Charger and lock control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a charger and lock control method that can determine whether the connector connection is maintained after battery charging is complete, without requiring any additional processing. [Solution] The charger 1A, which charges the battery 21 by supplying power to the vehicle 1B, comprises a connector 11C connected to a connector 22 provided on the vehicle 1B, a connector lock mechanism 14 for maintaining the connection state between the connectors 11C and 22, a control unit 15 that switches between a locked state in which the connector lock mechanism 14 maintains the connection state and an unlocked state in which it does not, and a connector connection confirmation line to which the vehicle 1B applies voltage when the connection state is maintained. After the battery 21 has finished charging, the control unit 15 controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle 1B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger that charges a battery mounted on a vehicle by supplying power to the vehicle, and a lock control method for controlling a connector lock mechanism included in the charger.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, when supplying power from a charger to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, the connectors provided in both the vehicle and the charger are connected to each other, and the connector is locked by a connector lock mechanism to restrict separation of the connectors (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, when these connectors are connected, the connector connection confirmation line between the charger and the vehicle is electrically connected, and the charger is configured to recognize the connection of the connector by detecting the voltage applied to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle.

[0003] In general, a vehicle such as an electric vehicle includes an anti-feedback circuit. The anti-feedback circuit stops applying a voltage to the connector connection confirmation line before starting charging of the battery, and resumes applying a voltage to the connector connection confirmation line after charging of the battery ends. By providing such an anti-feedback circuit, it is possible to limit the flow of current through the connector connection confirmation line during charging of the battery, and prevent noise and current feedback generated in the connector connection confirmation line.

[0004] Referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 6, an example of the operation of a conventional charger will be described. FIG. 6(A) shows a switching mode between a communication-off state and a communication-on state of CAN communication. FIG. 6(B) shows a switching mode between a non-voltage-applied state and a voltage-applied state of the connector connection confirmation line. FIG. 6(C) shows a switching mode between a locked state and an unlocked state of the connector lock mechanism. FIG. 6(D) shows a switching mode between a connection-unrecognized state where the charger does not recognize the connection of the connector and a connection-recognized state where the charger recognizes the connection.

[0005] As shown in Figure 6, when the connectors on the vehicle and the charger are connected to each other at time t1, the vehicle applies voltage to the connector connection confirmation line, creating a voltage application state. Using this "voltage application state" as a condition for connector connection recognition, the charger recognizes the connection of the connector and enters a connection recognition state.

[0006] At time t2, when the connectors on both the charger and the vehicle are connected, the communication units on both the vehicle and the charger start CAN communication and enter a communication-on state. At time t3, before battery charging begins, the connector locking mechanism switches to a locked state that limits the separation of the connectors, and the feedback prevention circuit stops applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line, resulting in a voltage-off state where no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line. Once battery charging begins, the "voltage-off state" is maintained during battery charging, so the charger can maintain the connection recognition state by using the "communication-on state" as a condition for connector connection recognition (time t5). When battery charging is complete, the vehicle resumes applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line (time t6). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-170025 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the timing at which voltage is resumed to the connector connection confirmation line varies depending on the vehicle. Therefore, if the application of the above voltage is not resumed before both communication units terminate CAN communication and enter a communication-off state (immediately after the vehicle contactor is released), as shown in Figure 6, at time t4 after the battery charging is complete, the connector lock mechanism switches to an unlocked state that does not restrict the separation of the connectors, then at time t5, it switches to a communication-off state, and then at time t6, the application of the above voltage is resumed and it switches to a voltage-applied state where voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line. In this case, between time t5 and time t6, the system is neither in a "communication-on state" nor a "voltage-applied state," so the charger enters a connection-unrecognized state where it does not recognize the connector connection, and it mistakenly believes that the connector is not connected even if it has not been plugged in or unplugged. As a result, the charger cannot determine whether the connector has been plugged in or unplugged, or whether the connector remains connected, and additional processing (for example, vehicle identification processing) was required to determine this.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a charger and a lock control method that can determine whether the connector connection is maintained after the battery charging is completed, without performing any additional processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the charger according to the present invention is A charger that charges the battery installed in a vehicle by supplying power to the vehicle, A charger-side connector connected to a vehicle-side connector provided on the aforementioned vehicle, A connector locking mechanism for maintaining the connection state between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector, A control unit that switches between a locked state in which the connector lock mechanism maintains the connection state and an unlocked state in which the connector lock mechanism does not maintain the connection state, The connector connection confirmation line to which voltage is applied by the vehicle when the aforementioned connection state is present, The control unit is characterized in that, after the battery has finished charging, it controls the connector locking mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of the voltage to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle.

