Charging / discharging station, management device, display device, information terminal device, and management program

Abstract

To provide a technique of improving the convenience of a charge / discharge station.SOLUTION: A charge / discharge station 50A for a vehicle includes a plurality of chargers / dischargers 51 and a display device 95 for batch displaying modes concerning charge and discharge of the plurality of chargers / dischargers 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for improving the convenience of charge / discharge stations. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, vehicle electrification has progressed in light of stricter environmental regulations and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, and the development of charging infrastructure is an urgent need for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Meanwhile, there is a demand for systems that can supply power to loads in the event of a power outage during a disaster. To meet both of these demands, a bidirectional charger (charging / discharging stand) equipped with a vehicle charging function as well as a discharging function has been proposed (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-10442 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A charger or discharger may be set to one of multiple charging and discharging modes, such as "charge mode" or "discharge mode." The administrator of a charging and discharging station where multiple chargers or dischargers are installed (e.g., the administrator of a public facility that has a charging and discharging station on its premises) can set the mode for each charger or discharger depending on the time and situation. In this case, it is desirable for users of the charging and discharging station to be able to easily check the mode of each charger or discharger. If the mode could be easily checked, for example, a user who visits the station to charge their vehicle can avoid accidentally connecting their vehicle to a charger or discharger that is set to discharge mode.

[0005] One possible method would be to display the mode of each charger / discharger on a display panel attached to the charger / discharger, encouraging station users and managers to check the mode for each charger / discharger. However, this method requires time and effort for users to find the charger / discharger that best suits their needs, especially when there are multiple chargers / dischargers installed at a station.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique for improving the convenience of charge / discharge stations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle charging / discharging station according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of chargers / dischargers and a display device that collectively displays modes relating to charging and discharging of the plurality of chargers / dischargers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above aspect, the time and effort required for users and managers to check the mode can be reduced compared to when the charging / discharging mode is displayed individually for each charger / discharger, thereby improving the convenience of the charging / discharging station. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Charging and discharging station system configuration diagram [Figure 2] Perspective view of the charging / discharging station [Figure 3] Perspective view of the charging / discharging station [Figure 4] Perspective view of the charging / discharging stand [Figure 5] Block diagram of charging and discharging station [Figure 6] Mode display example [Figure 7] Charging and discharging station system configuration diagram [Figure 8] Mode display example [Figure 9] Mode display example [Figure 10] Charging and discharging station system configuration diagram [Figure 11]Block diagram of information terminal device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An overview of the charging and discharging station will be explained. The vehicle charging / discharging station includes a plurality of chargers / dischargers and a display device that collectively displays modes relating to charging and discharging of the plurality of chargers / dischargers. Here, the "display device" may be provided separately from the chargers / dischargers in the charging / discharging station, or may be provided integrally with one of the chargers / dischargers. The "display device" may also be provided in a location away from the chargers / dischargers (i.e., the parking space).

[0011] In this configuration, the charging and discharging modes of multiple chargers and dischargers are displayed all at once on the display device, which reduces the time and effort required for users and managers to check the modes compared to when the modes are displayed individually for each charger and discharger, thereby improving the convenience of the charging and discharging station. For example, a user who visits a station to charge his or her vehicle can quickly find the charger / discharger to which his or her vehicle should be connected by checking the display device.

[0012] The display device may display a plurality of chargers / dischargers in groups according to the modes, and display the mode for each group. This configuration makes it easier to check the mode compared to when the mode is displayed for each charger / discharger on the display device, and is particularly effective when a large number of chargers / dischargers are provided in a station.

[0013] When the mode is switched, the display device may display information about the mode transition. By displaying transition information and informing users of mode changes, it is possible to encourage efficient use of charging and discharging stations.

[0014] The display device may collectively display modes relating to charging and discharging of a plurality of chargers installed in each of a plurality of parking spaces located in a dispersed manner. By displaying the charging and discharging modes of each remotely located charger / discharger all at once on the display device, users and administrators no longer need to move between chargers to check the mode, significantly reducing the effort required to check the mode.

[0015] The vehicle charging / discharging station comprises a plurality of chargers / dischargers and a control unit, and in response to a request from an information terminal device connected via a network, the control unit transmits display information to the information terminal device that collectively displays the charging / discharging modes of the plurality of chargers / dischargers.

