a charging change signal (which may include a change preparation signal) for causing the charging device 103 to change the charging state when it is determined that there is a change; a charging change response signal input unit that receives the charging change response signal (including the change preparation response signal if the change preparation signal is included) from the charging device 103; a charging change report transmitting unit that transmits a charging change report to the database 107; a charging request creation request output unit that outputs a request for creating a charging request in the charging request table T11 to the database 107; a creation response input unit that receives a response to the request from the database 107; a status acquisition request output unit that outputs a status acquisition request to the database 107A; an acquisition response input unit that receives an acquisition response to the requested status; a start registration request output unit that outputs a status start registration request to the database 107A; and a start registration response input unit that receives a response to the start registration request from the database 107A.The system includes a standby registration request output unit which outputs a standby registration request for status to database 107A, a standby response input unit which receives a response to the standby registration request from database 107A, a completion update request output unit which outputs a completion update request for status to database 107A, a completion update response input unit which receives the response to the completion update request from database 107A, a charging request update request output unit which outputs a charging request update request to database 107A, a charging request update response input unit which receives the response to the charging request update request from database 107A, a status deletion request output unit which outputs a status deletion request, and a deletion response input unit which receives the response to the deletion request from database 107A.

[0066] 2. Sequence (1) Charging request 25 and 26, when the OCPP server 106A receives a charge request from the portable terminal 3, it requests the database 107A to create a new charge request. In response to this request, the database 107A registers the new request in the charge request table T11 and sends a creation response to the OCPP server 106A. The OCPP server 106A requests the database 107A to obtain the status, and obtains the status.

[0067] (2) Start charging The OCPP server 106A judges whether charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) is possible for the new request based on the status acquired from the database 107A. The judgment method is the same as that in the first embodiment, and is performed by comparing the total power consumption when charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) the vehicle 1 being charged and the vehicle 1 of the new request with a preset maximum power consumption. FIG. 25 shows a case where charging is possible, and will be described with reference to FIG. When it is determined that charging (normal charging or adjusted charging) is possible, the OCPP server 106A outputs a start preparation signal to the charging device 103, and when a start preparation response signal is input from the charging device 103, it requests charging start registration from the database 107A, and when a start registration response indicating registration is received, it transmits a charging start signal to the charging device 103, and when a charging start response signal is input from the charging device 103, it reports the start of charging to the portable terminal 3. FIG. 26 shows a case where charging is not possible, and will be described with reference to FIG. If it is determined that charging is not possible, the OCPP server 106A requests the database 107A to register a charging standby state. When a standby registration response indicating that the registration has been made is input from the database 107A, the OCPP server 106A reports the charging standby state to the portable terminal 3.

[0068] (3) Charging completed The OCPP server 106A judges whether or not charging is completed as shown in Fig. 27. Here, similarly to the first embodiment, the judgment is made based on whether or not the charging time has reached the charging completion setting time. The OCPP server 106A acquires the charging time, and when it is determined that charging is complete from the acquired charging time, it outputs a completion preparation signal to the charging device 103, and requests a charging completion update from the database 107A upon receiving a completion preparation response signal from the charging device 103. The OCPP server 106A outputs a charging completion signal to the charging device 103 upon receiving a completion update response from the database 107A, and reports charging completion to the portable terminal 3 upon receiving a charging completion response signal indicating that charging has been completed from the charging device 103. Furthermore, when the OCPP server 106A receives a charging completion response signal from the charging device 103, it requests the database 107A to update the charging request in the charging request table T11.

[0069] (4) Changing the charging state As in the first embodiment, when a charging-completed vehicle is found, the OCPP server 106A judges whether the charging state has changed based on the charging state status. Here, the judgment is made based on "charging" and "charging power" in the status table T12. As shown in FIG. 28, the OCPP server 106A requests the database 107A to acquire the status, and determines whether or not to change the charging state based on the acquisition response from the database 107A. If it is determined that there is a change, the OCPP server 106A outputs a change preparation signal to the charging device 103, and requests the database 107A to update the charging change when a change preparation response signal is input from the charging device 103. The OCPP server 106A outputs a charging change signal to the charging device 103 when a response to the change update is received from the database 107A, and reports the charging change to the mobile terminal 3 when a charging change response signal with the changed charging state is input from the charging device 103.

