Vehicle charging system

Abstract

To reduce cost when a normal charger and a quick charger are provided.SOLUTION: A vehicle charging system includes: a storage battery output changeover switch configured to switch between connecting storage battery facilities and a system power supply in order to charge a storage battery of the storage battery facilities and connecting the storage battery facilities and a quick charger in order to output a DC from the storage battery to the quick charger; a photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch configured to switch between connecting photovoltaic power generation facilities and the system power supply in order to output an AC generated by the photovoltaic power generation facilities to the system power supply and connecting the photovoltaic power generation facilities and the quick charger in order to output a DC generated by the photovoltaic power generation facilities to the quick charger; and a switch control unit for performing changeover control of the storage battery output changeover switch and the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch according to a remaining battery level of the storage battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle charging system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle charging system equipped with both a rapid charger and a normal charger is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. The vehicle charging system described in Patent Document 1 connects a rapid charger and a normal charger to the same power grid, and controls charging of the rapid charger and the normal charger based on the connection status and charging information of each of the rapid charger and the normal charger with the vehicle so that charging to the vehicle is performed within the rated capacity of the breaker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-054590 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Standard chargers are more popular than quick chargers for charging vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles) and PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), but in the future, they are expected to be replaced by quick chargers and the number of quick chargers is expected to increase. One issue with this is that when adding a quick charger to a location where an existing standard charger is already installed, it is necessary to install a new power supply line in addition to the power supply line used for the standard charger, which means that the equipment costs for the added quick charger are high. In addition, a basic fee for the power contract is charged in addition to the lighting contract, and even if the quick charger is not used frequently, the basic fee for the power contract is still charged, so the burden of this basic fee was also an issue.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to reduce costs when a normal charger and a quick charger are provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle charging system comprising: a normal charger connected to a system power source and charging the vehicle with alternating current; a storage battery equipment; a solar power generation equipment; a rapid charger that charges the vehicle with direct current from at least one of the storage battery equipment and the solar power generation equipment; a storage battery output selector switch that switches between connecting the storage battery equipment to the system power source to charge the storage battery of the storage battery equipment, or connecting the storage battery equipment to the rapid charger to output direct current from the storage battery to the rapid charger; a solar power generation output selector switch that switches between connecting the solar power generation equipment to the system power source to output alternating current from the solar power generation equipment to the system power source, or connecting the solar power generation equipment to the rapid charger to output direct current from the solar power generation equipment to the rapid charger; and a switch control unit that controls switching of the storage battery output selector switch and the solar power generation output selector switch depending on the remaining battery level of the storage battery. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle charging system as described above, wherein the switch control unit controls switching of the storage battery output selector switch and the solar power generation output selector switch so as to connect the storage battery equipment and the solar power generation equipment to the system power source when the remaining battery charge of the storage battery falls below a predetermined threshold. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle charging system as described above, further comprising a battery capacity measurement unit that measures the amount of charge from the system power source to the storage battery, and a normal charging efficiency charging control unit that limits the amount of charge to the normal charger based on the measurement result of the amount of charge. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle charging system in which, when the remaining battery charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and when the rapid charger is not being used, the switch control unit controls switching of the storage battery output selector switch and the solar power generation output selector switch so as to connect the storage battery equipment to the rapid charger while connecting the solar power generation equipment to the system power source. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing costs when a normal charger and a quick charger are provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a charging control process of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a charging control process of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a charging control process of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a charging control process of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle charging system according to an embodiment. In the vehicle charging system 1 shown in Fig. 1, a normal charger 13 is connected to a system power source 10 of an electric lighting contract line via a service board 12, and charges the vehicle with alternating current. The system power source 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a "single-phase three-wire, 200V" which is an example of an electric lighting contract. This "single-phase three-wire, 200V" lighting contract generally has a lower basic fee than a power contract (e.g., "three-phase three-wire, 200V").

[0010] The normal charger 13 is a normal charger that uses a charging control method "Mode 3". The charging control method "Mode 3" is a method in which the charging equipment has a charging control function. The normal charger 13 changes the amount of charge to the vehicle according to control from a normal charging efficiency charging controller 15. The normal charger 13 charges the vehicle via a charging cable 14.

[0011] The grid measurement unit 11 measures the contracted power from the grid power source 10. The grid measurement unit 11 transmits the measured value of the contracted power to the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15. In the example of Fig. 1, the communication between the grid measurement unit 11 and the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 is wireless communication. Note that the communication between the grid measurement unit 11 and the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 may be wired communication.

