Charging control device and charging system

Abstract

The present invention provides a charging control device and charging system that can prevent power shortages even when the vehicle is traveling in a towing state after charging according to the charging plan has been completed. [Solution] The charging control device has a battery that stores power to operate the drive motor. In step S11, the execution device determines whether the vehicle is in a towing state or not. If it is determined that the vehicle is in a towing state (S11: YES), the execution device sets the target value TP of the battery charge rate CR to a correction value RP that is higher than the target value TP of the battery charge rate CR when it is determined that the vehicle is not in a towing state. In step S13, the execution device uses the target value TP of the charge rate CR as the correction value RP to create a charging plan CP, which is time-series data of the amount of charge CA per unit time when charging the battery from an external power source located outside the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a charging control device for a vehicle having a battery that supplies power to operate a drive source. The charging control device controls charging from an external power source outside the vehicle to the battery in accordance with a target value of the charging rate of the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the vehicle is in a towing state, compared with when it is not in a towing state, since it pulls an object separate from the vehicle, it requires more electric power for running. In a charging control device as described in Patent Document 1, when the vehicle runs in a towing state, there is a risk that the charging rate of the battery becomes insufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A charging control device that solves the above problems is a charging control device for a vehicle having a battery that stores power to operate a drive motor, and comprises an execution device that determines whether or not the vehicle is in a towing state, creates a charging plan which is time-series data of the amount of charge per unit time for charging the battery from an external power source outside the vehicle, setting the target value of the battery's charge rate when it is determined that the vehicle is in a towing state to a higher value than the target value of the battery's charge rate when it is determined that the vehicle is not in a towing state, and requests charging according to the created charging plan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] With the above configuration, even if the vehicle is traveling in a towing state after charging is complete according to the charging plan, a power shortage can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the charging system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a timing chart showing the progression of the charge level and the charging plan. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes involved in creating a charging plan. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <One Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, the charging system 10 comprises a vehicle 20, a charging station 30, a server 40, and a mobile terminal 50. The charging system 10 manages the charging of the vehicle 20 at the charging station 30.

[0009] The vehicle 20 has a charging port 21, a charging circuit 22, a battery 23, and a drive motor 24. The vehicle 20 is an electric vehicle. The charging port 21 is connected to the charging plug 31 of the charging station 30. When the charging plug 31 is connected to the charging port 21, the battery 23 is ready to be charged from the charging station 30.

[0010] The drive motor 24 is the power source for the vehicle 20. The drive motor 24 uses the power stored in the battery 23 to drive the vehicle 20. The battery 23 stores the power to operate the drive motor 24.

[0011] The charging circuit 22 includes a relay that switches between connecting and disconnecting the power path from the charging port 21 to the battery 23, and a power conversion circuit. The battery 23 is charged when the charging circuit 22 is controlled.

[0012] Vehicle 20 includes a communication device 25, a control device 26, and a touch display 27. The communication device 25 is capable of communicating with server 40 via a wireless communication network. The touch display 27 displays images and accepts touch operations from the user's finger or other means. The touch display 27 displays images to prompt the user to select either a non-towing state or a towing state.

[0013] The towing state is a condition in which vehicle 20 is equipped with towing devices such as a trailer hatch and is towing an object other than vehicle 20. This other object may be, for example, another vehicle or cargo.

[0014] On the other hand, the non-towing state is a state in which the vehicle is not towing. In other words, the non-towing state is a state in which the vehicle 20 is not fitted with towing equipment such as a trailer hatch, and is not towing an object other than the vehicle 20.

[0015] The touch display 27 accepts a touch operation to select the towing state while the image is displayed. The touch display 27 accepts a touch operation to select the non-towing state while the image is displayed.

[0016] When the touch display 27 receives a touch operation to select the towing state, the control device 26 sends a signal to the server 40 via the communication device 25 indicating that the vehicle 20 is in the towing state.

[0017] When the touch display 27 receives a touch operation to switch to the non-towing state, the control device 26 sends a signal to the server 40 via the communication device 25 indicating that the vehicle 20 is in the non-towing state.

