Charging system and module

Abstract

To more reliably prevent electricity theft.SOLUTION: A charging system includes: a branch electric circuit opening / closing unit that opens and closes a branch electric circuit that branches off from a main electric circuit connected to a power source and supplies power to charge a storage battery mounted on an electric mobile body; a branch electric circuit opening / closing control unit that controls the branch electric circuit opening / closing unit; a plurality of charging facilities each having a first communication unit; a main current measuring unit that measures a main current, which is a current flowing in the main electric circuit; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the main current value measured by the main current measuring unit and usage status information related to the usage status of the charging facilities; and an alarm unit that issues an alarm depending on determination results by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system and a module used therefor.

Background Art

[0002] In power sales EV (Electric Vehicle) facilities, generally, the wiring from the upstream switchboard to the power measurement unit is underground wiring, but the charging connector part is wired above ground. Therefore, there is a possibility of illegally charging one's own EV by modifying the wiring so as to bypass the power measurement unit and prevent the measurement of the amount of power.

[0003] On the other hand, a method of preventing power theft by monitoring the number of EVs with a surveillance camera is conceivable, but it is impossible to distinguish whether power theft is occurring or not. In addition, although a power theft method such as that in Patent Document 1 has been proposed, it is not effective for cases where the wiring is modified so as to bypass the path of the current measurement unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for more reliably preventing power theft.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention for solving the above problems is A branch circuit opening / closing unit that branches from a main circuit connected to a power supply and opens and closes a branch circuit that supplies power for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric moving body, a branch circuit opening / closing control unit that controls the branch circuit opening / closing unit, and a plurality of charging facilities each provided with a first communication unit, A main current measurement unit that measures a main current that is a current flowing through the main circuit, A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on a main current value measured by the main current measurement unit and usage status information regarding the usage status of the charging facility, An alarm notification unit that notifies an alarm according to a determination result in the determination unit, A charging system characterized by comprising the above.

[0007] According to this, based on the main current value flowing through the main circuit upstream of the branch circuit that supplies power to the charging facility used for charging the electric moving body and the usage status information of the charging facility, it can be determined whether the charging facility is being properly used for charging, that is, whether current is flowing through the branch circuit illegally or abnormally. Therefore, power theft can be more reliably prevented.

[0008] Also, in the present invention, The determination unit may compare the main current value with a threshold value based on the sum of the maximum values of the currents to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits based on the usage status information, and determine the presence or absence of the abnormality.

[0009] According to this, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined by a determination condition with a margin, which is a threshold value based on the sum of the maximum values of the currents to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits. Therefore, it does not prevent the charging of users who are properly using the charging facility. It does not prevent the charging of users who are properly using the charging facility.

[0010] Also, in the present invention, A charging management device including a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a first usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, and a second communication unit, A monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, the determination unit, and a third communication unit, is provided, The determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charge management device.

[0011] According to this, by a more robust configuration combining a charge management device communicably connected to a monitoring device arranged upstream of a charging facility, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined, so that power theft can be more reliably prevented.

[0012] Further, the present invention includes a current measurement device functioning as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device functioning as the determination unit, and a communication device functioning as the third communication unit, which is a module used as the monitoring device of the charging system.

[0013] According to this, the degree of freedom in arranging the monitoring device as a module is increased, and it can also be arranged in a place where it is difficult for people to access easily, so that power theft can be more reliably prevented.

[0014] Also, in the present invention, a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a second usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each charging facility, the determination unit, and a charge management device including a fourth communication unit, a monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, a main current value providing unit that provides the main current value measured by the main current measurement unit to the charge management device, and a fifth communication unit, is provided, The determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value received from the monitoring device and the usage status information stored in the second usage status storage unit.

[0015] According to this, by combining a charging management device that is communicably connected to a monitoring device arranged upstream of the charging facility, a more robust configuration is provided to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities, so that power theft can be more reliably prevented.

[0016] Also, in the present invention, A branch circuit switch, a branch circuit switch control unit, and a first communication unit, and a branch circuit switch provided in each of the charging facilities, the branch circuit switch including a sixth usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of the charging facility in which the branch circuit switch is provided. A monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, the determination unit, and a sixth communication unit. And provided with The determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received and obtained from the branch circuit switch.