[0070] <First embodiment B> As shown in FIG. 3, the charging control device 105 of the first embodiment has an OCPP server 106, a database 107, and an AP server 108, and the charging control device 105A of the first embodiment A has an OCPP server 106A and a database 107A, as shown in FIG. 24. However, the charging control device 105B may be configured by a single computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, and will be described below as a first embodiment B. As shown in FIG. 29, the charge control device 105B of the first embodiment B includes at least a control unit 151B, a communication unit 152B, a storage unit 153B, and a clock unit 154B. The storage unit 153B corresponds to the databases 107, 107A in the first embodiment and first embodiment A, and stores a charging request table T11, a status table T12, a user information table T13, etc., as well as a program executed by the control unit 151B, the maximum chargeable power usage, the time until charging is completed, etc. The control unit 151B is configured to execute, for example, a program stored in the storage unit 153B to run, for example, an application similar to the application of the OCPP server 106A of the first embodiment A. The control unit 151B creates, registers, updates, etc. a new request in the charging request table T11 stored in the storage unit 153B, and registers, updates, deletes, etc. the status table T12 and the user information table T13. The communication unit 152B is capable of communicating with a mobile terminal and is configured to be capable of communicating with the charging device 103 by OCPP. When the charging control device 1059 is installed in a management room of an apartment building, the communication may be possible using a local network such as a LAN.

[0071] <First embodiment C> 1. Overall structure In the charging system 101 of the first embodiment, the possibility of charging the vehicle 1 for which charging has been requested is determined by comparing the total power usage when the vehicle 1 for which charging has been requested is charged with the first charging power being used, with the maximum power usage. At this time, the charging power for one vehicle is preset to 20 kW or 15 kW, but the set power may differ depending on the size (output) of the vehicle 1 (battery), etc. In the charging system of first embodiment C, the charging power of vehicle 1 is individually registered, and assuming that vehicle 1 that has requested charging is charged under the first charging conditions during the current charging, if the total charging power usage is less than the maximum charging power usage, vehicle 1 that has requested charging is charged under the first charging conditions, and if the total charging power usage is equal to or greater than the maximum charging power usage, vehicle 1 that has requested charging and vehicle 1 that is being charged are charged under second charging conditions that use less power than the first charging conditions. Hereinafter, the first embodiment C will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0072] 2.Each part (1) Database In the status table T12C of the first embodiment C, as shown in Fig. 30A and Fig. 30B, for example, "first" and "second" are stored in the "charging state" field. Note that "first" is the first charging condition shown in Fig. 30C, and "third" is the third charging condition shown in Fig. 30C. The first to third conditions will be described later.

[0073] (2) AP server The AP server 108C stores a charging condition table T2C as shown in FIG. 30C in a storage unit 183C. The first charging condition corresponds to "normal charging" in the first embodiment, and is a case where charging is performed with 100% charging power relative to the set power. In the status table T12C, the charging state is stored as "first". The second charging condition corresponds to "adjusted charging" for the first embodiment liquid, and is a case where charging is performed with a charging power of 80% of the set power. In the status table T12C, the charging state is stored as "second." The third charging condition is when charging is performed with a charging power that is 60% of the set power. In the status table T12C, the charging state is stored as "third." When charging under the first charging condition, 100% of the set power corresponds to the first charging power, and 80% of the set power corresponds to the second charging power. When charging under the second charging condition, 80% of the set power corresponds to the first charging power, and 60% of the set power corresponds to the second charging power.

[0074] (2-1) Regarding new requests In the AP server 108C, similarly to the first embodiment, the AP application performs various processes by executing a program by the control unit 181C, and S175 (FIG. 22) is different from that in FIG. 21A. The process corresponding to FIG. 22 will be described below with reference to FIG. When the status is acquired in step S174, as shown in FIG. 30B, if the acquired "charging state" includes "standby" ("Yes" in S1750C), the new charging request is determined to be charging unacceptable. If the vehicle is not in "Waiting" state ("No" in S1750C), and the charging state is "First condition" ("First condition" in S1751C), the total power usage when all vehicles, including those requested to charge, are charged under the first condition (100% power of the set power) is calculated (S1752C). In step S1753C, if the total power usage would be less than the maximum power usage if charging was performed under the first condition ("Yes"), it is determined that charging is possible under the first condition. If it is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), the process proceeds to step S1754C. Note that if the "charging state" is the second condition in step S1751C, the process proceeds to step S1754C. In step S1754C, the total power usage when all vehicles including the charging request are charged under the second condition (80% of the set power) is calculated, and if the calculated total power usage is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes" in step S1755C), it is determined that charging is possible under the second condition. If it is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), the process proceeds to step S1756C. Note that if the "charging state" is the third condition in step S1751C, the process proceeds to step S1756C. In step S1756C, the total power usage when all vehicles including the charging request are charged under the third condition (60% of the set power) is calculated, and if the calculated total power usage is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes" in step S1757C), it is determined that charging is possible under the third condition. If it is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), it is determined that charging is not possible.

