Charging system and charging method

Abstract

To appropriately allocate a power conversion unit to a charging object apparatus.SOLUTION: A charging system 1 is provided with: an information input part 58 for acquiring charging object apparatus information DVC that is information regarding a charge object apparatus 42 connected to a charging port 40; a unit allocation part 54 for allocating a power conversion unit 22 to the charging port 40 corresponding to each charging object apparatus 42 so that the power conversion unit 22 may be preferentially allocated to a charging object apparatus 42 whose priority Pr based on the charging object apparatus information DVC is higher; and a switchover control part 56 for controlling a switch part 30 on the basis of an allocation result in the unit allocation part 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system and a charging method. [Background technology]

[0002] As background art in this technical field, the abstract of the following Patent Document 1 states, "[Problem] To provide a charging system that can appropriately allocate power conversion units to devices to be charged. [Solution] When a new device to be charged (42-k) is connected to any of the charging ports (40-k), a unit allocation unit 54 reduces the number of allocated units Nm by giving priority to the device to be charged (42-m) for which a reduction in the number of allocated units Nm will result in a small decrease in charging power, among the devices to be charged (42-m) for which there are multiple numbers of allocated units Nm, and allocates the power conversion unit 22 that becomes available as a result of the reduction to the newly connected device to be charged (42-k)." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-122190 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described technology, it is preferable to more appropriately allocate the power conversion units to the devices to be charged. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a charging system and a charging method that can appropriately allocate power conversion units to devices to be charged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the charging system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a plurality of power conversion units, a plurality of charging ports that supply power to a plurality of devices to be charged respectively, a switch unit that switches the connection relationship between the plurality of power conversion units and the plurality of charging ports, an information input unit that acquires target device information that is information about the devices to be charged that are connected to the charging ports, a unit allocation unit that allocates the power conversion units to the charging ports corresponding to each of the devices to be charged so that the higher the priority of the device to be charged based on the target device information, the higher the power conversion unit is assigned to the device to be charged, and a switching control unit that controls the switch unit based on the allocation result in the unit allocation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately allocate power conversion units to devices to be charged. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a charging system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cell converter unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between priority and power threshold. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart (1 / 3) of an allocation condition determination routine. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart (2 / 3) of an allocation condition determination routine. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart (3 / 3) of an allocation condition determination routine. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a unit allocation routine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] <Configuration of the first embodiment> Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a charging system 1 according to a first embodiment. In Fig. 1, the charging system 1 includes a high-voltage input unit 10, a power conversion unit 20, a matrix switch unit 30 (switch unit), four charging ports 40-1 to 40-4, and a control device 50 (computer).

[0009] Charging ports 40-1 to 40-4 are connected to vehicles 42-1 to 42-4 (devices to be charged), which are, for example, electric vehicles. In the following description, multiple components, information, etc. having the same or similar functions or meanings may be referred to by the same reference numeral with a "-" and an alphanumeric character added, such as "charging ports 40-1 to 40-4." However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these multiple components, etc., the "-" and the alphanumeric character may be omitted, such as "charging port 40."

[0010] The high-voltage input unit 10 receives power from, for example, a three-phase 6.6 kV AC system 16 and outputs the three-phase 6.6 kV AC voltage to U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase lines 18U, 18V, and 18W via a switch 12 and a reactor 14. The power conversion unit 20 includes a total of 21 cell converter units 22 (power conversion units). Between the line 18U and a neutral point 24, the AC terminals (on the left side in the figure) of seven cell converter units 22-U1 to 22-U7 are connected in series.

[0011] Similarly, the AC terminals of seven cell converter units 22-V1 to 22-V7 are connected in series between line 18V and neutral point 24, and the AC terminals of seven cell converter units 22-W1 to 22-W7 are connected in series between line 18W and neutral point 24. In addition, the DC terminals (on the right side in the figure) of cell converter units 22-U1, 22-V1, and 22-W1 are connected in parallel to line 26-1. Similarly, the DC terminals of cell converter units 22-Up, 22-Vp, and 22-Wp (where p = 2 to 6) are also connected in parallel to line 26-p.

[0012] The matrix switch unit 30 includes three DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C and a plurality of switches 34. A total of three switches 34 are connected between the line 26-1 and each of the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C, and these switches 34 switch the on / off state of the connection between the line 26-1 and the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C.