[0017] According to this, by combining a branch current switch that can be installed in a charging facility and a monitoring device that is communicably connected, a more robust configuration is provided to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities, so that power theft can be more reliably prevented.

[0018] Also, the present invention Comprises a current measurement device functioning as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device functioning as the determination unit, and a communication device functioning as the sixth communication unit. A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system.

[0019] According to this, the degree of freedom in arranging the monitoring device as a module is increased, and it can also be arranged in a place where it is difficult for people to access easily, so that power theft can be more reliably prevented.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, power theft can be more reliably prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] 〔Application Example〕 Hereinafter, application examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 100 according to the application example includes a monitoring module 400 arranged in a main circuit PLm that charges storage batteries 231a to 231c respectively mounted on EVs 230a to 230c with the power supplied from an AC power source 210 via the main circuit PLm and branch circuits PLa to PLc branched therefrom and connected to the EVs 230a to 230c, power opening / closing modules 200a to 200c that open and close the branch circuits PLa to PLc respectively, and a charging management system 300.

[0023] The EV charging facilities 260a to 260c that house the power opening / closing modules 200a to 200c are, for example, poles or boxes, and the monitoring module 400 is installed in a place such as an indoor switchboard where people cannot easily access.

[0024] FIG. 2 will describe the power opening / closing module 200 housed in one of the EV charging facilities 260 shown in FIG. 1 as an example. Although illustration is omitted, the other power opening / closing modules 200 also have the same configuration and function. When explaining by representing any one of the power opening / closing modules 200a to 200c, a to c are omitted.

[0025] A charger who wishes to charge the EV230 using the EV charging facility 260 operates a terminal 270 such as a smartphone, connects to the charging management system 300 via the network NT2, and reserves charging under desired conditions. The charging management system 300 is, for example, a computer device such as a plurality of servers arranged on the cloud.

[0026] The EV charging facility 260 houses a power switch module 200 and is provided with an EV charging socket 220 to which the EV230 is connected.

[0027] The power switch module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a control unit 24. The relay 21 opens and closes the branch circuit PL. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or the amount of power supplied to the EV230 through each branch circuit PL. The communication unit 23 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the power switch module 200. The control unit 24 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and comprehensively controls the relay 21, the power measurement unit 22, and the communication unit 23. The storage unit 25 is a storage device such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) and the like.

[0028] The terminal 270 is a computer device such as a smartphone that can be connected to the charging management system 300 via the network NT1.

[0029] The charging management system 300 mainly includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and comprehensively controls the storage unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes an opening / closing control command unit 310a and a system notification unit 310b. The storage unit 32 stores status information 320a, which is information on the usage status of the EV charging facility 260 including the power switch module 200 managed by the charging management system 300, and registration information 320b including the attribute information of users of the charging service using the charging management system 300.

[0030] The monitoring module 400 mainly includes a control unit 41, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, functions as a determination unit 410a and a module notification unit 410b, and comprehensively controls the current measurement unit 42 and the communication unit 43. The current measurement unit 42 measures the current flowing through the main circuit PLm. The communication unit 43 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charge management system 300 and the monitoring module 400.

[0031] In the charge management system 300, based on the reservation information received from the user via the terminal 270, information regarding the usage status of each EV charging facility 260 is stored as status information 320a. Then, the opening / closing control command unit 310a of the charge management system 300 transmits an opening / closing control command for the relay 21 to the power opening / closing module 200 of the corresponding EV charging facility 260 according to the charging schedule based on the reservation information.

[0032] The charge management system 300 transmits the status information 320a of each of the EV charging facilities 260a - c to the monitoring module 400. In the monitoring module 400, the current measurement unit 42 measures the current value flowing through the main circuit PLm. Based on the threshold value set according to the status information 320a received from the charge management system 300 and the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42, if the current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality. As an abnormal state, it is considered whether power is being stolen through the branch circuit PLc of the EV charging facility 260c that should not actually be used for charging and illegal charging is being performed, or whether a failure such as leakage has occurred. When the determination unit 410a determines that there is an abnormality, the module notification unit 410b instructs the process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the EV charging facility 260c.

[0033] According to the charging system 100, it is possible to more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as power theft and to detect abnormalities such as leakage.

