House-side panel and system

Abstract

We provide indoor panels that are less likely to cause reverse power flow. [Solution] The indoor panel 100 is connected to a charging device 200 that charges an electric vehicle V and is installed on the indoor side, and is equipped with a power outage detection unit 110 that detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from a commercial power source P, a main breaker unit that is connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110, and a switch installed between the power outage detection unit 110 and the charging device 200, and when a power outage is detected, the switch is opened.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof-side panel and system. [Background technology]

[0002] A system has been known in the past in which power is supplied from an electric vehicle when there is a power shortage in a home (Patent Document 1). This system uses an electric vehicle, an AC / DC converter that receives power from a commercial power source, and a bidirectional power supply device (roof-side panel) that charges the electric vehicle and supplies power to the home. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-84643 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above system, when the electric vehicle supplies power to a house, a reverse power flow to the commercial power supply may occur via the bidirectional power supply device and the AC / DC converter.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a roof-side panel and system that is less likely to cause reverse power flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in one form of the present invention, the indoor panel is an indoor panel that is connected to a charging device that charges electric vehicles and is installed on the indoor side, and is equipped with a power outage detection unit that detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from a commercial power source, a main breaker unit that is connected to the commercial power source via the power outage detection unit, and a switch that is installed between the power outage detection unit and the charging device, and when the power outage is detected, the switch is opened.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described roof-side panel and the charging device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a house-side panel and system that are less likely to cause reverse power flow can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a house to which a system according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a sequence diagram of a first example of operation performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a sequence diagram of an operation example 1 performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a second example of operation performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a sequence diagram of an operation example 3 performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a sequence diagram of an operation example 3 performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a sequence diagram of an operation example 4 performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a sequence diagram of an operation example 4 performed by the system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [composition] First, a system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a house H to which a system 1 according to this embodiment is applied. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0014] The system 1 is a system used in buildings including detached houses, apartment buildings, etc. The system 1 is used in a house H, which is an example of a detached house.

[0015] The system 1 is a system used to charge an electric vehicle V. The system 1 is also a system for supplying power from the electric vehicle V to the house H when a commercial power source P that supplies power to the house H experiences a power outage, and is a system used for V2H (Vehicle to Home). In other words, the system 1 is an example of a power supply system.

[0016] The system 1 and the components related to the system 1 will be described below.

[0017] First, an overview of the system 1 will be described. The system 1 is a system including a house-side panel 100, a charging device 200, and a house distribution panel 300.

[0018] The house panel 100 is connected to a commercial power source P and receives power, and supplies power to a charging device 200 and a residential distribution panel 300. The charging device 200 charges an electric vehicle V. In the event of a power outage, the charging device 200 supplies power from the electric vehicle V to the residential distribution panel 300. The residential distribution panel 300 acquires power supplied from the commercial power source P or the charging device 200, and branches and supplies the power to multiple loads installed in the house H.

[0019] The indoor panel 100 and the charging device 200 are connected via a power line PL1, and first power line communication, which is power line communication via the power line PL1, is used between the indoor panel 100 and the charging device 200. The power line PL1 is a power line used to charge the electric vehicle V, that is, a power line used to supply power from the indoor panel 100 to the charging device 200. Therefore, a large voltage, specifically a voltage of 100 V or more, such as 100 V or 200 V, is supplied by the power line PL1.

[0020] In addition, in FIG. 2, power lines are shown in bold.

[0021] The charging device 200 uses the first power line communication to output to the house-side panel 100 a connection notification signal indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 have been connected, for example.

[0022] Next, the house-side panel 100, the charging device 200, and the residential distribution panel 300 will be described in detail.

[0023] The house-side panel 100 is connected to a commercial power source P via an electricity meter 800. The house-side panel 100 is also connected to a charging device 200 and a home fuel cell device. The house-side panel 100 is provided outside the house H, more specifically, on the roof side of the house H.

[0024] The house-side panel 100 includes a power outage detection unit 110 , a first switch 120 , a first main breaker unit 130 , an earth leakage breaker 140 , a second switch 150 , and a first conversion unit 160 .

[0025] The power outage detection unit 110 is a device that detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from the commercial power source P. A power outage in this embodiment means, for example, a state in which the power supply from the commercial power source P to the house-side panel 100 has been interrupted or may be interrupted. The power outage detection unit 110 includes a voltmeter 111 and a control unit 112.

[0026] The voltmeter 111 is a device that measures the voltage supplied from the commercial power supply P. The voltmeter 111 outputs the value of the measured voltage (voltage value) to the control unit 112.

[0027] The control unit 112 acquires the voltage value output from the voltmeter 111 and detects a power outage based on the acquired voltage value. That is, the control unit 112 determines whether or not a power outage has occurred in the commercial power supply P. Note that, as an example, the control unit 112 determines that a power outage has occurred in the commercial power supply P when the acquired voltage value is less than a predetermined value (threshold value). Then, when the control unit 112 detects a power outage, it outputs control signals to the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160. In this way, the control unit 112 controls the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160.

[0028] Furthermore, after a power outage is detected, the control unit 112 acquires a voltage value output from the voltmeter 111 and detects recovery from the power outage based on the acquired voltage value. That is, the control unit 112 determines whether the commercial power source P has recovered from the power outage after a power outage occurred in the commercial power source P. Note that, as an example, the control unit 112 determines that the commercial power source P has recovered from the power outage when the acquired voltage value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value). Then, when the control unit 112 detects recovery from the power outage, it outputs control signals to the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160. In this way, the control unit 112 controls the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160.

[0029] The control unit 112 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0030] The first switch 120 is a switch provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the charging device 200. More specifically, the first switch 120 is provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the first main breaker unit 130.

[0031] The first switch 120 is a device that switches the opening and closing of a power line provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the charging device 200, more specifically, a power line provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the first main breaker unit 130. In other words, the first switch 120 connects or disconnects the electric circuit between the power failure detection unit 110 and the first main breaker unit 130.

[0032] The first switch 120 acquires the control signal output from the control unit 112, and switches between opening and closing of the power line based on the acquired control signal.

[0033] The first main breaker unit 130 is a breaker connected to the commercial power supply P via the power failure detection unit 110. More specifically, the first main breaker unit 130 is connected to the commercial power supply P via the electricity meter 800, the power failure detection unit 110, and the first switch 120. The first main breaker unit 130 is a device for cutting off the voltage supplied from the commercial power supply P. The first main breaker unit 130 includes a switch, and the electric circuit is cut off when the switch is operated by, for example, a user.

[0034] The earth leakage breaker 140 is a device provided between the first main breaker unit 130 and the charging device 200. The earth leakage breaker 140 and the charging device 200 are connected by a power line PL1 that is used to supply power from the house-side panel 100 to the charging device 200. When the earth leakage breaker 140 detects an electric leakage, it cuts off the electric path from the house-side panel 100 to the charging device 200.

[0035] The second switch 150 is a device provided between the first main breaker unit 130 and the charging device 200. The second switch 150 and the charging device 200 are connected by a power line PL2 that is used to supply power from the charging device 200 (electric vehicle V) to the house-side panel 100. The second switch 150 is also a device provided between the charging device 200 and the house distribution panel 300.

[0036] The second switch 150 is a device that switches between opening and closing a power line provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the charging device 200, more specifically, a power line PL2 provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and a fourth switch 240 included in the charging device 200. In other words, the second switch 150 connects or disconnects the electric path between the power failure detection unit 110 and the fourth switch 240.

[0037] The second switch 150 acquires the control signal output from the control unit 112, and switches between opening and closing of the power line based on the acquired control signal.

[0038] The first conversion unit 160 has a wireless communication unit 161 and a wired communication unit 162. The first conversion unit 160 is a communication module that receives a signal, converts the signal format of the received signal, and performs communication.