[0016] With this configuration, even if a user or administrator is not at the charging / discharging station, they can check the charging / discharging mode of each charger / discharger on an information terminal device, thereby encouraging efficient use of the charging / discharging station.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. <Embodiment 1> 1.Detailed explanation of the 50A charging / discharging station 1 is a system configuration diagram of a charging / discharging station 50A. The charging / discharging station 50A includes a plurality of charging / discharging stands 51 (EV power supplies), a management device 85, and a display panel 95. The charging / discharging stands 51 are an example of a "charger / discharger," and the display panel 95 is an example of a "display device."

[0018] Each charging / discharging station 51 is connected in parallel to an AC power supply line Lo via a branch line L1. The power supply line Lo may be connected to a power grid of an electric utility company or to a local microgrid.

[0019] The charging / discharging station 50A may be installed in a public place such as a public parking lot, or alternatively, may be installed on the premises of a company.

[0020] The charging / discharging station 50A may be a concentrated type in which parking spaces S1 to S5 are arranged adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 2, or a distributed type in which parking spaces S1 to S8 are arranged in a dispersed manner as shown in FIG. In the distributed type shown in Figure 3, multiple parking lots with multi-vehicle parking spaces S1-S4, S5-S6, and S7-S8 may be located apart, or single-vehicle parking spaces may be located apart. Parking lots with multi-vehicle parking spaces S1-S4, S5-S6, and S7-S8 may be located on different floors of a building.

[0021] In this embodiment, a charging / discharging stand 51 is provided in each parking space (S1, S2, . . . ), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The charging / discharging stand 51 is, for example, a vertically long box-shaped unit as shown in Fig. 4, and has a display panel 53 and an operation unit 54 on a front wall 52 of the housing. The operation unit 54 includes input keys 54A (or a touch panel) and an execution key 54B. A side wall 55 of the housing holds a charging / discharging connector 57 and a charging / discharging cable 58. The charging / discharging stand 51 has a communication board 73 (for example, a network interface card) inside the housing.

[0022] 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the charging / discharging stand 51. The charging / discharging stand 51 includes a bidirectional conversion unit 60, a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a communication board 73, a display panel 53, and an operation unit .

[0023] The communication board 73 is used for communication with the management device 85 and other charging / discharging stations 51. The communication specifications may be wired communication or wireless communication, but wireless communication is used in this embodiment.

[0024] One end of the bidirectional conversion unit 60 is connected to the AC terminal 56, and the other end is connected to the charge / discharge connector 57. The AC terminal 56 is connected to the branch line L1 shown in FIG.

[0025] The bidirectional conversion unit 60 is a bidirectional conversion circuit that selectively performs forward conversion (converter function) to convert alternating current power AC into direct current power DC, and inverse conversion (inverter function) to convert direct current power DC into alternating current power AC.

[0026] The control unit 71 controls the bidirectional conversion unit 60 by issuing commands to the bidirectional conversion unit 60 .

[0027] The charging / discharging connector 57 is inserted into a connection portion (inlet) of a vehicle such as the automobile 3 shown in FIG.

[0028] By fitting the connectors, the bidirectional conversion unit 60 of the charging / discharging stand 51 and the vehicle battery 5 of the automobile 3 are electrically connected, and the vehicle battery 5 can be charged or discharged using the bidirectional conversion unit 60.

[0029] Specifically, the charging / discharging stand 51 charges the vehicle-mounted battery 5 by causing the bidirectional conversion unit 60 to perform a forward conversion operation, and discharges the vehicle-mounted battery 5 by causing the bidirectional conversion unit 60 to perform a reverse conversion operation.

[0030] Furthermore, by fitting the connector, the control unit 71 is connected to the automobile 3 via the signal line L2 so as to be able to communicate with the automobile 3, and receives information on the SOC (state of charge) of the in-vehicle battery 5.

[0031] The control unit 71 calculates the charge and discharge amounts of the vehicle-mounted battery 5 based on the output of the bidirectional conversion unit 60. The control unit 71 monitors fluctuations in the SOC of the vehicle-mounted battery 5 that accompany charging and discharging.

[0032] 1 includes a control unit 86, a storage unit 87, and a communication unit 88. The communication unit 88 is used for communication with the communication board 73 of each charging / discharging station 51.

[0033] In this embodiment, the management device 85 is a "parent device," and each charging / discharging stand 51 is a "child device." The management device 85 acquires information about usage status and mode settings (described later) from each charging / discharging stand 51 via communication, and manages this information in an integrated manner. Instead of using the management device 85, it is also possible to designate one of the charging / discharging stands 51 as a "parent device."

[0034] 2. 51 charging / discharging stand modes and display In this embodiment, three types of modes (1) to (3) can be set as modes relating to charging and discharging in the charging and discharging stand 51. The modes relating to charging and discharging of the charging and discharging stand 51 are not limited to these.