[0013] Similarly, three switches 34 are connected between each of the lines 26-p (where p=2 to 6) and the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C, respectively. These switches 34 switch the on / off state of the connections between the lines 26-p and the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C. Furthermore, nine switches 34 are connected between the DC terminals (on the right side in the figure) of the cell converter units 22-U7, 22-V7, and 22-W7 and the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C. These switches 34 switch the on / off state of the connections between the cell converter units 22-U7, 22-V7, and 22-W7 and the DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C.

[0014] Charging ports 40-1, 40-2, and 40-3 are connected to DC buses 32-A, 32-B, and 32-C, respectively. Charging port 40-4 is connected to both DC buses 32-A and 32-B. Each charging port 40 supplies DC power received from the corresponding DC bus 32 to a vehicle 42 connected to that charging port 40, thereby charging a battery (not shown) provided in the vehicle 42. A control device 50 controls each component of the charging system 1. Details of the control device 50 will be described later.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the cell converter unit 22. In FIG. 2, the cell converter unit 22 includes an AC / DC converter 71, a smoothing capacitor 72, a DC / AC converter 73, a high-frequency transformer 74, an AC / DC converter 75, and a smoothing capacitor .

[0016] AC / DC converter 71 converts a commercial frequency single-phase AC voltage input from input terminal IN into a DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to DC / AC converter 73 via smoothing capacitor 72. DC / AC converter 73 converts the DC voltage into a high-frequency single-phase AC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to AC / DC converter 75 via high-frequency transformer 74. Here, high frequency refers to a frequency of, for example, 100 Hz or higher, but a frequency of 1 kHz or higher is preferably adopted, and a frequency of 10 kHz or higher is more preferably adopted. AC / DC converter 75 rectifies this high-frequency single-phase AC voltage and outputs a DC voltage from output terminal OUT via smoothing capacitor 76.

[0017] Each of the AC / DC converters 71, 75 and the DC / AC converter 73 has four switching elements (no reference numerals) connected in an H-bridge configuration and diodes (no reference numerals) connected in anti-parallel to these switching elements. These switching elements may be semiconductor switching elements such as MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) or IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), but other semiconductor switching elements may also be used.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer 980 . The control device 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or more computers 980 shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the computer 980 includes a CPU 981, a storage unit 982, a communication I / F (interface) 983, an input / output I / F 984, and a media I / F 985. Here, the storage unit 982 includes a RAM 982a, a ROM 982b, and an HDD 982c. The communication I / F 983 is connected to a communication circuit 986. The input / output I / F 984 is connected to an input / output device 987. The media I / F 985 reads and writes data from a recording medium 988. The ROM 982b stores control programs executed by the CPU, various data, and the like. The CPU 981 executes application programs loaded into the RAM 982a to realize various functions.

[0019] The inside of the control device 50 shown in Fig. 1 above is a block diagram showing functions realized by application programs, etc. That is, as shown in Fig. 1, the control device 50 includes a charging time monitoring unit 52, a unit allocation unit 54 (unit allocation process), a switching control unit 56 (switching control process), and an information input unit 58 (information input process).

[0020] The information input unit 58 acquires the target charging equipment information DVC and the usage schedule information DUS, which are information relating to each vehicle 42 or the user of each vehicle 42. The target charging equipment information DVC may be information indicating the identification information of the vehicle 42, or may be information indicating the content of the charging contract for the vehicle 42. When the target charging equipment information DVC indicates the identification information of the vehicle 42, the information input unit 58 refers to a database (not shown) based on the target charging equipment information DVC and acquires specific content of the charging contract.

[0021] The charging target device information DVC may be acquired from the vehicle 42 via the plug (unnumbered) of the charging port 40, or may be acquired from a charging membership card or the like indicating that the user is a charging member. The usage schedule information DUS is information that indicates the planned travel distance and destination of the vehicle 42. However, since neither the charging target device information DVC nor the usage schedule information DUS is essential, it is not necessarily necessary to acquire them.

[0022] The charging time monitoring unit 52 monitors the charging time for each of the vehicles 42-1 to 42-4, i.e., the time elapsed since the charging start time. The unit allocation unit 54 determines the number of allocated units N1 to N4, which are the number of cell converter units 22 to allocate to each of the vehicles 42-1 to 42-4. The switching control unit 56 sets the on / off state of each switch 34 in the matrix switch unit 30 so as to achieve the determined number of allocated units N1 to N4.