[0034] Example 1 Hereinafter, the charging system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations of the devices and systems described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to various conditions. That is, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0035] <Configuration of Charging System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the charging system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 100 according to this embodiment branches from the AC power supply 210 through the main circuit PLm via the monitoring module 400, and the branch circuits PLa to c that are respectively connected to the storage batteries 231a to c of the EVs 230a to c ~c include power switching modules 200a to c that open and close them, a charging management system 300, and a monitoring module 400. The monitoring module 400 is disposed between the AC power supply 210 and the EV charging facilities 260a to c in which the power switching modules 200a to c are respectively housed. The main circuit PLm connecting the AC power supply 210 and the monitoring module 400 branches into branch circuits PLa to c after the monitoring module 400 and is respectively connected to the power switching modules 200a to c. The EV charging facilities 260a to c are, for example, poles or boxes, and the monitoring module 400 is installed in a place where a distribution board such as indoors where people cannot easily access is installed. Here, the charging system 100 corresponds to the charging system of the present invention. Also, the AC power supply 210 corresponds to the power supply of the present invention. Also, the EVs 230a to c and the storage batteries 231a to c respectively correspond to the electric moving bodies and the storage batteries of the present invention. The main circuit PLm and the branch circuits PLa to c respectively correspond to the main circuit and the branch circuits of the present invention. Also, the power switching modules 200a to c correspond to the branch circuit switches of the present invention. Also, the EV charging facilities 260a to c correspond to the charging facilities of the present invention.

[0036] In Fig. 1, three EV charging facilities 260a to 260c and three EVs 230a to 230c respectively connected thereto are illustrated. However, the number of EV charging facilities is not limited to this, and the charging system 100 can be configured to include an appropriate number of EV charging facilities capable of charging an appropriate number of EVs. When explaining any one of the three EV charging facilities 260a to 260c, the power opening and closing modules 200a to 200c respectively housed therein, the EVs 230a to 230c respectively connected thereto, and the branch circuits PLa to PLc connecting them as an example, a to c are omitted. Here, although an EV is shown as an example of a power-driven moving body to be charged by the charging system 100, it is not limited to these as long as it is a device movable by power including an electric motorcycle or the like.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of the charging system 100, taking the power opening and closing module 200 housed in one of the EV charging facilities 260 shown in Fig. 1 as an example. Although illustration is omitted, other power opening and closing modules 200 also have the same configuration and function. For example, a charging applicant who wishes to charge the EV 230 using the EV charging facility 260 operates a terminal 270 such as a smartphone, connects to the charging management system 300 via the network NT2, and makes a reservation for charging under desired conditions. The charging management system 300 is, for example, a computer device such as a plurality of servers arranged on the cloud. Here, the charging management system 300 corresponds to the charging management device of the present invention.

[0038] Based on the received reservation information, the charging management system 300 generates a charging plan to be described later, and monitors and controls the power opening and closing module 200 connected via the network NT1 so that charging is performed according to the generated charging plan.

[0039] The EV charging facility 260 is provided with an EV charging socket 220 to which the EV 230 is connected, and houses the power opening and closing module 200.

[0040] The power switch module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a control unit 24. The relay 21 opens and closes a branch circuit PL connected to the EV 230 via the AC power supply 210 and the EV charging outlet 220. The relay 21 corresponds to the branch circuit opening / closing unit of the present invention. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or the amount of electric power supplied to the EV 230 through the branch circuit PL. In the power measurement unit 22, the current value and the voltage value of the power supplied through the branch circuit PL are measured to calculate the power or the amount of electric power. Therefore, the power measurement unit 22 also has the functions of a current measurement unit and / or a voltage measurement unit.

[0041] The communication unit 23 is connected to the charging management system 300 via the network NT1 and is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charging management system 300 and the power switch module 200. As a communication method between the power switch module 200 and the charging management system 300, for example, a wireless communication method can be adopted, but the communication method is not limited to this. The power or the amount of electric power (including the current value and / or the voltage value) measured by the power measurement unit 22 is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the charging management system 300 via the network NT1. The communication unit 23 corresponds to the first communication unit of the present invention. The control unit 24 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and comprehensively controls the relay 21, the power measurement unit 22, and the communication unit 23 by executing a predetermined program. The control unit 24 controls the opening and closing of the relay 211 based on an opening / closing control command transmitted from the charging management system 300. The control unit 24 corresponds to the branch circuit opening / closing control unit of the present invention. The storage unit 25 is a storage device such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and stores programs, data, tables, etc. for executing the programs. grams, programs, data, tables, etc. for executing the programs.

