Charging device and charging system

Abstract

The present invention provides a charging device that can prevent billing from starting before charging has begun when a vehicle with a pre-set charging schedule is being charged at a time-based charging station. [Solution] The charging device includes a communication unit 13 that acquires authentication information of the EVSE 200 that supplies charging power to the battery pack 2, a processor 11 that determines whether the EVSE 200 is a time-based billing system based on the authentication information, and a processor 11 that can switch between timer charging, which starts charging the battery pack 2 at a pre-set start time, and immediate charging, which starts charging immediately. The processor 11 performs a switching process to switch from timer charging to immediate charging when timer charging is set and it is determined that the EVSE 200 is a time-based billing system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device and a charging system.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-046981 (Patent Document 1) discloses a charging device that monitors a charging current drawn into a vehicle and the time measured by a timer, and determines whether to start charging based on the monitoring result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although not described in Patent Document 1 above, there may be a case where charging (timer charging) is started at a preset time. When this timer charging is performed at a charging station with a time-based charging system, although charging is not performed until the set start time, a charge for the time until the start time is imposed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to suppress the start of charging when charging a vehicle in which charging is set to start at a preset time at a charging station with a time-based charging system. It is to provide a charging device and a charging system capable of doing so.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging device relating to the first aspect of this disclosure is a charging device for charging an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle, and comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information of a charging station that supplies charging power to the energy storage device; a determination unit for determining whether the charging station is time-based or not based on the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a control unit that can switch between a first charge, which starts charging the energy storage device at a predetermined start time, and a second charge, which starts charging before the start time. The control unit performs a switching process to switch from the first charge to the second charge when the first charge is set and the determination unit determines that the charging station is time-based or not.

[0007] The charging system relating to the second aspect of this disclosure comprises a charging control device that controls the charging of an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle, and a charging device that performs charging based on the control of the charging control device. The charging control device acquires authentication information of a charging station that supplies charging power to the energy storage device, and determines whether the charging station is time-based or not based on the acquired authentication information. The charging device can switch between a first charge, which starts charging the energy storage device at a pre-set start time, and a second charge, which starts charging before the start time. If the first charge is set and the charging control device determines that the charging station is time-based or not, the charging device performs a switching process to switch from the first charge to the second charge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when a vehicle that is set to start charging at a predetermined time is charged at a time-based charging station, it is possible to prevent billing from starting even though charging has not yet begun. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows a vehicle equipped with a charging device according to one embodiment, and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Scale Assist). [Figure 2] This figure shows the charging sequence between the vehicle and the EVSE according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an image of a vehicle's car navigation system according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the charging sequence between the vehicle and the EVSE according to a first modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the charging sequence between the vehicle and the EVSE according to a second modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a charging system including a charging device according to a third modification of one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same number.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the charging device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the charging device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a battery pack 2. The charging device 100 charges the battery pack 2. Note that the battery pack 2 is an example of the "energy storage device" of this disclosure.

[0012] Battery pack 2 is the battery for driving vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 may be a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), etc.

[0013] Vehicle 1 is electrically connected to EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) 200 by a charging cable 210, enabling the exchange of power between the EVSE 200 and the vehicle. The power supplied from EVSE 200 (charging power) charges the energy storage cells (not shown) of the battery pack 2. The energy storage cells are secondary batteries, typically lithium-ion secondary batteries. Lithium-ion secondary batteries are batteries that use lithium as a charge carrier, and may include not only lithium-ion secondary batteries with a liquid electrolyte, but also all-solid-state batteries that use a solid electrolyte. Note that the energy storage cells are not limited to lithium-ion secondary batteries and may be composed of nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries or other secondary batteries. Note that EVSE 200 is an example of a "charging station" in this disclosure.

[0014] EVSE200 is installed in public facilities, such as shopping malls and theme parks. However, the installation locations of EVSE200 are not limited to the examples above.

[0015] The charging device 100 comprises an authentication ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10, a charging ECU 20, and a charger 30. Alternatively, a single ECU combining the functions of the authentication ECU 10 and the charging ECU 20 may be installed in the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is also equipped with a car navigation system 40.