[0012] The normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 controls the amount of charge for the normal charger 13 based on the measured value of the contracted power received from the system measurement unit 11. In addition, the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 performs control to limit the amount of charging to the normal charger 13 based on the measurement results of the amount of charging from the system power source 10 to the storage battery received from the battery capacity measurement unit 22 of the storage battery equipment 19.

[0013] The solar power facility (photovoltaic power generation facility) 16 generates solar power and outputs the generated power. The solar power facility 16 is switched by a solar power generation output changeover switch 17 between being connected to a quick charger 24 or being connected to the system power supply 10 via a PCS (power conditioner) 18.

[0014] When the solar power generation output selector switch 17 connects the solar power generation equipment 16 to the rapid charger 24, the solar power generation equipment 16 outputs direct current (DC) to the rapid charger 24. On the other hand, when the solar power generation output selector switch 17 connects the solar power generation equipment 16 to the system power supply 10 via the PCS 18, the direct current output from the solar power generation equipment 16 is converted to alternating current (AC) by the PCS 18 and output to the system power supply 10.

[0015] The photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 changes over the connection destination of the photovoltaic equipment 16 under the control of the SW control unit 23.

[0016] The storage battery equipment 19 includes a storage battery (not shown), a battery capacity measurement unit 22, and a SW control unit 23. The storage battery equipment 19 outputs the power stored in the storage battery and charges the storage battery.

[0017] The battery capacity measurement unit 22 measures the remaining battery capacity (hereinafter referred to as the remaining battery capacity) of the storage battery equipment 19. The battery capacity measurement unit 22 calculates the amount of charge from the system power supply 10 to the storage battery based on the remaining battery capacity.

[0018] The storage battery equipment 19 is switched by a storage battery output changeover switch 20 so as to be connected to a quick charger 24 or to the system power supply 10 via a PCS 21 .

[0019] When the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the rapid charger 24 by the storage battery output changeover switch 20, it outputs direct current to the rapid charger 24. On the other hand, when the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the system power supply 10 by the storage battery output changeover switch 20 via the PCS 21, the storage battery is charged by the power supplied from the system power supply 10.

[0020] The storage battery output changeover switch 20 changes the connection destination of the storage battery equipment 19 according to the control from the SW control unit 23.

[0021] The SW control unit 23 controls the switching of the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 and the storage battery output changeover switch 20 based on the measurement value of the remaining battery capacity by the battery capacity measurement unit 22. The measurement value of the remaining battery capacity is, for example, SOC (State Of Charge).

[0022] The quick charger 24 includes a DC / DC converter 26, a controller 27, a communication unit 28, an operation unit 29, and an indicator lamp 30. The quick charger 24 charges the vehicle via a charging cable 25.

[0023] DC / DC converter 26 receives as input a direct current from solar power facility 16 and a direct current from battery facility 19. DC / DC converter 26 converts the input direct current voltage into a direct current voltage for charging the vehicle.

[0024] The controller 27 controls the quick charger 24. The communication unit 28 communicates with an external device of the quick charger 24. For example, the communication unit 28 transmits information obtained from the controller 27 to an external device of the quick charger 24.

[0025] The operation unit 29 is, for example, an operation button for operating starting / stopping the operation of the quick charger 24. The indicator lamp 30 is a lamp whose lighting state is controlled by the controller 27. The controller 27 changes the lighting state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "available" when the quick charger 24 is operable, or to a state indicating "unavailable" when the quick charger 24 is not operable. The user can recognize whether the quick charger 24 is "available" or "unavailable" depending on the lighting state of the indicator lamp 30.

[0026] Next, an operation example of the vehicle charging system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] [Vehicle charging system operation example 1] Fig. 2 shows an example of operation when the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is fully charged. Note that the example of operation in Fig. 2 may be the case where the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined quick charger usable threshold.

[0028] 2, when the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is fully charged, based on the measurement value of the remaining battery capacity by the battery capacity measurement unit 22, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the rapid charger 24 (DC bus side), and switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the rapid charger 24 (DC bus side). As a result, the photovoltaic equipment 16 and the storage battery equipment 19 output direct current (DC) to the rapid charger 24.

[0029] In the quick charger 24, the controller 27 detects that direct current from the solar power equipment 16 and the battery equipment 19 is being input to the DC / DC converter 26, and thereby changes the illumination state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "available" where the quick charger 24 can be operated (quick charger use "permitted"). As a result, the indicator lamp 30 turns to an illuminated state indicating that the quick charger 24 is "available."

