Charging / discharging device, charging / discharging control method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a charging / discharging device adaptable to various electric vehicles, a charging / discharging control method, and a computer program.SOLUTION: A charging / discharging device connected to an accumulator mounted in an electric vehicle, and controlling charging from an external power source to the accumulator and discharging from the accumulator to an external load has a communication unit performing a communication connection to an on-vehicle control device controlling charging / discharging of the accumulator in the electric vehicle and a control unit controlling charging / discharging based on data transmitted / received to / from the on-vehicle control device. The control unit specifies a system of charging corresponding to the electric vehicle when receiving instructions of charging to the accumulator, and starts charging while continuing transmission / reception of the data to / from the on-vehicle control device according to the specified system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge and discharge device, a charge and discharge control method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] The popularity of electric vehicles is increasing, and their application to large vehicles is also progressing. The battery capacity of the storage battery mounted as a power source of electric vehicles is, for example, 5 to 100 kWh, and exceeds 200 kWh for large vehicles. Technologies have been proposed to realize V2X including V2H (Vehicle to Home) that enables the power stored in the storage batteries of these vehicles to be supplied not only to drive the electric vehicles but also to, for example, loads in a house, V2B (Vehicle to Building) that enables supply to buildings not limited to houses, and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) that enables supply to the power grid. Even in the event of a power outage due to a disaster, it is expected that the power stored in movable electric vehicles can be supplied to maintain life or keep factories operating.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses connecting an electric vehicle to a system for controlling stable power supply and rapidly charging the storage battery mounted on the vehicle according to demand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The types and capacities of the storage batteries mounted on electric vehicles are diverse in accordance with the increase in the types of electric vehicles. The specifications of charge and discharge control by the in-vehicle control device for the storage battery also vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer. If it is a charging device managed by an electric vehicle manufacturer, it is possible to conform to the specifications of the charge and discharge control of the in-vehicle control device. However, a charge and discharge device applicable not only to electric vehicles of one manufacturer but also to a variety of electric vehicles is required to be adaptable to each of the various electric vehicles.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a charge and discharge device, a charge and discharge control method, and a computer program that can be adapted to a variety of electric vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The charge and discharge device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a charge and discharge device that is connected to a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle and controls charging from an external power source to the storage battery or discharging from the storage battery to an external load, and includes a communication unit that communicates with an in-vehicle control device that controls charge and discharge of the storage battery in the electric vehicle, and a control unit that controls charge and discharge based on data transmitted and received between the control unit and the in-vehicle control device. When receiving an instruction to charge the storage battery, the control unit specifies a charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle, and starts charging while continuing data transmission and reception with the in-vehicle control device according to the specified method.

[0008] In the charge and discharge device of the present disclosure, within the range according to the charging standard, charge and discharge standard, and guideline, a charging method adapted to the charging behavior that varies slightly for each electric vehicle is specified. The charging method includes a method of data transmission and reception between the charge and discharge device and the in-vehicle control device for parameter setting before charging starts. By continuing the process in a manner of data transmission and reception adapted to the specified target electric vehicle, charging can be started.

[0009] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that prohibits discharging from the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load, the control unit may specify, as the charging method, a method of avoiding transmission and reception of data related to discharging.

[0010] Among the types of electric vehicles, there is a dedicated charging vehicle designed not to assume discharging to an external load. In such a dedicated charging vehicle, when data related to discharging is transmitted from the charging and discharging device to the in-vehicle control device, it may normally stop as discharging is prohibited. In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, for a dedicated charging vehicle, a charging method is specified so as not to transmit and receive data related to discharging, and the above-described normal stop on the vehicle side can be avoided.

[0011] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that prohibits discharging from the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load, the control unit may specify, as the charging method, a method of setting specific types of data among the data transmitted and received between the control unit and the in-vehicle control device as not being transmission targets.

[0012] In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, in a dedicated charging vehicle, when specific data related to discharging is transmitted from the charging and discharging device to the in-vehicle control device, it may normally stop as discharging is prohibited. When the data that causes the normal stop is clear, a charging method can be specified in which charging is executed with that type of data (message) not being a transmission target.

[0013] The charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an operation unit that receives a charging instruction operation, and when the control unit determines whether a specific operation has been performed during the charging instruction operation on the operation unit, and when it is determined that a specific operation has been performed, the control unit may specify a charging method corresponding to the specific operation.

[0014] In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, the charging method can be appropriately selected according to the user's operation method. If a method for a specific vehicle is prepared in advance as the charging method, the user can perform a specific operation for the specific vehicle to charge without causing normal stop or the like.

[0015] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of patterns of the specific operation are set, and the control unit may determine which of the plurality of patterns of operation the specific operation is, and select a charging method corresponding to the determined pattern.

[0016] In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, when the behaviors of vehicles vary slightly, charging methods that do not cause normal stop for each of those vehicles are prepared in advance, and it is also possible to select those methods by a specific operation pattern on the operation unit.

[0017] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit may accept a setting of a charging method and specify the set method as the charging method.

[0018] In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, it is possible to select any one of a plurality of charging methods by a setting operation on the operation unit or an instruction from a host device. If the user can grasp an appropriate charging method for the electric vehicle to be charged, charging can be appropriately performed by setting on the operation unit. When the host device can determine a charging method for the electric vehicle to be charged based on the vehicle type or vehicle identification number, if the charging method is clearly indicated, charging can be appropriately performed.

