Charge control device, and charge control method

Abstract

To make it possible to establish communication with an appropriate power-feeding facility, even if a vehicle having a storage battery mounted thereon establishes communication with an inappropriate power-feeding facility.SOLUTION: There is provided a charge control device that: receives communication intensity information from each of a plurality of power-feeding facilities when detecting connection of a power cable; performs first connection determination processing for determining a power-feeding facility to which the power cable is connected based on a comparison result of received communication intensity information; performs processing for establishing communication with a first power-feeding facility to which connection is determined by the first connection determination processing; starts charge processing with the first power-feeding facility; receives the communication intensity information from each of the plurality of power-feeding facilities after the first connection determination processing; performs second connection determination processing for determining the power-feeding facility to which the power cable is connected based on a comparison result of the received communication intensity information; performs processing for establishing communication with a second power-feeding facility after releasing communication with the first power-feeding facility, when the second power-feeding facility to which connection is determined by the second connection determination processing is different from the first power-feeding facility; and starts charge processing with the second power-feeding facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge control device and a charge control method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a charging facility in which a plurality of power supply stations are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a shared communication line. At each power supply station, a storage battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle is charged. In the charging facility, when a vehicle such as an electric vehicle mounted with a storage battery is connected to one power supply station via a medium (such as a power cable), a notification signal (broadcast signal) is transmitted from the vehicle to each power supply station. There is a technology for establishing communication with a power supply station identified as being closest to a charging target (the vehicle) based on the amount of attenuation of the signal detected by each power supply station (for example, Patent Document 1). After communication is established between the vehicle and the power supply station, authentication processing and the like are performed between the vehicle and the power supply station, and the storage battery of the vehicle is charged from the power supply station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2014-500668 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, due to the influence of a temporary change in communication conditions, the power supply station identified as being closest to the charging target (the vehicle) may not be the power supply station connected to the vehicle via a power cable. If the power supply station connected to the vehicle via a power cable is different from the power supply station with which communication has been established with the vehicle, the charging sequence for charging the storage battery of the vehicle may end abnormally. If the charging sequence ends abnormally, the user of the vehicle may be required to reinsert or reconnect the charging cable, which may reduce convenience.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein aims to enable a vehicle equipped with a storage battery to establish communication with an appropriate power supply facility even if the vehicle establishes communication with an inappropriate power supply facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the following measures are adopted. That is, the first aspect is a charging control device provided in a vehicle having a storage battery, and including a controller that establishes communication with a power supply facility to which a power cable is connected and controls charging of the storage battery via the power cable. When the controller detects connection of the power cable, the controller receives communication strength information from each of the plurality of power supply facilities, performs a first connection determination process of determining the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected by comparing the received communication strength information, performs a process of establishing communication with the first power supply facility determined to be connected in the first connection determination process, and starts a charging process with the first power supply facility. After the first connection determination process, the controller receives communication strength information from each of the plurality of power supply facilities, performs a second connection determination process of determining the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected by comparing the received communication strength information, and when the second power supply facility determined to be connected in the second connection determination process is different from the first power supply facility, the controller releases communication with the first power supply facility, performs a process of establishing communication with the second power supply facility, and starts a charging process with the second power supply facility. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, even if a vehicle equipped with a storage battery once establishes communication with an inappropriate power supply facility, it is possible to enable the vehicle to establish communication with an appropriate power supply facility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (1 / 2) of an operation flow of the charging control device 100 provided in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (2 / 2) of the operation flow of the charging control device 100 provided in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the embodiments are merely examples, and the configurations of the invention are not limited to the specific configurations of the disclosed embodiments. In implementing the invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