[0011] In this configuration, after the battery has finished charging, the connector lock mechanism switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line. Therefore, the locked state of the connector lock mechanism is maintained until the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line is resumed after the battery has finished charging, and it can be determined that the connection between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector is maintained. Thus, with this configuration, the charger can determine that the connection between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector is maintained after charging is complete without performing any additional processing such as vehicle identification.

[0012] The above charger is The system further includes an unlock switch which is operated to release the locked state, Preferably, after the battery has finished charging, if the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle, the control unit controls the connector lock mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the operation of the unlock switch.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the lock control method according to the present invention is A lock control method for controlling the connector lock mechanism of a charger to maintain a connection state in which the charger-side connector of the charger and the vehicle-side connector of the vehicle are connected to each other, The charger includes a voltage determination step, which determines whether or not voltage is applied by the vehicle to the connector connection confirmation line connecting the charger and the vehicle after the battery mounted on the vehicle has finished charging, The device is characterized by comprising: when the voltage determination step determines that the voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line, the charger switches from a locked state that maintains the connection state to an unlocked state that does not maintain the connection state; and when the voltage determination step determines that the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line, the charger controls the connector lock mechanism to maintain the locked state.

[0014] In this configuration, when it is determined that voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line after the battery has finished charging, the connector lock mechanism switches from the locked state to the unlocked state. Therefore, the locked state of the connector lock mechanism is maintained until the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line is resumed after the battery has finished charging, and it can be determined that the connection between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector is maintained. Thus, with this configuration, the charger can determine that the connection between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector is maintained after charging is complete without performing any additional processing such as vehicle identification.

[0015] The above lock control method is, The charger includes an operation determination step of determining whether or not the unlock switch for releasing the locked state has been operated, Preferably, the charger further includes a manual unlock step in which, when it is determined in the voltage determination step that the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line, and when it is determined in the operation determination step that the unlock switch has been operated, the charger controls the connector lock mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charger and a lock control method that can determine whether the connector connection is maintained after the battery charging is complete, without performing any additional processing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a charger and a vehicle according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the charger according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a timing chart for explaining the operation and effect of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the charger according to a modified example. [Figure 6] It is a timing chart for explaining a conventional example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 1 is composed of a charger 1A conforming to the rapid charging standard CHAdeMO and a vehicle 1B which is an electric vehicle such as an electric car or a plug-in hybrid car.

[0019] The charger 1A includes a main body 11A connected to a commercial power system (not shown), a cable 11B extending from the main body 11A, and a connector 11C provided at the tip of the cable 11B. The connector 11C, which is a charger-side connector, is connected to a connector 22 which is a vehicle-side connector provided on the vehicle 1B. The charger 1A charges the battery 21 mounted on the vehicle 1B by supplying DC power to the vehicle 1B via the cable 11B and the connector 11C. In addition, the charger 1A performs CAN communication and transmission / reception of control signals with the vehicle 1B via the cable 11B and the connector 11C.

[0020] The charging system 1, configured to be installed on the charger 1A side, includes a power supply unit 12, a communication unit 13, a connector locking mechanism 14, and a control unit 15. The power supply unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the control unit 15 are installed on the main body 11A, and the connector locking mechanism 14 is installed on the connector 11C.

[0021] The power supply unit 12 is comprised of a converter circuit that converts AC power supplied from the commercial power grid into DC power. The converter circuit is comprised of, for example, an AC / DC converter circuit including a switching element and a DC / DC converter circuit including a switching element. The power supply unit 12 supplies DC power to the vehicle 1B by outputting DC power to the power lines 31P and 31N shown in Figure 2.

[0022] The communication unit 13 is composed of a communication module that transmits and receives various information and signals via CAN communication. The communication unit 13 communicates with the communication unit 23 installed in the vehicle 1B via the communication lines 32H and 32L shown in Figure 2. Before charging of the battery 21 begins, the communication unit 13 receives battery information from the communication unit 23 and transmits output power information to the communication unit 23. The battery information includes information related to the battery 21 (e.g., maximum voltage, battery capacity, and maximum charging time), and the output power information includes information related to the power output by the charger 1A (e.g., maximum voltage and maximum current). In addition, the communication unit 13 receives a current command signal from the communication unit 23 while the battery 21 is charging, and receives a charging stop request signal from the communication unit 23 when charging of the battery 21 is complete.