[0042] The terminal 270 is a computer device having a processor such as a CPU, a main storage device such as a RAM and a ROM, an auxiliary storage device such as an EPROM, etc., and a communication interface, and can be connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1. Examples of the terminal 270 include a smartphone, a tablet, etc., but any computer device that can be used by the user is acceptable, and it is not limited to these.

[0043] The charge management system 300 mainly includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and comprehensively controls the storage unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes an opening / closing control command unit 310a and a system notification unit 310b. The opening / closing control command unit 310a and the system notification unit 310b are functional units realized by the processor executing a predetermined program. The opening / closing control command unit 310a corresponds to the branch circuit control command unit of the present invention. The system notification unit 310b corresponds to the notification unit of the present invention.

[0044] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a storage device such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD, Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a removable medium, etc. The storage unit 32 stores status information 320a which is information regarding the usage status of the EV charging facility 260 including the power opening / closing module 200 managed by the charge management system 300, and registration information 320b including the attribute information of the user of the charging service using the charge management system 300, etc. The status information 320a corresponds to the usage status information of the present invention. The storage unit 32 corresponds to the first usage status storage unit of the present invention.

[0045] The communication unit 33 is connected via the power switch module 200 and the network NT1, and is an interface for exchanging information between the charge management system 300 and the power switch module 200. The communication unit 33 is also connected via the terminal 270 and the network NT2, and is an interface for exchanging information between the terminal 270 and the charge management system 300. The communication method between the terminal 270 and the charge management system 300 is not particularly limited. The network NT2 and the network NT1 may be a common network. Here, the communication unit 33 corresponds to the second communication unit of the present invention.

[0046] The monitoring module 400 mainly includes a control unit 41, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and by executing a predetermined program, functions as a determination unit 410a and a module notification unit 410b, and comprehensively controls the current measurement unit 42 and the communication unit 43. The current measurement unit 42 measures the current flowing through the main circuit PLm connected to the AC power supply 210, that is, the total current obtained by summing the currents flowing through all the power switch modules 200a to c. The communication unit 43 is connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1, and is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charge management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. The monitoring module 400 can be configured as a modularized device. Here, the monitoring module 400 corresponds to the monitoring device and module of the present invention. Also, the current flowing through the main circuit PLm corresponds to the main current of the present invention, the current value flowing through the main circuit PLm corresponds to the main current value of the present invention. The current measurement unit 42 corresponds to the main current measurement unit of the present invention. Also, the determination unit 410a corresponds to the determination unit of the present invention. The communication unit 43 corresponds to the third communication unit of the present invention. The module notification unit 410b corresponds to the notification unit of the present invention. The notification unit of the present invention may be configured by either one of the system notification unit 310b and the module notification unit 410b, or both. Also, the control unit 41 corresponds to the arithmetic unit of the present invention, the current measurement unit 42 corresponds to the current measurement device of the present invention, and the communication unit 43 corresponds to the communication device of the present invention.

[0047] <Charging Management Method> In the charging management system 300, based on the reservation information received from the user via the terminal 270, information regarding the usage status of each EV charging facility 260 is stored as status information 320a. The charging management system 300 assigns an EV charging facility 260 to connect the EV 230 related to a specific user based on the reservation information. Then, the opening / closing control command unit 310a of the charging management system 300 transmits an opening / closing control command for the relay 21 to the power opening / closing module 200 of the assigned EV charging facility 260 according to the charging schedule based on the reservation information. From the power opening / closing module 200, the power or power quantity measured by the power measurement unit 22 is transmitted to the charging management system 300. The power or power quantity transmitted from each power opening / closing module 200 is used, for example, for the charging service billing process for the user.