[0010] [Embodiment] (Configuration example) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a charging system according to the present embodiment. The charging system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a first power supply station 20A, a second power supply station 20B, a third power supply station 20C, and a server device 30. The first power supply station 20A, the second power supply station 20B, and the third power supply station 20C have the same configuration. The first power supply station 20A, the second power supply station 20B, the third power supply station 20C, and the server device 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a shared communication line. When the first power supply station 20A, the second power supply station 20B, and the third power supply station 20C are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as power supply stations 20. Here, the number of power supply stations is three, but the number of power supply stations is not limited to three. The vehicle 10 includes a charging control device 100. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle 10 is parked near the first power supply station 20A, and the vehicle 10 and the first power supply station 20A are connected by a power cable (charging cable) used to supply power to the vehicle 10. The power cable includes a communication line that enables communication between the vehicle 10 and the first power supply station 20A. In addition, when the vehicle 10 is connected to the first power supply station 20A by the power cable, the vehicle 10 may also be connected to the second power supply station 20B and the third power supply station 20C so as to be able to communicate with them. For example, when the communication between the vehicle and the first power supply station 20A via the communication line of the power cable and the communication between each power supply station 20 and the server device 30 via a shared communication line both use a common communication method such as power line communication, and the communication lines are connected to each other, a notification signal (broadcast signal) transmitted from the vehicle 10 can be received at any of the power supply stations 20. Even if the communication lines are not connected to each other, crosstalk may occur, allowing communication (various signals, such as a notification signal and a reply signal to the notification signal, may reach an unintended destination). A notification signal is a signal transmitted to an unspecified device. Communication between the vehicle 10 and the power supply station 20 may be wireless communication instead of wired communication via communication lines. In this case, the power cable does not need to include a communication line.

[0011] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (HV) equipped with a storage battery. The storage battery is used as a source of energy when the vehicle 10 is driven. The storage battery can be charged by power supply from a power supply station 20.

[0012] The charging control device 100 includes a controller 102, a storage unit 104, and a communication unit 106. The controller 102, the storage unit 104, and the communication unit 106 are connected to each other via a communication bus. The charging control device 100 controls charging of a storage battery mounted on the vehicle 10 by a power supply station 20.

[0013] The controller 102 controls operations such as charging processing by the power supply station 20. The controller 102 transmits control signals for controlling charging, such as a notification signal, to the power supply station 20, etc., via the communication unit 106. For example, the notification signal is transmitted at the start of charging control, such as when a power cable is connected. The notification signal includes information about the vehicle 10 (identification information, vehicle specifications, etc.). The controller 102 performs determination control for determining with which power supply station 20 communication should be established, as well as various controls such as charging control and billing control after communication is established.

[0014] The storage unit 104 stores programs, data, etc. used in the charging control device 100, develops a work area, and stores operation setting information, etc. The storage unit 104 also stores various data, etc. used in the charging control device 100.

[0015] The communication unit 106 is a communication interface that communicates with other information processing devices and the like to exchange data and the like via a communication network or the like. The communication unit 106 is communicably connected to other information processing devices, such as the power supply station 20 and an in-vehicle control device (not shown) other than the charging control device 100. The communication unit 106 may have a wired communication function according to a well-known wired communication standard, or a wireless communication function according to a well-known wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 106 may be included in the controller 102.

[0016] The power supply stand 20 charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 connected thereto by a power cable. The power supply stand 20 includes a communication means and communicates with the vehicle 10, the server device 30, other power supply stands 20, etc. When charging the storage battery, the power supply stand 20 receives a control signal such as a notification signal from the vehicle 10. In response to the notification signal, the power supply stand 20 transmits a response signal to the vehicle 10. The response signal includes information on the amount of attenuation of the notification signal and identification information of the power supply stand 20. The amount of attenuation of the notification signal corresponds to the reception strength of the notification signal. The power supply stand 20 is an example of a power supply facility. The response signal from the power supply stand 20 is transmitted by unicast rather than broadcast. The notification signal that is initially transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the power supply station 20 is transmitted by broadcast since the destination is unknown, but when the power supply station 20 responds, the notification signal is transmitted with identification information of the vehicle 10 and the like attached, so the destination is known, and the signal is transmitted by unicast to the destination (vehicle 10). Basically, communications during charging processing are transmitted by unicast except for the initial notification signal. Note that when re-searching for a connection destination, transmission is performed by broadcast.