[0018] The touch display 27 can obtain the next scheduled start time (trs) of the vehicle 20 and the set value SP of the charge rate CR that should be charged by the next scheduled start time (trs) through touch operation by the user of the vehicle 20. For example, when the vehicle 20 is stopped, the touch display 27 displays an input screen to the user of the vehicle 20 for the next scheduled start time (trs) and the set value SP of the charge rate CR that should be charged by the next scheduled start time (trs).

[0019] The control device 26 transmits information indicating the next scheduled start time trs and the set value SP of the charge rate CR, which are input from the touch display 27, to the server 40 via the communication device 25.

[0020] When the control device 26 obtains the set values SP of the next start scheduled time trs and the charge rate CR when the touch display 27 is operated, the control device 26 transmits information indicating the next start scheduled time trs and information indicating the set value SP of the charge rate CR to the server 40. In accordance with the transmission of the information indicating the next start scheduled time trs and the information indicating the set value SP of the charge rate CR, the control device 26 transmits a signal indicating a towing state or a signal indicating a non-towing state to the server 40. In accordance with the transmission of the information indicating the next start scheduled time trs and the information indicating the set value SP of the charge rate CR, the control device 26 transmits information indicating the starting charge rate CRS, which is the charge rate CR of the battery 23, to the server 40.

[0021] The control device 26 allows charging of the battery 23 by controlling the charging circuit 22. When the control device 26 detects that the charging plug 31 is connected to the charging port 21, the control device 26 controls the charging circuit 22 to start charging the battery 23. The control device 26 controls the charging circuit 22 to end the charging of the battery 23 by referring to the charge rate CR of the battery 23.

[0022] The charging station 30 charges the battery 23 of the vehicle 20. The charging station 30 includes a charging plug 31, an external power supply 32, a communication device 33, and a control device 34.

[0023] The charging plug 31 is connected to the external power supply 32 by a cable. The charging plug 31 can be connected to the charging port 21 of the vehicle 20. The external power supply 32 is outside the vehicle 20. The external power supply 32 supplies current to the battery 23 of the vehicle 20 via the charging plug 31. Thereby, the external power supply 32 charges the battery 23.

[0024] The communication device 33 can communicate with the server 40 via a wireless communication network. The control device 34 controls the charging from the external power supply 32. The control device 34 controls the charging from the external power supply 32 for the vehicle 20 according to a charging plan CP, which will be described later, obtained from the server 40 via the communication device 33.

[0025] The server 40 includes a communication device 41 and a charging control device 42. The communication device 41 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 20, the charging station 30, and the mobile terminal 50 via a wireless communication network.

[0026] The charging control device 42 controls the charging of the vehicle's battery 23 from the charging station 30. Specifically, the charging control device 42 creates a charging plan CP. The charging control device 42 controls the charging of the vehicle 20 by requesting charging from the charging station 30 according to the created charging plan CP.

[0027] The charging control device 42 comprises an execution device 43 and a storage device 44. The execution device 43 is a CPU. The storage device 44 is memory. The storage device 44 stores identification information indicating a mobile terminal 50 associated with the vehicle 20.

[0028] The memory device 44 stores the planning program PR. The planning program PR is a program for creating a charging plan CP for the vehicle 20 that will charge the battery 23 at the charging station 30, and for deciding whether or not to perform peak cut control.

[0029] The execution device 43 creates a charging plan CP so that the target value TP of the charging rate CR, which is determined based on the set value SP of the charging rate CR obtained from the vehicle 20, is set at the next scheduled start time trs obtained from the vehicle 20. When creating time-series data of the amount of charge CA per unit time, the execution device 43 varies the amount of charge CA per unit time in accordance with fluctuations in electricity rates, for example.

[0030] <Charging Plan> As shown in Figure 2, the charging plan CP is time-series data of the amount of charge CA per unit time from the start time ts to the end time te. By charging the battery 23 according to the charging plan CP, the charge rate CR will reach the target value TP at the next scheduled start time trs.

[0031] In the example shown in Figure 2, the start time ts in the charging plan CP is time t1. The charge amount CA per unit time at time t1 is the first charge amount CA1. The charge amount CA per unit time from time t1 to time t2 is the first charge amount CA1. The charge amount CA per unit time from time t2 to time t3 is the second charge amount CA2. The second charge amount CA2 is greater than the first charge amount CA1. The charge amount CA per unit time from time t3 to time t4 is the first charge amount CA1. Time t4 is both the end time te and the next scheduled start time trs.