[0075] (2-2) Charging change In the AP server 108C, similarly to the first embodiment, the AP application performs various processes by executing a program by the control unit 181C, and S193 (FIG. 23) is different in FIG. 21C. The process corresponding to FIG. 23 will be described below with reference to FIG. When the status is acquired in step S1931 ("Yes"), it is determined whether the status is "Waiting" (S1932). In step 1932, if "Waiting" is present ("Yes"), the waiting vehicle 1 starts charging under the third condition instead of the vehicle 1 that has been charged and completed charging under the third condition. That is, the charging state of the waiting vehicle 1 changes to start charging, a change instruction is created, a counter is started (S1933C), and it is determined in step S193 that there is a change. If "standby" is not present ("No") in step S1932, the status "charging state" is determined in step S1934C. If the charging state is "condition 3", the total power usage when all charging under condition 3 is done under condition 2 is calculated (S1935C), and the total power usage is compared with the maximum power usage (S1936C). If the total power usage is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), it is determined in step S193 that there is no change in the charging state, and if it is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes"), charging is performed by changing from the third condition to the second condition. That is, the charging state of all vehicles 1 being charged under the third condition is changed to the second condition, a change instruction is created, the counter is changed (S1937C), and it is determined in step S193 that there is a change. In step S1934C, if the charging state is "second condition", the total power usage if all charging under the second condition were to be done under the first condition is calculated (S1938C), and the total power usage is compared with the maximum power usage (S1939C). If the total power usage is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage ("No"), it is determined in step S193 that there is no change in the charging state, and if it is less than the maximum power usage ("Yes"), charging is performed by changing from the second condition to the first condition. That is, the charging state of all vehicles 1 being charged under the second condition is changed to the first condition, a change instruction is created, the counter is changed (S1931C), and it is determined in step S193 that there is a change. The charging change instruction to the OCPP server 106C includes the connector ID and charging power to be changed, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0076] (3) Power used For example, calculation of power usage when a new charging request is made in the state of the status table T12C in FIG. 30A will be described. For example, if the set power for charging number "20230411-3" is "30 kW," the set power for charging number "2023411-4" is "20 kW," and the set power for the newly requested charging number "202304111-5" is "10 kW," the total power usage when all are under the second charging condition will be 30 x 0.8 + 20 x 0.8 + 10 x 0.8 = 48 kW. In other words, the total power usage is calculated by multiplying the set power by the ratio of each charging condition and adding them up. In this way, the control can be performed for vehicles 1 with different power settings.

[0077] In the first embodiment C, the charging device can be controlled so as not to be overloaded. Moreover, since the OCPP server 106C can instruct the charging device 103 on the power to be used during charging, it can also handle differences in charging power caused by differences in the capacity of the battery of the vehicle 1, etc.

[0078] <First embodiment D> 1. Overall structure In the charging system 101 of the first embodiment, a preset (fixed) set power is used as a charging condition for normal charging, and the set power is set lower than the maximum power usage of the charging device. In the charging system of first embodiment D, charging is performed so that the maximum power usage is shared among the number of vehicles being charged. Even in this case, even if a new charging request is made, the maximum power usage will not be exceeded, and the charging device can be controlled so as not to be overloaded. Hereinafter, the first embodiment D will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0079] 2.AP Server (1) Composition The AP server 108D has basically the same configuration as the AP server 108 of the first embodiment, but there is a difference in the processing of the AP application executed by the control unit. (2) New requests In AP server 108D, similarly to the first embodiment, control unit 181D executes a program, and the AP application performs various processes, but in FIG. 21A, S175 (FIG. 22) is different. The process corresponding to FIG. 22 will be described below with reference to FIG. When the status is acquired in step S174, the number N of vehicles being charged is acquired (S1751D), and the maximum amount of power usage is calculated by adding "1" for the new charging request to the number of vehicles being charged (S1752D). In step S1753D, if the power usage is less than the preset minimum power usage ("No"), it is determined that charging is not possible in consideration of charging efficiency, and if it is greater than the minimum power usage, it is determined that charging is possible with that power usage. This allows the charging time to be shortened when there are only a few devices to be charged.