[0019] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit stores a correspondence relationship between the vehicle type of the electric vehicle and the charging method, estimates the vehicle type of the electric vehicle according to data transmitted and received between the in-vehicle control device or the output from the storage battery, and may specify a charging method corresponding to the estimated vehicle type based on the estimated vehicle type and the correspondence relationship.

[0020] In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, the vehicle type of the electric vehicle can be estimated, and by registering an appropriate charging method for each vehicle type, even if the user does not know the appropriate charging method for the electric vehicle to be charged, and even if the upper device cannot instruct the charging method, the control unit can identify the appropriate method.

[0021] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit attempts to start charging the storage battery. If charging cannot be started by the attempt, it is determined that the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that prohibits discharging from the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load. The charging method is specified as a method corresponding to the dedicated charging vehicle. The process is restarted from re - establishing the communication connection with the in - vehicle control device of the electric vehicle, and data is transmitted and received with the in - vehicle control device according to the specified method to start charging.

[0022] The charging and discharging device of the present disclosure actually attempts to start charging. If the charging start fails, it is determined that inappropriate processing for the target electric vehicle was included in the flow up to the charging start, and the process for charging is automatically restarted from the beginning. In the restarted process, the process of causing a normal stop for a specific electric vehicle is avoided, and charging can be started appropriately. At this time, it can be output to the user and the upper device that the charging start process for the electric vehicle is in progress, so as to avoid re - doing the process of the charging and discharging device.

[0023] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit stores the charging record for past electric vehicles in association with data for identifying the charging method, and may specify the charging method corresponding to the newly connected electric vehicle based on the record.

[0024] The charging and discharging device of the present disclosure stores the charging method when charging is actually performed successfully. For a newly connected electric vehicle, even if there is no clear instruction or setting, and even if the vehicle type cannot be estimated, the most successful method as a record may be specified. The charging and discharging device may specify the charging method that was most successful in the corresponding time period based on the time period when charging was successful in the past and the time period when a new electric vehicle was connected.

[0025] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the charging methods may include a process of waiting for a predetermined time after detecting a system abnormality and normally stopping, and then starting a process from establishing a communication connection.

[0026] In a specific vehicle, particularly a dedicated charging vehicle, even if a system abnormality such as insufficient power from the power grid is detected, discharging may not be possible and the vehicle may stop for a long time. In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, since the process is started after waiting for a predetermined time even when the system abnormality is resolved, the charging can be restarted in accordance with the behavior of the vehicle side.

[0027] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the charging methods may include a process of determining the minimum and maximum values of the charging current value and the charging power value within a range between a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the charging current command value output from the in-vehicle control device and the charging current command value.

[0028] In a specific vehicle, particularly a dedicated charging vehicle, only the command value of the charging current value may be output, and it may not be possible to output the charging power value, the discharging current value, or the discharging power value required by the upper device. In the charging and discharging device of the present disclosure, even for such a specific vehicle, the necessary data for the upper device can be determined, and charging of the electric vehicle battery can be performed according to an instruction from the upper device.

[0029] In the charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the charging methods is to determine the minimum and maximum values of the charging current value and the charging power value within a range between a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the charging current command value output from the in-vehicle control device and the charging current command value, determine the minimum and maximum values of the discharging current value and the discharging power value to be zero, and include a process of notifying the determined values to the upper device.

[0030] In a specific vehicle, particularly a dedicated charging vehicle, it may only output a command value of the charging current value and not output the charging power value, discharge current value, or discharge power value required by the upper-level device. In the charge-discharge device of the present disclosure, even for such a specific vehicle, it is possible to determine values including the required discharge current value and discharge power value for the upper-level device and perform charging of the electric vehicle's battery according to an instruction from the upper-level device.

[0031] In the charge-discharge device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the charging methods may include a process of disconnecting and then reconnecting the communication connection with the in-vehicle control device each time the elapsed time reaches a set time after the start of charging, and then resuming charging.

[0032] In a specific vehicle equipped with a large-capacity battery, even in the case of rapid charging, it may not be possible to achieve full charge unless charging exceeds the upper limit of the continuous charging time set in the charging standard, charge-discharge standard, or guideline. In the charge-discharge device of the present disclosure, for such a specific vehicle, it is possible to repeatedly perform charging for a time within the range that does not exceed the upper limit of the continuous charging time to approach full charge.

[0033] A charge-discharge control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a charge-discharge control method for a charge-discharge device connected to a battery mounted on an electric vehicle and controlling charging from an external power source to the battery or discharging from the battery to an external load. The charge-discharge device is communicatively connected to an in-vehicle control device that controls charging and discharging of the battery within the electric vehicle, transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device, and when receiving an instruction to charge the battery, identifies a charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle and starts charging while continuing to transmit and receive data to and from the in-vehicle control device according to the identified method.

[0034] In the charge-discharge control method of the present disclosure, within the range conforming to the charge-discharge protocol and guideline, a charging method adapted to the charging behavior that varies slightly for each electric vehicle is identified. The process is continued in a manner of transmitting and receiving data adapted to the identified target electric vehicle, and charging can be further performed according to the charging method corresponding to that vehicle.