[0032] The electricity cost from time t1 to time t2 is higher than the electricity cost from time t2 to time t3. The electricity cost from time t1 to time t2 is the same as the electricity cost from time t3 to time t4.

[0033] Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the amount of charge CA per unit time from time t1 to time t2 is smaller than the amount of charge CA per unit time from time t2 to time t3. The amount of charge CA per unit time from time t1 to time t2 is equal to the amount of charge CA per unit time from time t3 to time t4.

[0034] Furthermore, the charge rate CR at the start time ts is the initial charge rate CRS. When the battery 23 is charged according to the charging plan CP, the charge rate CR at the end time te becomes the target value TP for the charge rate CR.

[0035] <Peak Cut Control> The charging station 30 performs peak cut control. Peak cut control is a control method that prevents charging the amount of charge CA per unit time from exceeding a predetermined threshold CAL.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 2, when the control device 34 performs peak cut control, the charge amount CA per unit time between time t2 and time t3 becomes the threshold CAL instead of the second charge amount CA2. Therefore, the charging station 30 performs peak cut control according to the charging plan CP, and charges the battery 23 using the charge amount CA per unit time between time t2 and time t3 as the threshold CAL. The charging station 30 will stop peak cut control if requested by the server 40.

[0037] <Control of battery 23 charging according to towing conditions> Next, a series of processes performed by the charging control device 42 regarding the control of charging the battery 23 in accordance with the towing state will be explained.

[0038] When the execution device 43 obtains information from the vehicle 20 via the communication device 41 indicating the next scheduled start time trs and the set value SP of the charge rate CR, it starts executing the planning program PR.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, when the execution device 43 starts executing the planning program PR, the execution device 43 first performs the process in step S11. In step S11, the execution device 43 determines whether or not the vehicle 20 is in a towing state.

[0040] Specifically, when the execution device 43 acquires the next scheduled start time trs and the charge rate CR setting value SP, the execution device 43 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a towing state or a signal indicating that it is not in a towing state. When the execution device 43 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a towing state, it determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state. On the other hand, when the execution device 43 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is not in a towing state, it determines that the vehicle 20 is not in a towing state.

[0041] When the execution device 43 determines that the vehicle 20 is not in a towing state (S11: NO), the execution device 43 proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the execution device 43 sets the target value TP of the charge rate CR to the set value SP. After that, the execution device 43 proceeds to step S22.

[0042] In step S22, the execution device 43 creates a charging plan CP with the target value TP of the charge rate CR set to the set value SP. The execution device 43 then transmits the created charging plan CP to the charging station 30 and requests charging according to the charging plan CP. After that, the execution device 43 terminates this series of processes.

[0043] On the other hand, when the execution device 43 determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state (S11: YES), the execution device 43 proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the execution device 43 sets the target value TP of the charge rate CR to a correction value RP that is higher than the set value SP. The execution device 43 sets a predetermined upper limit for each set value SP as the correction value RP. That is, the execution device 43 sets the target value TP of the charge rate CR as the upper limit. After that, the execution device 43 proceeds to step S13.

[0044] In step S13, the execution device 43 creates a charge plan CP using the target value TP of the charge rate CR as the correction value RP. After that, the execution device 43 proceeds to step S14.

[0045] In step S14, the execution device 43 determines whether the charge amount CA per unit time exceeds the threshold CAL for the created charge plan CP. Specifically, the execution device 43 determines that the charge amount CA per unit time exceeds the threshold CAL when the time-series data of the charge amount CA per unit time shown by the created charge plan CP includes a value of the charge amount CA per unit time that exceeds the threshold CAL.

[0046] When the execution device 43 determines that the charge amount CA per unit time does not exceed the threshold CAL (S14: NO), the execution device 43 transmits the created charge plan CP to the charging station 30 and requests charging according to the charge plan CP. After that, the execution device 43 terminates this series of processes.

[0047] On the other hand, when the execution device 43 determines that the charge amount CA per unit time exceeds the threshold CAL (S14: YES), the execution device 43 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the execution device 43 notifies the mobile terminal 50 associated with the vehicle 20 that the charge amount CA per unit time exceeds the threshold CAL. After that, the execution device 43 proceeds to step S16.