[0023] If possible, unit allocation unit 54 sets a sufficient number of allocated units N1 to N4 (not shown) that can supply the requested charging power to all charging ports 40 (i.e., vehicles 42). However, if a situation arises in which the number of vehicles 42 connected to charging ports 40 increases, for example, it becomes impossible to set a sufficient number of allocated units for all charging ports 40.

[0024] In this case, the unit allocation unit 54 sets one of the allocated unit numbers N1 to N4 to a number that can supply only charging power smaller than the requested charging power. In this embodiment, a parameter called priority Pr-1 to Pr-4 (not shown) is set for each of the charging ports 40-1 to 40-4 based on the contract details for the connected vehicle 42, etc. Then, the unit allocation unit 54 tries to maintain as much necessary charging power as possible for the higher the priority Pr. The control content will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the priority Pr and the power threshold Pth (threshold). The unit rated power Pu shown in Fig. 4 represents the maximum power that can be output by one cell converter unit 22. The power threshold Pth is the allowable value for the amount of reduction in charging power resulting from a reduction in the number of allocated units N1 to N4. As shown in the figure, the unit allocation unit 54 sets a higher power threshold Pth as the priority Pr decreases. This makes it easier to reduce the number of allocated units N1 to N4 for charging ports 40 with a low priority Pr.

[0026] Conversely, for a charging port 40 with a high priority Pr, the power threshold Pth is low, and therefore the numbers of allocated units N1 to N4 are less likely to be reduced. Note that the characteristics of the power threshold Pth are not limited to the example in Fig. 4. In other words, as long as the power threshold Pth decreases as the priority Pr increases, the power threshold Pth may be set arbitrarily within the range of "0 to Pu."

[0027] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. 5 to 7 are flowcharts of the allocation condition determination routine. The control device 50 starts this routine when a vehicle 42-k is connected to any one of the charging ports 40-k (where 1≦k≦4). 5, when the process proceeds to step S50, the information input unit 58 acquires the target charge device information DVC of the vehicle 42-k connected to the charging port 40-k. Next, when the process proceeds to step S51, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not there is a "contractual restriction on the use of charging resources" based on the acquired target charge device information DVC.

[0028] If the determination in step S51 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S52, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether a "charging power" contract has been made based on the charge target device information DVC. The "charging power" contract, for example, includes content such as "to supply charging power as requested by vehicle 42-k." If the determination in step S52 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S53, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k of charging port 40-k to "highest." Then, the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the number of allocation units required to supply the contracted charging power to vehicle 42-k. The number of allocation units for charging port 40-k may be denoted as Nk.

[0029] On the other hand, if the determination in step S52 is "No," the process proceeds to step S54, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether a target charging time TCG (not shown) and a target amount of charging energy JCG (not shown) are characterized based on the target device information DVC. In other words, the unit allocation unit 54 has a function of specifying the target charging time TCG and the target amount of charging energy JCG based on the target device information DVC. Here, the target charging time TCG is a target value for the maximum charging time, i.e., the time required from the start of charging to the end of charging, and the target amount of charging energy JCG is a target value for the amount of energy to be charged to the vehicle 42-k within the charging time. If the determination in step S54 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S55, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k to "highest." Furthermore, the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the charging power required to supply the target amount of charging energy JCG within the target charging time TCG and calculates the number of allocated units Nk to supply this charging power.

[0030] On the other hand, if the determination in step S54 is "No," the process proceeds to step S56, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines, based on the charge target device information DVC, whether or not a target charging rate SOCT and a target charging time TCG have been contracted. Here, the target charging rate SOCT is a target value for SOC (State Of Charge) at the time of charging completion. If the determination in step S56 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S57, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k to "highest." Furthermore, the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the charging power required to achieve charging at the target charging rate SOCT within the target charging time TCG, and calculates the number of allocated units Nk required to supply this charging power.

[0031] On the other hand, if the determination in either step S51 or S56 is "No," the process proceeds to step S58, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not a maximum charging power Pmax (not shown) is set, based on the target device information DVC. Here, the maximum charging power Pmax is a parameter that limits the maximum value of charging power, and is set primarily by the user of the vehicle 42-k.