[0035] A computer program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle, and is mounted on a charge and discharge device that controls charging from an external power source to the storage battery or discharging from the storage battery to an external load. The computer communicates with an in-vehicle control device that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery in the electric vehicle, transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device, and when receiving an instruction to charge the storage battery, identifies a charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle, and according to the identified method, executes a process of starting charging while continuing to transmit and receive data to and from the in-vehicle control device.

[0036] In the computer program of the present disclosure, within the range conforming to the charge and discharge protocol and guidelines, a charging method adapted to the charging behavior that varies slightly for each electric vehicle is identified. The process is continued in a way of transmitting and receiving data adapted to the identified electric vehicle, and charging can be further carried out in the charging method corresponding to that vehicle.

Advantages of the Invention

[0037] According to the present disclosure, charging and discharging for various electric vehicles including dedicated charging vehicles can be appropriately executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] The present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. In the following embodiments, a charge-discharge system including the charge-discharge device of the present disclosure will be described.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a charge-discharge system 200 including a charge-discharge device 1. The charge-discharge system 200 is provided in a facility such as a house, office, factory, store, or public facility. The charge-discharge system 200 includes a load 21 of the facility, a power storage device 22, a power generation device 23, a distribution board 28, an upper device 29, and the charge-discharge device 1.

[0041] The charge-discharge device 1 is a device that controls charging of the vehicle V and discharging of the electric power stored in the battery VB of the vehicle V to the load 21 of the facility. The power source for charging is, for example, the power grid E (commercial grid). The power source for charging may be a DC power grid, or a combination of the power grid E and the DC power grid. The power source may also be something that simulates a commercial grid, or the power generation device 23 or the power storage device 22 included in the charge-discharge system 200. Further, in the event of a disaster or the like when power from the power grid E or the DC power grid cannot be used, the charge-discharge device 1 can supply power to the load 21 by discharging the electric power from the battery mounted on the vehicle V.

[0042] The supply power from the power grid E is branched by the power line PL to the vehicle V connected through the load 21, the power generation device 23, and the charge-discharge device 1 at the distribution board 28. The charge-discharge device 1 is connected to the upper device 29 through the communication line CL via the distribution board 28.

[0043] The upper-level device 29 controls the power transfer between the power system E and the load 21, as well as the power transfer from the power generation device 23 to the group of loads 21. In this embodiment, the upper-level device 29 is provided externally as a server device and will be described as controlling the power transfer in the region. However, the upper-level device 29 may be a power management device (Energy Management System) installed in the distribution board 28 to control power generation, charging, and discharging within the facility, or may be built into the charging and discharging device 1.

[0044] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the connection configuration of the charging and discharging device 1 and the vehicle V. Vehicles V that can be connected to the charging and discharging device 1 include electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), etc. The vehicle V is a vehicle that can be charged by wire. The vehicle V may be a vehicle capable of feeding power (discharging) to the outside or a dedicated charging vehicle. The vehicle V is equipped with a large-capacity storage battery VB (a power generation engine in the case of an FCV) that can be used for its driving. The vehicle V includes a connector 35 to the power line VPL connected to the storage battery VB and an in-vehicle control device 32 that controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery VB. A DC relay 33 included in the charging and discharging circuit on the vehicle V side is interposed in the power line VPL, and the in-vehicle control device 32 controls the ON and OFF of the DC relay 33. The connector 35 includes a communication terminal for communicating with the in-vehicle control device 32.

[0045] The charging and discharging device 1 includes a charging and discharging circuit 10, a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a power supply unit 13, an operation unit 14, and an upper-level communication unit 16. The charging and discharging circuit 10 includes various circuit elements such as a bidirectional inverter and various relays. The charging and discharging circuit 10 includes a DC relay 10a connected to the connector 15 connected to the vehicle V and a disconnection relay 10b interposed in the power line PL connected to the power system E. The charging and discharging circuit 10 is connected by the connector 15 and the power line PL via the DC relay 10a.

[0046] The control unit 11 controls the circuit elements included in the charge and discharge circuit 10, and controls the switching of charging and discharging, the amount of current, and the amount of voltage with respect to the storage battery VB of the vehicle V. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a non-volatile memory, and the CPU executes control processing based on a computer program P1 stored in the non-volatile memory to control the charge and discharge circuit 10.

[0047] The computer program (computer product) P1 stored in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 11 may be a program that the CPU reads out the computer program P1 stored in the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium 9 and stores it in the memory.

[0048] The non-volatile memory of the control unit 11 stores setting data for each charging method in association with data for identifying each charging method to be described later. The setting data includes, for example, a specific type of message to be avoided for transmission, time setting, charge current value, and discharge current value for each charging method. The setting data includes a standby time and the like. These data may be incorporated into the computer program P1.

[0049] The communication unit 12 can be communicatively connected to the in-vehicle control device 32 via the connector 15 and the connector 35. The communication connection protocol of the communication unit 12 only needs to conform to the charge and discharge method corresponding to the in-vehicle control device 32, the connectors 15 and 35. The communication unit 12 may be able to selectively execute any one of a plurality of protocols so as to be applicable to different charge and discharge methods. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 communicates with the in-vehicle control device 32 by CAN (Controller Area Network). Communication may be realized by PLC.