[0039] The first conversion unit 160 converts a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication used between the house-side panel 100 and the charging device 200 into a signal format conforming to another communication standard different from the first power line communication. For example, the first conversion unit 160 acquires a connection notification signal output from the charging device 200 via the first power line communication. When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the connection notification signal from the charging device 200, the connection notification signal has a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0040] First conversion unit 160 converts the connection notification signal from a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication to a signal format conforming to the wireless communication standard used by wireless communication unit 161. Furthermore, first conversion unit 160 converts the connection notification signal from a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication to a signal format conforming to the wired communication standard used by wired communication unit 162.

[0041] The wireless communication unit 161 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the house-side panel 100 to communicate wirelessly with the gateway 500. As long as the wireless communication unit 161 can perform wireless communication, there are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the wireless communication unit 161. The wireless communication unit 161 outputs a connection notification signal whose signal format has been converted to the gateway 500 or the like.

[0042] The wired communication unit 162 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the first conversion unit 160 to perform wired communication with the control unit 112 of the power failure detection unit 110. As long as the wired communication unit 162 can perform wired communication, there are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the wired communication unit 162. Furthermore, the wired communication unit 162 is connected to each of the control units 112 via a communication cable (for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable).

[0043] The charging device 200 is connected to an external device via a power line PL1 and charges the electric vehicle V. The external device according to this embodiment is, for example, an electricity meter 800 or a house-side panel 100. In other words, the charging device 200 is connected to a commercial power source P via a power outage detection unit 110.

[0044] Charging device 200 is installed outside house H, adjacent to house H. If charging device 200 were capable of supplying power to any vehicle, more specifically, to vehicles owned by people other than the user, there would be a possibility of power theft. Therefore, system 1 according to this embodiment performs authentication processing with the vehicle, and charging device 200 charges only authenticated vehicles (e.g., electric vehicle V). This prevents power theft.

[0045] The charging device 200 is supplied with power from the house-side panel 100 (more specifically, commercial power source P) and charges the electric vehicle V. In addition, during a power outage, the charging device 200 supplies power from the electric vehicle V to the house-side panel 100 and the residential distribution panel 300.

[0046] The charging device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a second conversion unit 220, a third switch 230, a fourth switch 240, a calculation unit 250, and a storage unit 260.

[0047] The communication unit 210 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the charging device 200 to communicate with the electric vehicle V via wired communication. The wired communication is communication using a communication standard different from that of the first power line communication. The wired communication may be communication using a communication cable, for example, communication using a LAN cable. The wired communication according to this embodiment is second power line communication that uses a voltage lower than the voltage supplied by a power line (for example, power line PL1) that connects the charging device 200 and an external device.

[0048] As described above, a large voltage of 100V or 200V is supplied by the power line PL1 connecting the charging device 200 and the external device. The communication unit 210 and the electric vehicle V (more specifically, the communication unit 430) are connected by the power line PL3, which supplies a voltage of 12V. The wired communication used by the communication unit 210 is, for example, communication via the power line PL3, and is power line communication (second power line communication) using a voltage of 12V. In this way, the first power line communication and the second power line communication differ in the value of the voltage supplied to the power line used.

[0049] Furthermore, when the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 are connected, the communication unit 210 acquires a connection notification signal indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 are connected from the electric vehicle V via wired communication. More specifically, the communication unit 210 acquires the connection notification signal via second power line communication. The communication unit 210 outputs the acquired connection notification signal to the second conversion unit 220.

[0050] The second conversion unit 220 has a wired communication unit 221. The second conversion unit 220 is a communication module that receives a signal, converts the signal format of the received signal, and communicates. The second conversion unit 220 converts the connection notification signal acquired by the communication unit 210 into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication via the power line PL1. When the second conversion unit 220 acquires the connection notification signal from the communication unit 210, the connection notification signal has a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the second power line communication. The second conversion unit 220 converts the acquired connection notification signal from the signal format that complies with the communication standard of the second power line communication to a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0051] The second conversion unit 220 performs similar processing on signals other than the connection notification signal. In other words, the second conversion unit 220 converts signals such as the connection notification signal from a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the second power line communication used by the communication unit 210 into a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication used between the building-side panel 100 and the charging device 200.

[0052] The wired communication unit 221 is a communication circuit (communication module) for performing wired communication between the charging device 200 and the house-side panel 100. The wired communication unit 221 performs first power line communication with the house-side panel 100 (more specifically, the first conversion unit 160). The wired communication unit 221 outputs a connection notification signal converted into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication to the house-side panel 100 (more specifically, the first conversion unit 160).

[0053] The third switch 230 is a device that switches between opening and closing the power line PL4 provided between the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V, more specifically, the power line PL4 used to charge the electric vehicle V. In other words, the third switch 230 connects or disconnects the electric path between the second conversion unit 220 and the electric vehicle V.

[0054] The fourth switch 240 is a device that switches the open / close of the power line PL5 provided between the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V, more specifically, the power line PL5 that is used to supply power from the electric vehicle V to the house-side panel 100 and the residential distribution panel 300. That is, the third switch 230 connects or disconnects the electric path between the house-side panel 100 and the electric vehicle V.

[0055] Each of the third switch 230 and the fourth switch 240 acquires the control signal output from the calculation unit 250, and switches between opening and closing of the power line based on the acquired control signal.

[0056] The calculation unit 250 performs information processing for charging the electric vehicle V and for supplying power from the electric vehicle V to the roof panel 100 and the residential distribution panel 300. The calculation unit 250 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0057] The calculation unit 250 controls, for example, the communication unit 210, the second conversion unit 220, the third switch 230, and the fourth switch 240. That is, the calculation unit 250 controls the communication unit 210 to acquire a connection notification signal and output it to the second conversion unit 220. The calculation unit 250 also controls the second conversion unit 220 to convert the signal format of the acquired connection notification signal and output it to the house-side panel 100. The calculation unit 250 also controls the opening and closing of each of the third switch 230 and the fourth switch 240 by outputting a control signal.

[0058] The storage unit 260 is a storage device that stores a control program used for information processing performed by the calculation unit 250, various types of information used for the information processing, etc. The storage unit 260 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0059] The charging device 200 is provided with a charging cable, and the charging device 200 is connected to the electric vehicle V via the charging cable to charge the electric vehicle V. The charging cable includes a power line PL3, a power line PL4, and a power line PL5.

[0060] The residential distribution board 300 acquires power supplied from the commercial power source P or the charging device 200 via the house-side board 100, and branches and supplies the power to multiple loads installed in the house H. The residential distribution board 300 is also connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110.

[0061] The residential distribution board 300 is a distribution board including a second main breaker unit 310 and a plurality of branch breaker units 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326.

[0062] The second main breaker unit 310 acquires power supplied from a commercial power source P or a charging device 200 (more specifically, an electric vehicle V) and distributes it to a plurality of branch breaker units 321-326. The second main breaker unit 310 may use, for example, a single-phase three-wire power distribution system. The second main breaker unit 310 is connected to the first main breaker unit 130 via a power line. The second main breaker unit 310 has a function of detecting leakage current, and cuts off the electric circuit when leakage current is detected.

[0063] Each of the plurality of branch breaker units 321 to 326 is connected to the second main breaker unit 310. Each of the plurality of branch breaker units 321 to 326 is connected to a load (home electric appliance) in the house H.

[0064] Furthermore, as components of the system 1, the electric vehicle V, the gateway 500, the control server 600, the mobile terminal 700, and the electricity meter 800 will be described.

[0065] The electric vehicle V is a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0066] The electric vehicle V includes an AC / DC converter 410, a storage battery 420, a communication unit 430, a calculation unit 440, and a storage unit 450.