[0023] The connector lock mechanism 14 is an electrically operated locking mechanism for maintaining the connected state of connector 11C and connector 22. The connector lock mechanism 14 includes a latch 14A that prevents the connected connectors 11C and 22 from separating, a release button (not shown) that is manually operated to operate the latch 14A, and an actuator (not shown) that restricts the operation of the latch 14A under the control of a lock control unit 15C, which will be described later.

[0024] The control unit 15 consists of a microcontroller and / or a dedicated IC that controls the operation of the charger 1A. The control unit 15 includes a charging control unit 15A, a sequence circuit unit 15B, and a lock control unit 15C.

[0025] The charging control unit 15A controls the power supply unit 12 so that a desired DC power is output. Specifically, for example, during charging of the battery 21, the charging control unit 15A controls the power supply unit 12 to output the current commanded by the vehicle 1B based on the current command signal received by the communication unit 13. In this way, the control unit 15 controls the power supplied from the charger 1A to the vehicle 1B by controlling the power supply unit 12 with the charging control unit 15A.

[0026] The sequence circuit unit 15B outputs a control signal to the vehicle 1B. The sequence circuit unit 15B is connected to the vehicle 1B's circuit via the charge start / stop lines 33, 34, the connector connection confirmation line 35, the charge permission / prohibition line 36, and the ground line 37 shown in Figure 2. The sequence circuit unit 15B recognizes (confirms) the connection of connectors 11C and 22 by detecting the voltage applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 from the vehicle 1B side.

[0027] The lock control unit 15C switches between the locked and unlocked states of the connector lock mechanism 14 by controlling the actuator of the connector lock mechanism 14. The locked state is a state in which the operation of the latch 14A is restricted (maintaining the connection state of connectors 11C and 22). For example, even if the release button is operated, the latch 14A does not operate, and the latch 14A remains engaged with connector 22. On the other hand, the unlocked state is a state in which the operation of the latch 14A is not restricted (not maintaining the connection state of connectors 11C and 22). For example, when the release button is operated, the latch 14A operates, and the latch 14A no longer engages with connector 22. In other words, in the locked state, the connector lock mechanism 14 restricts the separation of connectors 11C and 22, while in the unlocked state, the connector lock mechanism 14 does not restrict the separation of connectors 11C and 22.

[0028] Specifically, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state before charging of the battery 21 begins. Furthermore, after charging of the battery 21 is complete, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35 by the vehicle 1B.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the circuit configurations for charger 1A and vehicle 1B will be explained. As shown in Figure 2, the charger 1A and vehicle 1B are equipped with power lines 31P, 31N, communication lines 32H, 32L, charging start / stop lines 33, 34, connector connection confirmation line 35, charging permission / prohibition line 36, and grounding line 37. When connectors 11C, 22 are connected, voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 by the vehicle 1B.

[0030] The sequence circuit section 15B includes relays d1 and d2, a photocoupler j, and a power supply (a 12V power supply in this embodiment). Relay d1 has an ON state where current flows through the charge start / stop line 33 and an OFF state where no current flows. Relay d2 has an ON state where current flows through the charge start / stop line 34 and an OFF state where no current flows. Photocoupler j has an ON state where it detects that current has flowed through the charge allow / prohibit line 36 and an OFF state where it does not detect this.

[0031] Vehicle 1B is equipped with a contactor c, a relay e, photocouplers f and g, a feedback prevention circuit 24, a transistor k, and a power supply (a 12V power supply in this embodiment), etc. Contactor c takes an ON state in which current flows through the power lines 31P and 31N, and an OFF state in which no current flows. Relay e takes an ON state in which current flows through contactor c, and an OFF state in which no current flows. Photocoupler f takes an ON state in which it detects that current has flowed through the charge start / stop line 33, and an OFF state in which it does not detect. Photocoupler g takes an ON state in which it detects that current has flowed through the charge start / stop line 34, and an OFF state in which it does not detect. Transistor k takes an ON state in which current flows through the charge permit / prohibition line 36, and an OFF state in which no current flows.