[0016] The authentication ECU 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. The memory 12 stores the program executed by the processor 11, as well as information used by the program (e.g., maps, formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 13 includes various communication interfaces. The communication unit 13 communicates with the communication unit 220 of the EVSE 200, for example, via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. The processor 11 exchanges information with the EVSE 200 (communication unit 220) through the communication unit 13. The processor 11 and the communication unit 13 are examples of the "determination unit" and "acquisition unit" as defined in this disclosure, respectively.

[0017] The charging ECU 20 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, and a communication unit 23. In the memory 22, in addition to the program executed by the processor 21, information used in the program (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters) is stored. The communication unit 23 includes various communication I / Fs. The communication unit 23 communicates with the communication unit 13 of the authentication ECU 10 via CAN communication. The processor 21 exchanges information with the authentication ECU 10 (communication unit 13) through the communication unit 23. Note that the processor 21 is an example of the "control unit" of the present disclosure.

[0018] The processor 21 transmits a control signal for controlling the charger 30 to the charger 30 through the communication unit 23. The charger 30 charges the battery pack 2 according to the control signal from the processor 21.

[0019] Each of the processors 11 and 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The processors 11 and 21 realize various processes by reading out system programs and control programs and expanding and executing them in the memories 12 and 22, respectively. In this specification, the "processor" is not limited to a narrow-sense processor that executes processing in a stored-program manner, and may include hardwired circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Therefore, the term "processor" can also be read as a processing circuit in which processing is defined in advance by computer-readable code and / or a hardwired circuit.

[0020] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the EVSE 200 is a time-based charging system. The time-based charging system is a charging method based on the elapsed time since the communication between the EVSE and the vehicle was started (after the charging authentication is completed).

[0021] The authentication ECU 10 (communication unit 13) acquires various information from the EVSE 200 (communication unit 220). For example, the authentication ECU 10 acquires information such as the power information that can be supplied from the EVSE 200 and the authentication information of the EVSE 200 from the EVSE 200.

[0022] The authentication information of the EVSE 200 includes, for example, information indicating that the EVSE 200 is a facility compatible with Plug and Charge (PnC) charging. Specifically, the authentication ECU 10 (communication unit 13) transmits an AuthorizationReq (hereinafter referred to as a request signal) for inquiring whether the facility is compatible with PnC charging to the EVSE 200. The EVSE 200 transmits an AuthorizationRes (hereinafter referred to as a response signal) indicating whether it is compatible with PnC charging to the authentication ECU 10 in response to the above request signal. That is, the above response signal corresponds to the above authentication information.

[0023] When the processor 11 determines that the EVSE 200 is a facility compatible with PnC charging, the processor 11 determines that the EVSE 200 is a time-based charging facility. Note that PnC charging refers to a charging method in which simply connecting the charging cable 210 of the EVSE 200 to the vehicle 1 automatically executes processes such as charging authentication and charging.

[0024] Here, generally, EVSEs compatible with PnC charging are likely to be time-based charging facilities. Therefore, by determining that the EVSE 200 compatible with PnC charging is a time-based charging facility, the processor 11 can determine that the EVSE 200 is a time-based charging facility without directly obtaining a signal indicating that the EVSE 200 is a time-based charging facility.

[0025] The car navigation system 40 accepts various operations from the user of the vehicle 1. For example, the car navigation system 40 accepts the setting operation for timer charging. This sets the start time when charging begins and the end time when charging ends in advance (before charging). The set start time and end time information (hereinafter referred to as timer charging information) is transmitted to the communication unit 23 via CAN communication. The timer charging information acquired by the communication unit 23 is stored in the memory 22. The processor 21 controls the charger 30 according to the timer charging information stored in the memory 22. As a result, charging is performed during the time period based on the timer information. It is also possible to set only the start time from the above start time and end time. Note that timer charging is an example of the "first charging" described herein.