[0067] The AC / DC converter 410 converts the AC power supplied from the charging device 200 into DC power. The converted DC power is stored in the storage battery 420. Furthermore, during a power outage, the AC / DC converter 410 converts the DC power stored in the storage battery 420 into AC power. The AC power converted by the AC / DC converter 410 is supplied to the residential distribution board 300 via the charging device 200 and the house-side panel 100. More specifically, the AC power converted by the AC / DC converter 410 is supplied to the second main breaker unit 310 of the residential distribution board 300 via the fourth switch 240 of the charging device 200 and the second switch 150 of the house-side panel 100.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, the AC / DC converter 410 is connected to a power line PL4 (input power line) used to charge the electric vehicle V and a power line PL5 (output power line) used to supply power from the electric vehicle V to the roof panel 100 and the residential distribution panel 300.

[0069] The storage battery 420 is a battery that stores electric power (DC power) for driving a drive unit of the electric vehicle V. The storage battery 420 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, but may also be a capacitor or the like.

[0070] The communication unit 430 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the electric vehicle V to communicate via wired communication with the charging device 200. The wired communication performed between the communication unit 430 and the communication unit 210 of the charging device 200 is the same communication.

[0071] The calculation unit 440 performs information processing for charging the storage battery 420 and supplying power to the charging device 200. The calculation unit 440 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The calculation unit 440 controls the AC / DC converter 410, the storage battery 420, and the communication unit 430.

[0072] The storage unit 450 is a storage device that stores a control program used for information processing performed by the calculation unit 440, various types of information used for the information processing, etc. The storage unit 450 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0073] Furthermore, when the charging cable of the charging device 200 is connected to the electric vehicle V, the electric vehicle V detects that the charging cable has been connected. For example, the electric vehicle V detects that the charging cable has been connected as follows. When the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V are connected by the charging cable, a voltage of 12 V is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the charging device 200. The charging device 200 is equipped with a voltmeter (not shown), and when the voltmeter detects that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied, the communication unit 210 outputs voltage supply information indicating that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied to the communication unit 430 via second power line communication using the power line PL3. When the communication unit 430 acquires the voltage supply information, the electric vehicle V (more specifically, the calculation unit 440) determines that the charging cable has been connected, that is, detects that the charging cable has been connected.

[0074] The gateway 500 is a communication device that enables the first conversion unit 160 (wireless communication unit 161) to communicate with the control server 600 and the mobile terminal 700 via a wide area communication network such as the Internet 10. The gateway 500 is placed in the house H. The gateway 500 has a wireless communication unit 510 and a wired communication unit 520.

[0075] The wireless communication unit 510 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the gateway 500 to perform wireless communication with the roof panel 100 (wireless communication unit 161). As long as the wireless communication unit 510 can perform wireless communication, the communication standard of the communication performed by the wireless communication unit 510 is not particularly limited.

[0076] The wired communication unit 520 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the gateway 500 to communicate with the control server 600 and the mobile terminal 700 through a wide area communication network such as the Internet 10. As long as the wired communication unit 520 can perform wired communication, the communication standard of the communication performed by the wired communication unit 520 is not particularly limited.

[0077] The control server 600 is a device that performs information processing based on information output from the gateway 500 and the mobile terminal 700, and is realized by one or more web servers (cloud servers). Specifically, the control server 600 includes a communication unit 610, a calculation unit 620, and a storage unit 630.

[0078] The communication unit 610 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the control server 600 to communicate with the gateway 500 and the mobile terminal 700. The communication unit 610 performs communication using, for example, a wide area communication network. This communication may be wired communication or wireless communication.

[0079] The calculation unit 620 performs information processing for charging the electric vehicle V and for supplying power from the electric vehicle V to the roof panel 100 and the residential distribution panel 300. The calculation unit 620 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0080] The storage unit 630 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the information processing performed by the calculation unit 620, computer programs executed by the calculation unit 620, etc. The storage unit 630 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0081] The mobile terminal 700 is an information terminal carried by a user of the system 1 (for example, a resident of the house H). The mobile terminal 700 is, for example, a smartphone owned by the user, but may also be a dedicated device for the system 1, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0082] The mobile terminal 700 includes an operation receiving unit 710 , a display unit 720 , a wireless communication unit 730 , a calculation unit 740 , and a storage unit 750 .

[0083] The operation reception unit 710 receives operations from a user, etc. The operation reception unit 710 is realized by, for example, a touch panel, but may also be realized by hardware keys, etc.

[0084] The display unit 720 displays an image and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel.

[0085] The wireless communication unit 730 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the mobile terminal 700 to perform wireless communication with the gateway 500 and the control server 600. The wireless communication unit 730 performs communication using, for example, a wide area communication network.

[0086] The calculation unit 740 processes information about the system 1 based on the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 710. The calculation unit 740 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The calculation unit 740 controls the operation acceptance unit 710, the display unit 720, and the wireless communication unit 730.

[0087] The storage unit 750 is a storage device that stores a control program used for information processing performed by the calculation unit 740, various types of information used for the information processing, etc. The storage unit 750 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0088] The electricity meter 800 measures the amount of electricity used in the residence H. The electricity meter 800 has, for example, a power measurement function, and is, for example, a smart meter. The power measurement function is realized by, for example, a current sensor (CT: Current Transformer).

[0089] Next, operation examples 1 to 4 relating to the method performed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0090] [Example 1] Operation example 1 is an operation in which the charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V. That is, in this operation example, an authentication process is performed between the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V, and the charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V only when authentication is obtained.

[0091] 3A and 3B are sequence diagrams of an operation example 1 performed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, each of Fig. 3A and 3B is a sequence diagram of an operation example 1 performed by the system 1 and components related to the system 1. Note that the process of Fig. 3B is performed after the process shown in Fig. 3A is performed.

[0092] 3A is performed, the first switch 120 is in a closed state, and the second switch 150, the third switch 230, and the fourth switch 240 are each in an open state. That is, the first switch 120 connects an electric circuit, and the second switch 150, the third switch 230, and the fourth switch 240 each interrupt the electric circuit. The charging device 200 is not charging the electric vehicle V and is in a stopped state.

[0093] First, a charging cable is connected to the electric vehicle V. As a result, the electric vehicle V (more specifically, the calculation unit 440) detects that the charging cable has been connected (S10). For example, the communication unit 430 of the electric vehicle V acquires voltage supply information, and the electric vehicle V detects that the charging cable has been connected.

[0094] During the period when the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V are connected, the communication unit 210 periodically (for example, once per second) outputs voltage supply information to the communication unit 430 via the second power line communication.

[0095] Next, the communication unit 430 of the electric vehicle V outputs a connection notification signal to the communication unit 210 of the charging device 200, indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 are connected (S12). The connection notification signal is a signal indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 are connected, and more specifically, a signal indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 are connected by a charging cable. The communication unit 430 outputs the connection notification signal to the communication unit 210 using communication via wired communication. In this embodiment, the wired communication is second power line communication via the power line PL3.

[0096] Furthermore, in step S12, the communication unit 430 also outputs a vehicle ID signal indicating a vehicle ID (identifier) ​​linked to the connection notification signal to the communication unit 210. The vehicle ID is an identifier for identifying the electric vehicle V, and more specifically, an identifier for distinguishing the electric vehicle V from other vehicles. The vehicle ID is, for example, a vehicle identification number (VIN), but is not limited to this. In this way, the communication unit 430 outputs the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal to the communication unit 210. The vehicle ID is pre-stored in the storage unit 450 of the electric vehicle V.

[0097] Then, communication unit 210 of charging device 200 acquires the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal output from communication unit 430 (S14). Note that in steps S12 and S14, the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal are signals in a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the second power line communication.

