charger

Abstract

To provide a charger capable of charging an electric vehicle at a high output, of supplying power to a power load even at a low output in preparation for a rare emergency, and of reducing a cost.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the present invention is a charger that supplies electric energy to an electric mobile body. The charger includes a first converter that converts AC power into DC power. The charger includes a second converter capable of converting AC power into DC power and capable of converting DC power into AC power. The charger converts AC power supplied from an AC power supply into DC power by using the first converter and the second converter to supply the DC power to the electric mobile body. The charger converts DC power supplied from the electric mobile body into AC power by using the second converter to supply the AC power to a power load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger. [Background technology]

[0002] The technology described in Patent Document 1 relates to a charging / discharging device and a charging / discharging method, and aims to achieve efficient power supply, particularly in residential power supply systems. The system described in Patent Document 1 can integrate multiple power sources, including commercial power sources, solar power generation, and vehicle batteries, and supply and manage power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-30710 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The charger described in Patent Document 1 includes a bidirectional converter. For example, if the number of bidirectional converters used in the charger described in Patent Document 1 is increased, it can charge an electric vehicle at high output and can also convert DC power supplied from the electric vehicle into AC power and supply it to a power load. However, bidirectional converters are expensive. Furthermore, situations in which it is absolutely necessary to supply power supplied from an electric vehicle to a power load are rare, such as during a power outage or disaster, when power cannot be supplied from an AC power source. Therefore, it is desirable for a charger to be capable of charging an electric vehicle at high output and supplying power to a power load at low output in preparation for rare emergencies, while maintaining low costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a charger that supplies electric energy to an electric vehicle. The charger includes a first converter that converts AC power to DC power. The charger includes a second converter that can convert AC power to DC power and DC power to AC power. The charger uses the first converter and the second converter to convert AC power supplied from an AC power source into DC power and supplies the DC power to the electric vehicle. The charger uses the second converter to convert DC power supplied from the electric vehicle into AC power and supplies the AC power to a power load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mode in which a charger 100 is used. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charger 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow by a control device 190. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow by a control device 190. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of how a charger 100 is used. The charger 100 is a device that supplies electric energy to a battery of an electric vehicle (EV). The electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a prime mover. The electric vehicle (EV) is an example of an electrically powered moving body.

[0009] The charger 100 is installed, for example, near a parking lot where the electric vehicle EV is parked, and near a power load PL. The power load PL is, for example, an electric machine or appliance that consumes electric energy supplied from an alternating current power source AC, or a building in which the electric machine or appliance is installed. The electric machine or appliance is, for example, an air conditioner or a television receiver. The building is, for example, the home or workplace of a user of the electric vehicle EV.

[0010] The charger 100 is connected to the electric vehicle EV using a charging cable OC. The charger 100 is connected to an alternating current power source AC using a first power cable IC1. The charger 100 is connected to a power load PL using a second power cable IC2. The charger 100 converts AC power supplied from the AC power source AC into DC power and supplies it to the electric vehicle EV. The charger 100 converts DC power supplied from the electric vehicle EV into AC power and supplies it to the power load PL.

[0011] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charger 100. The charger 100 includes a unidirectional converter 110, a bidirectional converter 120, a power plug 130, a charging plug 140, a discharging plug 150, a first switch 160, a second switch 170, a third switch 180, and a control device 190.

[0012] The unidirectional converter 110 is a converter that converts AC power to DC power. The unidirectional converter 110 does not convert DC power to AC power. The charger 100 includes multiple unidirectional converters 110. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the charger 100 includes three unidirectional converters 110. The unidirectional converter 110 is an example of a first converter.

[0013] The bidirectional converter 120 is a converter that can convert AC power to DC power and DC power to AC power. The charger 100 includes one bidirectional converter 120. The bidirectional converter 120 is an example of a second converter.

[0014] The power plug 130 is a connector used on the side to which power is supplied from an alternating current power source AC. The alternating current power source AC is connected to the power plug 130 using a first power cable IC1.

[0015] The charging plug 140 is a connector used to supply power to the electric vehicle EV. The electric vehicle EV is connected to the charging plug 140 using a charging cable OC.

[0016] The discharge plug 150 is a connector used on the side that supplies power to the power load PL. The power load PL is connected to the discharge plug 150 using a second power cable IC2.

[0017] The first switch 160 is an electric power device that opens and closes an electrical path that connects the unidirectional converter 110 and the bidirectional converter 120 to the power plug 130. The first switch 160 is provided on the electrical path that connects the unidirectional converter 110 and the bidirectional converter 120 to the power plug 130.

[0018] Second switch 170 is an electric power device that opens and closes an electric circuit that connects unidirectional converter 110 and charging plug 140. Second switch 170 is provided on the electric circuit that connects unidirectional converter 110 and charging plug 140.