[0048] The charging management system 300 further transmits the status information 320a of each of the EV charging facilities 260a - c to the monitoring module 400. In the monitoring module 400, the current value flowing through the main circuit PLm is measured by the current measurement unit 42. When charging is being properly performed in each of the EV charging facilities 260a - c, the current value estimated from the status information 320a received from the charging management system 300 should match the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42. For example, at a certain time, according to the status information 320a, among the EV charging facilities 260a - c, charging is being performed in the EV charging facilities 260a and 260b, but not in the EV charging facility 260c. In this case, the current measurement unit 42 of the monitoring module 400 should measure the current values corresponding to the charging of two EVs. The determination unit 410a compares the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42 with a threshold value set based on the current value assumed as the sum of the charging currents of two EVs based on the status information 320a, and determines that it is abnormal when the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42 is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Here, whether it is abnormal or not corresponds to the determination result of the present invention.

[0049] As a threshold value for determining whether there is an abnormality, for example, the sum of the maximum values of the currents (maximum current values) to be supplied through the EV charging facilities 260a and 260b that are being properly used can be adopted. By setting such a threshold value with a margin, it is possible to detect an abnormality without disturbing the power supply to the users who are charging properly. However, the threshold value is not limited to this, and it may be set based on the currents that should flow through the branch circuits PLa and PLb according to the charging schedule through the EV charging facilities 260a and 260b that are being properly used. Also, the charging management system 300 may acquire the current values measured by the power measurement units 22a to 22c of the power opening / closing modules 200a to 200c of each of the EV charging facilities 260a to 260c, provide them to the monitoring module 400, and the determination unit 410a may set the threshold value in real time based on the currents flowing through each of the EV charging facilities 260a to 260c.

[0050] As an abnormal state where the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is considered that power is being stolen through the branch circuit PLc of the EV charging facility 260c that should not actually be used for charging and illegal charging is being performed, or a failure such as a leakage has occurred. When the determination unit 410a determines that it is an abnormality, the module notification unit 410b instructs a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the EV charging facility 260c. The notification that an abnormality has occurred is transmitted to the charging management system 300 via the communication unit 43 and is also transmitted to the administrator of the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, the security company, etc. The administrator of the facility or the person in charge of the security company who has received the notification that an abnormality has occurred checks the current status of the EV charging facility 260c and takes appropriate action according to the situation. Based on the notification that an abnormality has occurred, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be operated in the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, the security company, etc. The monitoring module 400 may be provided with an alarm device and the alarm device may be operated. The notification that an abnormality has occurred to the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, the security company, etc. may be made from the system notification unit 310b of the charging management system 300 or may be shared between the monitoring module 400 and the charging management system 300.

[0051] Thus, according to the charging system 100, it is possible to more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as electricity theft, and to detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0052] 〔Modification Example〕 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system 500 according to a modification example of the first embodiment. For configurations common to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed descriptions are omitted. The charging system 500 includes a charging management system 301 and a monitoring module 401 instead of the charging management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. In the charging system 100 according to the first embodiment, the monitoring module 400 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality, but in the charging system 500, the charging management system 301 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0053] The hardware configurations of the charging management system 301 and the monitoring module 401 are the same as those of the charging management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. In the charging management system 301, the function of the control unit 31a is different from that of the control unit 31 of the charging management system 300. Also, in the monitoring module 401, the function of the control unit 41a is different from that of the control unit 41 of the monitoring module 400.

[0054] The monitoring module 401 generates current information, which is information regarding the current value flowing through the main circuit PLm measured by the current measurement unit 42, in the current information generation unit 410c of the control unit 41a, and transmits it to the charging management system 301 via the communication unit 43. Here, the current information corresponds to the main current value of the present invention, and the current information generation unit 410c corresponds to the main current value providing unit of the present invention. Also, the communication unit 43 corresponds to the fifth communication unit of the present invention.

[0055] The control unit 31a of the charging management system 301 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the determination unit 310c based on the status information 320a regarding each of the EV charging facilities 260a to 260c stored in the storage unit 32 and the current information received from the monitoring module 401. The method for determining an abnormality is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the storage unit 32 corresponds to the second usage status storage unit of the present invention. Also, the communication unit 33 corresponds to the fourth communication unit of the present invention.

[0056] When the determination unit 310c determines an abnormality, to explain using the example used in the first embodiment, the system notification unit 310b instructs a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the EV charging facility 260c. The notification that an abnormality has occurred is transmitted to the monitoring module 401 via the communication unit 33 and is also transmitted to the administrator of the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. The administrator of the facility or the person in charge of the security company who has received the notification that an abnormality has occurred checks the current status of the EV charging facility 260c and takes appropriate action according to the situation. Based on the notification that an abnormality has occurred, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be operated in the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. The monitoring module 401 may be provided with an alarm device and the alarm device may be operated. The notification that an abnormality has occurred to the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. may be made from the module notification unit 410b of the monitoring module 401 or may be shared between the monitoring module 401 and the charging management system 301.