[0050] The power supply unit 13 includes a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Systems) circuit and a starting battery, and supplies power to the control unit 11. The power supply unit 13 supplies the power necessary for starting the charging and discharging device 1 from the starting battery during a power outage. The power supply unit 13 may charge the starting battery with the power from the power grid E, the power generation device 23, or the vehicle V.

[0051] The operation unit 14 includes a display, a touch panel built in the display, and physical buttons. The operation unit 14 is exposed on the exterior of the charging and discharging device 1 and receives operations including START and STOP of charging and discharging from a user (such as a facility manager or the owner of the vehicle V). The control unit 11 may control the charging and discharging circuit 10 based on the operations received by the operation unit 14.

[0052] The upper-level communication unit 16 realizes communication with the upper-level device 29 via the communication line CL. The upper-level communication unit 16 may be, for example, a communication module corresponding to the communication line CL compliant with Ethernet (registered trademark), or a communication module corresponding to the communication line CL compliant with ECHONET / ECHONETLite (registered trademark). The upper-level communication unit 16 may realize communication by means of a PLC.

[0053] In the charge and discharge system 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the connector 15 is connected to the connector 35 of the vehicle V, the charge and discharge device 1 is connected to the storage battery VB of the vehicle V and the power line PL via the DC relay 10a and the DC relay 33 on the vehicle V side. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the charge and discharge circuit 10 is connected to the power system E (or other power sources), the load 21 group, and the associated devices (such as the energy storage device 22 and the power generation device 23) via the disconnect relay 10b and the distribution board 28 by the power line PL. The charge and discharge device 1 controls the power transfer between the power system E and the storage battery VB, the load 21 group, and the associated devices of the vehicle V. The charge and discharge device 1 may control the charging of the storage battery VB using the associated devices as a power supply source. The charge and discharge circuit 10 can perform charging from the power system E to the storage battery VB or discharging from the storage battery VB to the load 21 group via the power line PL when the disconnect relay 10b, the DC relay 10a, and the DC relay 33 are all in the ON state.

[0054] The vehicle V used in the charge and discharge system 200 configured as described above has various variations. The protocol is not limited to one, and due to technological advancements such as the manufacturer and the manufacturing year, there are vehicles V that behave differently even under conditions compliant with several protocols. The charge and discharge device 1 of the present embodiment appropriately responds whether the connected vehicle V is a dedicated charging vehicle or a vehicle capable of discharging. The charge and discharge device 1 appropriately responds to various vehicles V (in-vehicle control device 32) that behave slightly differently within the specification range while corresponding to the charging standard and the charge and discharge standard (CHAdeMO (registered trademark), CCS, etc.). The charge and discharge device 1 exchanges parameters used for charge and discharge with the in-vehicle control device 32 of the connected vehicle V via the communication unit 12 according to the specification. For example, the charge and discharge device 1 transmits and receives data such as the charging rate of the vehicle V, the current value during charging, and the dischargeable power value to and from the in-vehicle control device 32. However, when the in-vehicle control devices 32 of various vehicles V control on the premise of interaction with a specific charging device (which may be capable of discharging) or control on the premise of being a dedicated charging vehicle, there may be discrepancies even within the specification range. Therefore, the charge and discharge device 1 performs control according to various vehicles V as follows.

[0055] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure at the start of processing by the charge and discharge device 1 of the present embodiment. When the control unit 11 of the charge and discharge device 1 is activated upon receiving an ON operation from the operation unit 14 and the start of power supply from the power supply unit 13 based on a schedule, it executes the following processing based on the computer program P1.

[0056] The control unit 11 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to start charging from the operation unit 14 or the host device 29 with the connector 15 fitted to the connector 35 of the vehicle V (step S101). If it is determined that the instruction to start charging has not been received (S101: NO), the process returns to step S101 and waits in a standby state until the instruction is received.

[0057] When the control unit 11 determines that it has received an instruction to start charging from the operation unit 14 or the host device 29 (S101: YES), it starts a communication process to establish a communication connection with the in-vehicle control device 32 by the communication unit 12 (step S102). Here, the communication connection is, for example, CAN communication.

[0058] In step S102, the control unit 11 establishes a communication connection and transmits and receives a predetermined message according to the protocol. At the time of step S102, the control unit 11 avoids transmitting a specific type of message to the in-vehicle control device 32. This is because, in order to determine whether or not discharging is possible, if the control unit 11 transmits data related to discharging to the in-vehicle control device 32, in some vehicle types, normal stop may be performed with discharging disabled. Therefore, at the time of step S102, as a specific type of message, for example, transmission of a transmission request for parameters related to discharging is avoided.

[0059] The control unit 11 determines whether a specific operation (mode specification) has been performed according to the instruction in step S101 (step S103). In step S103, the control unit 11 determines whether the operation on the charge START button in step S101 is a long press or a specific operation such as the button being pressed twice continuously within a predetermined time. When receiving the charge START instruction from the host device 29 in step S101 (in the case of EMS operation), the control unit 11 determines whether the charging mode has been specified in step S103.