[0030] The user recognizes that the quick charger 24 is "available" from the "available" status of the indicator lamp 30, connects the charging cable 25 of the quick charger 24 to the vehicle 3, and operates the operating unit 29 to start quick charging of the vehicle 3.

[0031] In the state of vehicle charging system 1 shown in FIG. 2, control for limiting normal charging to normal charger 13 is stopped.

[0032] [Vehicle charging system operation example 2] Fig. 3 shows a case where the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for disabling the use of a quick charger. In the example of Fig. 3, the threshold for disabling the use of a quick charger is 20%.

[0033] 3, when the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the quick charger unusable threshold "20%" based on the measurement value of the remaining battery charge by the battery capacity measurement unit 22, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the grid power supply 10 via the PCS 18 (grid side), and switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the grid power supply 10 via the PCS 21 (grid side). As a result, the direct current output from the photovoltaic equipment 16 is converted to alternating current (AC) by the PCS 18 and output to the grid power supply 10. Also, the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is charged by the power (AC) supplied from the grid power supply 10.

[0034] In the quick charger 24, the controller 27 detects that direct current from the solar power equipment 16 and the battery equipment 19 is not being input to the DC / DC converter 26, and thereby changes the illumination state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "unavailable", which means that operation of the quick charger 24 is not possible (use of quick charger "prohibited"). As a result, the indicator lamp 30 turns to a lit state indicating that the quick charger 24 is "unavailable".

[0035] The user recognizes that the quick charger 24 is "unavailable" from the "unavailable" lighting state of the indicator lamp 30. Quick charging of the vehicle 3 by the quick charger 24 is stopped.

[0036] In the state of vehicle charging system 1 shown in FIG. 3, control for limiting normal charging on normal charger 13 is stopped.

[0037] [Vehicle charging system operation example 3] FIG. 4 shows an example of operation when the normal charger 13 is used when the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined quick charger usable threshold.

[0038] 4, when the remaining battery capacity (60% in the example of FIG. 4) is equal to or greater than the quick charger usable threshold based on the measurement value of the remaining battery capacity by the battery capacity measurement unit 22, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the quick charger 24 (DC bus side), and switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the quick charger 24 (DC bus side). As a result, the photovoltaic equipment 16 and the storage battery equipment 19 output direct current (DC) to the quick charger 24.

[0039] In the quick charger 24, the controller 27 detects that direct current from the solar power equipment 16 and the battery equipment 19 is being input to the DC / DC converter 26, and thereby changes the illumination state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "available" where the quick charger 24 can be operated (quick charger use "permitted"). As a result, the indicator lamp 30 turns to an illuminated state indicating that the quick charger 24 is "available."

[0040] The user recognizes that the quick charger 24 is "available" from the "available" status of the indicator lamp 30, connects the charging cable 25 of the quick charger 24 to the vehicle 3, and operates the operating unit 29 to start quick charging of the vehicle 3.

[0041] In the state of vehicle charging system 1 shown in FIG. 4, control for restricting normal charging with normal charger 13 is stopped.

[0042] The normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 controls the charging amount for the normal charger 13 based on the measurement value of the contracted power received from the system measurement unit 11. Here, the normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 instructs the normal charger 13 to charge the amount at full power. As a result, the normal charger 13 charges the vehicle 3 with the charging amount at full power.

[0043] [Vehicle charging system operation example 4] Fig. 5 shows a case where the normal charger 13 is used when the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than a predetermined quick charger unusable threshold. At this time, control is performed to restrict normal charging of the normal charger 13 so as to prioritize charging of the storage battery and suppress normal charging. In the example of Fig. 5, the quick charger unusable threshold is 20%.

[0044] 5, when the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the quick charger unusable threshold "20%" based on the measurement value of the remaining battery charge by the battery capacity measurement unit 22, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the grid power supply 10 via the PCS 18 (grid side), and switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the grid power supply 10 via the PCS 21 (grid side). As a result, the direct current output from the photovoltaic equipment 16 is converted to alternating current (AC) by the PCS 18 and output to the grid power supply 10. Also, the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is charged by the power (AC) supplied from the grid power supply 10.

[0045] In the quick charger 24, the controller 27 detects that direct current from the solar power equipment 16 and the battery equipment 19 is not being input to the DC / DC converter 26, and thereby changes the illumination state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "unavailable", which means that operation of the quick charger 24 is not possible (use of quick charger "prohibited"). As a result, the indicator lamp 30 turns to a lit state indicating that the quick charger 24 is "unavailable".