[0032] The maximum charging power Pmax is set, for example, to prevent deterioration of the battery installed in the vehicle 42 and to extend its lifespan. The administrator of the charging system 1 may also set the maximum charging power Pmax when he or she wishes to limit the charging power for the vehicle 42 or its user. If the determination in step S58 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S59, where the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the number of units required to supply the set maximum charging power Pmax and sets this calculation result as the upper limit value for the number of allocated units Nk. If the determination in step S58 is "No," or if the process in step S59 is completed, the process proceeds to step S60 (see FIG. 6).

[0033] 6, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not usage schedule information DUS is set for the vehicle 42-k. If the determination in step S60 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S61, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not planned travel information (information such as planned travel distance and destination) is set in the usage schedule information DUS.

[0034] If the determination in step S61 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S62, where the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the SOC required to fulfill the travel schedule and sets this as the target charging SOC. Next, in step S63, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether the current SOC of the vehicle 42-k is lower than the target charging SOC. If the determination here is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S65.

[0035] On the other hand, if the determination in step S61 is "No," the process proceeds to step S64, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether the current SOC of the vehicle 42-k is lower than a predetermined default SOC. If the determination is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S65. Here, the "default SOC" is an SOC value used in place of the target charging SOC when no driving schedule information is set in the usage schedule information DUS, and is, for example, a value such as 60% or 80%.

[0036] In step S65, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether the charging completion time, such as the scheduled usage start time, of the vehicle 42-k is set in the usage schedule information DUS. If the determination in step S65 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S66, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k to "High."

[0037] Furthermore, the unit allocation unit 54 calculates the charging power required to charge up to the target SOC (default SOC or charging target SOC) before the set charging completion time, calculates the number of allocated units Nk required to supply this charging power, and ends the processing of this routine. On the other hand, if the determination in step S65 is "No," the process proceeds to step S67, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k to "medium," calculates the number of allocated units Nk required to supply the above-mentioned charging power, and ends the processing of this routine.

[0038] If the determination is "No" in any of steps S60, S63, and S64 in Fig. 6, the process proceeds to step S68 in Fig. 7. In step S68, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not any priority (status) setting exists based on the target charge device information DVC. If the determination is "Yes" in step S68, the process proceeds to step S69, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not a priority (status) has been registered for the user of vehicle 42-k.

[0039] If the determination in step S69 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S70, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets a priority Pr-k according to the priority (status) of the user and calculates the number of allocated units Nk. On the other hand, if the determination in step S69 is "No," the process proceeds to step S71, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not the vehicle 42-k is registered with priority. Note that vehicles registered with priority are expected to include emergency vehicles, disaster relief vehicles, and specific official vehicles.

[0040] If the determination in step S71 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S72, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k according to the priority of the vehicle 42-k and calculates the number of allocated units Nk. On the other hand, if the determination in step S71 is "No," the process proceeds to step S73, where the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not a priority (status) for the model or brand of the vehicle 42-k has been registered.

[0041] If the determination in step S73 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S74, where the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k according to the priority (status) of the vehicle model and brand, and calculates the number of allocated units Nk. On the other hand, if the determination in either step S68 or S73 is "No," the process proceeds to step S75. In step S75, the unit allocation unit 54 sets the priority Pr-k to "low," and calculates the number of allocated units Nk. This completes the processing of this routine.

[0042] 8 is a flowchart of the unit allocation routine, which is executed after the allocation condition determination routine (FIGS. 5 to 7) has been executed. In Fig. 8, "m" and "k" are the port numbers of the charging port 40, and in the example shown in Fig. 1, are any of "1" to "4." In particular, port number k is the port number of the charging port 40-k that is waiting for unit allocation, such as when a vehicle 42-k is newly connected. Furthermore, the number of cell converter units 22 assigned to the charging port 40-m is referred to as the number of assigned units Nm, and the power supplied from the charging port 40-m to the vehicle 42-m is referred to as the supplied power Pm.

[0043] 8, when the process proceeds to step S8, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether there is an empty unit, that is, a cell converter unit 22 that is not being charged. If the determination in step S8 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S26. Here, the unit allocation unit 54 allocates the empty unit to the charging port 40-k.

[0044] Next, when the process proceeds to step S30, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether a number of cell converter units 22 equal to the number of allocated units Nk has been allocated to the charging port 40-k. If the determination is "Yes," the process of this routine ends. On the other hand, if the determination is "No," the process returns to step S8.