[0035] (1) Charging mode (2) Discharge mode (3) Charge / discharge mode

[0036] The "charging mode" is a mode in which the vehicle battery 5 of the vehicle 3 connected to the charging / discharging stand 51 is charged.

[0037] The "discharge mode" is a mode for discharging the in-vehicle battery 5 of the automobile 3 connected to the charging / discharging stand 51. The "discharge mode" is set in the charging / discharging stand 51 for use as an emergency power source in the event of a disaster, for example.

[0038] The "charge / discharge mode" is a mode for charging or discharging the battery 5 of the automobile 3 connected to the charge / discharge stand 51. The "charge / discharge mode" is set in the charge / discharge stand 51 for energy management purposes, for example.

[0039] The charging / discharging mode of each charging / discharging stand 51 can be set or changed by the management device 85. The mode may be set or changed by each charging / discharging stand 51, not just by the management device 85.

[0040] The memory unit 87 of the management device 85 stores information about the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51. That is, the memory unit 87 stores information about the mode in which each charging and discharging stand 51 is currently set, among the above-mentioned modes (1) to (3).

[0041] The management device 85 collectively displays, on a predetermined display device, the charging / discharging modes of each charging / discharging stand 51 based on the information stored in the memory unit 87. In this embodiment, the charging / discharging modes of each charging / discharging stand 51 are collectively displayed on a dedicated display panel 95 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) installed within the premises of the charging / discharging station 50A.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows an example of a display mode on the display panel 95, in which two display items are displayed vertically below the symbols (or marks) "S1 to S5" indicating the parking spaces.

[0043] The display X1 in the first row indicates the "mode related to charging and discharging" of each charging and discharging station 51, and the display X2 in the second row indicates the "connection status of the vehicle."

[0044] <First row display X1> The first row displays symbols and marks indicating the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51. The symbol "Charge / Discharge" shown in Fig. 6 indicates the "charge / discharge mode." The symbol "Charge" indicates the "charge mode," and the symbol "Discharge" indicates the "discharge mode."

[0045] In the example of Fig. 6, two charging / discharging stands 51, "S1" and "S2", are currently set to "charging / discharging mode", the charging / discharging stand 51, "S3", is currently set to "discharging mode", and the two charging / discharging stands 51, "S4" and "S5", are currently set to "charging mode".

[0046] <2nd row display X2> The second row displays symbols and marks indicating the connection status of the automobile 3 to each charging / discharging station 51. The automobile marks shown in Fig. 6 indicate that the automobile 3 is connected to the charging / discharging station 51. A blank space (no mark displayed) indicates that the automobile 3 is not connected to the charging / discharging station 51.

[0047] 6, two charging / discharging stations 51, "S1" and "S4," are connected to a vehicle (in use), while three charging / discharging stations 51, "S2," "S3," and "S5," are not in use.

[0048] 3. Explanation of effects In this configuration, the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51 are displayed together on the display panel 95, so that users and managers of the charging and discharging station 50A can easily understand the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51 by checking the display panel 95.

[0049] Therefore, compared to when the mode is displayed individually for each charging / discharging stand 51, the time and effort required to check the mode can be reduced, and the convenience of the charging / discharging station 50A can be improved. For example, a user who visits the station 50A to charge his / her vehicle 3 can quickly find the charging / discharging station 51 to which his / her vehicle 3 should be connected by checking the display panel 95.

[0050] In particular, as shown in Figure 3, when charging / discharging stands 51 are installed in each of multiple dispersed parking spaces, users and managers no longer need to move between charging / discharging stands to check the mode, which significantly reduces the time and effort required to check the mode.

[0051] <Embodiment 2> In the second embodiment, instead of the management device 85 of the first embodiment, one of the plurality of charging / discharging stations 51 functions as a master device.

[0052] 7 is a system configuration diagram of a charge / discharge station 50B that does not have a dedicated management device 85. The charge / discharge station 50B is made up of multiple charge / discharge stands 51A to 51F, and does not have the management device 85 and display panel 95 described in the first embodiment.

[0053] The six charging / discharging stands 51A to 51F are connected to each other via a communication line L3 so that they can communicate with each other, with the charging / discharging stand 51A acting as the "parent" and the other charging / discharging stands 51B to 51F acting as "child" stands. The communication between the charging / discharging stand 51A and the other charging / discharging stands 51B to 51F may be serial communication. The communication between the stands is not limited to wired communication and may be wireless communication.