[0046] The user recognizes that the quick charger 24 is "unavailable" from the "unavailable" lighting state of the indicator lamp 30. Quick charging of the vehicle 3 by the quick charger 24 is stopped.

[0047] In the state of the vehicle charging system 1 in FIG. 5, control to limit normal charging to the normal charger 13 is executed.

[0048] The normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 controls the limit of the charge amount for the normal charger 13 based on the measurement value of the contracted power received from the system measurement unit 11. Here, the normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 instructs the normal charger 13 to charge at 50% of full power. This is because the amount allocated to the charge amount for the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is 50% of the full power of the normal charger 13, so the remaining 50% obtained by subtracting 50% of the amount allocated to the storage battery from the full power of the normal charger 13 becomes the amount allocated to the normal charger 13. As a result, the normal charger 13 charges the vehicle 3 at a charge amount of 50% of full power. The amount of charge for the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 is notified to the normal charging efficiency charge controller 15 from the battery capacity measurement unit 22 of the storage battery equipment 19.

[0049] [Vehicle charging system operation example 5] FIG. 6 shows an example of operation when the rapid charger 24 is not used and the normal charger 13 is used when the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined rapid charger usability threshold.

[0050] 6, when the remaining battery capacity (70% in the example of FIG. 4) is equal to or greater than the quick charger usable threshold based on the measurement value of the remaining battery capacity by the battery capacity measurement unit 22, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the quick charger 24 (DC bus side), and switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the quick charger 24 (DC bus side). As a result, the photovoltaic equipment 16 and the storage battery equipment 19 output direct current (DC) to the quick charger 24.

[0051] In the quick charger 24, the controller 27 detects that direct current from the solar power equipment 16 and the battery equipment 19 is being input to the DC / DC converter 26, and thereby changes the illumination state of the indicator lamp 30 to a state indicating "available" where the quick charger 24 can be operated (quick charger use "permitted"). As a result, the indicator lamp 30 turns to an illuminated state indicating that the quick charger 24 is "available."

[0052] 6, however, although the rapid charger 24 is "available", the rapid charger 24 is not being used because there is no user who uses the rapid charger 24. When the controller 27 detects that the rapid charger 24 is "available" but the rapid charger 24 is not being used, it notifies the SW control unit 23 that the rapid charger 24 is not being used.

[0053] When the remaining battery charge (70% in the example of FIG. 4 ) is equal to or greater than the quick charger usability threshold, and a notification is received from the controller 27 that the quick charger 24 is not being used, the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the grid power supply 10 via the PCS 18 (grid side). As a result, the direct current output from the photovoltaic equipment 16 is converted to alternating current (AC) by the PCS 18 and output to the grid power supply 10, and is used for normal charging by the normal charger 13.

[0054] When the rapid charger 24 is not in use, the SW control unit 23 may switch the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the system power source 10 via the PCS 21 (system side) so as to charge the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19. This allows the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 to be charged while the rapid charger 24 is not in use. For example, the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 may be charged to a predetermined remaining battery capacity while the rapid charger 24 is not in use. For example, the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 may be fully charged while the rapid charger 24 is not in use.

[0055] The above is a description of an example of the operation of the vehicle charging system 1 according to this embodiment. In the above-described operation example, the quick charger 24 charges the vehicle with at least DC from the battery equipment 19, but is not limited to this. The photovoltaic power generation output selector switch 17 and the battery output selector switch 20 may be switched so that the quick charger 24 charges the vehicle with only DC from the solar equipment 16.

[0056] Next, the charging control process of the vehicle charging system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Figures 7 to 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the charging control process of the vehicle charging system according to this embodiment.

[0057] The control states of the quick charger 24 are predefined as "waiting for charging to start", "charging state", "charging stopped state (vehicle)", "charging stopped state (user)", "charging stopped state (no battery charge remaining)", and "waiting for battery charging".

[0058] In the "waiting for charging to start state" (see FIG. 7), the SW control unit 23 determines whether or not the measured value of the remaining battery capacity by the battery capacity measurement unit 22 is equal to or greater than the quick charger usable threshold (step S101). The quick charger usable threshold is a value that can be set arbitrarily by an administrator. If the measured value of the remaining battery capacity is equal to or greater than the quick charger usable threshold (step S101, YES), the process proceeds to step S102, and if not (step S101, NO), the process transitions to the "waiting for battery charging state".