[0045] On the other hand, if no free unit exists, step S8 returns "No," and the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the unit allocation unit 54 performs integer division of the supplied power Pm / unit rated power Pu for each charging port 40-m having a plurality of allocated unit numbers Nm, and calculates the quotient Qm and the remainder Rm. Next, when the process proceeds to step S12, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not there is a charging port 40-m for which "Nm > Qm + 1." In other words, it determines whether or not there is a charging port 40-m for which the allocated unit number Nm is larger than necessary.

[0046] One reason why the number of allocation units Nm may become larger than necessary is that the higher the charging rate of the battery installed in the vehicle 42, the less charging current can be supplied to the vehicle 42. In other words, even if the number of allocation units Nm is a necessary and sufficient number at the start of charging, the number of allocation units Nm may become larger than necessary as charging time passes. If the determination in step S12 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S22.

[0047] In step S22, the unit allocation unit 54 reduces the number of allocated units Nm for the corresponding charging port 40-m to "Qm+1." Even if the number of allocated units Nm is reduced in this way, the previous supply power Pm can be maintained. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26, and the unit allocation unit 54 allocates the free units that have become available as a result of reducing the number of allocated units Nm to the charging port 40-k that is waiting for allocation.

[0048] On the other hand, if the determination in step S12 is "No," the process proceeds to step S14. Here, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not there is a charging port 40-m where "Nm = Qm + 1." If the determination in step S12 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the unit allocation unit 54 determines whether or not there is a charging port 40-m where the surplus Rm is smaller than the power threshold Pth.

[0049] If it is determined "Yes" in step S16, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the unit allocation unit 54 reduces the number of allocated units Nm of the charging port 40-m where Rm < Pth to the quotient Qm, where (power threshold Pth - remaining Rm) is the maximum. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26, and the unit allocation unit 54 allocates the free units resulting from reducing the number of allocated units Nm to the charging port 40-k waiting for allocation.

[0050] If it is determined "No" in either step S14 or S16, the processing of this routine ends. In this case, at the current time, the cell converter unit 22 with the number of allocated units Nk cannot be allocated to the newly connected charging port 40-k of the vehicle 42-k.

[0051] Here, the significance of steps S16 and S24 will be described with a specific example. As an example, assume that the unit rated power Pu is 50 [kW], the supplied power Pm at a certain charging port 40-m is 210 [kW], and the number of allocated units Nm is "5". In this case, the quotient Qm obtained in step S10 is "4", and the remainder Rm is "10 [kW]".

[0052] When the power threshold Pth determined based on the priority is 25 kW, the surplus Rm = 10 kW is smaller than the power threshold Pth = 25 kW, and (power threshold Pth - surplus Rm) is 15 kW. On the other hand, when the power threshold Pth is 15 kW, the surplus Rm = 10 kW is smaller than the power threshold Pth = 15 kW, and (power threshold Pth - surplus Rm) is 5 kW. Comparing these two cases, the larger power threshold Pth of 25 kW results in a larger (power threshold Pth - surplus Rm) value, and the number of allocated units Nm, which was originally 5, is reduced to the quotient Qm = 4. In this way, the number of allocated units is reduced starting from the charging port with the larger power threshold Pth. The maximum supply power Pm achievable when the number of allocated units Nm = 4 is 4 × 50 kW = 200 kW. Therefore, the supplied power Pm, which was originally 210 [kW], is reduced by the surplus Rm = 10 [kW] to 200 [kW].

[0053] When the power threshold Pth is 5 [kW], the surplus Rm=10 [kW] is greater than the power threshold Pth=5 [kW], and therefore is not subject to reduction in the number of allocated units Nm. If the supply power Pm of the charging port 40-m is reduced, the charging time at the charging port 40-m will become longer. However, if the surplus Rm, i.e., the reduced power, is smaller than the power threshold Pth determined according to the priority, reducing the number of allocated units Nm will allow power to be supplied to the charging port 40-k that is waiting for unit allocation (waiting for charging).