[0098] The second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 converts the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal acquired by the communication unit 210 into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication (S16). That is, the second conversion unit 220 converts the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal that have a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the second power line communication into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0099] Furthermore, the second conversion unit 220 outputs the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal, which have been converted into a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication, to an external device (here, the roof-side panel 100) via the first power line communication (S18). At this time, the second conversion unit 220 also outputs a device ID signal indicating a device ID (identifier) ​​of the charging device 200 to the roof-side panel 100. The device ID is an identifier for distinguishing the charging device 200 from other charging devices, and is, for example, a serial number, but is not limited to this. The device ID is stored in advance in the storage unit 260. The device ID signal output by the second conversion unit 220 is also a signal in a signal format conforming to the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0100] The second conversion unit 220 superimposes the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal on the power line PL1 and outputs them to the house-side panel 100 (more specifically, the first conversion unit 160) via the first power line communication. That is, when the charging device 200 is not charging the electric vehicle V, the second conversion unit 220 outputs the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal that have been converted into signal formats that comply with the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0101] The first conversion unit 160 of the indoor panel 100 acquires the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal (S20).

[0102] The first conversion unit 160 converts the acquired connection notification signal, vehicle ID signal, and device ID signal into signal formats that comply with the wireless communication standard used by the wireless communication unit 161 (S22). That is, the first conversion unit 160 converts the connection notification signal, vehicle ID signal, and device ID signal, which have signal formats that comply with the communication standard of the first power line communication, into signal formats that comply with the wireless communication standard used by the wireless communication unit 161.

[0103] Then, the wireless communication unit 161 of the first conversion unit 160 outputs the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal whose signal formats have been converted to the gateway 500 (more specifically, the wireless communication unit 510) (S24).

[0104] Next, the wireless communication unit 510 of the gateway 500 acquires the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal output by the wireless communication unit 161 (S26). Then, the gateway 500 converts the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal acquired by the wireless communication unit 510 into a predetermined first protocol. The predetermined first protocol is a protocol used in a wide area communication network such as the Internet 10. The wired communication unit 520 of the gateway 500 outputs the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal converted into the predetermined first protocol to the control server 600 (more specifically, the communication unit 610) (S28).

[0105] The communication unit 610 of the control server 600 acquires the connection notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal output by the wired communication unit 520 (S30).

[0106] Then, the calculation unit 620 of the control server 600 performs authentication processing on the vehicle ID signal and the device ID signal acquired by the communication unit 610. The calculation unit 620 determines whether or not a combination of the vehicle ID indicated by the acquired vehicle ID signal and the device ID indicated by the acquired device ID signal matches a combination of a vehicle ID and a device ID previously stored in the storage unit 630 (S32). In this embodiment, the storage unit 630 stores the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle V and the device ID of the charging device 200 as one combination. For simplicity, the combination of the vehicle ID indicated by the acquired vehicle ID signal and the device ID indicated by the acquired device ID signal may be referred to as a first combination, and the combination of the vehicle ID and the device ID previously stored in the storage unit 630 may be referred to as a second combination. If the vehicle ID indicated by the acquired vehicle ID signal is the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle V and the device ID indicated by the acquired device ID signal is the device ID of the charging device 200, the calculation unit 620 determines that the first combination matches the second combination.

[0107] When the calculation unit 620 determines that the first combination matches the second combination (Yes in S32), the calculation unit 620 determines that charging of the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 is permitted (S42).

[0108] When charging of the electric vehicle V is permitted, the communication unit 610 outputs to the wired communication unit 520 of the gateway 500 a charging permission notification indicating that charging of the electric vehicle V is permitted, and an apparatus ID signal indicating the apparatus ID of the charging device 200 (S44).

[0109] The wired communication unit 520 acquires the charging permission notification and the device ID signal output by the communication unit 610 (S46). Then, the gateway 500 converts the charging permission notification and the device ID signal acquired by the wired communication unit 520 into a predetermined second protocol. The predetermined second protocol is a protocol used by the wireless communication unit 510. The wireless communication unit 510 outputs the charging permission notification and the device ID signal converted into the predetermined second protocol to the first conversion unit 160 of the building panel 100 (S48).

[0110] The first conversion unit 160 (more specifically, the wireless communication unit 161) acquires the charge permission notification and the device ID signal output by the wireless communication unit 510 (S50).

[0111] The first conversion unit 160 converts the acquired charging permission notification and device ID signal into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication (S52). That is, the first conversion unit 160 converts the charging permission notification and device ID signal, which have a signal format that complies with the wireless communication standard used by the wireless communication unit 161, into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0112] Then, the first conversion unit 160 outputs the charging permission notification and the device ID signal whose signal formats have been converted to the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 (S54). The first conversion unit 160 superimposes the charging permission notification and the device ID signal on the power line PL1 and outputs them to the second conversion unit 220 via the first power line communication.

[0113] The second conversion unit 220 acquires the charging permission notification and the device ID signal output by the first conversion unit 160 (S56). When the second conversion unit 220 acquires the charging permission notification and the device ID signal, the calculation unit 250 controls the third switch 230 to change from an open state to a closed state. More specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the third switch 230 to instruct it to change to the closed state, and the third switch 230 acquires the control signal and changes to the closed state. As a result, the third switch 230 connects the electric circuit, i.e., the electric circuits of the commercial power source P, the indoor panel 100, the charging device 200, and the electric vehicle V are connected, and the charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V (S58). The charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V (more specifically, the storage battery 420) at 100 V or 200 V via the power line PL4. In step S58, the charging device 200 is charging the electric vehicle V and is in a power supply state. The storage unit 260 of the charging device 200 also stores the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle V that is being charged.

[0114] Next, assume that in step S10, the charging cable is connected to a vehicle other than electric vehicle V, and the other vehicle detects that the charging cable has been connected. In this case, steps S10 to S32 are performed as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Then, in step S32, calculation unit 620 determines that the first combination does not match the second combination. That is, in this case, the vehicle ID indicated by the acquired vehicle ID signal is the vehicle ID of the other vehicle, and the device ID indicated by the acquired device ID signal is the device ID of charging device 200.

[0115] If the calculation unit 620 determines that the first combination does not match the second combination (No in S32), the communication unit 610 outputs a charge confirmation notification to the mobile terminal 700 (more specifically, the wireless communication unit 730) (S34). The charge confirmation notification is a notification for obtaining permission to charge a vehicle other than the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 when the other vehicle is connected to the charging device 200.

[0116] The wireless communication unit 730 of the mobile terminal 700 acquires the charging confirmation notification output by the communication unit 610 (S36). When the wireless communication unit 730 acquires the charging confirmation notification, the calculation unit 740 controls the display unit 720 to display an image indicating that a vehicle other than the electric vehicle V has been connected to the charging device 200 and indicating that permission to charge the other vehicle by the charging device 200 is being requested. The image is stored in the storage unit 750, for example.

[0117] When the image is displayed on display unit 720, operation accepting unit 710 accepts an operation from the user indicating that charging of the other vehicle is permitted (S38). When this operation is accepted, wireless communication unit 730 outputs a charging permission notification to communication unit 610 (S40). Then, when communication unit 610 acquires the output charging permission notification, calculation unit 620 determines in step S42 that charging of electric vehicle V by charging device 200 is permitted. Then, processing from step S44 onwards is performed.

[0118] If the operation acceptance unit 710 does not accept the operation in step S38, that is, if the user does not permit charging of the other vehicle, the processing of the first operational example ends.

[0119] In this operation example, steps S12 to S56 correspond to the authentication process.

[0120] The charging device 200 according to this operation example can be summarized as follows.

[0121] The communication between the charging device 200 (communication unit 210) and the electric vehicle V (communication unit 430) is wired communication, which is different from the first power line communication via the power line PL1 between the charging device 200 and an external device (for example, the house panel 100 or the electricity meter 800). Note that this power line PL1 is a power line used to charge the electric vehicle V, and supplies a voltage of 100 V or more.