[0059] The controller 27 determines whether or not the quick-charge start switch has been turned on in the operation unit 29 of the quick charger 24 (step S102). If the quick-charge start switch has been turned on (step S102, YES), the process proceeds to step S110, and if not (step S102, NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0060] The normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 determines whether the charging state of the normal charger 13 is charging one or more vehicles 3 or not charging the vehicle 3 (step S103). If the charging state of the normal charger 13 is charging one or more vehicles 3, the process proceeds to step S104, and if not, the process returns to step S101.

[0061] The SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the system power supply 10 via the PCS 18 (step S104).

[0062] In step S110, the SW control unit 23 switches the solar power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the solar equipment 16 is connected to the quick charger 24. In step S111, the SW control unit 23 switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the quick charger 24. After this, the state transitions to the "charging state" in FIG.

[0063] In the "charging state" (see FIG. 8), rapid charging of the vehicle 3 by the rapid charger 24 is started (step S121).

[0064] The controller 27 determines whether charging has been stopped on the vehicle 3 side (step S122). If charging has been stopped on the vehicle 3 side (step S122, YES), the controller 27 transitions to a "charging stopped state (vehicle)", and if not (step S122, NO), the controller 27 proceeds to step S123.

[0065] The controller 27 determines whether or not the quick-charging stop switch has been turned on in the operation unit 29 of the quick charger 24 (step S123). If the quick-charging stop switch has been turned on (step S102, YES), the state transitions to a "charging stopped state (user)", and if not (step S123, NO), the process proceeds to step S124.

[0066] The SW control unit 23 determines whether or not the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the quick charger unusable threshold based on the measurement value of the remaining battery charge by the battery capacity measurement unit 22 (step S124). If the remaining battery charge is equal to or less than the quick charger unusable threshold (step S124, YES), the state transitions to a "charging stop state (no remaining battery charge)", and if not (step S124, NO), the process returns to step S122.

[0067] In the "charging stop state (vehicle)", the SW control unit 23 determines whether the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined battery charge threshold based on the measurement value of the remaining battery charge by the battery capacity measurement unit 22 (step S131). The battery charge threshold is a value that can be set arbitrarily by the administrator. If the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than the battery charge threshold (YES in step S131), the state transitions to a "charging start waiting state", and if not (NO in step S131), the state transitions to a "charging stop state (no battery charge)".

[0068] In the "charging stop state (user)", the SW control unit 23 determines whether or not the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining battery charge threshold (step S141) based on the measurement value of the remaining battery charge by the battery capacity measurement unit 22. If the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than the remaining battery charge threshold (step S141, YES), the state transitions to a "charging start waiting state", and if not (step S141, NO), the state transitions to a "charging stop state (no remaining battery charge)".

[0069] In the "charging stop state (no remaining battery power)", the SW control unit 23 switches the photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch 17 so that the photovoltaic equipment 16 is connected to the system power supply 10 via the PCS 18 (step S151). The SW control unit 23 switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the system power supply 10 via the PCS 21 (step S152). After this, the state transitions to the "battery charging waiting state" in FIG.

[0070] In the "storage battery charging waiting state" (see FIG. 9), the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 determines whether the charging state of the normal charger 13 is charging one or more vehicles 3 or not charging the vehicle 3 (step S161). If the charging state of the normal charger 13 is charging one or more vehicles 3, the process proceeds to step S162, and if not, the process proceeds to step S163.

[0071] In step S162, the normal charging controller 15 controls the normal charger 13 to perform normal charging. In step S163, the battery equipment 19 starts charging the storage battery. After that, the process proceeds to step S171.

[0072] When charging of the storage battery in the storage battery equipment 19 is completed (step S171), the SW control unit 23 switches the storage battery output changeover switch 20 so that the storage battery equipment 19 is connected to the quick charger 24 (step S172). After this, the state shifts to the "charge start waiting state."

[0073] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a control procedure for a normal charger. Fig. 10 shows two control procedures for a normal charger. One is a case where a normal charger controller (normal charging efficiency charging controller 15) executes control over the normal charger (Figs. 10(a) and (b)). The other is a modified example of this embodiment where a controller inside the quick charger (controller 27) executes control over the normal charger (Figs. 10(a) and (c)).

