Charging device

Abstract

To provide a charging device that calculates and presents, with high accuracy, the time at which battery charging will be completed when charging is performed using power supplied from a power source.SOLUTION: The charging device acquires the target charging capacity of a battery. The charging device performs the following processing at predetermined intervals. The charging device acquires information on the maximum output power value of a power source and information on the current capacity of the battery. The charging device calculates the charging completion time required to reach the target capacity on the basis of the difference between the target capacity and the current capacity, and the maximum output power value. The charging device outputs the charging completion time. An example output destination is a display device of a mobile terminal. The charging device calculates the charging completion time on the basis of the maximum output power value of the power source. Therefore, the charging device can obtain the charging completion time with high precision.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a charging device that can present the charging end time when charging of a battery will end. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for periodically calculating the charging time required to charge a battery with the minimum amount of power output from a power source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-233180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the output of the power source is greater than the minimum power, the technology of Patent Document 1 may result in a large difference between the calculated charging time and the actual charging time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a charging device that calculates and presents with high accuracy the time when charging a battery with power supplied from a power source. The charging device acquires information on the target charging capacity of the battery. The charging device executes the following process at predetermined time intervals. The charging device acquires information on the maximum output power value of the power source and information on the current capacity of the battery. The charging device calculates the charging end time when the target charging capacity will be reached from the difference between the target charging capacity and the current capacity and the maximum output power value. The charging device outputs the charging end time. An example of an output destination is a display device of a mobile terminal. The charging device calculates the charging end time based on the maximum output power value of the power source. Therefore, the charging device can obtain the charging end time with high accuracy.

[0006] Details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in this specification are described in the following "Description of Embodiments of the Invention." [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle including a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart of a charging process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a charging process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of the charging process in the second embodiment (continuation of FIG. 3). [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of the charging process in the second embodiment (continuation of FIG. 4). [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the charging process in the second embodiment (continuation of FIG. 5). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) A charging device 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The charging device 2 is mounted on an electric vehicle 10. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the electric vehicle 10 including the charging device 2 and a power source 20 at the charging station. The power source 20 at the charging station refers to a power source that is external to the electric vehicle 10.

[0009] The electric vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 11. The battery 11 stores power to be supplied to an electric motor (not shown) that drives the wheels. The battery 11 is charged with power supplied from a power source 20 at a charging station. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a power supply cable extending from the power source 20 is connected to the electric vehicle 10. A charging device 2 is connected between the power source 20 and the battery 11. The charging device 2 is equipped with a voltage converter 3 that converts the voltage of the power supplied from the power source 20 to a voltage suitable for charging the battery 11, and a controller 4. The controller 4 not only controls charging but also serves as a controller that controls the entire vehicle, including the battery 11 and the electric motor (not shown).

[0010] The controller 4 of the charging device 2 communicates with the controller 21 of the power source 20 and can obtain information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20. The maximum current value that the power source 20 can supply is determined by dividing the maximum output power value by the output voltage of the power source 20. The controller 4 of the charging device 2 also obtains information on the current capacity of the battery 11. The controller 4 also obtains information on the target charging capacity of the battery 11. The controller 4 can communicate with the user's mobile terminal 30. The user inputs the target charging capacity to the controller 4 of the charging device 2 through the mobile terminal 30. Usually, the target charging capacity is set to the full charge capacity of the battery 11.

[0011] The controller 4 calculates the time required for charging (required charging time) using the formula: "(target charging capacity - current capacity) / maximum current value." As described above, the "maximum current value" in the formula means the maximum value of the current that can be output by the power source 20, and is calculated from the maximum output power value. The controller 4 calculates the charging end time by adding the required charging time to the current time. The controller 4 outputs the calculated charging end time to the mobile terminal 30. FIG. 1 shows the charging end time of "14:00" displayed on the display device 30a of the mobile terminal 30.

[0012] If another electric vehicle is connected to the power source 20 while the battery 11 is being charged, the maximum output power value that the power source 20 can output to the electric vehicle 10 (battery 11) may decrease. If the maximum output power value decreases, the charging end time may be delayed. Therefore, the controller 4 of the charging device 2 acquires information on the maximum output power value from the power source 20 at predetermined time intervals and recalculates the charging end time. The controller 4 updates the charging end time displayed on the mobile terminal 30.

[0013] The charging device 2 periodically acquires information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20 and updates the charging end time, thereby enabling the charging device 2 to present the accurate charging end time to the user.