[0017] The server device 30 is communicably connected to the power supply station 20 and the vehicle 10, and performs authentication of the user of the vehicle 10 and control of the power supply station 20. The server device 30 may be connected to the power supply station 20 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0018] The charging control device 100 is a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a mobile phone, a The power supply station 20 and the server device 30 can be realized by using a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a tablet terminal, a car navigation device, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or an electronic device equipped with a computer. The power supply station 20 and the server device 30 can be realized by using a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a PC or a workstation (WS), or an electronic device equipped with a computer.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. The information processing device shown in FIG. 2 has a typical computer configuration. The charging control device 100 and the power supply station 20 are realized by an information processing device 90 as shown in FIG. 2. The information processing device 90 in FIG. 2 has a processor 91, a memory 92, a storage unit 93, an input unit 94, an output unit 95, and a communication control unit 96. These are connected to each other by a bus. The memory 92 and the storage unit 93 are The hardware configuration of the computer is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2, and components may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate.

[0020] The information processing device 90 has a processor 91 which loads a program stored in a recording medium into a working area of ​​a memory 92 and executes it, and each component, etc. is controlled through the execution of the program, thereby realizing functions consistent with a specified purpose.

[0021] The processor 91 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0022] The memory 92 includes, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The memory 92 is also called a main storage device.

[0023] The storage unit 93 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or a hard disk. The storage unit 93 is a removable media. The removable media may include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a disk recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The storage unit 93 is also called a secondary storage device.

[0024] The storage unit 93 stores various programs, various data, and various tables in a readable and writable recording medium. An operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc. are stored in the storage unit 93. Information stored in the storage unit 93 may be stored in the memory 92. Information stored in the memory 92 may be stored in the storage unit 93.

[0025] The operating system is software that mediates between software and hardware, manages memory space, manages files, and manages processes and tasks. The operating system includes a communication interface. The communication interface is a program that exchanges data with other external devices connected via the communication control unit 96. External devices include, for example, other computers and external storage devices.

[0026] The input unit 94 accepts inputs from, for example, various sensors and various switches provided in the vehicle 10 (analog signals such as voltage and current, and digital signals such as simple ON / OFF and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) duty). The input unit 94 may include a keyboard, a pointing device, a wireless remote control, a touch panel, and the like. The input unit 94 may also include an input device for video or images such as a camera, and an input device for audio such as a microphone.

[0027] The output unit 95 outputs, for example, signals (analog signals, digital signals) for controlling actuators such as a driving motor and various switches such as a power relay provided in the vehicle 10. The output unit 95 outputs, for example, signals for displaying a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electroluminescence (EL) display, etc. The output unit 95 may include a display device such as a panel, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), etc., and an output device such as a printer, etc. The output unit 95 may also include an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0028] The communication control unit 96 connects to other devices and controls communication between the information processing device 90 and the other devices. The communication control unit 96 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, or a communication circuit for wired communication. The LAN interface board and the wireless communication circuit are connected to a network such as the Internet.

[0029] A computer that realizes the charging control device 100 realizes the functions of the controller 102 and the communication unit 106 by a processor loading a program stored in an auxiliary storage device into a main storage device and executing the program. Meanwhile, the storage unit 104 is provided in a storage area of ​​the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device. The series of processes can be executed by hardware or software.

[0030] (Example of operation) 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of an operation flow of the charging control device 100 provided in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment. "A", "B", "C", and "D" in FIG. 3 are connected to "A", "B", "C", and "D" in FIG. 4, respectively. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle 10 is parked near a power supply stand 20 (for example, the first power supply stand 20A) and the power cable of the power supply stand 20 (the first power supply stand 20A) is connected to the vehicle 10. At this time, it is assumed that the charging control device 100 and each power supply stand 20 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other. The operation flow of FIG. 3 is started when the vehicle 10 and the first power supply stand 20A are connected with a power cable (a connection is detected). The connection of the power cable is detected, for example, by the input state of a switch that is mechanically turned on / off depending on the presence or absence of the connection of the power cable (charging gun) or the presence or absence of transmission and reception of communication data (not the communication strength, but whether or not communication is possible). The operation flow of FIG. 3 may be started after a user inputs a charging start operation, such as a switch operation after the power cable is connected.