[0032] The feedback prevention circuit 24 prevents noise and current from leaking into the connector connection confirmation line 35 by limiting the voltage applied from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 while the battery 21 is charging. Specifically, the feedback prevention circuit 24 stops the voltage application from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 before the battery 21 starts charging, and resumes the voltage application from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 when the battery 21 is finished charging or after charging is complete.

[0033] The operation flow of charger 1A will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3. The operation of charger 1A shown in Figure 3 includes a process related to the lock control method that controls the connector lock mechanism 14.

[0034] When connectors 11C and 22 are connected, the vehicle 1B applies voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35, and the sequence circuit unit 15B detects the voltage on the connector connection confirmation line 35 and recognizes the connection of connectors 11C and 22 (connection recognition step S1).

[0035] Next, the sequence circuit unit 15B transmits a control signal to the vehicle 1B to instruct it to prepare for charging, and then the lock control unit 15C switches the unlocked state of the connector lock mechanism 14 to the locked state (lock step S2).

[0036] Specifically, the sequence circuit unit 15B turns on relay d1, causing current (a control signal commanding charging preparation) to flow through the charging start / stop line 33, and the photocoupler f of vehicle 1B turns on. Next, triggered by the photocoupler f turning on, the communication units 23 and 13 start communication to send and receive battery information and output power information. Once this transmission and reception is complete, the transistor k of vehicle 1B turns on, and the photocoupler j of the sequence circuit unit 15B turns on. Then, triggered by the photocoupler j turning on, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0037] Next, the sequence circuit unit 15B transmits a control signal to the vehicle 1B to command the reception of power, and starts charging the battery 21 (charging start step S3).

[0038] Specifically, the sequence circuit unit 15B turns on relay d2, causing current (a control signal that commands power reception) to flow through the charging start / stop line 34, which turns on the photocoupler g of vehicle 1B. Next, triggered by the photocoupler g turning on, relay e and contactor c turn on, enabling power supply from the power supply unit 12 to the battery 21. In this state, the charging control unit 15A controls the power supply unit 12 to output DC power, thereby supplying DC power to the battery 21 of vehicle 1B and starting the charging of the battery 21.

[0039] Subsequently, when the communication unit 13 receives a charging stop request signal, the charging control unit 15A terminates the charging of the battery 21 (charging termination step S4).

[0040] Specifically, for example, when the charge level or charging time of the battery 21 reaches a specified value, the communication unit 23 sends a charge stop request signal. The charging control unit 15A, triggered by the communication unit 13 receiving the charge stop request signal, controls the power supply unit 12 to stop outputting power, thereby ending the charging of the battery 21. When the charging of the battery 21 ends and the transmission power of the power lines 31P and 31N decreases, the relay e, contactor c, and transistor k of the vehicle 1B turn off. Next, the photocoupler j of the sequence circuit unit 15B turns off, triggered by the transistor k of the vehicle 1B turning off. Then, the sequence circuit unit 15B turns off relays d1 and d2, triggered by the photocoupler j turning off.

[0041] Next, the sequence circuit unit 15B determines whether or not a voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 (voltage determination step S5), and based on the result of this determination, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 (unlock step S6 and lock maintenance step S7, which are lock mechanism control steps).

[0042] Specifically, when it is determined that voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 (YES in voltage determination step S5), the lock control unit 15C switches the connector lock mechanism 14 to the unlocked state (unlock step S6). In other words, when the application of voltage from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 is resumed and the sequence circuit unit 15B detects the voltage on the connector connection confirmation line 35, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0043] On the other hand, when it is determined that no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 (NO in voltage determination step S5), the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to maintain the locked state (lock maintenance step S7). That is, when the application of voltage from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 is not resumed and the sequence circuit unit 15B does not detect voltage on the connector connection confirmation line 35, the connector lock mechanism 14 is maintained in the locked state, and the sequence circuit unit 15B repeats the determination in voltage determination step S5 at a predetermined period.

[0044] An example of the operation of charger 1A will be explained with reference to the timing chart shown in Figure 4. Figure 4(A) shows the switching pattern between the communication off state, where CAN communication is not being performed, and the communication on state, where CAN communication is being performed. Figure 4(B) shows the switching pattern between the no-voltage state, where no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 from the vehicle 1B, and the voltage-applied state, where voltage is applied. Figure 4(C) shows the switching pattern between the locked state and the unlocked state of the connector lock mechanism 14. Figure 4(D) shows the switching pattern between the unrecognized connection state, where the connection of connectors 11C and 22 is not recognized, and the recognized connection state, where the connection is recognized.