[0054] To make it easier for users and administrators to identify the "parent unit" charging / discharging stand 51A, the charging / discharging stand 51A may be installed in a designated position in the station 50B, may have a sign such as a lamp, or may have a display panel 53 (see Figure 4) indicating that it is the "parent unit."

[0055] The charging / discharging stand 51A acquires information on modes relating to charging / discharging from each of the charging / discharging stands 51B to 51F through communication, and stores the information in a storage unit 72 (see FIG. 5) for centralized management. The charging / discharging stand 51A, which is the "master unit," displays the charging / discharging modes of each charging / discharging stand 51 all at once on the display panel 53 (see FIG. 4) of the charging / discharging stand 51A based on the information stored in the memory unit 72. For example, the display panel 53 may adopt a display mode shown in FIG. 6.

[0056] In this configuration, the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51 are displayed all at once on the display panel 53 of the charging and discharging stand 51A, eliminating the cost and space required for installing a dedicated management device 85 and display panel 95.

[0057] <Embodiment 3> In the third embodiment, a plurality of chargers and dischargers are grouped according to the mode, and the display device displays the mode of the charger and discharge stand for each group. More specifically, a plurality of charger and discharge stands with a common mode are grouped into one block B, and the mode is displayed for each block.

[0058] Fig. 8 shows an example of a display mode, where the "block mode" is displayed above the symbols "S1 to S5" indicating each parking space. In addition, below the symbols "S1 to S5," the first row displays the "mode for each charging / discharging station," and the second row displays the "vehicle connection status."

[0059] Below, differences from the display example of the first embodiment (display mode of FIG. 6) will be explained. In the example of Figure 8(a), of the five charging / discharging stands 51, the three charging / discharging stands 51 located at S1 to S3 have a common mode of "charging / discharging mode", and the two charging / discharging stands located at S4 and S5 have a common mode of "charging mode".

[0060] The management device 85 displays "Charging / Discharging Stand Mode" in the upper row of the first block B1, which consists of three charging / discharging stands S1 to S3, and displays "Charging Stand Mode" in the upper row of the second block B2, which consists of two charging / discharging stands S4 and S5.

[0061] In the example of Fig. 8(b), the five charging / discharging stands 51 arranged in S1 to S5 all share the "discharging mode." Therefore, the five charging / discharging stands 51 are grouped into one block B, and "discharging stand mode" is displayed in the upper row.

[0062] This configuration makes it easier to check the mode compared to when the mode is displayed on a display device for each charging / discharging station. It also allows the charging / discharging station manager to smoothly change the mode of multiple charging / discharging stations without making mistakes, facilitating energy management. This is particularly effective when a station has a large number of charging / discharging stations.

[0063] <Embodiment 4> In the fourth embodiment, the management device 85 displays mode transition information on the display panel 95. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, when the mode is to be switched after a predetermined time, the current mode and the mode after the transition are displayed one above the other, with an arrow F indicating the mode transition displayed between them. The expected time of the transition may also be displayed near the arrow.

[0064] The display example shown in FIG. 9 indicates that the first block B1 will switch from the "charging / discharging stand mode" to the "charging stand mode" after a predetermined time (15 minutes) from the present time.

[0065] In this configuration, by displaying mode transition information and informing the user of the mode switch of the charging / discharging stand 51, it is possible to encourage efficient use of the charging / discharging station.

[0066] <Embodiment 5> 10 is a block diagram of the charge / discharge station 50C. Similar to the charge / discharge station 50A according to the first embodiment, the charge / discharge station 50C includes a plurality of charge / discharge stands 51, a management device 85, and a display panel 95. Alternatively, similar to the second embodiment, the charge / discharge station 50C does not need to include a dedicated management device 85 and display panel 95.

[0067] The management device 85 has a control unit 86, a storage unit 87, and a communication unit 88. The storage unit 87 stores information on the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51, and a Web server program.

[0068] The management device 85 is connected to the network N via a communication device 88. The control unit 86 executes a Web server program to provide display information that collectively displays the charging and discharging modes of each charging and discharging stand 51 to the information terminal device 200 connected via the network N. The management device 85 functions as a Web server.

[0069] The information terminal device 200 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, and is connected to a network N via an access point AP.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the information terminal device 200 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 203, a communication unit 205, and a display unit 210.

[0071] A web browser program is stored in the storage unit 203. By executing the web browser program, the control unit 201 accesses the management device 85 via the network N, requests the management device 85 to transmit display information, and displays the display information transmitted from the management device 85 on the display unit 210. The information terminal device 200 functions as a web browser.

