Cable for vehicle-to vehicle charging

Abstract

To solve the problem that convenience is low in a conventional cable for vehicle-to-vehicle charging.SOLUTION: A cable for vehicle-to-vehicle charging comprises: a first connector and a second connector which are connectable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle; a charging cable to which the first connector and the second connector are connected; a first connection detection resistance section which detects that the first connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the first connection detection resistance section being configured switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value; and a second connection detection resistance section which detects that the second connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the second connection detection resistance section being configured switchable between the first resistance value and the second resistance value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle-to-vehicle charging cables for use in vehicle-to-vehicle charging are being developed, and one example is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-252520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, this type of vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable has a charging connector attached to one end of the charging cable and a power supply connector attached to the other end of the charging cable. A user connects the charging connector to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle being charged and the power supply connector to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle being powered, matching the charging direction for vehicle-to-vehicle charging. The resistance value of the connection detection resistor provided in the charging connector is different from the resistance value of the connection detection resistor provided in the power supply connector. This allows the electric vehicle being charged to recognize that the charging connector is correctly connected based on the resistance value of the connection detection resistor of the charging connector. The electric vehicle being powered to power is able to recognize that the power supply connector is correctly connected based on the resistance value of the connection detection resistor of the power supply connector.

[0005] As described above, conventional vehicle-to-vehicle charging cables must be connected in the same direction as the charging direction for vehicle-to-vehicle charging: the charging connector must be connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle that is being charged, and the power supply connector must be connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle that is being powered. Conventional vehicle-to-vehicle charging cables are configured so that vehicle-to-vehicle charging cannot be performed if they are connected in the wrong direction. For this reason, conventional vehicle-to-vehicle charging cables have the problem of being inconvenient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable disclosed in this specification may include a first connector and a second connector configured to be connectable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle; a charging cable connecting the first connector and the second connector; a first connection detection resistor that detects that the first connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the first connection detection resistor being configured to be switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value; and a second connection detection resistor that detects that the second connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the second connection detection resistor being configured to be switchable between the first resistance value and the second resistance value.

[0007] The above-described vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable can switch the resistance values ​​of the first connection detection resistor and the second connection detection resistor depending on the vehicle-to-vehicle charging direction. For example, when charging vehicle A from vehicle B, the first connection detection resistor is switched to a first resistance value and the second connection detection resistor is switched to a second resistance value. When charging vehicle B from vehicle A to vehicle A, the first connection detection resistor is switched to a second resistance value and the second connection detection resistor is switched to the first resistance value. This allows vehicle A and vehicle B to recognize that the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable is correctly connected regardless of the charging direction. As a result, the user can connect the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable between vehicles without worrying about the charging direction between the vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which charging is performed between vehicles A and B via a vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle-to-vehicle charging system. [Figure 3] 10A is a diagram showing the flow of detection processing when charging from vehicle A to vehicle B. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the flow of detection processing when charging from vehicle B to vehicle A. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 shows vehicle-to-vehicle charging between vehicle A and vehicle B via a vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10. As will be described later, the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 is configured to enable charging between vehicle A and vehicle B without switching connectors 14, 16, whether charging from vehicle A to vehicle B or from vehicle B to vehicle A.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 includes a charging cable 12, a first connector 14 attached to one end of the charging cable 12, a second connector 16 attached to the other end of the charging cable 12, and a control unit 18. The control unit 18 is provided with a connection detection resistor 15. The first connector 14 and the second connector 16 are configured using common components and have the same shape. As will be described later, both the first connector 14 and the second connector 16 function as both a charging connector and a power supply connector.

[0011] The first connector 14 has a positive terminal 14a, a negative terminal 14b, a ground terminal 14c, and a signal terminal 14d. The second connector 16 similarly has a positive terminal 16a, a negative terminal 16b, a ground terminal 16c, and a signal terminal 16d. The positive terminal 14a of the first connector 14 and the positive terminal 16a of the second connector 16 are connected via a positive line extending within the charging cable 12. The negative terminal 14b of the first connector 14 and the negative terminal 16b of the second connector 16 are connected via a negative line extending within the charging cable 12.