[0060] In step S103, when it is determined that a specific operation (mode specification) has been performed (S103: YES), the control unit 11 identifies the charging mode preset for the specific operation (step S104). In step S104, when the charge START button has been long pressed, the control unit 11 identifies it as the dedicated charging mode (rapid charging) based on CHAdeMO preset for the long press. When charge START has been pressed twice continuously, the control unit 11 identifies it as a charging mode including the exchange of parameters related to discharging. The former dedicated charging mode avoids the transmission request of parameters related to discharging. In the case of EMS operation where the host device 29 receives the charge START instruction, in step S104, the control unit 11 identifies the charging mode specified by the host device 29.

[0061] The control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device 32 based on the charging mode identified in step S104 (step S105), and starts charging (step S106). The processing at the start of charging ends.

[0062] In step S103, when it is determined that no specific operation has been performed in step S101 (S103: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether a charging method has been set in advance for the normal operation of the charging START button (short press once) or the charging instruction without specification (step S107). In step S107, the charge / discharge device 1 enables the user to operate the operation unit 14 to select a charging method before pressing the charging START button. Here, the selection candidates for the charging method are, for example, a dedicated charging method based on CHAdeMO, a charge / discharge method capable of appropriately performing discharge, etc. In step S107, the charge / discharge device 1 can also not select a charging method. When no charging method is selected, the control unit 11 determines in step S107 that no charging method has been set.

[0063] In step S107, when the control unit 11 determines that a charging method has been set (S107: YES), it identifies the set charging method (S104). In step S104, the control unit 11 may identify whether it is a dedicated charging method based on CHAdeMO prepared in advance as an option or a charge / discharge method capable of appropriately performing discharge. In step S104, among the dedicated charging methods, the control unit 11 may identify which one has been selected according to the type of message not to be transmitted (specific CAN ID) to the in-vehicle control device 32. For example, among the regulations in CHAdeMO and V2H guidelines, a method of excluding messages (CAN ID H’ 20X, 70X) related to the operation of using the battery VB of the vehicle V as a power supply source from the transmission targets, or a method of excluding a specific message (for example, only 20X or only 70X) among those messages can be selected in more detail, and the control unit 11 may identify which one has been selected. Note that "X" in 20X and 70X indicates any hexadecimal number, etc.

[0064] Based on the charging method identified in step S104, the control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device 32 (S105), and starts charging (S106). The processing at the start of charging ends.

[0065] In step S107, if it is determined that the charging method is not set (S107: NO), the control unit 11 executes vehicle type estimation based on the result of the communication process with the in-vehicle control device 32 in step S102 (step S108). In step S108, for example, if the control unit 11 can receive data related to discharging such as the lower limit charging rate of discharging during the communication process in step S102, it can be determined that the vehicle is not a dedicated charging vehicle. In step S108, the control unit 11 estimates one of the pre-registered vehicle types based on the content of the data transmitted and received. For example, the control unit 11 can estimate the vehicle type by determining which of the values such as the battery endurance upper limit value, the charging voltage upper limit value, the total battery capacity, the lower limit remaining battery capacity of discharging, the upper limit remaining battery capacity of charging, and the manufacturer code match the values pre-associated with each vehicle type. If those parameters do not match any of the pre-registered values, the control unit 11 may determine that the vehicle type cannot be estimated. The control unit 11 can estimate the vehicle type not only based on the transmission and reception of parameters in the communication process by the communication unit 12, but also by determining which pattern of the number of seconds until the battery voltage rises, the rising waveform, etc., that are stored in association with each vehicle type in advance, matches.

[0066] The control unit 11 determines whether the vehicle type has been estimated (step S109). In step S109, if there is a high possibility that it is one of the pre-registered vehicle types, the control unit 11 can determine that the vehicle type has been estimated.

[0067] If it is determined that the vehicle type has been estimated (S109: YES), the control unit 11 identifies the charging method stored in association with the vehicle type (S104). The control unit 11 executes data transmission and reception according to the identified charging method (S105), and starts charging according to a predetermined procedure (S106). The processing at the start of charging ends.

[0068] When it is determined in step S109 that the vehicle type cannot be estimated (S109: NO), the control unit 11 performs data transmission and reception in a charging method for a vehicle V capable of both charging and discharging (step S110), and attempts to start charging (step S111). In step S110, the control unit 11 may select the most likely successful method and execute data transmission and reception processing. For example, the control unit 11 may once use the method that was recently successful in charging the same vehicle V, or based on the charging and discharging results stored for each charging time zone, select the method (frequency, number of times) that has been the most successful in the same time zone as the time point when the processing is executed. When the control unit 11 can recognize that the connectors 15 and 35 are not disconnected and the same vehicle V has remained connected since the previous charging was performed, the control unit 11 may select the charging method that was successful last time. For example, when the connection between the connectors 15 and 35 of the vehicle V that was successfully charged by rapid charging for a dedicated charging vehicle remains maintained, when receiving a new charging START instruction again, if no specific operation is performed (S103: NO), the charging method is not set (S107: NO), and the vehicle type cannot be estimated (S109: NO), the control unit 11 attempts to start charging using the charging method that was successful last time.

[0069] In step S110 or step S111, the control unit 11 determines whether charging can be started (step S112). When the control unit 11 determines that charging can be started (S112: YES), it continues charging as it is. The processing at the start of charging ends.