[0080] (2) Change in charging status (charging power) In the AP server 108D, similarly to the first embodiment, the control unit 181D executes a program, and the AP application performs various processes, but in FIG. 21C, S193 (FIG. 23) is different. The process corresponding to FIG. 23 will be described below with reference to FIG. When the status is acquired in step S192 ("Yes"), it is determined whether the status is "Waiting" (S1932). In step 1932, if "Waiting" is present ("Yes"), a charge start change instruction is created (S1933D) to start charging the waiting vehicle 1 under the same charging conditions as the other vehicles 1 that are being charged, and it is determined in step S193 that a change has been made. If there is no "waiting" in step S1932 ("No"), the number N of charging vehicles being charged is obtained in step S1934D, and if the obtained number of charging vehicles is "0" ("Yes"), it is determined in step S193 that there is no change (no vehicles being charged). If the number of charging vehicles is not "0" ("No"), the maximum power usage is divided by the number N of charging vehicles to calculate the power usage (S1936D), and a change instruction is created to charge with the new power usage (S1937D), and it is determined in step S193 that there is a change.

[0081] <First Modification> Although the charging system, charging device, and charging control device of the first embodiment (including A to D) have been described, they are not limited to the first embodiment, and may be, for example, a first modified example as follows. Also, the first embodiment and the first modified example, or the configurations in the first modified example may be combined. Furthermore, examples that are not described in the first embodiment or first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention are also included in the invention related to the first embodiment.

[0082] 1. Check if the vehicle is properly connected If the vehicle 1 to be charged is not connected normally, the charging control device 105 transmits an error to the mobile terminal 3 as in step S1229 in FIG. 17 or step S1259 in FIG. The charging device 103 checks whether it is electrically connected to the vehicle 1 with the "connector ID" included in the preparation signal such as the start preparation signal, and outputs a "normal" signal if it is connected, and outputs an "error" signal if it is not connected. However, the determination may be made in the following manner. The connection determination means is realized by software, as in step S1223 in FIG. 17 and step S1253 in FIG.

[0083] (1) Connection check 1 In the above method, the determination as to whether the vehicle 1 to be charged is normally connected (normal connection determination means) is performed on the side of the charging device 103. However, the normal connection determination may be performed on the side of the OCPP server 106 or the AP server 108. The charging device 103 outputs only the connection result regarding the presence or absence of electrical connection of the vehicle 1 (connector 131) to be charged or of all vehicles 1 to the OCPP server 106 and / or AP server 108, and the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 can determine whether the connection is normal based on whether the "connector ID" of the target of the charging request is included in the connection result from the charging device 103.

[0084] (2) Connection check 2 When a preparation signal such as a start preparation signal is input (for example, "Yes" in step S101 in FIG. 15), the charging device 103 checks the connection of the "connector ID" included in the signal. However, when the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 determines whether the connection is normal, the preparation signal such as the start preparation signal does not need to include the "connector ID" (the charging start signal includes the "connector ID"). When a preparation signal such as a start preparation signal is input, the charging device 103 checks the electrical connection of all connectors 131 and outputs the connection result to the OCPP server 106 and / or AP server 108. If the "connector ID" for which a new charging request has been made is included among the connected connectors in the connection result from the charging device 103, the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 determines that the connection is "normal," and if it is not included in the connection result, determines that an "error" has occurred. In this case, the normal connection determination for the vehicle 1 is performed on the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 side. In addition, in consideration of the amount of communication, it is preferable that the connection determination be performed by the charging device 103 or the OCPP server 106.

[0085] 2. Charging possible determination As shown in FIG. 22, AP108 judges the power usage based on the total power usage and the maximum power usage when all vehicles, including vehicles for which new charging requests have been made and vehicles currently being charged, are charged. However, if the charging power per vehicle is set, the judgment may be made based on the total number of vehicles, including vehicles currently being charged and vehicles for which new charging requests have been made, and the maximum number of vehicles to be charged, calculated by dividing the maximum power usage by the set power, instead of the total power usage. In addition, if the set charging power is not constant depending on the size of the vehicle (battery), the number of vehicles may be calculated with the reference charging power set to 1. For example, if the set power of 20 kW is the reference charging power, the total number of vehicles may be calculated as 30 / 20=1.5 vehicles with a set power of 30 kW, and 15 / 20=0.75 vehicles with a set power of 15 kW.