[0048] In step S16, the execution device 43 determines whether it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL. Specifically, the execution device 43 determines that it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL if it has previously obtained a signal from the vehicle 20 or the mobile terminal 50 associated with the vehicle 20 indicating that it is permissible for the charge amount CA to exceed the threshold CAL. If the execution device 43 obtains a signal from the mobile terminal 50 indicating that it is permissible for the charge amount CA to exceed the threshold CAL within a predetermined period after the processing in step S15, the execution device 43 determines that it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL. On the other hand, if the execution device 43 has not obtained a signal indicating that it is permissible for the charge amount CA to exceed the threshold CAL, the execution device 43 determines that it is not permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL.

[0049] When the execution device 43 determines that it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL (S16: YES), the execution device 43 proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the execution device 43 sets peak cut control to none. Specifically, the execution device 43 transmits the charge plan CP created in step S13 to the charging station 30 and requests charging according to the said charge plan CP. The execution device 43 also requests the charging station 30 to stop peak cut control. After that, the execution device 43 terminates this series of processes.

[0050] On the other hand, if the execution device 43 determines that it does not allow the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL (S16: NO), the execution device 43 proceeds to step S18.

[0051] In step S18, the execution device 43 sets peak cut control to "on". Specifically, the execution device 43 transmits the charging plan CP created in step S13 to the charging station 30 and requests charging according to the said charging plan CP. The execution device 43 also requests the charging station 30 to perform peak cut control. That is, the execution device 43 requests charging with the amount of charge CA per unit time when the threshold CAL is exceeded as the threshold CAL. After that, the execution device 43 terminates this series of processes.

[0052] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The execution device 43 determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state and sets the target value TP of the battery 23's charge rate CR to a corrected value RP that is higher than the target value TP of the battery 23's charge rate CR when the vehicle 20 is not in a towing state. Then the execution device 43 creates a charging plan CP. The execution device 43 then requests the charging station 30 to charge according to the created charging plan CP. The charging station 30, upon receiving the request, charges the battery 23 according to the charging plan CP so that the target value TP of the charge rate CR is higher than the target value TP when the vehicle is determined not to be in a towing state. As a result, after charging according to the charging plan CP is completed, the charge rate CR can be higher than when the vehicle is determined not to be in a towing state. As a result, the charging control device 42 can suppress power shortages even when the vehicle 20 is driving in a towing state after charging according to the charging plan CP is completed.

[0053] (2) The execution device 43 creates a charging plan CP with a predetermined upper limit as the target value TP of the battery charge rate CR when it determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state. Therefore, the execution device 43 only needs to select a predetermined upper limit as the target value TP of the battery charge rate CR when it determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state. Thus, the charging control device 42 does not need to perform any additional processing to calculate the correction value RP, and the processing load on the execution device 43 can be prevented from becoming excessively high.

[0054] (3) If the charge amount CA per unit time is not permitted to exceed a predetermined threshold CAL, the execution device 43 requests charging using the charge amount CA per unit time at which it exceeds the threshold CAL as the threshold CAL. With the above configuration, the execution device 43 can prevent the charge amount CA from exceeding a specified amount.

[0055] (4) The charging system 10 comprises a server 40 and a charging station 30. The server 40 has a charging control device 42. The charging station 30 charges the vehicle 20 according to the charging plan CP. When the charging amount CA per unit time in the charging plan CP exceeds a threshold CAL, if it is not permissible for the charging amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL, the charging system 10 performs peak cut control and does not charge the amount of charging CA that exceeds the threshold CAL. When the charging amount CA per unit time in the charging plan CP exceeds a threshold CAL, if it is permissible for the charging amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL, the peak cut control is stopped.

[0056] According to the above embodiment, if the user of the vehicle 20 does not allow the charge amount CA per unit time in the charge plan CP to exceed the threshold CAL, the charging system 10 stops peak cut control. This allows the charging system 10 to suppress the charge amount CA per unit time from exceeding the threshold CAL.

[0057] (5) The charging station 30 performs peak cut control. The charging station 30 charges the battery 23. Therefore, the charging control device 42 does not have to recreate the charging plan CP, and it is possible to suppress the charging of a charge amount CA per unit time that exceeds the threshold CAL.