[0070] Among the data transmitted and received in step S110, when the charging current command value output from the in-vehicle control device 32 is zero, or when the state of the vehicle V does not transition to a chargeable state, the control unit 11 determines that charging cannot be started (S112: NO). In the predetermined process of data transmission and reception with the in-vehicle control device 32 that does not hold data on the parameters for discharging, when inquiring about the parameters related to discharging, as described above, there is a possibility of normal stop assuming that an unintended process has been started in the in-vehicle control device 32. Also in this case, the control unit 11 determines that charging cannot be started (S112: NO).

[0071] When it is determined that charging cannot be started (S112: NO), the control unit 11 estimates that the vehicle V is a vehicle that cannot discharge (step S113), and specifies the charging method as a dedicated charging method based on CHAdeMO (step S114). In step S114, the control unit 11 specifies, from the values included in the data transmitted and received in step S110 and the identifier (CAN ID) of the transmitted and received message, a specific type (CAN ID) of message that was the cause of the inability to start charging, and does not transmit it the next time. A method of excluding the specified message from the transmission target may be selected from several variations for the vehicle V (similar to step S104).

[0072] In step S114, the control unit 11 may store the methods that have been successful in the past in the non-volatile memory as achievements and specify one of the proven methods. The control unit 11 may specify, as the charging method, a method that has been successful in the past based on the vehicle identification number among the achievements. Or it may attempt to estimate the vehicle type again and specify an appropriate method for other vehicle types extracted as vehicle type candidates in S109 at this timing. Even if there is no clear instruction (specific operation) or setting, and even if the vehicle type cannot be estimated, the control unit 11 may specify the method that has been most successful as the method with the highest success probability. The control unit 11 may extract, from the achievements, the methods that have been successful for each connected time period and specify the method with the most charging achievements. The control unit 11 may specify the charging method that was most successful in the corresponding time period from the charging time period that was successful in the past and the time period when the new electric vehicle was connected. It may also specify the method with the highest frequency in the most recent predetermined period. Even if the vehicle type cannot be specified, the control unit 11 may infer categories such as the manufacturer and whether it is a domestic or foreign vehicle from data transmission / reception and output voltage, and specify the method with the most successful achievements for that manufacturer or category.

[0073] The control unit 11 starts a communication process (step S115) to re-establish a communication connection with the in-vehicle control device 32 through the communication unit 12 according to the specified charging method. From step S113 to step S115, the control unit 11 will once execute a predetermined termination sequence with the in-vehicle control device 32 to stop charging and start the charging process again from the beginning. During this period, the control unit 11 does not display on the display provided on the operation unit 14 that it is being executed again, but displays a message, image, icon, etc. indicating that it is in the connection process. The control unit 11 may not assume that it is in the connection process, and after outputting the above-mentioned once stopping charging to the display, it may output a screen requesting the pressing of the charging START button again.

[0074] Based on the charging method identified in step S114, the control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device 32 (S105) and starts charging (S106). The processing at the start of charging ends.

[0075] Regarding the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 11 does not necessarily need to execute all of the processes in steps S103, S104, steps S107 - S108, S110 - S115. The control unit 11 may execute each process one by one, or may execute any combination thereof.

[0076] According to the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 11 can charge with the charging and discharging device 1 of the present disclosure, whether it is a vehicle V capable of charging and discharging, a vehicle V that is a dedicated charging vehicle, or a vehicle V in which charging stops when transmitting and receiving a specific message. Initially, only vehicles V that are dedicated charging vehicles may be equipped at the facility, but it may be desirable to add new vehicles V capable of discharging after the start of operation. In such a case, by installing the charging and discharging device 1 of the present disclosure from the beginning, charging and discharging control can be performed for various vehicles V.

[0077] When the control unit 11 identifies the charging method for the vehicle V among the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device 32 (S105) and starts charging (S106) by a method corresponding to each method. This charging method is, for example, the following method for an electric vehicle that is a dedicated charging vehicle.

[0078] When the control unit 11 identifies the charging method for a vehicle V that is a dedicated charging vehicle and the capacity of the storage battery VB is greater than a predetermined amount in step S104 or step S114, for example, it executes a special charging process as shown below. The setting of the special charging process is incorporated in the computer program P1 or stored as setting data in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 11.

[0079] The special charging process is, firstly, the process for the situation where the vehicle V stops normally during charging. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the special charging process. In the charging method of the special charging process, for example, the control unit 11 determines whether a system abnormality has been detected based on signals given from protective relays such as a ground fault overvoltage relay and a reverse power relay (step S211). If it is determined that no system abnormality has been detected (S211: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process and continues charging. If it is determined that a system abnormality has been detected (S211: YES), the control unit 11 executes the normal stop process according to the system abnormality (step S212) and waits for a set predetermined time (for example, 300 seconds) (step S213). The control unit 11 automatically resumes the process from establishing communication connection with the in-vehicle control device 32 again (step S214), ends the process, and continues charging. During this predetermined time, since the charging output from the charge-discharge device 1 to the vehicle V becomes zero, in the case of a dedicated charging vehicle, it cannot wait as it is and will stop normally. Therefore, the control unit 11 automatically performs the process of reconnecting and resuming. The special charging process ends as described above.