[0014] 2 shows a flowchart of the charging process executed by the controller 4 of the charging device 2. The charging process will be described again with reference to FIG.

[0015] Prior to charging, the controller 4 acquires information on the target charging capacity from the user (step S12). As described above, the user inputs a desired target charging capacity to the controller 4 via the mobile terminal 30. The target charging capacity may be input to the controller 4 via another device, such as an input device provided in the electric vehicle 10, instead of the mobile terminal 30. Alternatively, if the user does not input the target charging capacity, the full charge capacity of the battery 11 may be automatically set as the target charging capacity. When step S12 is completed, the controller 4 starts charging (step S13).

[0016] Next, the controller 4 communicates with the controller 21 of the power source 20 to obtain information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20 (step S14). Next, the controller 4 obtains information on the current capacity of the battery 11 (step S15). The controller 4 compares the target charging capacity with the current capacity (step S16). If the current capacity is equal to the target charging capacity, the controller 4 ends charging, outputs a charging end message, and ends the process (steps S16: YES, S19, S20). The charging end message is output to the user's mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 displays a message indicating that charging has ended on its display device 30a.

[0017] If the current capacity is smaller than the target charging capacity in step S16, the controller 4 calculates the charging end time (step S16: NO, S17). The controller 4 outputs the calculated charging end time (step S18). As described above, the charging end time is output to, for example, the user's mobile terminal 30.

[0018] The controller 4 repeats the processes of steps S14 to S18 at predetermined time intervals. The process ends when the current capacity reaches the target charging capacity (steps S16: YES, S19, S20). Here, if the charging stand (controller 21 of the power source 20) periodically transmits information on the maximum power value to the outside, the "predetermined time" may be determined based on the transmission cycle (interval). For example, if the charging stand transmits information on the maximum power value to the outside every 15 minutes, the predetermined time may be set to 15 minutes. Note that the predetermined time is not limited to this example and is preferably any time that can be set in advance.

[0019] The controller 4 updates and outputs the charging end time at predetermined time intervals until the current capacity reaches the target charging capacity (steps S14-S18). The charging device 2 periodically acquires information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20 and updates the charging end time. Therefore, the charging device 2 can present the accurate charging end time to the user.

[0020] (Second Example) The charging device of the second example has the same hardware configuration as the first example, but the charging process is different. The charging device of the second example is also referred to as "charging device 2." The charging device 2 of the second example accepts from the user a designated start time and departure time along with a target charging capacity. The designated start time indicates the time at which charging begins. The departure time indicates the time by which the user wishes charging to be completed. The charging device 2 of the second example includes a process for dealing with the case where the target charging capacity cannot be achieved by the departure time.

[0021] 3 to 6 show flowcharts of the charging process of the second embodiment. The charging device 2 of the second embodiment executes the processes of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 before starting charging.

[0022] The charging device 2 acquires information on the target charging capacity, the designated start time, and the departure time from the user (step S22). As described above, the user inputs the target charging capacity, the designated start time, and the departure time into the controller 4 of the charging device 2 using the mobile terminal 30 or another device.

[0023] Next, the controller 4 communicates with the controller 21 of the power source 20 to acquire information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20 (step S23). The controller 4 also acquires information on the current capacity of the battery 11 (step S23). As in the first embodiment, the controller 4 determines the maximum output current value of the power source 20 from the maximum output power and the output voltage of the power source 20, and further calculates the time required for charging (required charging time) from the difference between the target charging capacity and the current capacity and the maximum output current value (step S24).

[0024] The controller 4 compares the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the current time with the departure time (step S25). If the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the current time is past the departure time (step S25: YES), that is, if it is expected that the target charging capacity will not be reached at the departure time even if charging starts immediately, the controller 4 outputs a message inquiring about changing either the target charging capacity or the departure time (step S26). The inquiry message is sent to the user's mobile terminal 30 and displayed on the display device 30a. After checking the inquiry message, the user responds by inputting whether to change the target charging capacity or the departure time. The user operates the mobile terminal 30 to respond with either a new target charging capacity or a new departure time.

[0025] If the user wishes to change the target charging capacity, the controller 4 changes the target charging capacity acquired in step S22 to a new target charging capacity designated by the user (steps S27: YES, S28). On the other hand, if the user wishes to change the departure time, the controller 4 changes the departure time acquired in step S22 to a new departure time designated by the user (steps S27: NO, S29). After executing the processes up to this point, the controller 4 starts charging (step S30).