[0054] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the unit allocating unit 54 allocates cell converter units 22 to the charging ports 40 corresponding to each vehicle 42 such that the higher the priority Pr of the vehicle 42, the higher the allocation priority of the cell converter units 22 to that vehicle 42. In other words, the unit allocating unit 54 determines the number of cell converter units 22 to allocate to the charging port 40-m based on the priority Pr-m. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the lower the priority Pr-m of the charging port 40-m (the higher the power threshold Pth), the more likely it is that the number of allocated units Nm will be reduced.

[0055] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to the embodiment, the unit allocating unit 54 allocates the power conversion units (22) to the charging ports 40 corresponding to the respective devices to be charged (42) such that the higher the priority Pr based on the device to be charged information DVC, the higher the allocation of the power conversion units (22) to the devices to be charged (42). This makes it possible to appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to the devices to be charged (42) based on the priority Pr.

[0056] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the unit allocation unit 54 has a function of identifying a target charging time TCG, which is a target value of the longest time required from the start of charging to the end of charging, and a target charging energy JCG, which is a target value of the amount of energy to be charged to the device to be charged (42), based on the device to be charged information DVC, and a function of determining a priority Pr based on the target charging time TCG and the target charging energy JCG, and determining the number of power conversion units (22) to be allocated to the charging port 40 based on the priority Pr. This allows the priority Pr to be determined based on the target charging time TCG and the target charging energy JCG, thereby making it possible to more appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to the device to be charged (42).

[0057] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the unit allocating unit 54 has a function of specifying a target charging time TCG, which is a target value for the longest time required from the start of charging to the end of charging, and a target charging rate SOCT, which is a target value for the charging rate at the end of charging, based on the target device information DVC, and a function of determining a priority Pr based on the target charging time TCG and the target charging rate SOCT, and calculating the number of power conversion units (22) to be allocated to the charging port 40 based on the priority Pr. This allows the unit allocating unit 54 to determine the priority Pr based on the target charging time TCG and the target charging rate SOCT, thereby making it possible to more appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to the target devices (42) to be charged.

[0058] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the unit allocation unit 54 has a function of identifying a maximum charging power Pmax, which is the maximum value of power to be supplied to the device to be charged (42), based on the device to be charged information DVC, and a function of determining a priority Pr based on the maximum charging power Pmax and calculating the number of power conversion units (22) to be allocated to the charging port 40 based on the priority Pr. This allows the priority Pr to be determined based on the maximum charging power Pmax, thereby making it possible to more appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to the device to be charged (42).

[0059] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the unit allocation unit 54 further includes a function of setting a threshold value (Pth) for each charging port 40 according to the priority Pr, and a function of reducing the number of power conversion units (22) to be allocated to charging ports 40 to which a plurality of power conversion units (22) are allocated, in those charging ports 40 in which the amount of decrease in output power when the number of power conversion units (22) is reduced is lower than the threshold value (Pth). This makes it possible to reduce the number of power conversion units (22) to be allocated to some charging ports 40 based on the threshold value (Pth), thereby making it possible to more appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to the devices to be charged (42).

[0060] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the unit allocating unit 54 sets the threshold value (Pth) lower as the priority Pr increases. This allows the unit allocating unit 54 to set an appropriate threshold value (Pth) based on the priority Pr, thereby enabling more appropriate allocation of the power conversion units (22) to the devices to be charged (42).

[0061] That is, the lower the priority Pr of the charging port 40 (the higher the power threshold Pth), the more likely it is that the number of allocated units Nm will be reduced. This makes it possible to appropriately allocate the power conversion units (22) to a larger number of devices to be charged (42) while suppressing the impact on devices to be charged (42-m) that are already being charged according to the priority.

[0062] More preferably, the power conversion units 22 are connected in series to the AC power supply 16, and each converts an input AC voltage into a DC voltage and outputs the DC voltage, thereby allowing direct power reception from the high-voltage AC power supply 16.

[0063] It is more preferable that the unit allocation unit 54 further has a function of canceling allocation of the power conversion unit (22) to the corresponding charging port 40 when there is a device to be charged (42) whose charging time (Tm) has exceeded a predetermined time (Tth). This allows for more effective use of the power conversion unit (22).

[0064] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The above-described embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to an embodiment having all of the described configurations. Furthermore, other configurations may be added to the configurations of the above-described embodiment, and some of the configurations may be replaced with other configurations. Furthermore, the control lines and information lines shown in the figures are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all control lines and information lines necessary in the product. In reality, it can be assumed that almost all configurations are interconnected. Possible modifications of the above-described embodiment include, for example, the following.