[0019] The third switch 180 is an electric power device that opens and closes the electrical path that connects the bidirectional converter 120 and the discharge plug 150. The third switch 180 is provided on the electrical path that connects the bidirectional converter 120 and the discharge plug 150.

[0020] The control device 190 is a controller that controls the operation mode of the charger 100. The control device 190 switches the operation mode between a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The first operation mode is an operation mode in which the unidirectional converter 110 and the bidirectional converter 120 are used to convert AC power supplied from an AC power source AC into DC power and supply the DC power to an electric vehicle EV. The second operation mode is an operation mode in which the bidirectional converter 120 is used to convert DC power supplied from the electric vehicle EV into AC power and supply the AC power to a power load PL.

[0021] 2, the charger 100 is controlled in a first operation mode. In the first operation mode, the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 are closed. In the first operation mode, the third switch 180 is open.

[0022] In the second operation mode, the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 are in an open state, and the third switch 180 is in a closed state.

[0023] The control device 190 is electrically connected to the first switch 160, the second switch 170, and the third switch 180. The control device 190 controls the first switch 160, the second switch 170, and the third switch 180 to switch the operation mode of the charger 100.

[0024] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of a control flow by the control device 190. In FIG.

[0025] The control shown in FIG. 3 is control for switching the operation mode of the charger 100 from a first operation mode to a second operation mode. The control device 190 executes the control shown in FIG. 3 when a trigger for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode occurs. The trigger for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode occurs, for example, due to a stop of power supply from the alternating current power supply AC. The trigger for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode occurs, for example, due to an operation by a person having operation authority. The person having operation authority is, for example, an administrator who manages the charger 100. The person having operation authority is, for example, a user of the electric vehicle EV. The person having operation authority performs operations using, for example, an operation panel provided on the charger 100, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. If the person having operation authority is the user of the electric vehicle EV, the user of the electric vehicle EV may be able to operate the charger 100 using, for example, an on-board terminal provided on the electric vehicle EV.

[0026] When a trigger for switching the operation mode to the second operation mode occurs, the control device 190 first controls the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 from a closed state to an open state (S101). By controlling the first switch 160 to an open state, the control device 190 interrupts the electrical path connecting the unidirectional converter 110 and the power plug 130 and the electrical path connecting the bidirectional converter 120 and the power plug 130. In addition, the control device 190 interrupts the electrical path connecting the unidirectional converter 110 and the charging plug 140 by controlling the second switch 170 to an open state.

[0027] Next, the control device 190 controls the third switch 180 to change from the open state to the closed state (S102). By controlling the third switch 180 to the closed state, the control device 190 opens the electrical path connecting the bidirectional converter 120 and the discharge plug 150.

[0028] By executing the control shown in FIG. 3, the operation mode of the charger 100 is switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

[0029] The control shown in Fig. 4 is control for switching the operation mode of the charger 100 from the second operation mode to the first operation mode. The control device 190 executes the control shown in Fig. 4 when a trigger for switching the operation mode to the first operation mode occurs. The trigger for switching the operation mode to the first operation mode occurs, for example, when the power supply from the alternating current power supply AC is restored. The trigger for switching the operation mode to the first operation mode occurs, for example, when an operation by a person having operation authority occurs.

[0030] When a trigger for switching the operation mode to the first operation mode occurs, the control device 190 first controls the third switch 180 to change from a closed state to an open state (S201). By controlling the third switch 180 to an open state, the control device 190 interrupts the electrical path connecting the bidirectional converter 120 and the discharge plug 150.

[0031] Next, the control device 190 controls the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 to change from an open state to a closed state (S202). By controlling the first switch 160 to a closed state, the control device 190 opens the electrical path connecting the unidirectional converter 110 and the power plug 130 and the electrical path connecting the bidirectional converter 120 and the power plug 130. In addition, the control device 190 controls the second switch 170 to a closed state, thereby opening the electrical path connecting the unidirectional converter 110 and the charging plug 140.

[0032] By executing the control shown in FIG. 4, the operation mode of the charger 100 is switched from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.

[0033] As described above, the charger 100 is a device that supplies electric energy to an electric vehicle EV. The charger 100 includes a unidirectional converter 110 that converts AC power to DC power. The charger 100 also includes a bidirectional converter 120 that can convert AC power to DC power and DC power to AC power. The charger 100 uses the unidirectional converter 110 and the bidirectional converter 120 to convert AC power supplied from an AC power source AC into DC power and supplies the DC power to the electric vehicle EV. The charger 100 also uses the bidirectional converter 120 to convert DC power supplied from the electric vehicle EV into AC power and supplies the AC power to a power load PL.