[0086] 3.Charging completion determination The charging completion determination is made based on the acquired charging time to determine whether charging is complete or not, as shown in Fig. 21B. Note that the charging completion determination means is realized by software, as in steps S184 to S185. However, when the vehicle 1 is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 11 capable of communicating with the charging device 103 or the charging control device 105, the OCPP server 106E (or AP server 108E) may acquire a detection result (e.g., voltage) of the ECU 11 as shown in Fig. 35, and may determine the completion of charging by comparing the acquired detection result with a voltage at which charging is deemed to be completed (hereinafter, referred to as "charging completion voltage") As described above, when the OCPP server 106E makes the determination, the AP server 108 in the first embodiment does not need to send a charging completion instruction or the like to the OCPP server 106 (see Fig. 13). Also, the detection result of the ECU 11 may be acquired by the charging device 103, and the detection result acquired by the charging device 103 may be output to the OCPP server 106 or the AP server, and may be judged by the OCPP server 106 or the AP server 108. 36, the charging device 103F may acquire the detection result of the ECU 11 and determine the completion of charging by comparing the acquired detection result with the charging completion voltage. In this case, the charging device 103F may complete charging by itself and transmit the charging completion signal to the OCPP server 106E (or the AP server 108F). In this case, there is no need to exchange a stop transaction signal as shown in FIG. 13. In addition, if the charging device 103 is equipped with a voltage detection unit that detects the charging voltage, the completion of charging may be determined by the voltage detected by the charging device 103, or the completion of charging may be determined by outputting the voltage from the charging device 103 to the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 and having the OCPP server 106 or AP server 108 make the determination. Although the charging completion judgment is made based on the charging time when the battery charging rate reaches 80% or more (fully charged state), for example, the charging of the first vehicle may be completed in a short time such as two hours, and the second vehicle 1 in a waiting state may be charged, and if the first vehicle 1 is not fully charged, it may be put in the lowest waiting state. This allows multiple vehicles to be charged equally.

[0087] 4.Other (1) Although transactions are used in transmitting and receiving signals between the OCPP server 106 and the charging device 103, they do not necessarily have to be used. Note that using transactions can prevent malfunctions. Examples of malfunctions include cases where a normal charging signal is not output even though charging is in progress, or where charging is continued without a charging start report being sent to the mobile terminal. (2) The charging system includes a charging device and a charging control device. However, the charging device may be configured as a single unit that includes a charging section equivalent to the charging device and a charging control section equivalent to the charging control device. (3) Although OCPP is used for communication between the charging device 103 and the first server (OCPP server 106), other protocols may be used. (4) The AP server 108 accepts the charging request from the mobile terminal 3, but may accept the request in other ways. For example, a card on which identification information such as a vehicle ID is stored may be read by the charging device 103 or an external reader, and the request may be accepted from the charging device or the reader. (5) An application compatible with the AP server 108 is installed on the mobile terminal, but it may also be possible to communicate with the AP (WEB-API) by using, for example, an application (front end) running on a browser.

[0088] <First Invention 1> In the first embodiment (including A to D, etc.), the following first invention 1 exists. The first invention 1 is not limited to the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and includes examples not described in the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0089] (1) Charging control device The first charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage of the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle being charged is charged with the first charging power would exceed the maximum power usage, the vehicle being charged with the new charging power and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power are charged with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power and has a total power usage less than the maximum power usage. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0090] The second charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges a plurality of vehicles capable of being electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: A charging request receiving means (corresponding to step S170, for example) for receiving a charging request for the vehicle; a charging control means for controlling charging of the vehicle that has requested charging; a first power usage calculation means (corresponding to, for example, step S1752) that calculates, when a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, a total power usage when charging the newly requested vehicle with the first charging power in addition to the vehicle being charged; a second power usage calculation means (corresponding to, for example, step S1754) for calculating, when the new charging request is received while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, a total power usage when the vehicle being charged and the vehicle for which the new charging request is received are charged with a second charging power lower than the first charging power, in addition to the vehicle being charged; Equipped with The charge control means includes: When the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, charging the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made with the first charging power; If the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage and if the total power usage calculated by the second power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, the vehicle for which the new charging request was made and the vehicle that was being charged with the first charging power are charged with the second charging power (e.g., this corresponds to steps S1752 to S1755). This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0091] The third charging control device is the first charging control device, When charging of one of the vehicles that was being charged with the second charging power is completed, if the charging power of the remaining vehicles being charged with the first charging power is less than the maximum usage power, the charging power of the remaining vehicles being charged is returned to the first charging power and they are charged. This allows for efficient charging without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0092] The fourth charge control device is the second charge control device, A charging completion determination means (e.g., step S185) that determines whether charging of the vehicle being charged is completed; A means for determining whether or not a total power usage when charging all of the vehicles being charged with the first charging power is smaller than the maximum power usage (e.g., step S1935); Further equipped with When the charging completion determination means determines that charging of one of the vehicles being charged with the second charging power has been completed (e.g., corresponding to "Yes" in step S185) and the determination means determines that the total power usage when all of the remaining vehicles being charged are charged with the first charging power is less than the maximum power usage (e.g., corresponding to "Yes" in step S1935), the charging control means charges all of the remaining vehicles being charged with the first charging power. This allows for efficient charging without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0093] The fifth charging control device is the first and third charging control devices, When a new charging request is made while charging with the second charging power, if the total power usage when charging the vehicle being charged with the second charging power and the newly requested vehicle with the second charging power exceeds the maximum power usage, charging of the newly requested vehicle is put on hold. This prevents a drop in charging power (charging at low charging power) and enables efficient charging.