[0031] In S101, the controller 102 of the charging control device 100 performs a process of measuring the amount of attenuation. In the process of measuring the amount of attenuation, first, the controller 102 of the charging control device 100 transmits a notification signal (broadcast signal) to each power supply station 20 via the communication unit 106. The notification signal includes identification information for identifying the charging control device 100. The notification signal is transmitted at a predetermined transmission strength. For example, the transmission strength of the notification signal is determined in advance, and the notification signal is transmitted at the same transmission strength every time. The notification signal may also include information on the transmission strength of the notification signal. Information on the transmission strength of the notification signal may be included only in the first notification signal at the start of the charging sequence, such as when the power cable is connected. In this case, the second and subsequent notification signals are also transmitted at the same transmission strength. Here, the notification signal is a signal transmitted to identify the connection partner. Here, the notification signal is a signal that requests the receiving party to return information such as the amount of attenuation of the received notification signal. The notification signal is transmitted not only at the start of the charging sequence, such as when the power cable is connected, but also periodically (at regular intervals) until the charging is completed and communication is cut off (or the power cable is removed). The notification signal may be transmitted irregularly. The controller 102 may not send a dedicated signal for measuring the amount of attenuation, such as a notification signal. In this case, for example, when transmitting a control signal for other charging control to the power supply station, the controller 102 may add instruction information for returning the amount of attenuation to the control signal and transmit the control signal. In the process of measuring the amount of attenuation, next, when each power supply station 20 receives a notification signal from the charging control device 100, it measures the reception strength of the notification signal. Each power supply station 20 calculates the amount of attenuation of the notification signal based on the transmission strength, reception strength, etc. of the notification signal. The attenuation of the notification signal is the amount of attenuation of the electric field strength of the notification signal. In the process of measuring the amount of attenuation, next, each power supply station 20 transmits a response signal including information on the calculated amount of attenuation to the charging control device 100 as a response to the notification signal. Each power supply station 20 may transmit a response signal including information on the reception strength of the report signal without calculating the amount of attenuation. In this case, the controller 102 calculates the amount of attenuation.The information on the amount of attenuation, the information on the transmission strength, and the information on the reception strength are examples of information related to communication strength (communication strength information). The response signal also includes identification information of the power supply station 20 that transmits the response signal. The controller 102 receives the response signal from each power supply station 20 via the communication unit 106. The controller 102 stores the received response signal in the storage unit 104. The amount of attenuation of the report signal is determined by the transmission strength of the report signal and the reception strength of the report signal. The attenuation is basically a difference between the signal strength and the transmission strength (transmission strength-reception strength). The attenuation basically varies depending on the length of the signal communication path. That is, the longer the signal communication path, the greater the attenuation. Therefore, in principle, the smaller the attenuation, the closer the power supply station 20 is to the vehicle 10. However, the attenuation also varies depending on continuous or temporary disturbances such as crosstalk noise and noise mixed in from outside the communication line, the state of the communication path such as deterioration of the communication line, and the external environment such as temperature. That is, the power supply station 20 with the smallest attenuation is not necessarily the power supply station 20 closest to the vehicle 10. If the attenuation varies due to factors other than the length of the communication path, the charging control device 100 may erroneously identify the nearest power supply station 20 and establish communication with a power supply station 20 different from the first power supply station 20A (the power supply station 20 closest to the vehicle 10) to which the power cable is actually connected. Instead of the attenuation, an attenuation rate, which is the ratio of the reception strength to the transmission strength ((transmission strength-reception strength) / transmission strength), may be used.

[0032] A power supply stand 20 that does not receive a notification signal does not transmit a response signal in response to the notification signal. Furthermore, if a power supply stand 20 that receives a notification signal is already charging a storage battery of another vehicle, the power supply stand 20 sets the attenuation amount of the notification signal to NG or a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, a value that is sufficiently larger than the normal attenuation amount at the power supply stand 20 closest to the vehicle 10. The power supply stand 20 transmits a response signal including information on the attenuation amount of NG or the predetermined value to the charging control device 100 in response to the notification signal. The charging control device 100 does not select a power supply stand 20 that has transmitted a response signal including information on the attenuation amount of NG or the predetermined value as a power supply stand 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10.