[0072] The information terminal device 200 displays, via a web browser, display information provided by the web server function of the management device 185, on the display unit 210, all of the modes related to charging and discharging of each charging and discharging station 51. In addition to the mode information, information on the connection status of the vehicle may also be displayed all at once.

[0073] With this configuration, even if a user or administrator is not at the charging / discharging station 50C, they can check the charging / discharging mode of each charging / discharging stand 51 on the information terminal device 200, thereby encouraging efficient use of the charging / discharging station 50C.

[0074] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0075] (1) In the first embodiment, the automobile 3 is charged or discharged using a charging / discharging stand 51. The charging / discharging stand 51 can also be used appropriately for vehicles other than the automobile 3, as long as the vehicle is equipped with an on-board battery 5. For example, the charging / discharging stand 51 may be used to charge or discharge an electric motorcycle.

[0076] (2) In the first embodiment, the charging / discharging modes of each charging / discharging stand 51 are collectively displayed on the display panel 95 provided in the charging / discharging station 50A. Alternatively, the information may be collectively displayed on an external display device separate from the charging / discharging station 50A. For example, the management device 85 may send information about the charging / discharging modes of each charging / discharging stand 51 to the host system, and the information may be displayed on a display unit or display panel of the host system.

[0077] (3) In the fifth embodiment, a mobile information terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet is shown as an example of the information terminal device, but the information terminal device may be a stationary computer or the like.

[0078] (4) In the fifth embodiment, the management device 85 is the parent device and the Web server. However, one of the charging / discharging stands 51 may be used as both the parent device and the Web server. In other words, the control unit 71 of one of the charging / discharging stands 51 may perform the same function as the control unit 86 of the management device 85. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 50A, 50B, 50C charging and discharging station 51 Charging / Discharging Stand (Charger / Discharger) 53 Display panel (display device) 85 Management device 95 Display panel (display device) 200 Information terminal device

Claims

1. A charging / discharging station for a mobile object, a plurality of chargers / dischargers connectable to the mobile body, the chargers / dischargers being capable of being set to a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode relating to charging / discharging; a display device that collectively displays the charging / discharging modes set in each of the chargers / dischargers.

2. 2. The charging / discharging station according to claim 1, The display device displays a plurality of chargers / dischargers in groups according to the mode, and displays the mode for each group.

3. 3. The charging / discharging station according to claim 1 or 2, When the mode is switched, the display device displays information about the mode transition.

4. The charging / discharging station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The display device is a charging / discharging station that collectively displays the charging / discharging modes of multiple chargers installed in each of multiple parking spaces that are located in a dispersed manner.

5. The charging / discharging station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The charge / discharge station is capable of setting the charge mode, the discharge mode, or a charge / discharge mode in the charger / discharger as a mode related to the charge / discharge.

6. A charging / discharging station for a mobile object, a plurality of chargers / dischargers connectable to the mobile body, the chargers / dischargers being capable of being set to a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode relating to charging / discharging; a control unit, The control unit transmits display information to an information terminal device connected via a network in response to a request from the information terminal device, the display information collectively displaying the charging and discharging modes set in each of the chargers and dischargers.

7. A charging / discharging station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A charging / discharging station, wherein the charger / discharger is connected to a power grid or a microgrid via a power feeder.

8. A management device for managing a plurality of chargers / dischargers to which a mobile object can be connected, the charger / discharger is capable of setting a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode related to charging and discharging, The management device transmits information about the charging and discharging set in each of the chargers and dischargers to a display device.

9. A display device, A display device that collectively displays the information related to charging and discharging set in each of the chargers and dischargers based on the information received from the management device according to claim 8.

10. A management device for managing a plurality of chargers / dischargers to which a mobile object can be connected, comprising: the charger / discharger is capable of setting a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode related to charging and discharging, The management device transmits information about the charging and discharging set in each of the chargers and dischargers to an information terminal device connected via a network in response to a request from the information terminal device.

11. An information terminal device, An information terminal device that displays, on a display unit, information about the charging and discharging set in each of the chargers and dischargers based on the information received from the management device according to claim 10 via the network.

12. A management program for managing a plurality of chargers / dischargers to which a mobile object can be connected, comprising: the charger / discharger is capable of setting a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode related to charging and discharging, The management program causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting information about the charging and discharging set in each of the chargers and dischargers to a display device.

13. A management program for managing a plurality of chargers / dischargers to which a mobile object can be connected, comprising: the charger / discharger is capable of setting a charge mode or a discharge mode as a mode related to charging and discharging, The management program causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting information regarding the charging and discharging set in each charger / discharger to an information terminal device connected via a network in response to a request from the information terminal device.

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