[0026] If it is determined in step S25 that the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the current time does not exceed the departure time, the process of the controller 4 proceeds to S32 in FIG. 4 (step S25: NO, S32).

[0027] The controller 4 compares the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the designated start time with the departure time (step S32). If the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the designated start time does not exceed the departure time, the controller 4 starts charging at the designated start time (step S32: NO, S36). On the other hand, if the time obtained by adding the required charging time to the designated start time exceeds the departure time (step S32: YES), the controller 4 outputs a message inquiring about changing the designated start time (step S33). The user responds using the mobile terminal 30 (or another device) as to whether or not to change the designated start time. If the user instructs to change the designated start time, the controller 4 starts charging at the changed designated start time (step S34: YES, S35). If the user refuses to change the designated start time, the controller 4 starts charging at the original designated start time (step S34: NO, S36).

[0028] 5 and 6 show the processing of the charging device 2 after charging starts. The controller 4 communicates with the controller 21 of the power source 20 and acquires information on the maximum output power value of the power source 20 (FIG. 5, step S42). Next, the controller 4 acquires information on the current capacity of the battery 11 (step S43). The controller 4 compares the target charging capacity with the current capacity (step S44). If the current capacity is equal to the target charging capacity, the controller 4 terminates charging, outputs a charging completion message, and terminates the processing (steps S44: YES, S45, S46). The charging completion message is output to the user's portable terminal 30. In the portable terminal 30, a message indicating that charging has completed is displayed on its display device 30a.

[0029] If the current capacity is smaller than the target charging capacity in step S44, the controller 4 calculates the charging end time (step S44: NO, S47). The procedure for calculating the charging end time is as described above. The controller 4 compares the charging end time with the departure time (step S48). If the charging end time does not exceed the departure time, the controller 4 outputs the calculated charging end time (step S48: NO, S49). As described above, the charging end time is output to, for example, the user's mobile terminal 30.

[0030] If the charging end time does not pass the departure time, the controller 4 repeats the processing of steps S42 to S49 at predetermined time intervals. The processing ends when the current capacity reaches the charging target capacity (steps S44: YES, S45, S46).

[0031] In the process of step S48, if the charging end time is past the departure time (step S48: YES), the process of the controller 4 proceeds to step S52 in FIG.

[0032] In step S52, the controller 4 outputs a message inquiring whether to change either the target charging capacity or the departure time. The inquiry message is sent to the user's mobile terminal 30 and displayed on the display device 30a. After checking the inquiry message, the user responds by inputting whether to change the target charging capacity or the departure time. The user operates the mobile terminal 30 to respond with either a new target charging capacity or a new departure time.

[0033] If the user wishes to change the target charging capacity, the controller 4 changes the stored target charging capacity to a new target charging capacity designated by the user (steps S53: YES, S54). On the other hand, if the user wishes to change the departure time, the controller 4 changes the stored departure time to the new departure time designated by the user (steps S53: NO, S55). After executing step S54 or S55, the process of the controller 4 proceeds to step S42 in FIG. 5. The process from step S42 onwards is as described above. When the process returns to step S42 via the process of FIG. 6, either the target charging capacity or the departure time has been changed.

[0034] In the charging process of the charging device 2 of the second embodiment, if the target charging capacity cannot be achieved by the departure time input by the user, the user is prompted to change either the target charging capacity or the departure time. The user knows that the original plan cannot be achieved and can change either the target charging capacity or the departure time.

[0035] The following points should be noted regarding the techniques described in the embodiments: The charging device 2 may display the charging end time on another display device (for example, a display device in a car) instead of the display device 30a of the mobile terminal 30.

[0036] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives alone is technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 2: Charging device 3: Voltage converter 4: Controller 10: Electric vehicle 11: Battery 20: Power supply 21: Controller 30: Portable terminal 30a: Display device

Claims

1. A charging device that indicates the time when charging will finish when charging a battery with power supplied from a power source, The charging device acquiring information about a target charging capacity of the battery; At each specified time, acquiring information on the maximum output power value of the power source and information on the current capacity of the battery; calculating a charging end time at which the charging target capacity is reached from the difference between the charging target capacity and the current capacity and the maximum output power value; outputting the charging end time; Charging device.

2. The charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the charging end time is displayed on a display device of the portable terminal.

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