[0034] The charger 100 also includes a bidirectional converter 120 .

[0035] The charger 100 also includes a plurality of unidirectional converters 110 .

[0036] The charger 100 also includes a control device 190 that controls the operation mode. The control device 190 switches the operation mode between a first operation mode in which DC power can be supplied to the electric vehicle EV, and a second operation mode in which AC power can be supplied to the power load PL.

[0037] Furthermore, the control device 190 switches the operation mode from the first operation mode to the second operation mode due to the interruption of the power supply from the alternating current power supply AC.

[0038] Furthermore, the control device 190 switches the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode due to the restoration of the power supply from the alternating current power supply AC.

[0039] Furthermore, the control device 190 switches the operation mode in response to an operation by a person having the operating authority.

[0040] The charger 100 also includes a power plug 130 used on the side receiving power from an alternating current power source AC. The charger 100 also includes a charge plug 140 used on the side supplying power to an electric vehicle EV. The charger 100 also includes a discharge plug 150 used on the side supplying power to a power load PL. The charger 100 also includes a first switch 160 that opens and closes an electrical circuit connecting the unidirectional converter 110 and the bidirectional converter 120 to the power plug 130. The charger 100 also includes a second switch 170 that opens and closes an electrical circuit connecting the unidirectional converter 110 to the charge plug 140. The charger 100 also includes a third switch 180 that opens and closes an electrical circuit connecting the bidirectional converter 120 to the discharge plug 150. A control device 190 switches the operating mode by controlling the first switch 160, the second switch 170, and the third switch 180.

[0041] The control device 190 controls the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 from a closed state to an open state, and then controls the third switch 180 from an open state to a closed state, thereby switching the operation mode from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

[0042] The control device 190 controls the third switch 180 from a closed state to an open state, and then controls the first switch 160 and the second switch 170 from an open state to a closed state, thereby switching the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.

[0043] With these configurations, the charger 100 can charge the electric vehicle EV with high output, and can supply power to the power load PL even at low output in preparation for rare emergencies, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0045] The charger 100 of the embodiment supplies electric energy to the battery of an electric vehicle EV. However, the charger 100 may supply electric energy to the battery of an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle EV as long as it is capable of supplying electric energy to the battery of the electric vehicle. For example, the charger 100 may be capable of supplying electric energy to the battery of an electric motorcycle or a drone.

[0046] The order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the apparatus shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings, is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," or the like. It should also be noted that the order of execution of each process can be realized in any order, as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," or the like for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100: Charger 110: Unidirectional converter 120: Bidirectional converter 130: Power plug 140: Charging plug 150: Discharge plug 160: First switch 170: Second switch 180: Third switch 190: Control device AC: Alternating current power supply EV: Electric vehicle IC1: 1st power cable IC2: Second power cable OC: Charging cable PL: Power load

Claims

1. A charger that supplies electric energy to an electric vehicle, a first converter that converts AC power into DC power; a second converter capable of converting AC power into DC power and converting DC power into AC power; converting AC power supplied from an AC power supply into DC power using the first converter and the second converter and supplying the DC power to an electrically powered moving body; The charger converts DC power supplied from the electric vehicle into AC power using the second converter and supplies the AC power to a power load.

2. The charger according to claim 1 , further comprising one second converter.

3. The charger of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the first converters.

4. a control device for controlling an operation mode; 2. The charger according to claim 1, wherein the control device switches the operation mode between a first operation mode capable of supplying DC power to an electric vehicle and a second operation mode capable of supplying AC power to a power load.

5. The charger according to claim 4 , wherein the control device switches the operation mode from the first operation mode to the second operation mode when a power supply from an AC power source is stopped.

6. The charger according to claim 4 , wherein the control device switches the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when power supply from an AC power source is restored.

7. The charger according to claim 4 , wherein the control device switches the operation mode in response to an operation by a person having an operating authority.

8. a power plug used on the side to which power is supplied from an AC power source; a charging plug used to supply power to the electric vehicle; a discharge plug used on the side that supplies power to the power load; a first switch that opens and closes an electrical path that connects the first converter and the second converter to the power plug; a second switch that opens and closes an electric circuit that connects the first converter and the charging plug; a third switch that opens and closes an electric path that connects the second converter and the discharge plug, The charger according to claim 4 , wherein the control device switches the operation mode by controlling the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch.

9. 9. The charger according to claim 8, wherein the control device switches the operation mode from the first operation mode to the second operation mode by controlling the first contactor and the second contactor from a closed state to an open state, and then controlling the third contactor from an open state to a closed state.

10. 9. The charger according to claim 8, wherein the control device switches the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode by controlling the third contactor from a closed state to an open state, and then controlling the first contactor and the second contactor from an open state to a closed state.

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