[0045] When connectors 11C and 22 are connected at time T1, the vehicle 1B applies voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35, creating a voltage application state. The sequence circuit unit 15B detects the voltage on the connector connection confirmation line 35, and using the "voltage application state" as a condition for connector connection recognition, the control unit 15 switches from the unrecognized connection state to the recognized connection state.

[0046] At time T2, when the communication units 13 and 23 start CAN communication and enter the communication ON state, at time T3, before the battery 21 starts charging, the connector lock mechanism 14 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state. Also at time T3, the vehicle 1B's feedback prevention circuit 24 stops applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35, so that the connector connection confirmation line 35 is in a state where no voltage is applied. Thus, while the battery 21 is charging, the sequence circuit unit 15B is unable to detect the voltage of the connector connection confirmation line 35, but the control unit 15 maintains the connection recognition state, using the "locked state" as the condition for connector connection recognition.

[0047] At time T4, after the battery 21 has finished charging, the communication units 13 and 23 terminate CAN communication and enter a communication-off state, while the connector connection confirmation line 35 remains in a state where no voltage is applied. The lock control unit 15C switches the connector lock mechanism 14 to the unlocked state when the sequence circuit unit 15B determines that voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35. Therefore, at time T4, when the above determination has not been made, the connector lock mechanism 14 does not switch to the unlocked state, and the locked state of the connector lock mechanism 14 is maintained.

[0048] At time T5, when the anti-loop circuit 24 of vehicle 1B resumes applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35, and the connector connection confirmation line 35 becomes a voltage-applied state, the sequence circuit unit 15B determines that voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35, and the connector lock mechanism 14 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0049] Thus, even after the battery 21 has finished charging, the lock control unit 15C maintains the connector lock mechanism 14 in a "locked state" where the separation between connectors 11C and 22 is restricted, until the sequence circuit unit 15B can detect the voltage of the connector connection confirmation line 35 (until time T5). Furthermore, because the connector lock mechanism 14 is maintained in the "locked state," the control unit 15 maintains a connection recognition state without entering a connection unrecognized state.

[0050] In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) After the battery 21 has finished charging, the connector lock mechanism 14 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35. Therefore, from the time the battery 21 has finished charging until the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35 is resumed, the connector lock mechanism 14 maintains a locked state in which the separation between the connectors 11C and 22 (charger-side connector and vehicle-side connector) is restricted. As a result, the control unit 15 can determine that the connection between the connectors 11C and 22 is maintained from the time the charging is finished until the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35 is resumed, without the charger 1A having to perform any additional processing such as vehicle 1B identification processing.

[0051] Furthermore, since the connector lock mechanism 14 automatically switches to the unlocked state after charging is complete (after the application of voltage from the vehicle 1B to the connector connection confirmation line 35 is resumed), the user can easily understand that charging has been completed successfully from the state of the connector lock mechanism 14. In addition, if the charger 1A is installed in a parking lot of a general commercial facility, notifying the user of the vehicle 1B that the connector lock mechanism 14 has switched to the unlocked state allows the user to use the vehicle 1B immediately after charging is complete, and by enabling charging of another vehicle 1B owned by another user, the turnover rate of the charger 1A can be increased.

[0052] (2) The lock control method for controlling the connector lock mechanism 14 includes a voltage determination step S5 after the battery 21 has finished charging, and an unlock step S6 and a lock maintenance step S7 (lock mechanism control step) which control the connector lock mechanism 14 according to the determination result in the voltage determination step S5. Therefore, after the battery 21 has finished charging, when it is determined that voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35, the connector lock mechanism 14 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, while when it is determined that no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35, the connector lock mechanism 14 is maintained in the locked state. Thus, the effects described in (1) above can be obtained.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the above configuration can be modified. For example, it can be implemented with the following modifications, or a combination of the following modifications can be used.

[0054] The charger 1A may further include an unlock switch (not shown) that is operated to release the locked state. The unlock switch can be configured as a switch (e.g., a push-button switch) provided on the main body 11A or the connector 11C.