[0012] A first connection detection resistor section 15a constituting the connection detection resistor 15 is provided between the ground terminal 14c and the signal terminal 14d of the first connector 14. The first connection detection resistor section 15a has a first resistor R1 and a third resistor R3 connected in series between the ground terminal 14c and the signal terminal 14d of the first connector 14, a first switch SW1 connected in parallel with the first resistor R1, and a third switch SW3 connected in parallel with the third resistor R3.

[0013] A second connection detection resistor section 15b constituting the connection detection resistor 15 is provided between the ground terminal 16c and the signal terminal 16d of the second connector 16. The second connection detection resistor section 15b has a second resistor R2 and a fourth resistor R4 connected in series between the ground terminal 16c and the signal terminal 16d of the second connector 16, a second switch SW2 connected in parallel with the second resistor R2, and a fourth switch SW4 connected in parallel with the fourth resistor R4.

[0014] The resistance values ​​of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are the same, for example, RaΩ. The resistance values ​​of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are the same, for example, RbΩ. Ra and Rb are different (Ra≠Rb).

[0015] As described above, the components that make up vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 have a symmetrical structure, and first connector 14 and second connector 16 are indistinguishable in terms of their configuration.

[0016] The switches SW1 to SW4 of the connection detection resistor 15 are controlled to open and close in response to a switching instruction signal input from the charging control units 26 of the vehicles A and B (described later). The opening and closing of the switches SW1 to SW4 is controlled according to the charging direction between the vehicles A and B. For example, when charging from the vehicle A to the vehicle B, the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 are turned ON, and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned OFF. Therefore, the resistance between the ground terminal 14c and the signal terminal 14d of the first connector 14 is Rb, and the resistance between the ground terminal 16c and the signal terminal 16d of the second connector 16 is Ra. On the other hand, when charging from the vehicle B to the vehicle A, the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 are turned OFF, and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned ON. Therefore, the resistance between the ground terminal 14c and the signal terminal 14d of the first connector 14 is Ra, and the resistance between the ground terminal 16c and the signal terminal 16d of the second connector 16 is Rb. In this way, the resistance value of the connection detection resistor 15 on the power supply side is adjusted to Rb, and the resistance value on the charging side is adjusted to Ra, depending on the charging direction between the vehicle A and the vehicle B.

[0017] Although vehicle A and vehicle B are distinguished for convenience, they have the same configuration for performing vehicle-to-vehicle charging. Vehicles A and B each have a battery 22, a power conversion device 24, a charging control unit 26, and a charging inlet 28. The charging inlet 28 is configured to be connectable to the first connector 14 and the second connector 16 of the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10, and has a positive terminal 28a, a negative terminal 28b, a ground terminal 28c, and a signal terminal 28d. The power conversion device 24 is provided between the battery 22 and the positive and negative terminals 28a and 28b, and transforms DC voltage between the battery 22 and the positive and negative terminals 28a and 28b in response to a transformation command signal input from the charging control unit 26, thereby controlling the charging and discharging of power to and from the battery 22. The charging control unit 26 controls the power conversion device 24 when performing vehicle-to-vehicle charging, as well as the opening and closing of various relays (not shown). In addition, the charging control unit 26 is configured to output a connection signal to the signal terminal 28d, and can detect the connection status between the charging inlet 28 and the first connector 14 or the second connector 16 prior to performing vehicle-to-vehicle charging.

[0018] Next, the connection state detection process that is performed prior to executing vehicle-to-vehicle charging will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3(A) shows the flow of the connection state detection process when charging vehicle A from vehicle B, i.e., when vehicle A is the power supply side and vehicle B is the charging side. Figure 3(B) shows the flow of the connection state detection process when charging vehicle B from vehicle A, i.e., when vehicle A is the charging side and vehicle B is the power supply side.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3(A), when charging vehicle B from vehicle A, first, vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 is connected between vehicle A and vehicle B (step S1). Next, the user performs an external power feeding start operation via a user interface provided in vehicle A (step S2). When charging control unit 26 of vehicle A confirms the external power feeding start operation, it inputs a switching instruction signal to switches SW1 to SW4 of connection detection resistor 15. When charging vehicle B from vehicle A, first switch SW1 and fourth switch SW4 are turned ON, and second switch SW2 and third switch SW3 are turned OFF (step S3). As a result, the resistance between ground terminal 14c and signal terminal 14d of first connector 14 becomes Rb, and the resistance between ground terminal 16c and signal terminal 16d of second connector 16 becomes Ra.