[0033] In S102, the controller 102 determines whether or not there is a power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 based on the response signals received from each power supply station 20 in S101. The controller 102 extracts the amount of attenuation from each received response signal. The controller 102 extracts the smallest amount of attenuation from the extracted amounts of attenuation. The controller 102 determines whether or not the extracted smallest amount of attenuation is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, the maximum value that the amount of attenuation in the power supply station 20 closest to the vehicle 10 can take. By using the threshold, it is possible to exclude from the target power supply station 20 that is unlikely to have a power cable connected to the vehicle 10. If the smallest amount of attenuation exceeds the predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines that there is no power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. In other words, the controller 102 determines that communication cannot be established with the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 to which the power cable is connected. Also, if the smallest attenuation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines that there is a power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. That is, the controller 102 determines that communication can be established with the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 to which the power cable is connected. Also, if the smallest attenuation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines that the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest attenuation is the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. If there is no power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 (S102; NO), the process ends. If there is a power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 (S102; YES), the process proceeds to S103. The process of S102 is an example of a connection determination process. The determination of S102 may be configured not to compare with a threshold, that is, to simply perform a process of establishing communication with the power supply station 20 with the smallest attenuation.

[0034] In S103, the controller 102 establishes communication with the power supply station 20 determined in S102 (or S105, or S110) as the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. The controller 102 starts a charging sequence with the power supply station 20. Once the charging sequence has started, the process proceeds to S104. The subsequent processes may be executed in parallel with the charging sequence. Process executed in parallel with the charging sequence Basically, this is the process up until it is determined in S107 that the charging sequence has ended abnormally, or the process up until it is determined in S111 that the charging sequence has ended (normally).

[0035] The charging sequence includes processes such as sending and receiving authentication information for billing etc., test charging (application of voltage to the power cable), charging the storage battery of the vehicle 10, and charging termination processing. Test charging is a process in which a voltage is applied test-wise to the power cable before actual charging to check the connection of the storage battery etc. If the power cable of the power supply stand 20 with which communication has been established is not connected to the vehicle 10, the power supply stand 20 cannot apply voltage to the power line cable, and the charging sequence ends abnormally. The charging sequence is an example of a charging process.

[0036] In S104, the controller 102 transmits a notification signal to each power supply station 20 via the communication unit 106. The controller 102 receives a response signal that is a response to the response signal from each power supply station 20. The process of S104 is similar to the process of S101.

[0037] In S105, the controller 102 determines whether or not there is a power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103, based on the response signal received from each power supply station 20 in S104. The controller 102 extracts an attenuation amount from each received response signal. The controller 102 extracts the smallest attenuation amount from the extracted attenuation amounts. The controller 102 determines whether or not the extracted smallest attenuation amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be a value (a value with a large attenuation amount) larger than the predetermined threshold in S102. By making the predetermined threshold larger, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of no identified power supply station 20. If the smallest attenuation amount exceeds the predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines that there is no power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. Furthermore, if the smallest attenuation is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the controller 102 judges whether the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest attenuation is the same as the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. If they are the same, the controller 102 judges that there is no power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. If they are not the same (different), the controller 102 judges that there is a power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. Furthermore, the controller 102 judges that the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest attenuation is the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. If there is no power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 (S105; NO), the process proceeds to S107. If there is a power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 different from the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 (S105; YES), the process proceeds to S106.

[0038] In S106, the controller 102 stops the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 that was started in S103. Here, it is found in S105 that there is a power supply station 20 with a smaller attenuation than the attenuation of the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. That is, the power supply station 20 that was determined in S105 as the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10 is more likely to be the power supply station 20 that is connected to the vehicle 10 via a power cable than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. Therefore, here, the controller 102 stops the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. This allows the controller 102 to stop the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 with which communication has been erroneously established. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S103. In S103, the controller 102 starts the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 that was determined in S105 as the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. Start the sequence.

[0039] In S107, the controller 102 determines whether the charging sequence with the power supply station 20, which was started in S103, has ended abnormally. Abnormal endings of the charging sequence include a case where the power cable of the power supply station 20 with which communication was established in S103 is not connected to the vehicle 10, as well as, for example, an insufficient authentication process or a malfunction of the vehicle 10. If the charging sequence has ended abnormally (S107; YES), the process proceeds to S108. If the charging sequence has not ended abnormally (S107; NO), the process proceeds to S111. Abnormal ending of the charging sequence is an example of the end of the charging process.