[0080] The special charging process is, secondly, the notification process to the upper device 29. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the special charging process. During the implementation of the "EMS operation" in which charging to the vehicle V is carried out while avoiding the load peak based on the operation of the power system E and the load 21, when charging is started upon receiving an instruction to start charging from the upper device 29, the control unit 11 of the charge-discharge device 1 needs to transmit and receive data with the in-vehicle control device 32 and notify the upper device 29 of parameters related to charging or discharging.

[0081] The control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle control device 32 (step S221 = S105), and determines the minimum value and the maximum value for the charging current value among the four items of the charging power value, the discharging power value, the charging current value, and the discharging current value (step S222). In step S222, the control unit 11 sets the minimum value (minimum charging current value) of the charging current value to be equal to the maximum value (maximum charging current value) of the charging current value and equal to the charging current value (command value) notified from the in-vehicle control device 32. Regarding the minimum value and the maximum value of the charging current value, the control unit 11 may determine them between the command value and a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 12 A) from the command value (command value - 12 A). Minimum charging current value = Maximum charging current value = Command value Or, (command value - 12 A) ≤ Minimum charging current value ≤ Maximum charging current value ≤ Command value

[0082] The control unit 11 determines the minimum value and the maximum value for the charging power value (step S223). In step S223, the control unit 11 sets the minimum value (minimum charging power value) of the charging power value to be equal to the maximum value (maximum charging power value) of the charging power value and equal to a value obtained by multiplying the charging current value (command value) notified from the in-vehicle control device 32 by a multiplier. Regarding the minimum value and the maximum value of the charging power value, the control unit 11 may determine them between a value obtained by multiplying the command value by the multiplier and a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 12 A) from the command value (command value - 12 A) by the multiplier. The multiplier is, for example, the output voltage (vehicle voltage) of the storage battery VB of the vehicle V × efficiency. Minimum charging power value = Maximum charging power value = Command value × Multiplier Or, (command value - 12 A) × Multiplier ≤ Minimum charging power value ≤ Maximum charging power value ≤ Command value × Multiplier

[0083] The control unit 11 notifies the host communication unit 16 to the host device 29 of the parameters including the determined charging current value, charging power value, and the determined discharge power value and discharge current value (discharge may not be possible) and zero (step S224). The control unit 11 stores the values for the four determined items in the RAM or non-volatile memory (step S225), and starts the charging process according to the instruction from the host device 29 (step S226 = S106). The start process of the special charging ends.

[0084] Thirdly, the special charging process is a process that enables charging over a long period. For example, in the charging process based on CHAdeMO, in order to avoid occupying the charge and discharge device 1, an upper limit (for example, 255 minutes) is provided for the charging duration. When the capacity of the storage battery VB exceeds 100 kWh, for example, 200 kWh, the charging time of normal charging (6 kW) exceeds 32 hours. Even for rapid charging of 50 kW, the charging time can be about 4 hours. However, unless the upper limit is changed for large-capacity batteries, vehicles V equipped with large-capacity storage batteries VB cannot be continuously charged. The special charging process is a process that enables continuous charging.

[0085] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the special charging process. After the start of charging (S106), the control unit 11 determines whether the elapsed time since the start of charging has reached a set time before the upper limit of the charging duration (step S231). The set time is set to be, for example, about 5 minutes shorter than the upper limit. When it is determined that the set time has not been reached (S231: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S106 to continue charging.

[0086] When it is determined that the set time has been reached (S231: YES), the control unit 11 maintains the "connected" state with the vehicle V in the display to the operation unit 14 and the status notification to the host device 29 (step S232), and disconnects the communication connection with the in-vehicle control device 32 according to a predetermined charging end sequence (step S233). The control unit 11 opens the connection detection circuit of the connector 15 with respect to the connector 35 of the vehicle V to make it in a state where an electrical removal operation is performed (step S234). During this period, the lock of the connector 15 is not released.

[0087] The control unit 11 determines whether to continue charging (step S235). In step S235, the control unit 11 determines whether to continue charging based on whether the charging rate acquired from the in-vehicle control device 32 in the charging end sequence before the disconnection of the communication connection in step S233 is less than a preset maximum charging capacity value. In step S235, when the control unit 11 determines that the charging rate is less than the maximum charging capacity value, it determines to continue charging, and when it determines that the charging rate is greater than or equal to the maximum charging capacity value, it determines not to continue charging. In step S235, the control unit 11 determines whether to continue charging based on whether the number of times of repeating the restart of charging in steps S236 - S238 described later is less than or equal to a predetermined number of times from the start of the first charging. In step S235, when the control unit 11 determines that the number of times of repeating the restart of charging is less than or equal to the predetermined number of times, it determines to continue charging, and when it determines that the number of times of repeating the restart of charging exceeds the predetermined number of times, it determines not to continue charging.

[0088] When it is determined to continue charging (S235: YES), the control unit 11, after passing a predetermined waiting time if necessary, closes the above-mentioned connection detection circuit and inserts the connector 15 again to make it in an inserted state (step S236).

[0089] The control unit 11 re-establishes the communication connection with the in-vehicle control device 32 (step S237), transmits and receives charge and discharge parameters (step S238), starts charging (step S239), and returns the process to step S231.

