Power supply system

Abstract

To provide a power supply system for enabling parking with short vehicle intervals and increasing the whole number of parked vehicles in a parking space comprising a self-propelled power supply device.SOLUTION: A power supply system includes: a self-propelled power supply device comprising a power supply connector; and a vehicle comprising a processor and a power supply port. On the basis of a position of the power supply port of the vehicle parked in a first parking space and a position of a vehicle parked in a second parking space adjacent to the first parking space, the processor calculates a movement amount from the current position of the vehicle to a position at which a power supply connector can be removed from or inserted into the power supply port and moves the vehicle by the calculated movement amount, to insert the power supply connector into the power supply port and start power supply.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that includes a self-propelled power supply device and a power supply management device, determines a vehicle to be supplied with power based on the position of the vehicle and the position of the power supply port of the vehicle, and moves the power supply device to the position of the vehicle to be supplied with power to perform power supply.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement because there is no space for the power supply device to operate around the power supply port, or the number of parked vehicles decreases when the vehicle interval is widened.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply system that can park vehicles with a reduced vehicle interval and increase the total number of parked vehicles in a parking lot equipped with a self-propelled power supply device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power supply system according to the present disclosure includes a self-propelled power supply device having a power supply connector, a vehicle having a processor and a power supply port, and the processor determines the position of the power supply port of the host vehicle parked in a first parking space and the position of a vehicle parked in a second parking space adjacent to the first parking space. Based on this, the amount of movement from the current position of the host vehicle to the position where the power supply connector can be inserted into and removed from the power supply port is calculated, and the host vehicle is moved by the calculated amount of movement, thereby inserting the power supply connector into the power supply port to start power supply.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in a parking lot equipped with a self-propelled power supply device, vehicles can be parked with a reduced vehicle interval, and the total number of parking spaces can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] A power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Power supply system) The power supply system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system according to the embodiment includes a vehicle 1 and a power supply device 2. Both the vehicle 1 and the power supply device 2 are provided with a communication function (communication unit 22), and are configured to communicate with each other through the network NW and exchange various information. This network NW is composed of, for example, an Internet line network, a mobile phone line network, or the like.

[0011] (Vehicle) The vehicle 1 is a power supply-enabled electric vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV), for example. This vehicle 1 may be an autonomous driving vehicle that can autonomously travel without, for example, an operation by a driver. Further, the vehicle 1 may be equipped with an automatic parking function for automatically parking or a parking assist function for assisting parking.

[0012] The vehicle 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a power supply port 13. Note that in FIG. 1, only the components essential for realizing the power supply system according to the embodiment are illustrated among the components of the vehicle 1, and other components are not illustrated.

[0013] The control unit 11 is an electronic control unit (ECU) mainly composed of a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operations of various components of the vehicle 1 by executing various programs.

[0014] The control unit 11 controls the operation of the vehicle 1 parked in the parking space of the parking lot, so as to efficiently perform power supply by the self-propelled power supply device 2. Hereinafter, the details will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0015] First, the control unit 11 acquires information regarding the position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "own vehicle") parked in the first parking space Sp1, and information regarding the position of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "adjacent vehicle") parked in the second parking space Sp2 adjacent to the first parking space Sp1.

[0016] The "information regarding the position of the power supply port 13 of the own vehicle" can be calculated based on, for example, the position information of the own vehicle detected by the GPS receiving means mounted on the own vehicle and the position information of the power supply port 13 of the own vehicle that has been previously determined. Further, the "information regarding the position of the adjacent vehicle" can be acquired, for example, from the adjacent vehicle through the network N.

[0017] Subsequently, based on the position of the power supply port 13 of the own vehicle and the position of the adjacent vehicle acquired as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 calculates the movement amount from the current position of the own vehicle to the position where the power supply connector 23 of the power supply device 2 can be inserted and removed from the power supply port 13. Here, as shown in the figure, the vehicle 1 is movable in the first direction. Further, the power supply device 2 is movable in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Therefore, the control unit 11 calculates the movement amount in the first direction as the above movement amount.