[0026] Furthermore, if the above-mentioned start and end times are not set in the car navigation system 40, the EVSE 200 and the vehicle 1 are connected and charging (hereinafter referred to as "immediate charging") begins immediately. Immediate charging may be, for example, charging that begins immediately (for example, within 5 minutes) after the billing authentication between the vehicle and the EVSE is completed. Note that immediate charging is an example of the "second charging" described herein.

[0027] In conventional charging systems, when timer charging is performed under an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Provider) billing system, charges are incurred for the time up to the set start time, even though charging does not actually occur until that time.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor 21 of the charging ECU 20 is capable of switching between timer charging and immediate charging. The processor 21 performs a switching process to switch from timer charging to immediate charging when timer charging is set and the processor 11 of the authentication ECU 10 determines that EVSE 200 is a time-based billing system. Details will be described later.

[0029] <Charging Sequence> Figure 2 shows an example of a charging sequence between vehicle 1 and EVSE200.

[0030] In step S0, the EVSE200 charging cable 210 is connected to vehicle 1. This makes vehicle 1 ready for charging.

[0031] In step S1, the authentication ECU 10 transmits the above request signal to the EVSE 200 through the communication unit 13.

[0032] In step S2, the EVSE200 transmits the above response signal to the vehicle 1 through the communication unit 220.

[0033] The processor 11 of the authentication ECU 10 determines whether the EVSE 200 supports PnC charging based on the response signal received by the communication unit 13 in S2. If the EVSE 200 supports PnC charging (Yes in S3), the process proceeds to step S4. If the EVSE 200 does not support PnC charging (No in S3), the process proceeds to step S10. The processor 11 may also determine whether the EVSE 200 supports PnC charging based on the frequency (duty cycle) of the CPLT signal (control pilot signal) transmitted from the EVSE 200 being a predetermined value. The CPLT signal may be included in the above response signal.

[0034] In step S4, the processor 11 of the authentication ECU 10 determines that EVSE200 is a time-based billing system.

[0035] In step S5, the processor 21 of the charging ECU 20 determines whether timer charging is set based on the information stored in memory 22. If timer charging is set (Yes in S5), the process proceeds to step S6. If timer charging is not set (No in S5), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0036] In step S6, the processor 21 performs a process that prompts the user to choose between timer charging and immediate charging. Specifically, the processor 21 performs a process that displays the image 41 shown in Figure 3 on the car navigation device 40. More specifically, the processor 21 transmits a signal to the car navigation device 40 via the communication unit 23 to display the image 41. Note that the process in S6 is an example of the "switching process" described herein.

[0037] In this way, by requiring the user to choose between timer charging and instant charging, it is possible to prevent the device from switching to instant charging when the user does not want it, unlike when it automatically switches to instant charging.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3, Image 41 displays a message 42 that asks the user whether or not to switch to immediate charging, such as "The connected EVSE is time-based. Timer charging is set. Do you want to switch to immediate charging?". Also in Image 41, buttons 43 and 44 that can be selected by tapping are displayed. Button 43 is labeled "Yes". Button 44 is labeled "No".

[0039] Referring again to Figure 2, in step S7, the processor 21 determines whether immediate charging is selected. If immediate charging is selected because button 43 (Figure 3) is selected (Yes in S7), the process proceeds to step S8. If timer charging is selected because button 44 (Figure 3) is selected (No in S7), the process proceeds to step S9. If No in S7, the timer charging setting is not canceled and is maintained.

[0040] In step S8, the processor 21 switches the setting from timer charging to immediate charging. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0041] In step S9, the monitoring of the time subject to billing (billing time) for charging the EVSE200 begins. That is, in step S9, the billing time starts from 0 and increases according to the elapsed time.

[0042] In step S10, charging between vehicle 1 and EVSE200 begins. If timer charging is set, charging starts at the start time corresponding to the timer information. If timer charging is not set (if immediate charging is set), charging starts immediately.

[0043] In this embodiment, charging between the vehicle 1 and the EVSE200 (timer charging and instant charging) is performed by AC charging. That is, the EVSE200 is a charging device that supports AC charging.