[0057] Thus, according to the charging system 500, it is possible to more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as electricity theft and to detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0058] 〔Second Embodiment〕 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the charging system 600 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of the charging system 600 by taking as an example the power switch module 200 housed in one of the EV charging facilities 260 shown in FIG. 4. Although illustration is omitted, the other power switch modules 200 also have the same configuration and functions. For configurations common to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0059] The charging system 600 includes a monitoring module 402 and power switch modules 201a to 201c instead of the monitoring module 400 and the power switch modules 200a to 200c. The hardware configurations of the monitoring module 402 and the power switch modules 201a to 201c are substantially the same as those of the monitoring module 400 and the power switch modules 200a to 200c, but the monitoring module 402 and the power switch modules 201a to 201c are communicably connected to each other via the network NT3. As the communication method, for example, an appropriate method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), WiFi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) of a mobile phone communication network can be adopted. Here, the monitoring module 402 corresponds to the monitoring device and module of the present invention, and the power switch modules 201a to 201c respectively correspond to the branch circuit breakers.

[0060] In the charging system 600 according to the second embodiment, the monitoring module 402 and the power switch modules 201a to 201c determine the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0061] Each power switch module 201 stores status information 250, which is information on the usage status of the EV charging facility 260 including the power switch module 201, in the storage unit 25. The status information 250 may be acquired from the charging management system 300, or may be acquired by an appropriate method such as directly receiving an input from the user. Here, the storage unit 25 corresponds to the sixth usage status storage unit of the present invention. The status information 250 corresponds to the usage status information of the present invention.

[0062] The monitoring module 402 includes a control unit 41b, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41b includes a determination unit 410d and a module notification unit 410b. The determination unit 410d determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the status information 250 regarding each EV charging facility 260 obtained from each power switching module 201 and the current value flowing through the main circuit PLm measured by the current measurement unit 42. The method for determining an abnormality is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the determination unit 410d and the communication unit 43 respectively correspond to the determination unit and the sixth communication unit of the present invention.

[0063] When the determination unit 410d determines an abnormality, to explain using the example used in the first embodiment, the module notification unit 410b instructs a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the EV charging facility 260c. A notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred is transmitted to the charging management system 300 via the communication unit 43 and is also transmitted to the administrator of the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. The administrator of the facility or the person in charge of the security company who has received the notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred checks the current status of the EV charging facility 260c and takes appropriate action according to the situation. Regarding the notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be operated in the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. The monitoring module 402 may be provided with an alarm device and the alarm device may be operated. The notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the facility where the EV charging facility 260c is installed, a security company, etc. may be made from the module notification unit 410b of the monitoring module 402 or may be shared between the monitoring module 401 and the charging management system 300.