[0018] Subsequently, the control unit 11 moves the own vehicle by the movement amount calculated as described above. This movement of the own vehicle is autonomously performed under the control of the control unit 11 (automatic parking function, parking assist function). In addition to the above, the movement of the own vehicle may be manually performed by the driver of the vehicle 1 by instructing the movement amount on the screen or voice of the car navigation mounted on the vehicle 1. By moving the own vehicle by the movement amount calculated in this way, the power supply can be started by inserting the power supply connector 23 into the power supply port 13.

[0019] In addition, after moving the host vehicle by the calculated amount of movement, the control unit 11 may transmit information regarding the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle to the power supply device 2. In this case, the power supply device 2 moves to the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle acquired from the control unit 11, inserts the power supply connector 23 into the power supply port 13, and performs power supply. Alternatively, the position of the power supply port 13 may be detected on the side of the power supply device 2 without transmitting information regarding the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle from the control unit 11 to the power supply device 2. In this case, the power supply device 2 moves to the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle detected by itself, inserts the power supply connector 23 into the power supply port 13, and performs power supply.

[0020] The communication unit 12 is composed of, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module) or the like. The communication unit 12 exchanges information with the power supply device 2 through communication via the network N.

[0021] The power supply port (inlet) 13 is for receiving power supply from the power supply device 2. When the power supply connector 23 of the power supply device 2 is connected to the power supply port 13, power is stored from the power supply device 2 in a battery (not shown). Further, the power supply port 13 is provided on the side of the vehicle 1 (the right side in FIG. 1).

[0022] (Power Supply Device) The power supply device 2 is a device for supplying power to the vehicle 1. This power supply device 2 is provided in a parking lot. Further, the power supply device 2 is a self-propelled power supply device, and self-propels to the position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 parked in the parking space of the parking lot to perform power supply. Also, the power supply device 2 is movable within a predetermined work space (see FIG. 4). Further, the power supply device 2 may be provided with means (such as a sensor) for detecting the position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 to be powered within this work space.

[0023] The power supply device 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a power supply connector 23. Note that in FIG. 1, only the components essential for realizing the power supply system according to the embodiment are illustrated among the components of the power supply device 2, and other components are not shown.

[0024] Similar to the control unit 11, the control unit 21 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the operations of various components of the power supply device 2 by executing various programs.

[0025] When the vehicle 1 (own vehicle) moves to a position where the power supply device 2 can supply power, the control unit 21 moves the power supply device 2 to perform power supply. The control unit 21 may acquire information regarding the position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle 1 that has moved to a position where power supply is possible. In this case, the control unit 21 moves to the position of the power supply port 13 of the acquired vehicle 1 and inserts the power supply connector 23 into the power supply port 13 to perform power supply. Further, the control unit 21 may detect the position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 that has moved to a position where power supply is possible using, for example, a sensor (not shown). In this case, the control unit 21 moves to the detected position of the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 and inserts the power supply connector 23 into the power supply port 13 to perform power supply.

[0026] The communication unit 22 is composed of, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, etc. The communication unit 22 exchanges information with the vehicle 1 through communication via the network N.

[0027] The power supply connector 23 is for supplying power to the vehicle 1. By connecting this power supply connector 23 to the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1, power is supplied to the vehicle 1 side.

[0028] Here, in the conventional power supply system, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, it was necessary to secure a wide working (moving) space for the power supply device 2. This is because, as indicated by the arrow A in the figure, unless the power supply device 2 moves in the first direction in addition to the second direction, it is impossible to access the power supply port 13 provided on the side of the vehicle 1. Therefore, in the conventional power supply system, it is necessary to park with a working space for the power supply device 2 left around the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1, and the number of parking spaces with respect to the total area of the parking lot decreases.