[0040] In S108, the controller 102 judges whether charging was performed before the abnormal termination of the charging sequence. The fact that charging was performed is judged by using a current sensor or a voltage sensor provided on a path from a power cable that supplies power to the storage battery of the vehicle 10, and by checking whether power was being supplied (current was flowing, voltage was being generated) or whether power was being supplied at a voltage value or current value instructed to the power supply station 20 by communication. If charging was performed before the abnormal termination of the charging sequence (S108; YES), the process ends. If charging was performed before the abnormal termination of the charging sequence, it can be judged that the vehicle 10 was at least temporarily able to communicate with the correct power supply station 20 (the power supply station 20 to which the power cable is connected to the vehicle 10). If charging was performed but the charging was abnormally terminated, it is possible that the power cable was removed (the power cable was disconnected), or an abnormality occurred in the power cable, the communication line, the power supply station 20, or the like, and therefore the process ends. If charging was not performed before the abnormal termination of the charging sequence (S108; NO), the process proceeds to S109. If charging was not performed before the abnormal termination of the charging sequence, the connection destination of the communication may have been incorrect, so the connection destination is re-determined. From S109 onwards, a process is performed to identify the power supply station 20 having a power cable connected to the vehicle 10. The presence of the process of S108 makes it possible to omit unnecessary processes such as attenuation measurement (S109, S110). For example, the process of S108 prevents the power supply station 20 from being identified by measuring the attenuation again when the power cable of the power supply station 20 with which communication was established in S103 is connected to the vehicle 10. Note that the connection of the power cable is detected, for example, by the input state of a switch that is mechanically turned on / off depending on whether the power cable (charging gun) is connected or the presence or absence of transmission and reception of communication data (not communication strength, but whether communication is possible or not).

[0041] In S109, the controller 102 transmits a notification signal to each power supply stand 20 via the communication unit 106. The controller 102 receives a response signal from each power supply stand 20, which is a response to the said response signal. The process of S109 is the same as the processes of S101 and S104.

[0042] In S110, based on the response signals received from each power supply stand 20 in S109, the controller 102 determines whether there is a power supply stand 20 that charges the battery of a vehicle 10 different from the power supply stand 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. Here, the power supply stand 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 is the power supply stand 20 where the charging sequence ended abnormally. It is considered that the power supply stand 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 is not connected to the vehicle 10 with a power cable. The controller 102 extracts the attenuation amount from each received response signal. The controller 102 extracts the smallest attenuation amount among the extracted attenuation amounts. The controller 102 determines whether the extracted smallest attenuation amount is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The said predetermined threshold value may be a value larger than the predetermined threshold value in S102 and larger than the threshold value in S105 (attenuation amount is a large value) (threshold value of S102 < threshold value of S105 < threshold value of S110). By making the predetermined threshold value larger, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the identified power supply stand 20 disappears. If the smallest attenuation amount is less than or equal to the If the attenuation exceeds the predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines that there is no power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. If the smallest attenuation is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the controller 102 determines whether the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest attenuation is the same as the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. If they are the same, the controller 102 determines that there is no power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. If they are not the same (different), the controller 102 determines that there is a power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103. Furthermore, the controller 102 determines that the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest attenuation is the power supply station 20 that charges the storage battery of the vehicle 10. That is, the controller 102 determines that the power supply station 20 that transmitted the response signal with the smallest amount of attenuation is the power supply station 20 that has a power cable connected to the vehicle 10. If there is no power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 (S110; NO), the process ends. That is, if there is no power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103, communication with the power supply station 20 is not established. If there is a power supply station 20 that charges a storage battery of the vehicle 10 other than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence in S103 (S110; YES), the process proceeds to S103. The process of S110 is an example of a connection determination process. If the controller 102 determines in S110 that all of the attenuation amounts received from the power supply stand are below the threshold, it may determine that there is little possibility of reconnection (for example, a situation in which the power cable is connected but the contact of the communication terminal is insufficient and normal communication is not possible, or a problem exists on the power supply stand 20 side and normal communication is not possible, etc.), and terminate the processing (without performing processing such as connection determination processing, communication establishment, and charging processing).