[0122] For example, in a system described in another patent document (JP 2012-151913 A), communication between an electric vehicle and a charging device is power line communication using a power line. Because a large voltage, such as 100V or 200V, is applied to the power line, power line communication generates electromagnetic noise, which can result in problems such as difficulty in charging the electric vehicle.

[0123] However, in the present embodiment, the wired communication is different from the first power line communication. Therefore, even when communication unit 430 outputs a connection communication signal to communication unit 210 via the wired communication, that is, even when the wired communication is performed, a large voltage such as 100 V or 200 V is not applied. As a result, electromagnetic noise due to the wired communication is unlikely to occur, and problems such as difficulty in charging the electric vehicle V are unlikely to occur. In particular, even when communication unit 210 periodically outputs voltage supply information to communication unit 430 while charging device 200 and electric vehicle V are connected, that is, during charging, problems such as difficulty in charging the electric vehicle V are unlikely to occur.

[0124] Therefore, the charging device 200 that can charge the electric vehicle V more reliably is realized.

[0125] [Example 2] The second operation example is an operation in which the charging of the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 is stopped.

[0126] 4 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 2 performed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 2 performed by the system 1 and the components related to the system 1.

[0127] 4 is performed, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 are each in a closed state, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 are each in an open state. That is, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 are each connecting an electric path, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 are each interrupting an electric path. The charging device 200 is charging the electric vehicle V and is in a power supply state.

[0128] First, the charging cable is removed from the electric vehicle V (S110), which causes the charging device 200 to detect that the charging cable has been removed (S112).

[0129] For example, charging device 200 detects that the charging cable has been detached as follows. As described above, when charging device 200 and electric vehicle V are connected by a charging cable, a voltage of 12 V is supplied from electric vehicle V to charging device 200, and a voltmeter included in charging device 200 detects that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied. While electric vehicle V is being charged, the voltmeter periodically (e.g., once per second) detects that a voltage of 12 V is being supplied. When the charging cable is detached from electric vehicle V in step S110, the voltmeter can no longer detect that a voltage of 12 V is being supplied. When the voltmeter can no longer detect that a voltage of 12 V is being supplied, charging device 200 (more specifically, calculation unit 250) determines that the charging cable has been detached, that is, detects that the charging cable has been detached.

[0130] When it is detected that the charging cable has been removed, the calculation unit 250 controls the third switch 230 to change from a closed state to an open state. More specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the third switch 230 to instruct it to change to the open state, and the third switch 230 receives the control signal and changes to the open state. As a result, the third switch 230 breaks the electric path, and the charging device 200 stops charging the electric vehicle V (S114). In other words, the charging device 200 is not charging the electric vehicle V and is in a stopped state.

[0131] The second conversion unit 220 outputs the detachment notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal to the first conversion unit 160 of the roof-side panel 100 via the first power line communication (S116). The detachment notification signal is a signal indicating that detachment of the charging cable has been detected in step S112. The vehicle ID signal is the vehicle ID signal of the electric vehicle V that was charged in operation example 1. As described in step S56 of operation example 1, the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle V that was charged is stored in the storage unit 260, and the second conversion unit 220 acquires the vehicle ID stored in the storage unit 260 and outputs a vehicle ID signal indicating the vehicle ID. The second conversion unit 220 outputs the detachment notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal, which are in signal formats that comply with the communication standard of the first power line communication, to the first conversion unit 160.

[0132] The first conversion unit 160 acquires the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal (S118).

[0133] The first conversion unit 160 converts the acquired detachment notification signal, vehicle ID signal, and device ID signal into signal formats that comply with the wireless communication standard used by the wireless communication unit 161 (S120). That is, the first conversion unit 160 converts the detachment notification signal, vehicle ID signal, and device ID signal, which have signal formats that comply with the communication standard of the first power line communication, into signal formats that comply with the wireless communication standard used by the wireless communication unit 161.

[0134] Then, the wireless communication unit 161 of the first conversion unit 160 outputs the detachment notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal whose signal formats have been converted to the gateway 500 (more specifically, the wireless communication unit 510) (S122).

[0135] Next, the wireless communication unit 510 of the gateway 500 acquires the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal output by the wireless communication unit 161 (S124). Then, the gateway 500 converts the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal acquired by the wireless communication unit 510 into a predetermined first protocol. The wired communication unit 520 of the gateway 500 outputs the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal converted into the predetermined first protocol to the control server 600 (more specifically, the communication unit 610) (S126).

[0136] The communication unit 610 of the control server 600 acquires the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal output by the wired communication unit 520 (S128).

[0137] When the communication unit 610 receives the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal, the calculation unit 620 of the control server 600 determines that charging of the electric vehicle V has been stopped (S130).

[0138] When the calculation unit 620 determines that charging of the electric vehicle V has stopped, the communication unit 610 outputs a removal notification signal, a vehicle ID signal, and a device ID signal to the mobile terminal 700 (more specifically, the wireless communication unit 730) (S132).

[0139] The wireless communication unit 730 acquires the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal output by the communication unit 610 (S134). When the wireless communication unit 730 acquires the removal notification signal, the vehicle ID signal, and the device ID signal, the calculation unit 740 controls the display unit 720 to display an image indicating that charging of the electric vehicle V has been stopped. This image is stored in the storage unit 750, for example.

[0140] This allows the user to understand that charging of the electric vehicle V has been stopped.

[0141] [Example 3] Operation example 3 is an operation in which power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H when the commercial power source P experiences a power outage.

[0142] 5A and 5B are sequence diagrams of an operation example 3 performed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the process shown in Fig. 5A is performed before the process shown in Fig. 5B is performed.

[0143] 5A is performed, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 are each in a closed state, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 are each in an open state. That is, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 are each connecting an electric path, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 are each interrupting an electric path. The charging device 200 is charging the electric vehicle V and is in a power supply state.

[0144] First, the power outage detection unit 110 detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from the commercial power source P (S210).

[0145] As described above, the control unit 112 acquires the voltage value output from the voltmeter 111, and determines that a power outage has occurred in the commercial power supply P if the acquired voltage value is less than a predetermined value (threshold value).

[0146] Then, when the control unit 112 detects a power outage in step S210, it outputs a first control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S212). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the first control signal output from the control unit 112 (S214).

[0147] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the first control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a charging stop signal and a connection response request signal to the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 (S216). The charging stop signal is a signal that instructs the charging device 200 to stop charging the electric vehicle V. When the charging device 200 acquires the charging stop signal, it stops charging the electric vehicle V. The connection response request signal is a signal that requests a response indicating whether or not the charging cable of the charging device 200 that acquired the connection response request signal is connected to the electric vehicle V. When the charging device 200 acquires the connection response request signal, it responds indicating whether or not the charging cable is connected to the electric vehicle V. Note that the first conversion unit 160 superimposes the charging stop signal and the connection response request signal on the power line PL1 and outputs them to the second conversion unit 220 via the first power line communication.

[0148] In this way, in steps S212 to S216, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output the charging stop signal and the connection response request signal to the second conversion unit 220.

[0149] The second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 acquires the charging stop signal and the connection response request signal output by the first conversion unit 160 (S218).

[0150] The calculation unit 250 of the charging device 200 stops charging the electric vehicle V in accordance with the acquired charging stop signal (S220). More specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the third switch 230 to instruct it to open, and the third switch 230 acquires the control signal and opens. As a result, the third switch 230 breaks the electric path, and the charging device 200 stops charging the electric vehicle V.

[0151] The calculation unit 250 of the charging device 200 detects whether or not a charging cable is connected to the electric vehicle V in accordance with the acquired connection response request signal (S222). For example, the calculation unit 250 of the charging device 200 detects whether or not a charging cable is connected as follows: When the charging device 200 and the electric vehicle V are connected by the charging cable, a voltage of 12 V is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the charging device 200, and a voltmeter included in the charging device 200 detects that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied. If the voltmeter detects that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied, the calculation unit 250 determines that a charging cable is connected, that is, detects that a charging cable is connected. If the voltmeter does not detect that a voltage of 12 V has been supplied, the calculation unit 250 determines that a charging cable is not connected, that is, detects that a charging cable is not connected.