[0065] (1) In the above embodiment, a vehicle 42 is used as an example of the device to be charged. However, the device to be charged is not limited to a vehicle 42 and may be a moving body such as a ship or an aircraft equipped with a battery, or an electrical device.

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, the charging system 1 receives power from the AC system 16. However, in recent years, DC power systems have become more common, so the charging system 1 may be connected to a DC power source such as a DC power system instead of the AC system 16. In this case, the AC / DC converter 71 and the smoothing capacitor 72 shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted from inside the cell converter unit 22.

[0067] (3) Since the hardware of the control device 50 in the above embodiment can be realized by a general computer, the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 to 8 and other programs that execute the various processes described above may be stored on a storage medium or distributed via a transmission path.

[0068] (4) In the above embodiment, the processes shown in Figures 5 to 8 and the other processes described above are described as software processes using a program, but some or all of them may be replaced with hardware processes using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0069] (5) The various processes executed in the above-described embodiments may be executed by a server computer via a network (not shown), and the various data stored in the above-described embodiments may also be stored in the server computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Charging System 22 Cell converter unit (power conversion unit) 30 Matrix switch section (switch section) 40 charging port 42 Vehicles (devices to be charged) 50 Control device (computer) 54 Unit allocation section (unit allocation process) 56 Switching control section (switching control process) 58 Information input section (information input process) Pr priority DVC charging compatible device information JCG target charging energy Pth Power threshold (threshold) TCG target charging time Pmax Maximum charging power SOCT target charging rate

Claims

1. a plurality of power conversion units; a plurality of charging ports for respectively supplying power to a plurality of devices to be charged; a switch unit that switches connections between the plurality of power conversion units and the plurality of charging ports; an information input unit that acquires target device information that is information about the target device to be charged connected to the charging port; a unit allocation unit that allocates the power conversion units to the charging ports corresponding to the respective target devices to be charged such that the power conversion units are preferentially allocated to the target devices having higher priorities based on the target device information; a switching control unit that controls the switch unit based on an allocation result in the unit allocation unit. A charging system characterized by:

2. The unit allocation unit a function of specifying a target charging time, which is a target value of the longest time required from the start of charging to the end of charging, and a target amount of charging energy, which is a target value of the amount of energy charged to the device to be charged, based on the information on the device to be charged; The unit allocation unit has a function of determining the priority based on the target charging time and the target charging energy amount, and determining the number of the power conversion units to be allocated to the charging port based on the priority.

2. The charging system according to claim 1.

3. The unit allocation unit a function of specifying a target charging time, which is a target value of the longest time required from the start of charging to the end of charging, and a target charging rate, which is a target value of the charging rate at the end of charging, based on the information on the device to be charged; The unit allocation unit has a function of determining the priority based on the target charging time and the target charging rate, and calculating the number of the power conversion units to be allocated to the charging port based on the priority.

2. The charging system according to claim 1.

4. The unit allocation unit a function of specifying a maximum charging power, which is a maximum value of power to be supplied to the device to be charged, based on the information on the device to be charged; a function of determining the priority based on the maximum charging power, and calculating the number of the power conversion units to be allocated to the charging port based on the priority.

2. The charging system according to claim 1.

5. The unit allocation unit a function of setting a threshold value for the charging port according to the priority; and a function of reducing the number of power conversion units to be allocated to a charging port, among the charging ports to which a plurality of the power conversion units are allocated, for which a reduction in output power when the number of the power conversion units is reduced is lower than the threshold.

5. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the charging system comprises: a power supply;

6. The unit allocation unit sets the threshold lower as the priority becomes higher.

6. The charging system according to claim 5.

7. a plurality of power conversion units; a plurality of charging ports for respectively supplying power to a plurality of devices to be charged; a switch unit that switches connections between the plurality of power conversion units and the plurality of charging ports; A charging method executed in a charging system including a computer, The computer an information input step of acquiring information about the device to be charged, which is information about the device to be charged connected to the charging port; a unit allocation step of allocating the power conversion units to the charging ports corresponding to the respective target devices to be charged such that the power conversion units are preferentially allocated to the target devices having higher priorities based on the target device information; a switching control step of controlling the switch unit based on the allocation result in the unit allocation step; A charging method characterized by:

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