[0094] The sixth charging control device is the second and fourth charging control devices, The charge control means includes: When at least one of the vehicles is being charged with the second charging power and a new charging request is received (e.g., this corresponds to “No” in step S1751), When the total power usage calculated by the second power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, the vehicle that has requested charging is charged with the second charging power (e.g., this corresponds to “Yes” in step S1755), When the total power usage calculated by the second power usage calculation means is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage, the vehicle that has newly requested charging is made to wait for charging (for example, this corresponds to "Yes" in step S1755). This makes it possible to prevent a drop in charging power (charging at low charging power) and efficiently charge multiple vehicles.

[0095] The seventh charge control device is the fifth charge control device, When charging of one of the vehicles that has been charged is completed, charging of one of the vehicles that is on standby is started. This allows vehicles to be charged while on standby without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0096] The eighth charge control device is the sixth charge control device, When the charging completion determination means determines that charging is completed, the charging control means starts charging the waiting vehicle (corresponding to steps S193 and S194, for example). This allows vehicles to be charged while on standby without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0097] A ninth charging control device is the seventh charging control device, The one vehicle in the waiting state is the vehicle that has been waiting the longest. This allows the standby time to be shortened without exceeding the maximum power consumption.

[0098] A tenth charging control device is the second, fourth, sixth or eighth charging control device, A first server capable of communicating with the charging device; a second server capable of communicating with a mobile terminal of a user of the vehicle and the first server; Equipped with The charging control means is executed by an application executed by the second server. This makes it possible to provide the first charge control means without making any major changes to the first server.

[0099] (2) Charging system The charging system is a charging system that electrically charges a plurality of electrically chargeable vehicles in an apartment complex, A charging device including a plurality of connectors connectable to each of the plurality of vehicles; a charge control device that controls charging of the vehicle by the charging device; Equipped with The charging device has a maximum power usage setting (or is capable of setting) for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, The charge control device is any one of the first to tenth charge control devices. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0100] (3) Charging control method A charging control method is a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex, and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control method controls charging of the vehicles connected to the charging device, When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage of the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle being charged is charged with the first charging power would exceed the maximum power usage, the vehicle being charged with the new charging power and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power are charged with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power and has a total power usage less than the maximum power usage. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0101] <First Invention 2> In the first embodiment (including A to D, etc.), the following first invention 2 exists. The first invention 2 is not limited to the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and includes examples not described in the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0102] (1) Charging control device The first charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: When a new charging request is received, the vehicle being charged and the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made are charged with the power usage calculated by dividing the maximum power usage by the total number of vehicles being charged (including 0 vehicles) and the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, so the power receiving equipment (distribution board) does not become overloaded. Also, when there are only a few devices to be charged, the charging time can be shortened.

[0103] The second charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges a plurality of vehicles capable of being electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: A charging request receiving means (corresponding to step S170, for example) for receiving a charging request for the vehicle; a charging control means for controlling charging of the vehicle that has requested charging; a first power usage calculation means (corresponding to, for example, step S1752D) for calculating, when a new charging request is received, the maximum power usage by dividing the total number of vehicles being charged (including 0 vehicles) and the vehicle for which the new charging request is received; Equipped with The charge control means includes: When the new charging request is made, the vehicle being charged and the vehicle for which the new charging request has been made are charged with the power consumption calculated by the first power consumption calculation means (for example, this corresponds to steps S1753D and 176). This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0104] The third charging control device is the first charging control device, When charging of the vehicle being charged is completed, the remaining vehicles are charged with the power usage obtained by dividing the maximum power usage by the number of remaining vehicles being charged. This allows for efficient charging without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0105] The fourth charge control device is the second charge control device, A charging completion determination means (e.g., step S185) that determines whether charging of the vehicle being charged is completed; a second power usage calculation means (corresponding to, for example, step S1936D) for calculating a power usage by dividing the maximum power usage by the total number of vehicles being charged; Further equipped with When the charging completion determination means determines that charging of the vehicle being charged has been completed (e.g., corresponding to "Yes" in step S185), the charging control means charges all remaining vehicles being charged with the power usage calculated by the second power usage calculation means (e.g., corresponding to steps S1936D and S194). This allows for efficient charging without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0106] The fifth charging control device is the first and third charging control devices, When a new charging request is made, if the maximum power usage divided by the total number of vehicles being charged, including the vehicles being charged and the vehicle for which the new charging request has been made, is smaller than a preset minimum power usage, the vehicle for which the new charging request has been made is placed on standby for charging. This prevents a drop in charging power (charging at low charging power) and enables efficient charging.