[0064] Thus, according to the charging system 100, it is possible to more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as electricity theft and to detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0065] Note that, in order to make it possible to compare the constituent elements of the present invention with the configuration of the embodiment below, the constituent elements of the present invention are described with reference numerals in the drawings. <Appendix 1> A branch circuit opening / closing unit (21) that branches from a main circuit (PLm) connected to a power supply (210) and opens and closes a branch circuit (PLa to PLc) that supplies power for charging a storage battery (231a to 231c) mounted on an electric moving body (230a to 230c); a branch circuit opening / closing control unit (24) that controls the branch circuit opening / closing unit (21); and a plurality of charging facilities (260) each including a first communication unit (23). A main current measurement unit (42) that measures a main current that is a current flowing through the main circuit (PLm). A determination unit (410a, 410d, 310c) that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on a main current value measured by the main current measurement unit (42) and usage status information regarding the usage status of the charging facility (260). A notification unit (410b, 310b) that notifies an alarm according to a determination result in the determination unit (410a, 410d, 310c). A charging system (100, 500, 600), characterized by comprising the above. <Appendix 2> The determination unit (410a, 410d, 310c) compares the main current value with a threshold value based on the sum of the maximum values of the currents to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits based on the usage status information, and determines the presence or absence of the abnormality. The charging system (100, 500, 600) according to Appendix 1. <Appendix 3> A charging management device (300) including a branch circuit control command unit (310c) that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit (21) provided in the charging facility (260), a first usage status storage unit (32) that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, and a second communication unit (33); A monitoring device (400) including the main current measurement unit (42), the determination unit (410a), and a third communication unit (43). Comprising the above. The determination unit (410a) determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charging management device (300). The charging system (100) according to Appendix 1 or 2. <Appendix 4> A current measurement device that functions as the main current measurement unit (42), an arithmetic device that functions as the determination unit (410a), and a communication device that functions as the third communication unit (43) are provided. A module (400) used as the monitoring device of the charging system described in Supplementary Note 3. <Supplementary Note 5> A branch circuit control command unit (31) that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit (21) provided in the charging facility (260), a second usage status storage unit (32) that stores the usage status information of each charging facility (260), a determination unit (310c), and a charging management device (301) including a fourth communication unit (33). The main current measurement unit (42), a main current value providing unit (410c) that provides the main current value measured by the main current measurement unit (42) to the charging management device (301), and a fifth communication unit (43) and a monitoring device (401) including the same. It is provided with. Based on the main current value received from the monitoring device (401) and the usage status information stored in the second usage status storage unit (32), the determination unit (310c) determines the presence or absence of an abnormality. The charging system (500) described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2 is characterized in that. <Supplementary Note 6> It includes the branch circuit opening / closing unit (21), the branch circuit opening / closing control unit (24), and the first communication unit (23), and is a branch circuit switch (201) provided in each charging facility (260). The branch circuit switch (201) includes a sixth usage status storage unit (250) that stores the usage status information of the charging facility (260) in which the branch circuit switch (201) is provided. The main current measurement unit (42), a determination unit (410d), and a monitoring device (402) including a sixth communication unit (43). It is provided with. Based on the main current value and the usage status information received and obtained from the branch circuit switch (201), the determination unit (410d) determines the presence or absence of an abnormality. The charging system (600) described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2 is characterized in that. <Supplementary Note 7> It includes a current measurement device that functions as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device that functions as the determination unit, and a communication device that functions as the sixth communication unit. A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system described in Supplementary Note 6.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 21: Relay 23: Communication unit 24: Control unit 210: AC power supply 230: EV 231: Battery 260: EV charging facility 42: Current measurement unit 410a, 410d, 310c: Determination unit 100, 500, 600: Charging system PLm: Main circuit PLa~c: Branch circuit

Claims

1. A branch circuit opening / closing unit that branches from a main circuit connected to a power source and opens and closes a branch circuit that supplies power for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric moving body; a branch circuit opening / closing control unit that controls the branch circuit opening / closing unit; a plurality of charging facilities each including a first communication unit; A main current measurement unit that measures a main current that is a current flowing through the main circuit; A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on a main current value measured by the main current measurement unit and usage status information regarding the usage status of the charging facilities; A notification unit that notifies an alarm according to a determination result in the determination unit; A charging system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The determination unit compares the main current value with a threshold value based on the sum of the maximum values of the currents to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits based on the main current value and the usage status information, and determines the presence or absence of the abnormality. The charging system according to claim 1.

3. A charging management device including a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a first usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, and a second communication unit; A monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, the determination unit, and a third communication unit; Comprising, The determination unit determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charging management device. The charging system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A current measurement device that functions as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device that functions as the determination unit, and a communication device that functions as the third communication unit; A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to claim 3.

5. A charging management device including a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a second usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, the determination unit, and a fourth communication unit; A monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, a main current value providing unit that provides the main current value measured by the main current measurement unit to the charging management device, and a fifth communication unit; Comprising, The determination unit determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value received from the monitoring device and the usage status information stored in the second usage status storage unit. The charging system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A branch circuit switch provided in each of the charging facilities, including the branch circuit switch section, the branch circuit switch control section, and the first communication section, and including a sixth usage status storage section that stores the usage status information of the charging facility in which the branch circuit switch is provided. A monitoring device including the main current measurement section, the determination section, and a sixth communication section. Comprising: The charging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination section determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the branch circuit switch.

7. Comprising a current measurement device that functions as the main current measurement section, an arithmetic device that functions as the determination section, and a communication device that functions as the sixth communication section. A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to claim 6.

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