[0058] <Example of changes> The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0059] The method for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a towing state is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the execution device 43 may obtain a signal from the mobile terminal 50 indicating that the vehicle is in a towing state or a non-towing state and make a determination. Alternatively, the execution device 43 may obtain a signal indicating whether or not a trailer hatch is connected to the vehicle 20 and make a determination based on that signal. Alternatively, the execution device 43 may obtain information from a camera mounted on the vehicle 20 and make a determination based on that information.

[0060] The charging control device 42 does not have to directly obtain the set value SP of the charge rate CR from the vehicle 20. For example, the charging control device 42 may obtain the planned mileage for the next trip from the vehicle 20 instead of the set value SP, and calculate the set value SP based on that mileage and the planned next start time trs.

[0061] The execution device 43 does not need to create a charging plan CP with a predetermined upper limit set as the target value TP of the battery charge rate CR when it determines that the vehicle 20 is in a towing state. For example, the execution device 43 may calculate a correction value RP based on a predetermined map or the like. Alternatively, the execution device 43 may set the correction value RP to a value that is a predetermined amount larger than the set value SP.

[0062] If the charge amount CA per unit time is not permitted to exceed a predetermined threshold CAL, the execution device 43 does not need to request charging, using the charge amount CA per unit time that exceeds the threshold CAL as the threshold CAL. For example, the execution device 43 may omit the processing in steps S14 to S18. In this case, the execution device 43 only needs to request charging according to the created charging plan CP after processing in step S13 or step S22.

[0063] The execution device 43 may recreate the charging plan CP so that the charge amount CA per unit time does not exceed the threshold CAL. For example, if a negative determination is made in step S16, the charging plan CP may be recreated in step S18 so that the maximum value of the charge amount CA per unit time is set as the threshold CAL. After that, the execution device 43 can send the recreated charging plan CP to the charging station 30. In other words, the way in which the execution device 43 requests charging with a charge amount CA per unit time that exceeds the threshold CAL as the threshold CAL is not limited to the example of the above embodiment.

[0064] The charging station 30 does not need to perform peak cut control. For example, the control device 26 in the vehicle 20 may perform peak cut control, or the charging control device 42 in the server 40 may perform peak cut control.

[0065] The charging system 10 may perform peak cut control regardless of whether it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL. Alternatively, the charging system 10 may not perform peak cut control regardless of whether it is permissible for the charge amount CA per unit time to exceed the threshold CAL.

[0066] The charging station 30 may have a charging control device 42. In this case, the charging station 30 does not need to be able to communicate with the server 40. Also, the charging system 10 does not need to have a server 40. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 10…Charging system 20... Vehicles 23…Battery 24…Drive motor 30... Charging Station 32…External power supply 40… Server 41...Communication equipment 42...Charging control device 43…Execution device 44…Storage device CA…Charge per unit time CAL… threshold CP... Charging Plan CR…Charging rate

Claims

1. A charging control device for a vehicle having a battery that stores power to operate a drive motor, To determine whether the vehicle is in a towing state, The charging plan is created, which is time-series data of the amount of charge per unit time when charging the battery from an external power source located outside the vehicle, with the target value of the battery charge rate when the vehicle is determined to be in a towing state being higher than the target value of the battery charge rate when the vehicle is determined not to be in a towing state. To request charging in accordance with the charging plan created, A charging control device equipped with an execution device that performs the following actions.

2. The execution device then creates a charging plan, setting a predetermined upper limit as the target value for the battery's charge level when it determines that the vehicle is in a towing state. The charging control device according to claim 1.

3. If the amount of charge per unit time is not permitted to exceed a predetermined threshold, the execution device requests charging using the amount of charge per unit time at which the threshold is exceeded as the threshold. The charging control device according to claim 1.

4. A charging system comprising: a server having a charging control device as described in claim 3; a vehicle capable of communicating with the server; and a charging station capable of communicating with the server and performing charging on the vehicle according to the charging plan, When the amount of charge per unit time exceeds the threshold, if it is not permissible for the amount of charge per unit time to exceed the threshold, peak cut control is performed to prevent charging the amount of charge exceeding the threshold. When the amount of charge per unit time exceeds the threshold, if it is permissible for the amount of charge per unit time to exceed the threshold, the peak cut control is discontinued. Charging system.

5. The charging station performs the peak cut control. The charging system according to claim 4.

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