[0044] In step S11, charging between vehicle 1 and EVSE200 is terminated. If timer charging is set, charging is terminated at the termination time corresponding to the timer information. If timer charging is not set (immediate charging is set), charging is terminated when the State of Charge (SOC) of battery pack 2 reaches a predetermined value (for example, 100%).

[0045] In step S12, the connection between the EVSE200 charging cable 210 and vehicle 1 is released.

[0046] The monitoring of the billing time, which began in step S9, may be terminated when charging is completed in step S11, or when the connector is disconnected in step S12. Subsequently, the billing amount is calculated based on the billing time.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the processor 21 performs a switching process to switch from timer charging to immediate charging when timer charging is set and EVSE200 is a time-based billing system. This prevents charging from not occurring until the charging start time based on the timer charging setting. As a result, it is possible to prevent being charged for the time up to the set start time even though charging has not occurred by that time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent billing from starting even though charging has not started.

[0048] Furthermore, by switching from timer charging to instant charging, it is possible to more reliably prevent periods of time when charging does not occur and charges are incurred.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, AC charging is performed for both timer charging and immediate charging. AC charging is often used when charging at home using charging equipment at night. Therefore, the timer charging time is often set to nighttime hours. In this case, if timer charging is applied at a public facility, there is a high possibility that no charging will be performed at all. Therefore, switching from timer charging to immediate charging as described above is particularly effective for vehicle 1 and EVSE200, where AC charging is performed.

[0050] <First variation> Figure 4 shows a sequence control according to a first modified example of the above embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 4, steps S6 and S7 in Figure 2 of the above embodiment are omitted. That is, if it is determined in step S5 that a timer is set (Yes in S5), the process proceeds to step S8. In this example, if it is determined that a timer is set, the processor 21 automatically switches the setting from timer charging to immediate charging without notifying the user (executes the process in S8). The process of automatically switching the setting from timer charging to immediate charging is an example of the "switching process" of this disclosure.

[0051] The automatic switching from timer charging to instant charging eliminates the need for the user to manually select a setting. As a result, the user's burden is reduced.

[0052] <Second variation> Figure 5 shows a sequence control according to a second modified example of the above embodiment. In this modified example, the car navigation device 40 accepts a setting to enable or disable the switching process that switches from timer charging to immediate charging. In the example shown in Figure 5, step S5a is added between S5 and S6 in Figure 2 of the above embodiment.

[0053] In step S5a, the processor 21 determines whether a switching process to switch from timer charging to immediate charging is enabled. If the switching process is enabled (Yes in S5a), the process proceeds to step S6. If the switching process is disabled (No in S5a), the process proceeds to step S9. That is, if the switching process is disabled (No in S5a), the timer charging setting is maintained, so timer charging is started in step S10.

[0054] This prevents the switching process from being performed against the user's will, even if the user does not wish to switch from timer charging to instant charging.

[0055] The processing (control) of the second modified example shown in Figure 5 may be combined with the first modified example described above.

[0056] Figure 6 shows the configuration of a charging system 400 according to a third modified example of the above embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 6, the charging control device 300, which is provided outside the vehicle 1, has the functions of the authentication ECU 10 of the above embodiment. The charging control device 300 has a processor 310, a memory 320, and a communication unit 330. The processor 310, memory 320, and communication unit 330 correspond to the processor 11, memory 12, and communication unit 13 of the authentication ECU 10 of the above embodiment, respectively.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the charging device 110 is composed of a charging ECU 20 and a charger 30. The charging device 110 is mounted on the vehicle 101. The charging device 110 and the charging control device 300 constitute the charging system 400.

[0058] Vehicle 101 is equipped with a communication device 50. The communication device 50 communicates (wirelessly) with the communication unit 330 of the charging control device 300. The communication device 50 receives authentication information for EVSE 200 from the communication unit 220 of EVSE 220. The communication device 50 transmits the received authentication information for EVSE 200 to the communication unit 330.

[0059] The processor 310 determines whether the EVSE200 is a time-based billing system based on the authentication information of the EVSE200 acquired by the communication unit 330. The information regarding whether the EVSE200 is a time-based billing system is transmitted to the communication device 50 via the communication unit 330.