[0152] Then, the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 outputs a charging stop notification signal and a connection response signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S224). The charging stop notification signal is a signal for notifying that charging of the electric vehicle V has been stopped in step S220. The connection response signal is a signal indicating the detection result in step S222, and this detection result indicates whether or not the charging cable is connected to the electric vehicle V. The second conversion unit 220 superimposes the charging stop notification signal and the connection response signal on the power line PL1 and outputs them to the first conversion unit 160 via the first power line communication.

[0153] The first conversion unit 160 acquires the charging stop notification signal and the connection response signal output by the second conversion unit 220 (S226). Furthermore, the first conversion unit 160 outputs the acquired charging stop notification signal and the connection response signal to the control unit 112 of the power outage detection unit 110 (S228).

[0154] The control unit 112 acquires the charging stop notification signal and the connection response signal output by the first conversion unit 160. Then, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the charging cable is connected based on the acquired connection response signal (S230).

[0155] When the connection response signal indicates that the charging cable is connected, the control unit 112 determines that the charging cable is connected. When the connection response signal indicates that the charging cable is not connected, the control unit 112 determines that the charging cable is not connected.

[0156] When the control unit 112 determines that the charging cable is connected (Yes in S230), the control unit 112 outputs the following control signals to the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160.

[0157] First, the control unit 112 outputs a control signal (open instruction control signal) to the first switch 120 to instruct it to be in an open state (S232), and the first switch 120 receives the open instruction control signal and enters the open state (S234). As a result, the first switch 120 enters a state in which the electric circuit is interrupted. That is, when a power outage is detected in step S210, the first switch 120 is opened.

[0158] Next, the control unit 112 outputs a control signal (close instruction control signal) to the second switch 150 to instruct it to be in the closed state (S236), and the second switch 150 receives the close instruction control signal and is in the closed state (S238). As a result, the second switch 150 is in a state in which the electric circuit is connected. That is, when a power outage is detected in step S210, the second switch 150 is closed.

[0159] Next, the control unit 112 outputs a second control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S240). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the second control signal output from the control unit 112 (S242).

[0160] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the second control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a power supply request signal to the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 (S244). The power supply request signal is a signal for requesting power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H. The first conversion unit 160 superimposes the power supply request signal on the power line PL1 and outputs it to the second conversion unit 220 via the first power line communication.

[0161] In this way, in steps S240 to S244, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output a power supply request signal to the second conversion unit 220.

[0162] When the second conversion unit 220 acquires the power supply request signal output by the first conversion unit 160, the charging device 200 (the calculation unit 250) supplies power from the electric vehicle V to the house H in accordance with the acquired power supply request signal (S246). Specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the fourth switch 240 to instruct it to be in a closed state, and the fourth switch 240 acquires the control signal and is closed. As a result, the fourth switch 240 enters a state in which the electric circuit is connected.

[0163] Then, the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 outputs a power supply start notification signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S248). The power supply start notification signal is a signal for notifying that power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H has started in step S246.

[0164] The first conversion unit 160 acquires the power supply start notification signal output by the second conversion unit 220 (S250). Furthermore, the first conversion unit 160 outputs the acquired power supply start notification signal to the control unit 112 of the power failure detection unit 110 (S252).

[0165] When the control unit 112 acquires the power supply start notification signal output by the first conversion unit 160, the control unit 112 outputs a third control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S254). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the third control signal output from the control unit 112 (S256).

[0166] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the third control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a power supply start notification signal to the communication unit 610 of the control server 600 via the gateway 500 (S258).

[0167] In this way, in steps S254 to S258, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output the power supply start notification signal to the communication unit 610.

[0168] Then, the communication unit 610 acquires the output power supply start notification signal, and the acquired power supply start notification signal is stored in the storage unit 630. Furthermore, in step S258, the first conversion unit 160 may output the power supply start notification signal to the wireless communication unit 730 of the mobile terminal 700. When the wireless communication unit 730 acquires the power supply start notification signal, the calculation unit 740 controls the display unit 720 to display an image indicating that power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H has started. The image is stored in, for example, the storage unit 750. This allows the user to understand that power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H has started.

[0169] If the control unit 112 determines that the charging cable is not connected (No in S230), the process of the operation example 3 ends.

[0170] Also, in step S246, when the charging device 200 supplies power from the electric vehicle V to the house H, the house distribution board 300 (second main breaker unit 310) to which the power is supplied may supply the supplied AC voltage to a predetermined load among the multiple loads.

[0171] The predetermined load (predetermined home appliance) is, for example, a load that needs to be operated continuously, such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner. The second main breaker unit 310 supplies power to a predetermined branch breaker unit connected to the predetermined load, among the plurality of branch breaker units 321 to 326.

[0172] Furthermore, the predetermined load is not limited to the above, and may be a load that the user desires to operate. In this case, before a power outage occurs, the operation reception unit 710 receives an operation from the user instructing the load that the user desires to operate. The wireless communication unit 730 outputs a signal indicating the load instructed by the received operation to the control unit 112 via the gateway 500 and the first conversion unit 160, and the control unit 112 acquires the output signal. The control unit 112 controls the second main breaker unit 310 to supply power to a predetermined branch breaker unit connected to the load (predetermined load) indicated by the acquired signal.

[0173] The system 1 according to this operation example can be summarized as follows.

[0174] As described above, during a power outage, the AC / DC converter 410 converts the DC power stored in the storage battery 420 into AC power and outputs the converted power. After a power outage is detected, the second switch 150 is closed in step S238, and the fourth switch 240 is closed in step S246. As a result, the AC / DC converter 410 supplies AC power to the residential distribution board 300 via the fourth switch 240 and the second switch 150. In other words, in this operation example, when a power outage is detected, the second switch 150 is closed, and the AC voltage supplied from the electric vehicle V is supplied to the residential distribution board 300. The supplied AC voltage is then supplied to each of the multiple loads via the second main breaker unit 310 and the multiple branch breaker units 321-326.

[0175] In the system described in Patent Document 1, the voltage supplied from the electric vehicle is a DC voltage, so the home appliances in the home must be compatible with DC voltage, and this system is inconvenient for users.

[0176] However, in this operation example, the voltage supplied from electric vehicle V to each of the multiple loads (multiple home appliances) during a power outage is an AC voltage, and the home appliances in house H only need to be compatible with AC voltage. Generally, the voltage supplied from commercial power source P is an AC voltage, so the user does not need to prepare special home appliances (i.e., home appliances compatible with DC voltage) in preparation for a power outage. Therefore, system 1 according to this embodiment can be said to be a system that is highly convenient for users.

[0177] Furthermore, the roof-side panel 100 according to this operation example can be summarized as follows.

[0178] After a power outage is detected, the first switch 120 is set to the open state in step S234, and therefore, even if power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H during a power outage, the occurrence of reverse power flow to the commercial power source P is suppressed. In other words, a house-side panel 100 in which reverse power flow is less likely to occur is realized.

[0179] [Example 4] Operation example 4 is an operation when the commercial power source P is restored from the power outage after the commercial power source P has experienced a power outage and power has been supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H, that is, after operation example 3.

[0180] 6A and 6B are sequence diagrams of an operation example 4 performed by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the process shown in Fig. 6A is performed before the process shown in Fig. 6B is performed.

[0181] 6A is performed, power is being supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 are each in an open state, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 are each in a closed state. In other words, the first switch 120 and the third switch 230 each interrupt the electric circuit, and the second switch 150 and the fourth switch 240 each connect the electric circuit.