[0020] Next, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A inputs a connection signal to the connection detection resistor 15 via the signal terminal 28d to detect the connection state between the charging inlet 28 and the first connector 14 (step S4). When the charging inlet 28 and the first connector 14 are connected, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A acquires a detection signal corresponding to the resistance Rb. This allows the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A to recognize that the first connector 14 is connected to the charging inlet 28. Meanwhile, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B inputs a connection signal to the connection detection resistor 15 via the signal terminal 28d to detect the connection state between the charging inlet 28 and the second connector 16 (step S5). When the charging inlet 28 and the second connector 16 are connected, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B acquires a detection signal corresponding to the resistance Ra. This allows the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B to recognize that the second connector 16 is connected to the charging inlet 28.

[0021] After detecting that the first connector 14 and the second connector 16 are connected to the charging inlet 28, the charging control units 26 of the vehicles A and B start charging the vehicle B from the vehicle A.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3(B), when charging vehicle A from vehicle B, first, vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 is connected between vehicle A and vehicle B (step S11). Next, the user performs an external power feeding start operation via a user interface provided in vehicle B (step S12). When charging control unit 26 of vehicle B confirms the external power feeding start operation, it inputs a switching instruction signal to switches SW1 to SW4 of connection detection resistor 15. When charging vehicle A from vehicle B, first switch SW1 and fourth switch SW4 are turned OFF, and second switch SW2 and third switch SW3 are turned ON (step S13). As a result, the resistance between ground terminal 14c and signal terminal 14d of first connector 14 becomes Ra, and the resistance between ground terminal 16c and signal terminal 16d of second connector 16 becomes Rb.

[0023] Next, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B inputs a connection signal to the connection detection resistor 15 via the signal terminal 28d to detect the connection state between the charging inlet 28 and the second connector 16 (step S14). When the charging inlet 28 and the second connector 16 are connected, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B acquires a detection signal corresponding to the resistance Rb. This allows the charging control unit 26 of vehicle B to recognize that the second connector 16 is connected to the charging inlet 28. Meanwhile, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A inputs a connection signal to the connection detection resistor 15 via the signal terminal 28d to detect the connection state between the charging inlet 28 and the first connector 14 (step S15). When the charging inlet 28 and the first connector 14 are connected, the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A acquires a detection signal corresponding to the resistance Ra. This allows the charging control unit 26 of vehicle A to recognize that the first connector 14 is connected to the charging inlet 28.

[0024] After detecting that the first connector 14 and the second connector 16 are connected to the charging inlet 28, the charging control units 26 of the vehicles A and B start charging the vehicle A from the vehicle B.

[0025] As described above, in the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10, the resistance values ​​of the first connection detection resistor 15a and the second connection detection resistor 15b can be switched between Ra and Rb depending on the charging direction between vehicle A and vehicle B. This allows vehicle A and vehicle B to recognize that the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 is correctly connected regardless of the charging direction. As a result, the user can connect the vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable 10 between vehicle A and vehicle B without worrying about the charging direction between vehicle A and vehicle B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 10: Vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable, 2: Charging cable, 14: First connector, 15: Connection detection resistor, 15a: First connection detection resistor section, 15b: Second connection detection resistor section, 16: Second connector, 18: Control unit, 22: Battery, 24: Power conversion device, 26: Charging control section, 28: Charging inlet

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable, a first connector and a second connector configured to be connectable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle; a charging cable connecting the first connector and the second connector; a first connection detection resistor unit that detects that the first connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the first connection detection resistor unit being switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value; a second connection detection resistor that detects that the second connector is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle, the second connection detection resistor being configured to be switchable between the first resistance value and the second resistance value.

Images