[0090] When it is determined not to continue charging in step S235 (S235: NO), the control unit 11 releases the lock of the connector 15 (step S240) and ends the charging as it is.

[0091] Accordingly, it is also possible to perform a special charging process on a vehicle V such as a large bus equipped with a large-capacity storage battery VB and approach full charge as much as possible in a single charging operation.

[0092] In this way, for a special vehicle V that is a charging dedicated vehicle with a larger quantity than a predetermined amount, not only the charging method but also the discrepancy between the request from the host device 29 and the protocol regulations and the control in the in-vehicle control device 32 can be appropriately handled by the charge and discharge device 1, and it is also possible to switch the control.

[0093] In this way, the charge and discharge device 1 selectively uses the process based on the protocol to be complied with and the process corresponding to the charging method for each vehicle V for a variety of vehicles V, and it becomes possible to realize both charging and discharging with a single device.

[0094] The embodiments disclosed as above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1 Charge and Discharge Device 10 Charge and Discharge Circuit 11 Control Unit 12 Communication Unit 14 Operation Unit P1, P9 Computer Program V Vehicle (Electric Vehicle) VB Storage Battery 21 Load 32 In-Vehicle Control Device

Claims

1. A charge and discharge device that is connected to a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle and controls charging from an external power source to the storage battery or discharging from the storage battery to an external load, a communication unit that is communicatively connected to an in-vehicle control device that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery within the electric vehicle; a control unit that controls charging and discharging based on data transmitted and received to and from the in-vehicle control device, comprising: The control unit: When receiving an instruction to charge the storage battery, identifies the charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle, and starts charging while continuing data transmission and reception with the in-vehicle control device according to the identified method. Charge and discharge device.

2. When the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that disables discharging from the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load, the control unit identifies, as the charging method, a method of avoiding data transmission and reception related to discharging. The charge and discharge device according to claim 1.

3. When the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that disables discharging from the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load, the control unit identifies, as the charging method, a method of setting specific types of data among the data transmitted and received between the control unit and the in-vehicle control device as not being transmission targets. The charge and discharge device according to claim 1.

4. Comprising an operation unit that receives a charging instruction operation, The control unit: When a charging instruction operation is performed on the operation unit, determines whether a specific operation has been performed, and when it is determined that a specific operation has been performed, identifies the charging method corresponding to the specific operation. The charge and discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The specific operation is set in a plurality of patterns, The control unit: Determines which of the plurality of pattern operations the specific operation is, and selects the charging method corresponding to the determined pattern. The charge and discharge device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit: Receives a setting of a charging method, and identifies the set method as the charging method. The charge and discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The control unit: Stores the correspondence between the vehicle type of the electric vehicle and the charging method, estimates the vehicle type of the electric vehicle according to the data transmitted and received between the control unit and the in-vehicle control device or the output from the storage battery, and identifies the charging method corresponding to the vehicle type of the electric vehicle based on the estimated vehicle type and the correspondence. The charge and discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The control unit attempts to start charging the battery, and when charging cannot be started by the attempt, determines that the connected electric vehicle is a dedicated charging vehicle that prohibits discharging from the battery mounted on the electric vehicle to an external load, specifies the charging method corresponding to the dedicated charging vehicle, restarts the process from re - establishing communication connection with the in - vehicle control device of the electric vehicle, sends and receives data with the in - vehicle control device according to the specified method, and starts charging The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The control unit stores the past charging performance for electric vehicles in association with data for identifying the charging method, and specifies the charging method corresponding to the newly connected electric vehicle based on the performance. The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. One of the charging methods includes a process of waiting for a predetermined time after detecting a system abnormality and normally stopping, and then starting the process from establishing a communication connection. The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. One of the charging methods includes a process of determining the minimum and maximum values of the charging current value and the charging power value within a range between the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the charging current command value output from the in - vehicle control device and the charging current command value. The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. One of the charging methods determines the minimum and maximum values of the charging current value and the charging power value within a range between the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the charging current command value output from the in - vehicle control device and the charging current command value, determines the minimum and maximum values of the discharge current value and the discharge power value to be zero, and includes a process of notifying the determined values to a higher - level device. The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. One of the charging methods includes a process of disconnecting the communication connection with the in - vehicle control device and reconnecting to resume charging each time the elapsed time reaches a set time after charging starts. The charge - discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. A charge - discharge control method for a charge - discharge device that is connected to a battery mounted on an electric vehicle and controls charging from an external power source to the battery or discharging from the battery to an external load, wherein the charge - discharge device communicates with an in - vehicle control device that controls charge - discharge of the battery within the electric vehicle. Transmit and receive data with the in-vehicle control device, When receiving an instruction to charge the storage battery, identify the charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle, According to the identified method, start charging while continuing to transmit and receive data with the in-vehicle control device Charge and discharge control method.

15. In a computer mounted on a charge and discharge device that is connected to a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle and controls charging from an external power source to the storage battery or discharging from the storage battery to an external load, Communicate and connect with an in-vehicle control device that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery in the electric vehicle, Transmit and receive data with the in-vehicle control device, When receiving an instruction to charge the storage battery, identify the charging method corresponding to the electric vehicle, According to the identified method, start charging while continuing to transmit and receive data with the in-vehicle control device A computer program for executing the process.

Images