[0182] First, the power outage detection unit 110 detects recovery from the power outage based on the voltage supplied from the commercial power source P (S310).

[0183] The control unit 112 acquires the voltage value output from the voltmeter 111, and when the acquired voltage value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value), determines that the commercial power supply P has recovered from a power outage.

[0184] Then, when the control unit 112 detects recovery in step S310, it outputs a fourth control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S312). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the fourth control signal output from the control unit 112 (S314).

[0185] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the fourth control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a power supply stop signal to the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 (S316). The power supply stop signal is a signal for stopping power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H. The first conversion unit 160 superimposes the power supply stop signal on the power line PL1 and outputs it to the second conversion unit 220 via the first power line communication.

[0186] In this way, in steps S312 to S316, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output a power supply stop signal to the second conversion unit 220.

[0187] When the second conversion unit 220 acquires the power supply stop signal output by the first conversion unit 160, the charging device 200 (the calculation unit 250) stops the power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H in accordance with the acquired power supply stop signal (S318). Specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the fourth switch 240 to instruct it to be in an open state, and the fourth switch 240 acquires the control signal and enters the open state. As a result, the fourth switch 240 enters a state in which it has interrupted the electric circuit.

[0188] Then, the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 outputs a power supply stop notification signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S320). The power supply stop notification signal is a signal for notifying that power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H has been stopped in step S318.

[0189] The first conversion unit 160 acquires the power supply stop notification signal output by the second conversion unit 220 (S322). Furthermore, the first conversion unit 160 outputs the acquired power supply stop notification signal to the control unit 112 of the power failure detection unit 110 (S324).

[0190] When the control unit 112 acquires the power supply stop notification signal output by the first conversion unit 160 (S326), the control unit 112 outputs the following control signals to the first switch 120, the second switch 150, and the first conversion unit 160.

[0191] First, the control unit 112 outputs a control signal (open instruction control signal) to the second switch 150 to instruct it to be in the open state (S328), and the second switch 150 receives the open instruction control signal and enters the open state (S330). As a result, the second switch 150 enters a state in which the electric circuit is interrupted.

[0192] Next, the control unit 112 outputs a control signal (close instruction control signal) to the first switch 120 to instruct it to be in the closed state (S332), and the first switch 120 receives the close instruction control signal and is in the closed state (S334). As a result, the first switch 120 is in a state in which the electric circuit is connected.

[0193] Next, the control unit 112 outputs a fifth control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S336). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the fifth control signal output from the control unit 112 (S338).

[0194] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the fifth control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a power supply power supply start signal to the communication unit 610 of the control server 600 via the gateway 500, indicating that power supply from the commercial power source P has started (S340).

[0195] In this way, in steps S336 to S340, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output a power supply start signal to the communication unit 610.

[0196] Then, communication unit 610 acquires the outputted power supply power supply start signal, and the acquired power supply power supply start signal is stored in memory unit 630. Furthermore, in step S340, first conversion unit 160 may output the power supply power supply start signal to wireless communication unit 730 of mobile terminal 700. When wireless communication unit 730 acquires the power supply power supply start signal, calculation unit 740 controls display unit 720 to display an image indicating that power supply from commercial power source P has started. The image is stored in memory unit 750, for example. This allows the user to understand that power supply from commercial power source P has started.

[0197] Furthermore, the control unit 112 outputs a sixth control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S342). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the sixth control signal output from the control unit 112 (S344).

[0198] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the sixth control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a charge request signal to the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 (S346). The charge request signal is a signal for requesting that the charging device 200 charge the electric vehicle V. The first conversion unit 160 superimposes the charge request signal on the power line PL1 and outputs it to the second conversion unit 220 via the first power line communication.

[0199] In this way, in steps S342 to S346, the control unit 112 controls the first conversion unit 160 to output a charge request signal to the second conversion unit 220.

[0200] When the second conversion unit 220 acquires the charge request signal output by the first conversion unit 160, the charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V in accordance with the acquired charge request signal (S348). Specifically, the calculation unit 250 outputs a control signal to the third switch 230 to instruct it to be in a closed state, and the third switch 230 acquires the control signal and enters a closed state. As a result, the third switch 230 enters a state in which the electric circuit is connected, and the charging device 200 charges the electric vehicle V.

[0201] Then, the second conversion unit 220 of the charging device 200 outputs a charging start notification signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S350). The charging start notification signal is a signal for notifying that charging of the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 has started in step S344.

[0202] The first conversion unit 160 acquires the charging start notification signal output by the second conversion unit 220 (S352). Furthermore, the first conversion unit 160 outputs the acquired charging start notification signal to the control unit 112 of the power outage detection unit 110 (S354).

[0203] When the control unit 112 acquires the charging start notification signal output by the first conversion unit 160, the control unit 112 outputs a seventh control signal to the first conversion unit 160 (S356). The first conversion unit 160 acquires the seventh control signal output from the control unit 112 (S358).

[0204] When the first conversion unit 160 acquires the seventh control signal, the first conversion unit 160 outputs a charging start notification signal to the communication unit 610 of the control server 600 via the gateway 500 (S360).

[0205] Thus, in steps S356 to S360, control unit 112 controls first conversion unit 160 to output a charging start notification signal to communication unit 610.

[0206] The communication unit 610 then acquires the output charging start notification signal, and the acquired charging start notification signal is stored in the storage unit 630. In step S360, the first conversion unit 160 may output the charging start notification signal to the wireless communication unit 730 of the mobile terminal 700. When the wireless communication unit 730 acquires the charging start notification signal, the calculation unit 740 controls the display unit 720 to display an image indicating that charging of the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 has started. The image is stored in, for example, the storage unit 750. This allows the user to understand that charging of the electric vehicle V by the charging device 200 has started.

[0207] [Effects, etc.] Invention 1 is a roof-side panel 100 that is connected to a charging device 200 that charges an electric vehicle V and is installed on the roof side, and is equipped with a power outage detection unit 110 that detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from a commercial power source P, a main breaker unit (first main breaker unit 130) that is connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110, and a switch (first switch 120) that is installed between the power outage detection unit 110 and the charging device 200, and when a power outage is detected, the switch (first switch 120) is opened.

[0208] As a result, during a power outage, the first switch 120 is in an open state, so that even if power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H, the occurrence of reverse power flow to the commercial power source P is suppressed. In other words, the house-side panel 100 in which reverse power flow is less likely to occur is realized.

[0209] Invention 2 is the house-side panel 100 according to Invention 1, in which the switch (first switch 120) is provided between the power failure detection unit 110 and the main breaker unit (first main breaker unit 130).

[0210] This allows the power failure detection unit 110 and the first switch 120 to be closer to each other, and shortens the signal line for outputting a control signal from the control unit 112 of the power failure detection unit 110 to the first switch 120. This reduces the risk of the signal line being disconnected when an earthquake or the like occurs, and in other words, increases the probability that the control unit 112 will control the first switch 120.

[0211] Invention 3 is the roof-side panel 100 described in Invention 1 or 2, further comprising another switch (second switch 150) provided between the charging device 200 and the residential distribution panel 300 that branches and supplies power to multiple loads provided in the home H, and when a power outage is detected, the other switch (second switch 150) is closed.

[0212] This allows power to be supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H when the commercial power source P experiences a power outage.

[0213] Invention 4 is the roof-side panel 100 described in Invention 3, in which, when the power outage detection unit 110 detects that the power outage has been restored, the switch (first switch 120) is closed and the other switch (second switch 150) is opened.

[0214] As a result, when the commercial power supply P is restored from a power outage, power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H is stopped, and power supply from the commercial power supply P is started.

[0215] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a system 1 including the roof-side panel 100 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention and a charging device 200.

[0216] As described above, the roof-side panel 100 can prevent reverse power flow to the commercial power source P even when power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H. Similarly, the system 1 equipped with such a roof-side panel 100 can prevent reverse power flow to the commercial power source P even when power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H.