[0107] The sixth charging control device is the second and fourth charging control devices, The power consumption calculation means further includes a determination means for determining whether or not the power consumption calculated by the first power consumption calculation means is greater than a preset minimum power consumption, When a new charging request is received and the judgment means determines that the calculated power usage is less than the minimum power usage, the charging control means causes the vehicle for which the new charging request is received to wait for charging (e.g., this corresponds to ``No'' in step S1753D). This makes it possible to prevent a drop in charging power (charging at low charging power) and efficiently charge multiple vehicles.

[0108] The seventh charge control device is the fifth charge control device, When charging of one of the vehicles that has been charged is completed, charging of one of the vehicles that is on standby is started. This allows vehicles to be charged while on standby without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0109] The eighth charge control device is the sixth charge control device, When the charging completion determination means determines that charging is completed, the charging control means starts charging the waiting vehicle (for example, this corresponds to steps S1933D and S194). This allows vehicles to be charged while on standby without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0110] A ninth charging control device is the seventh charging control device, The one vehicle in the waiting state is the vehicle that has been waiting the longest. This allows the standby time to be shortened without exceeding the maximum power consumption.

[0111] A tenth charging control device is the second, fourth, sixth or eighth charging control device, A first server capable of communicating with the charging device; a second server capable of communicating with the first server and a mobile terminal of a user of the vehicle; Equipped with The charging control means is executed by an application executed by the second server. This makes it possible to provide the first charge control means without making any major changes to the first server.

[0112] (2) Charging system The charging system is a charging system that electrically charges a plurality of electrically chargeable vehicles in an apartment complex, A charging device including a plurality of connectors connectable to each of the plurality of vehicles; a charge control device that controls charging of the vehicle by the charging device; Equipped with The charging device has a maximum power usage setting (or is capable of setting) for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, The charge control device is any one of the first to tenth charge control devices. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0113] (3) Charging control method A charging control method is a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex, and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control method controls charging of the vehicles connected to the charging device, When a new charging request is received, the vehicle being charged and the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made are charged with the power usage calculated by dividing the maximum power usage by the total number of vehicles being charged (including 0 vehicles) and the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0114] <First Invention 3> In the first embodiment (including A to D, etc.), the following first invention 3 exists. The first invention 3 is not limited to the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and includes examples not described in the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention 3.

[0115] (1) Charging control device The first charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage would exceed the maximum power usage if the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle were charged with the first charging power, at least one of the vehicles, including the vehicle being charged and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power, is charged with a second charging power lower than the first charging power so that the total power usage is less than the maximum power usage. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0116] The second charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges a plurality of vehicles capable of being electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: a charging request receiving means for receiving a charging request for the vehicle; a charging control means for controlling charging of the vehicle that has requested charging; a first power usage calculation means for calculating, when a new charging request is received while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, a total power usage when charging the newly requested vehicle with the first charging power in addition to the vehicle being charged; a second power usage calculation means for calculating, when a new charging request is received while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, a total power usage when charging at least one of the vehicles for which a new charging request is received, in addition to the vehicle being charged, with a second charging power lower than the first charging power; Equipped with The charge control means includes: When the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, charging the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made with the first charging power; When the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage and when the total power usage calculated by the second power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, at least one of the vehicles is charged with the second charging power. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded. (2) Charging system The charging system is a charging system that electrically charges a plurality of electrically chargeable vehicles in an apartment complex, A charging device including a plurality of connectors connectable to each of the plurality of vehicles; a charge control device that controls charging of the vehicle by the charging device; Equipped with The charging device has a maximum power usage setting (or is capable of setting) for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, The charge control device is a first or second charge control device. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded. (3) Charging control method A charging control method is a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex, and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control method controls charging of the vehicles connected to the charging device, When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage would exceed the maximum power usage if the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle were charged with the first charging power, at least one of the vehicles, including the vehicle being charged and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power, is charged with a second charging power lower than the first charging power so that the total power usage is less than the maximum power usage. This ensures that the maximum power usage is not exceeded, and the power receiving equipment (distribution board) is not overloaded.

[0117] <First Invention 4> In the first embodiment (including A to D, etc.), the following first invention 4 exists. The first invention 4 is not limited to the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and includes examples not described in the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention 4.

[0118] (1) Charging control device The first charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage of the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle being charged would exceed the maximum power usage if charged with the first charging power, the vehicle being charged is charged with a second charging power which is the difference between the total power usage of the vehicles being charged and the maximum power usage. This prevents the maximum power usage from being exceeded, so the power receiving equipment (distribution board) does not become overloaded. In addition, new vehicles that request charging can be charged without exceeding the maximum power usage.