[0055] Referring to Figure 5, the operation flow of the modified charger 1A equipped with a lock release switch will be explained. The modified charger 1A has the same configuration as the embodiment described above, except that it is equipped with a lock release switch. The explanation of the configuration which is the same as the embodiment described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0056] When the voltage determination step S5 described in the above embodiment determines that no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the unlock switch has been operated (operation determination step S8). Based on the result of this determination, the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 (manual unlock step S9 and lock maintenance step S7).

[0057] Specifically, when the operation determination step S8 determines that the unlock switch has been operated, the lock control unit 15C switches the connector lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state (manual unlock step S9). On the other hand, when the operation determination step S8 determines that the unlock switch has not been operated, the connector lock mechanism 14 remains in the locked state without switching to the unlocked state (lock maintenance step S7), and the voltage determination step S5 is repeated.

[0058] As described above, after the battery 21 has finished charging, if no voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 (NO in voltage determination step S5), the lock control unit 15C controls the connector lock mechanism 14 to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state when the unlock switch is operated (YES in operation determination step S8), triggered by the operation of the unlock switch. With this configuration, if the vehicle 1B causes the inconvenience of not applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35, or if the vehicle 1B does not resume applying voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35 (or the time until resumption is long), the user can operate the unlock switch to switch the connector lock mechanism 14 to the unlocked state and separate the connectors 11C and 22.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 15 may be configured to switch between an automatic unlock mode, in which the connector lock mechanism 14 is controlled to switch to the unlocked state triggered by the application of voltage to the connector connection confirmation line 35 by the vehicle 1B, and an independent manual unlock mode, in which the connector lock mechanism 14 is controlled to switch to the unlocked state triggered only by the operation of the aforementioned unlock switch. In other words, in the independent manual unlock mode, even if voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line 35 after the battery 21 has finished charging, the locked state of the connector lock mechanism 14 is maintained until the unlock switch is operated.

[0060] According to the above configuration, when in automatic unlock mode, the effects described in (1) above are obtained, and when in independent manual unlock mode, it is prevented from automatically switching to the unlocked state after charging is complete, the user can be required to operate the charger 1A, and the user can switch the connector lock mechanism 14 to the unlocked state at any time.

[0061] Furthermore, the charger 1A may have a function not only to charge the battery 21, but also to discharge (supply) the power stored in the battery 21 to power equipment installed in a home or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Charging System 1A charger Vehicle 1B 11C connector (charger side connector) 14. Connector locking mechanism 15 Control Unit 21 batteries 22 Connectors (Vehicle-side connectors) 24. Anti-backflow circuit 35 Connector connection confirmation wire

Claims

1. A charger that charges the battery installed in a vehicle by supplying power to the vehicle, A charger-side connector connected to a vehicle-side connector provided on the aforementioned vehicle, A connector locking mechanism for maintaining the connection state between the charger-side connector and the vehicle-side connector, A control unit that switches between a locked state in which the connector lock mechanism maintains the connection state and an unlocked state in which the connector lock mechanism does not maintain the connection state, The connector connection confirmation line to which voltage is applied by the vehicle when the aforementioned connection state is present, The control unit controls the connector lock mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the application of the voltage to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle after the battery has finished charging. A charger characterized by the following features.

2. The system further includes an unlock switch which is operated to release the locked state, The control unit, after the battery has finished charging, and when the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line by the vehicle, controls the connector lock mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, triggered by the operation of the unlock switch. The charger according to feature 1.

3. A lock control method for controlling the connector lock mechanism of a charger to maintain a connection state in which the charger-side connector of the charger and the vehicle-side connector of the vehicle are connected to each other, The charger includes a voltage determination step, which determines whether or not voltage is applied by the vehicle to the connector connection confirmation line connecting the charger and the vehicle after the battery mounted on the vehicle has finished charging, The charger includes a lock mechanism control step in which, when the voltage determination step determines that the voltage is applied to the connector connection confirmation line, the charger switches from a locked state that maintains the connection state to an unlocked state that does not maintain the connection state, while when the voltage determination step determines that the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line, the charger controls the connector lock mechanism to maintain the locked state. A lock control method characterized by the following:

4. The charger includes an operation determination step of determining whether or not the unlock switch for releasing the locked state has been operated, The charger further comprises a manual unlock step in which, when the voltage determination step determines that the voltage is not applied to the connector connection confirmation line, and the operation determination step determines that the unlock switch has been operated, the charger controls the connector lock mechanism to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state. The lock control method according to feature 3.

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