[0029] On the other hand, in the power supply system according to the embodiment, as described above, since the vehicle 1 (own vehicle) moves to a position where the power supply device 2 can supply power, as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 4, it is possible to access the power supply port 13 of the vehicle 1 only by moving the power supply device 2 in the second direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a working space for the power supply device 2 between the vehicles, and the working space for the power supply device 2 can be reduced as compared with the conventional power supply system.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, although a working space for the power supply device 2 is required in front of and behind the vehicle 1, the gain obtained by reducing the space between the vehicles is larger, and the space efficiency can be improved. In addition, since each parking space Sp can be arranged in a compact manner, the number of parking spaces with respect to the total area of the parking lot can be increased. Alternatively, the total area of the parking lot with respect to the number of parking spaces can be reduced.

[0031] (Power supply method (at the start of power supply)) The flow at the start of power supply in the power supply method executed by the power supply system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0032] First, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a power supply request from the battery (step S1). Step S1 can be determined based on, for example, the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery.

[0033] In step S1, when it is determined that there is a power supply request from the battery (Yes in step S1), the control unit 11 calculates the movement amount of the host vehicle from the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle parked in the first parking space Sp1 and the position of the adjacent vehicle (step S2). Subsequently, the control unit 11 moves the host vehicle by the movement amount calculated in step S2 (step S3).

[0034] Subsequently, the power supply device 2 moves to the position of the power supply port 13 of the host vehicle (step S4), the power supply connector 23 is inserted into the power supply port 13 (step S5), and power supply starts. In step S1 described above, when it is determined that there is no power supply request from the battery (No in step S1), the control unit 11 returns to the determination in step S1.

[0035] (Power supply method (at the end of power supply)) The process at the end of power supply in the power supply method executed by the power supply system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0036] First, the control unit 11 determines whether the power supply from the battery has ended (step S11). Step S11 can be determined based on, for example, the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery or the like.

[0037] In step S11, when it is determined that the power supply from the battery has ended (Yes in step S11), the power supply device 2 moves back to its original position (step S12), and the power supply connector 23 is pulled out from the power supply port 13 (step S13).

[0038] Subsequently, the control unit 11 moves the host vehicle to the position before the start of power supply (step S14). In step S1 described above, when it is determined that the power supply from the battery has not ended (No in step S11), the control unit 11 returns to the determination in step S11.

[0039] According to the power supply system according to the above-described embodiment, in a parking lot equipped with the self-propelled power supply device 2, the vehicle intervals can be reduced and the overall number of parked vehicles can be increased.

[0040] That is, in a service that automatically performs the power supply operation to the vehicle 1, the narrower the vehicle space required for plugging and unplugging the power supply connector 23, the more vehicles 1 can be parked with high space efficiency. Therefore, in the power supply system according to the embodiment, the automatic power supply function by the power supply device 2 and the parking assist function provided in the vehicle 1 are coordinated, and the vehicle 1 is appropriately moved smoothly according to the request from the control unit 11. As a result, the interval between the parked vehicles can be narrowed, so that a parking system with high space efficiency can be realized.

[0041] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, a broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described as above. Accordingly, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 1 Vehicle 11 Control Unit 12 Communication Unit 13 Power Supply Port (Inlet) 2 Power Supply Device 21 Control Unit 22 Communication Unit 23 Power Supply Connector N Network Sp Parking Space Sp1 First Parking Space Sp2 Second Parking Space

Claims

[Claim 1] A self-propelled power supply device having a power supply connector; a vehicle including a processor and a power outlet; having The processor, calculating a movement distance from a current position of the vehicle to a position where the power feeding connector can be inserted into and removed from the power feeding port based on a position of the power feeding port of the vehicle parked in a first parking space and a position of a vehicle parked in a second parking space adjacent to the first parking space; by moving the vehicle by the calculated movement amount, inserting the power feeding connector into the power feeding port and starting power feeding; Power supply system.

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