[0060] The processor 21 of the charging ECU 20 obtains information from the communication device 50 via the communication unit 23 regarding whether the EVSE 200 is a time-based billing system. Based on the information regarding whether the EVSE 200 is a time-based billing system, the processor 21 executes the processing shown in the above embodiment.

[0061] Furthermore, the communication unit 330 of the charging control device 300 may be able to communicate directly with the communication unit 220 of the EVSE 200. In this case, the communication unit 330 may receive authentication information from the EVSE 200.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 6, only the functions of the authentication ECU 10 of the above embodiment are provided in the charging control device 300 located outside the vehicle 1. However, the charging control device 300 may also have the functions of the charging ECU 20, for example.

[0063] <Other variations> The above embodiment shows an example of switching from timer charging to immediate charging, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the charging may be switched to a charging method that starts later than immediate charging but before the start time of timer charging. For example, the charging may be switched to one that starts a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) before the start time of timer charging, or to one that starts a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) after the current time. The predetermined time may be a fixed value set in advance.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the EVSE200 is determined to be a time-based charge system based on information indicating that the EVSE200 supports PnC charging, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, information directly indicating that the EVSE200 is a time-based charge system may be transmitted from the EVSE200 to the vehicle 1. In this case, the EVSE200 may support charging other than PnC charging (e.g., EIM: External Identification Means).

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example was shown where charging between the vehicle 1 and the EVSE 200 is AC charging, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Charging between the vehicle 1 and the EVSE 200 may also be DC charging.

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the charging sequence progresses based on user operation in the car navigation device 40, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the charging sequence may progress based on user operation in a user terminal (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) that can communicate with the vehicle 1.

[0067] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the charging device 100 is provided on the vehicle 1, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the charging device may be provided on the EVSE.

[0068] In the above embodiment, when immediate charging is set, an example is shown in which charging is completed when the State of Charge (SOC) reaches a predetermined value, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, charging may be terminated when the charging execution time reaches a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be, for example, the time from the charging start time to the charging end time set in timer charging. The predetermined time may also be a fixed value.

[0069] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1,101 Vehicle, 2 Battery pack (energy storage device), 11 Processor (determination unit), 13 Communication unit (acquisition unit), 21 Processor (control unit), 100,110 Charging device, 200 EVSE (charging station), 300 Charging control device, 400 Charging system.

Claims

1. A charging device that charges an energy storage device installed in a vehicle, An acquisition unit that acquires authentication information of a charging station that supplies charging power to the aforementioned energy storage device, A determination unit determines whether the charging station is time-based or not, based on the authentication information obtained by the acquisition unit, The system includes a control unit that can switch between a first charge, which starts charging the energy storage device at a pre-set start time, and a second charge, which starts charging before the aforementioned start time. The control unit performs a switching process to switch from the first charge to the second charge when the first charge is set and the determination unit determines that the charging station is billed by the hour.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the first charge to the second charge and immediately starts the charge.

3. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching process includes a process that requests the user of the vehicle to select whether to perform the first charge or the second charge.

4. The control unit, The above switching process can be enabled or disabled. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the switching process is invalid, the first charge is set and the determination unit determines that the charging stand is billed on a time basis, the first charge is maintained.

5. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines that the charging stand is time-based when the acquisition unit acquires the authentication information indicating that the charging stand supports PnC charging.

6. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first charge and the second charge is charged by AC charging.

7. A charging control device that controls the charging of the energy storage device installed in the vehicle, The charging device comprises a charging device that performs the charging based on the control of the charging control device, The charging control device is The authentication information of the charging station that supplies charging power to the aforementioned energy storage device is obtained, Based on the acquired authentication information, it is determined whether the charging station is time-based or not. The charging device is It is possible to switch between a first charge, which starts charging the energy storage device at a pre-set start time, and a second charge, which starts charging before the aforementioned start time. A charging system that performs a switching process to switch from the first charging to the second charging when the first charging is set and the charging control device determines that the charging station is charged on a time-based basis.

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