[0119] The second charge control device includes: A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges a plurality of vehicles capable of being electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: a charging request receiving means for receiving a charging request for the vehicle; a charging control means for controlling charging of the vehicle that has requested charging; a first power usage calculation means for calculating, when a new charging request is received while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, a total power usage when charging the newly requested vehicle with the first charging power in addition to the vehicle being charged; a difference calculation means for calculating a difference power between a total power usage of at least one of the vehicles being charged and the maximum power usage when the new charging request is received while the at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power; Equipped with The charge control means includes: When the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is smaller than the maximum power usage, charging the vehicle for which a new charging request has been made with the first charging power; When the total power usage calculated by the first power usage calculation means is equal to or greater than the maximum power usage, the vehicle that has newly requested charging is charged with the power difference (second charging power) calculated by the difference calculation means. This prevents the maximum power usage from being exceeded, so the power receiving equipment (distribution board) does not become overloaded. In addition, new vehicles that request charging can be charged without exceeding the maximum power usage. (2) Charging system The charging system is a charging system that electrically charges a plurality of electrically chargeable vehicles in an apartment complex, A charging device including a plurality of connectors connectable to each of the plurality of vehicles; a charge control device that controls charging of the vehicle by the charging device; Equipped with The charging device has a maximum power usage setting (or is capable of setting) for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, The charge control device is a first or second charge control device. (3) Charging control method A charging control method is a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex, and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control method controls charging of the vehicles connected to the charging device, When a new charging request is made while at least one of the vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if the total power usage of the vehicle being charged and the newly requested vehicle being charged would exceed the maximum power usage if charged with the first charging power, the vehicle being charged is charged with a second charging power which is the difference between the total power usage of the vehicles being charged and the maximum power usage.

[0120] <First Invention 5> In the first embodiment (including A to D, etc.), the following first invention 5 exists. The first invention 5 is not limited to the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and includes examples not described in the first embodiment, first embodiments A to D, and first modified example, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention 5.

[0121] (1) Charging control device The charging control device is A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and in which a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles is set (or can be set), the charging control device comprising: When the charging time of at least one first vehicle among the vehicles reaches a first hour, if there is another second vehicle waiting to be charged, charging of the first vehicle is stopped, and if charging of the first vehicle is incomplete, the charging state of the first vehicle is put into a waiting state, and charging is performed for the second vehicle. This allows multiple vehicles to be charged equally.

[0122] <Other> Each of the first inventions 1 to 5 may have the configuration of another invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 vehicle 3. Mobile devices 101 Charging System 103 Charging device 105 Charging control device 106 OCPP Server 107 Database 108 AP Server

Claims

1. A charging control device controls charging of a vehicle connected to a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex and has a maximum power usage setting for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, the charging control device comprising: when a new charging request is made while at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if a total power usage exceeds the maximum power usage when charging the newly requested vehicle with the first charging power in addition to the vehicle being charged, charging the newly requested vehicle and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power with a second charging power that has a total power usage less than the maximum power usage and is lower than the first charging power; Charging control device.

2. When charging of one of the vehicles that has been charged with the second charging power is completed, if the charging power of the remaining vehicles that are being charged with the second charging power is smaller than the maximum usage power even if the remaining vehicles are charged with the first charging power, the charging power of the remaining vehicles that are being charged with the second charging power is returned to the first charging power and the remaining vehicles are charged. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

3. when a new charging request is received while charging with the second charging power, if a total power usage of the vehicle being charged with the second charging power and the newly requested vehicle being charged with the second charging power exceeds the maximum power usage, the vehicle being charged with the second charging power is put on standby for charging. The charge control device according to claim 2 .

4. A charging system for electrically charging a plurality of vehicles capable of being electrically charged in an apartment complex, A charging device including a plurality of connectors connectable to each of the plurality of vehicles; a charge control device that controls charging of the vehicle by the charging device; Equipped with The charging device is set to a maximum power usage for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, The charging control device is a charging control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Charging system.

5. A charging control method for a charging device that electrically charges each of a plurality of vehicles that can be electrically charged in an apartment complex, the charging device having a maximum power usage setting for simultaneously charging the plurality of vehicles, the charging control method comprising: when a new charging request is made while at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is being charged with a first charging power, if a total power usage of the vehicle being charged with the first charging power and the newly requested vehicle is charged with the first charging power, the vehicle being charged with the new charging request and the vehicle being charged with the first charging power are charged with a second charging power that is lower than the first charging power and has a total power usage less than the maximum power usage. Charging control method.

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