[0217] The following techniques will also be described.

[0218] Technique 1 is a charging device 200 that is connected to an external device (e.g., a roof-side panel 100) via a power line PL1 and charges an electric vehicle V, and includes a communication unit 210 that acquires, via wired communication, from the electric vehicle V a connection notification signal indicating that the electric vehicle V and the charging device 200 have been connected, and a conversion unit (second conversion unit 220) that converts the acquired connection notification signal into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of first power line communication via the power line PL1 and outputs the converted connection notification signal to the external device via the first power line communication, where the wired communication is different from the first power line communication.

[0219] The power line PL1 is a power line used to charge the electric vehicle V, and supplies a voltage of 100V or more.

[0220] As a result, since the wired communication is a different communication from the first power line communication, even when the communication unit 430 outputs a connection communication signal to the communication unit 210 via the wired communication, i.e., even when the wired communication is performed, a large voltage such as 100V or 200V is not applied, so electromagnetic noise due to the wired communication is unlikely to occur, and problems such as difficulty in charging the electric vehicle V are unlikely to occur.

[0221] Therefore, the charging device 200 that can charge the electric vehicle V more reliably is realized.

[0222] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conversion unit (second conversion unit 220) can convert the connection notification signal into a signal that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication, so that the first power line communication can be used for communication between charging device 200 and the external device. Therefore, there is no need to newly install a wired LAN or the like for communication between charging device 200 and the external device, so charging device 200 with high workability can be realized.

[0223] Technique 2 is the charging device 200 according to Technique 1, in which the communication unit 210 uses, as wired communication, second power line communication that uses a voltage lower than the voltage supplied by the power line PL1.

[0224] This allows the use of second power line communication using a voltage of, for example, 12 V as wired communication. In this case, too, since a large voltage such as 100 V or 200 V is not applied even when the wired communication is performed, electromagnetic noise due to the wired communication is unlikely to occur, and problems such as difficulty in charging the electric vehicle V are unlikely to occur.

[0225] Therefore, the charging device 200 that can charge the electric vehicle V more reliably is realized.

[0226] Technique 3 is the charging device 200 according to Technique 1 or 2, in which the conversion unit (second conversion unit 220) outputs the converted connection notification signal when the electric vehicle V is not being charged.

[0227] As a result, the second conversion unit 220 can output the converted connection notification signal when the electric vehicle V is not being charged.

[0228] Technology 4 is the charging device 200 according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, in which the communication unit 210 acquires a vehicle ID signal indicating a vehicle ID that identifies the electric vehicle V from the electric vehicle V via wired communication, and the conversion unit (second conversion unit 220) converts the acquired vehicle ID signal into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication, and outputs the converted vehicle ID signal to an external device via the first power line communication.

[0229] As a result, the second conversion unit 220 can output the connection notification signal and the vehicle ID signal that have been converted into a signal format that complies with the communication standard of the first power line communication.

[0230] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a system 1 including the charging device 200 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and an external device.

[0231] As described above, the charging device 200 can more reliably charge the electric vehicle V. Similarly, the system 1 including such a charging device 200 can also more reliably charge the electric vehicle V.

[0232] Technology 6 is system 1 including a power outage detection unit 110 that detects a power outage based on the voltage supplied from a commercial power source P, a charging device 200 that is connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110 and charges an electric vehicle V, a residential distribution board 300 that is connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110 and branches and supplies power to multiple loads provided in a home H, and a second switch 150 provided between the charging device 200 and the residential distribution board 300, in which when a power outage is detected, the second switch 150 is closed and the AC voltage supplied from the electric vehicle V is supplied to the residential distribution board 300.

[0233] As a result, during a power outage, the voltage supplied from electric vehicle V to each of the multiple loads (multiple home appliances) is AC voltage, and the home appliances in house H only need to be compatible with AC voltage. Generally, since the voltage supplied from commercial power source P is AC voltage, the user does not need to prepare special home appliances in preparation for a power outage. Therefore, system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that is highly convenient for users.

[0234] Technique 7 is the system 1 according to technique 6, in which the residential distribution board 300 supplies the supplied AC voltage to a predetermined load among the plurality of loads.

[0235] This allows loads that need to be operated continuously, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, or loads that the user wishes to operate, to be operated with priority during a power outage.

[0236] Technology 8 is system 1 described in Technology 6 or 7, further comprising a first switch 120 provided between the power outage detection unit 110 and the charging device 200, and in which the first switch 120 is opened when a power outage is detected.

[0237] As a result, during a power outage, the first switch 120 is in an open state, so that even if power is supplied from the electric vehicle V to the house H, the occurrence of reverse power flow to the commercial power source P is suppressed. In other words, the house-side panel 100 in which reverse power flow is less likely to occur is realized.

[0238] Technique 9 is the system 1 according to technique 8, in which, when the power outage detection unit 110 detects recovery from the power outage, the second switch 150 is opened and the first switch 120 is closed.

[0239] As a result, when the commercial power supply P is restored from a power outage, power supply from the electric vehicle V to the house H is stopped, and power supply from the commercial power supply P is started.

[0240] Technology 10 is a method performed by system 1, which includes a power outage detection unit 110, a charging device 200 connected to a commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110 and charging an electric vehicle V, a residential distribution board 300 connected to the commercial power source P via the power outage detection unit 110 and branching and supplying power to multiple loads provided in a home H, and a second switch 150 provided between the charging device 200 and the residential distribution board 300, and the method includes the steps of: detecting a power outage by the power outage detection unit 110 based on the voltage supplied from the commercial power source P; and, when a power outage is detected, closing the second switch 150 and supplying the AC voltage supplied from the electric vehicle V to the residential distribution board 300.

[0241] As a result, the voltage supplied from electric vehicle V to each of the multiple loads (multiple home appliances) during a power outage is an AC voltage, and the home appliances in house H only need to be compatible with AC voltage. Generally, the voltage supplied from commercial power source P is an AC voltage, so the user does not need to prepare special home appliances in preparation for a power outage. Therefore, the method according to this embodiment is highly convenient for the user.

[0242] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0243] In step S28 and step S30 of operation example 1, the wired communication unit 520 outputs a connection notification signal and the control server 600 acquires the connection notification signal, but this is not limited to this. For example, in step S28, the wired communication unit 520 may output a vehicle ID signal and a device ID signal but not output a connection notification signal, and in step S30, the control server 600 may acquire a vehicle ID signal and a device ID signal but not acquire a connection notification signal.

[0244] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. When two devices communicate with each other in the above-described embodiments, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed between the two devices.

[0245] The order of the processes described in the sequence diagrams of the above embodiments is merely an example. The order of the processes may be changed, or the processes may be executed in parallel.

[0246] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0247] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0248] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0249] For example, the present invention may be realized as a method executed by a computer, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0250] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0251] 1 System 100 Rooftop 110 Power outage detection unit 200 Charging device 300 Residential distribution board H Housing P Commercial power supply V Electric Vehicle

Claims

1. A roof-side panel connected to a charging device for charging an electric vehicle and installed on the roof side, a power outage detection unit that detects a power outage based on a voltage supplied from a commercial power source; A main breaker unit connected to the commercial power supply via the power outage detection unit; A switch provided between the power outage detection unit and the charging device, When the power outage is detected, the switch is opened. Roof side panel.

2. The switch is provided between the power outage detection unit and the main breaker unit. The roof-side panel according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes another switch provided between the charging device and a residential distribution board that branches and supplies power to a plurality of loads provided in the home, When the power outage is detected, the other switch is opened. The roof-side panel according to claim 1.

4. When the power outage detection unit detects the recovery of the power outage, The switch is closed, The other switch is opened. The roof-side panel according to claim 3.

5. A roof-side panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4; The charging device is provided. system.

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