[0043] In S111, the controller 102 determines whether or not the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 with which communication was established in S103 has ended. When charging of the storage battery of the vehicle 10 is completed, the controller 102 determines that the charging sequence has ended. The charging sequence ends normally. When the charging sequence has ended (S111; YES), the process ends. When the charging sequence has not ended (S111; NO), the process proceeds to S104.

[0044] The processes of S104 to S106 may be omitted. In this case, after NO in S103 and S111, the process proceeds to S107. The processes of S107 to S110 may be omitted. In this case, after NO in S105, the process proceeds to S111. The process of S108 may be omitted. In this case, after YES in S107, the process proceeds to S109.

[0045] (Actions and Effects of the Embodiments) The charging system 1 of this embodiment transmits a notification signal including information about the vehicle 10 to each power supply station 20 communicatively connected to the vehicle 10 (the charging control device 100) via a power cable. Each power supply station 20 receives the notification signal, calculates the amount of attenuation of the notification signal based on the reception strength of the notification signal, and transmits a response signal including information about the amount of attenuation to the charging control device 100. The charging control device 100 determines the power supply station 20 with which communication is to be established based on the amount of attenuation of each response signal. The power supply station 20 is the power supply station 20 that the charging control device 100 has determined to have a power cable connected to the vehicle 10 based on the amount of attenuation. The charging control device 100 starts a charging sequence with the power supply station 20. In parallel with the charging sequence, the charging control device 100 transmits a notification signal to each power supply station 20 and receives a response signal from each power supply station 20. Based on the response signal, the charging control device 100 determines whether or not there is a power supply station 20 closer to the vehicle 10 than the power supply station 20 that started the charging sequence. The charging control device 100 is a power supply station closer to the vehicle 10. If the vehicle 10 is located at the power supply station 20, the charging control device 100 determines that the determination of the power supply station 20 with which communication is to be established is incorrect, stops the started charging sequence, and starts the charging sequence with the power supply station 20 that is closer to the vehicle 10. According to the charging control device 100, even if the vehicle once establishes communication with an inappropriate power supply station 20, it is possible to establish communication with an appropriate power supply station 20 without a special operation by the user such as disconnecting and reinserting the power cable when an abnormal termination of charging occurs, or performing an input operation to terminate the charging sequence and start it from the beginning. An inappropriate power supply station 20 is, for example, a power supply station 20 that does not have a power cable connected to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, when the charging sequence is abnormally terminated, the charging control device 100 identifies the power supply station 20 that has a power cable connected to the vehicle 10. According to the charging control device 100, it is possible to establish communication with an appropriate power supply station 20 when the charging sequence is abnormally terminated. According to the charging control device 100, even if communication is established with an inappropriate power supply stand 20 due to a temporary change in communication conditions, etc., it is possible to establish communication with an appropriate power supply stand 20 without requiring the user of the vehicle 10 to take extra effort, such as reconnecting the power cable, thereby improving user convenience.

[0046] (others) The configurations of the above-described embodiments can be implemented in any combination possible.

[0047] The disclosed aspects may be realized by a program being executed by an information processing device. That is, the disclosed configuration may be specified as a program for causing an information processing device to execute the processes executed by each of the means in the above-mentioned aspects, or a recording medium readable by the information processing device on which the program is recorded. The disclosed configuration may also be specified by a method in which the information processing device executes the processes executed by each of the above-mentioned means. The disclosed configuration may also be specified as a system including an information processing device that executes the processes executed by each of the above-mentioned means. The information processing device is, for example, a computer. The computer may also be called a personal computer or a server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Charging system 10: Vehicle 20: Power station 20A: First power supply stand 20B: Second power supply stand 20C: 3rd power supply stand 30: Server device 90: Information processing equipment 91: Processor 92: Memory 93: Storage section 94: Input section 95: Output section 96: Communication control section 100: Charging control device 102: Controller 104: Storage area 106: Communications Department

Claims

1. A charging control device is provided in a vehicle having a storage battery, and includes a controller that establishes communication with a power supply facility connected to a power cable and controls charging of the storage battery via the power cable, The controller: When the connection of the power cable is detected, a first connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of a plurality of power supply facilities, the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, a process is performed to establish communication with the first power supply facility determined to be connected in the first connection determination process, and a charging process with the first power supply facility is started; After the first connection determination process, a second connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of the plurality of power supply equipment, and the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply equipment to which the power cable is connected, and when the second power supply equipment determined to be connected in the second connection determination process is different from the first power supply equipment, communication with the first power supply equipment is disconnected, and a process of establishing communication with the second power supply equipment is performed, and a charging process with the second power supply equipment is started. Charging control device.