[0074] [When the normal charger controller (normal charge efficiency charge controller 15) executes control over the normal charger] In the storage battery equipment 19, the battery capacity measurement unit 22 acquires charging information (e.g., SOC) of the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 (step S181). The battery capacity measurement unit 22 transmits the acquired charging information of the storage battery to the normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 (step S182). The normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 uses the charging information of the storage battery received from the battery capacity measurement unit 22 to calculate the charging amount to be allocated to each normal charger 13 according to the following formula (step S183). The normal charging efficiency charging controller 15 allocates the calculated charging amount to each normal charger 13 that actually performs charging. Charge amount = (Total charge amount of normal charger - Charge amount of storage battery) ÷ Number of charging units The total charge amount of the normal chargers is the total amount of charge by all normal chargers at full power. The charge amount of the storage battery is included in the storage battery charging information received from the battery capacity measurement unit 22. The number of charging devices is the number of normal chargers 13 that actually perform charging.

[0075] [When the controller 27 inside the quick charger controls the normal charger] In the storage battery equipment 19, the battery capacity measurement unit 22 acquires charging information (e.g., SOC) of the storage battery of the storage battery equipment 19 (step S181). The battery capacity measurement unit 22 transmits the acquired charging information of the storage battery to the controller 27, and the controller 27 uses the charging information of the storage battery received from the battery capacity measurement unit 22 to calculate the charging amount to be allocated to each normal charger 13 according to the following formula (step S184). The controller 27 allocates the calculated charging amount to each normal charger 13 that actually performs charging. Charge amount = (Total charge amount of normal charger - Charge amount of storage battery) ÷ Number of charging units The total charge amount of the normal chargers is the total amount of charge by all normal chargers at full power. The charge amount of the storage battery is included in the storage battery charging information received from the battery capacity measurement unit 22. The number of charging devices is the number of normal chargers 13 that actually perform charging.

[0076] According to the embodiment described above, the solar power equipment 16 and the storage battery equipment 19 that output direct current to the rapid charger 24 are provided, and the rapid charger 24 can be controlled to be usable or unusable depending on the remaining battery charge of the storage battery equipment 19. This eliminates the need to provide a power contract system power source for the rapid charger 24, resulting in an effect of reducing costs when a normal charger and a rapid charger are provided.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the vehicle charging system 1 includes multiple control units (the normal efficiency charging controller 15, the SW control unit 23, and the controller 27), but is not limited to this. The vehicle charging system 1 may have all control functions integrated into one control unit, or may have control functions distributed among multiple control units.

[0078] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0079] In addition, a computer program for implementing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the "computer system" referred to here may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, or a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system.

[0080] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...vehicle charging system, 10...system power supply, 11...system measurement unit, 12...intake panel, 13...normal charger, 14, 25...charging cable, 15...normal charging efficiency charging controller, 16...solar power equipment, 17...solar power generation output changeover switch, 18, 21...PCS, 19...storage battery equipment, 20...storage battery output changeover switch, 22...battery capacity measurement unit, 23...SW control unit, 24...fast charger, 26...DC / DC converter, 27...controller, 28...communication unit, 29...operation unit, 30...indicator lamp

Claims

1. A standard charger that is connected to a system power supply and charges the vehicle with AC; A battery storage facility; Solar power generation equipment, a rapid charger that charges the vehicle with direct current from at least one of the storage battery equipment and the solar power generation equipment; a battery output changeover switch configured to switch between connecting the battery equipment and the system power supply in order to charge the battery of the battery equipment, or connecting the battery equipment and the rapid charger in order to output direct current from the battery to the rapid charger; a photovoltaic power generation output changeover switch configured to switch between connecting the photovoltaic power generation equipment and the system power supply in order to output AC power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment to the system power supply, or connecting the photovoltaic power generation equipment and the rapid charger in order to output DC power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment to the rapid charger; a switch control unit that controls switching of the storage battery output changeover switch and the solar power generation output changeover switch in accordance with a remaining battery charge of the storage battery; A vehicle charging system comprising:

2. The switch control unit performs switching control of the storage battery output selector switch and the solar power generation output selector switch so as to connect the storage battery equipment and the solar power generation equipment to the system power supply when the remaining battery charge of the storage battery falls below a predetermined threshold. The vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

3. a battery capacity measurement unit that measures a charge amount from the system power supply to the storage battery; A normal charging efficiency charge control unit that limits the amount of charge to the normal charger based on the measurement result of the amount of charge; The vehicle charging system of claim 1 further comprising:

4. When the remaining battery charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and when the rapid charger is not being used, the switch control unit performs switching control of the storage battery output selector switch and the solar power generation output selector switch so as to connect the storage battery equipment to the rapid charger while connecting the solar power generation equipment to the system power supply. The vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

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