2. The communication strength information is information included in a response signal to a notification signal transmitted by the charging control device, and includes information on an attenuation amount of an electric field strength of the notification signal, The controller determines that a power supply facility that has transmitted communication strength information having a smallest amount of attenuation of electric field strength in the received communication strength information is a power supply facility that charges the storage battery. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

3. When the charging process is abnormally terminated, the controller receives communication strength information from each of the plurality of power supply facilities, compares the received communication strength information to determine a third power supply facility that charges the storage battery, and performs a process of establishing communication with the third power supply facility. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

4. When the charging process has abnormally ended and charging was being performed before the abnormal end, the controller does not perform a process of determining a power supply facility to which the power cable is connected. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

5. The communication strength information is information included in a response signal to a notification signal transmitted by the charging control device, and includes information on an attenuation amount of an electric field strength of the notification signal, The controller determines that a power supply facility that has transmitted the acquired communication strength information, the power supply facility having an attenuation amount of electric field strength that is equal to or smaller than a first threshold, is the power supply facility that charges the storage battery. The charge control device according to claim 1 .

6. When the charging process has abnormally ended and the lowest value of the amount of attenuation of electric field strength in the received communication strength information is equal to or lower than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, the controller determines that the power supply equipment that transmitted the communication strength information with the lowest amount of attenuation of electric field strength in the received communication strength information is the power supply equipment that charges the storage battery. The charge control device according to claim 5.

7. A charging control device is provided in a vehicle having a storage battery, and includes a controller that establishes communication with a power supply facility connected to a power cable and controls charging of the storage battery by the power supply facility. The position is The controller: When the connection of the power cable is detected, a first connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of a plurality of power supply facilities, the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, and a process is performed to establish communication with the first power supply facility determined to be connected in the first connection determination process; if the charging process for charging the storage battery ends abnormally after the first connection determination process, a second connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of the plurality of power supply facilities, and the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, and if the second power supply facility determined to be connected in the second connection determination process is different from the first power supply facility, a process is performed to disconnect communication with the first power supply facility and establish communication with the second power supply facility. Charging control device.

8. A charging control device is provided in a vehicle having a storage battery, and includes a controller that establishes communication with a power supply facility connected to a power cable and controls charging of the storage battery via the power cable, The controller: When the connection of the power cable is detected, a first connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of a plurality of power supply facilities, the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, a process is performed to establish communication with the first power supply facility determined to be connected in the first connection determination process, and a charging process with the first power supply facility is started; After the first connection determination process, a second connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of the plurality of power supply equipment, and the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply equipment to which the power cable is connected, and when the second power supply equipment determined to be connected in the second connection determination process is different from the first power supply equipment, communication with the first power supply equipment is disconnected, and a process of establishing communication with the second power supply equipment is performed, and a charging process with the second power supply equipment is started. A charge control method that achieves this.

9. A charging control device is provided in a vehicle having a storage battery, and includes a controller that establishes communication with a power supply facility connected to a power cable and controls charging of the storage battery by the power supply facility, The controller: When the connection of the power cable is detected, a first connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of a plurality of power supply facilities, the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, and a process is performed to establish communication with the first power supply facility determined to be connected in the first connection determination process; if the charging process for charging the storage battery ends abnormally after the first connection determination process, a second connection determination process is performed in which communication strength information is received from each of the plurality of power supply facilities, and the received communication strength information is compared to determine the power supply facility to which the power cable is connected, and if the second power supply facility determined to be connected in the second connection determination process is different from the first power supply facility, a process is performed to disconnect communication with the first power supply facility and establish communication with the second power supply facility. A charge control method that achieves this.

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