Power supply system

Abstract

This power supply system provides a way to shorten the external charging time while avoiding increased vehicle manufacturing costs and larger vehicle size. [Solution] The power supply system 1 comprises a vehicle 10 and power supply equipment 20. The vehicle 10 includes a battery 105, piping 130, and an inlet 120. The inlet 120 has a water inlet that communicates with the piping 130 and a power inlet that can receive charging power from the power supply equipment 20. The power supply equipment 20 includes piping 240, a connector 220, a power supply device 205, and a heat transfer medium transport unit 225. The connector 220 has a power inlet that can be connected to the power inlet and a water inlet that communicates with the piping 240 and can be connected to the water inlet. The power supply device 205 supplies charging power to the power inlet through the power inlet. The heat transfer medium transport unit 225 transports the heated heat transfer medium to the water inlet through the piping 240 and the water inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-193618 (Patent Document 1) discloses a charging system. This charging system includes charging equipment (power supply equipment) and an electric vehicle. The charging equipment supplies charging power to a charging target such as a secondary battery mounted on the electric vehicle (external charging).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An electric vehicle may include a heating device that heats its power storage device. This heating device generally operates by consuming the power of the above power storage device and can be driven before or during external charging. This is because when the temperature of the power storage device is low, the charging power is reduced and the time for external charging is prolonged. Therefore, by raising the temperature of the power storage device to an appropriate temperature, the time for external charging can be shortened. However, mounting the above heating device on the vehicle can increase the manufacturing cost of the vehicle and cause the vehicle to become larger.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply system that can shorten the external charging time while avoiding an increase in the manufacturing cost of the vehicle and an increase in the size of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power supply system of this disclosure comprises an electric vehicle and a power supply facility. The power supply facility is located outside the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes a power storage device, a first pipe, and an inlet. The first pipe allows the heat transfer medium to exchange heat with the power storage device when the heat transfer medium is flowing through it. The inlet has a water inlet communicating with the first pipe and a power inlet capable of receiving charging power from the power supply facility to charge the power storage device. The power supply facility includes a second pipe, a connector, a power supply device, and a heat transfer medium transport unit. The second pipe allows the heat transfer medium to flow through it. The connector has a power inlet connectable to the power inlet and a water inlet communicating with the second pipe and connectable to the water inlet. The power supply device supplies charging power to the power inlet through the power inlet when the connector is connected to the inlet. The heat transfer medium transport unit transports the heated heat transfer medium to the water inlet through the second pipe and the water inlet when the connector is connected to the inlet.

[0007] With the above configuration, the heated heat transfer medium is transported from the heat transfer medium transport unit through the water inlet and water inlet to the first piping and flows through the first piping. This allows heat exchange to occur between the heated heat transfer medium flowing through the first piping and the energy storage device. As a result, even if the vehicle does not include an on-board heating device, the energy storage device can be warmed before or during external charging. Therefore, the time required for external charging can be shortened while avoiding increased manufacturing costs and vehicle size.

[0008] Preferably, the heat transfer unit includes a storage container, a heating device, and a pump. The storage container communicates with a second pipe and stores the heat transfer medium. The heating device heats the heat transfer medium in the storage container. The pump transports the heat transfer medium heated by the heating device from the storage container to the water inlet through the second pipe and the water inlet. The power supply equipment further includes a first temperature sensor and a control device. The first temperature sensor outputs a first detection value, which is the detected temperature of the heat transfer medium in the storage container. The control device controls the heating device and the pump. The control device performs heating control to control the heating device so that the first detection value is equal to or greater than a first reference value, which is the temperature reference value of the heat transfer medium, and performs transport control to activate the pump when the power inlet and water inlet are connected to the power inlet and water inlet, respectively, after the first detection value has become equal to or greater than the first reference value due to the heating control.

[0009] With the above configuration, a heat transfer medium preheated to a temperature above the first reference value is transported from the water inlet through the water receiving port to the first piping and circulates through the first piping. As a result, the energy storage device is heated up faster than in cases where the heating device is started to operate and the energy storage device is heated after the heat transfer medium has been transported from the water inlet to the first piping. Consequently, the temperature of the energy storage device can be raised to the appropriate temperature quickly during external charging, thereby appropriately shortening the external charging time.

[0010] Preferably, the electric vehicle includes a second temperature sensor that outputs a second detection value, which is a detected value of the temperature of the energy storage device. The control device acquires the second detection value from the electric vehicle. Transport control is performed when the acquired second detection value is less than the second reference value, which is the temperature reference value of the energy storage device.

[0011] With the above configuration, preheated heat transfer fluid is transported from the power supply equipment to the first piping only when the energy storage device is cold. In other words, if the energy storage device is already sufficiently warmed, preheated heat transfer fluid is not transported to the first piping. As a result, the heat transfer fluid from the power supply equipment is not unnecessarily transported to the vehicle, and power consumption in the pump can be appropriately reduced.

[0012] Preferably, the control device stops the pump if the acquired second detection value exceeds a second reference value during transport control.

[0013] With the above configuration, when the energy storage device is sufficiently heated by the heat transfer medium from the power supply equipment, the transport of the heat transfer medium is stopped. This prevents the temperature of the energy storage device from rising excessively while appropriately reducing the power consumption of the pump.

[0014] Preferably, the power supply equipment further includes a third temperature sensor that outputs a third detection value, which is a detected value of the ambient temperature of the power supply equipment. Heating control is performed when the third detection value is less than a third reference value, which is a reference value of the ambient temperature.

[0015] With the above configuration, the heat transfer medium inside the storage container is preheated only when the outside temperature is low (for example, in winter). In other words, the heating device is not driven when the heat transfer medium inside the storage container is already warm (for example, in summer). As a result, the power consumption of the heating device can be kept to a minimum. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is possible to shorten the time required for external charging while avoiding increased manufacturing costs and larger vehicle size. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the vehicle and power supply equipment. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the detailed configuration of the inlet, power cable, and connector. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure for processing performed by the control device in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an overall configuration diagram of the power supply system according to Modification Example 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated. Each of the embodiments and their modifications may be combined with each other as appropriate.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the power supply system 1 includes a vehicle 10 and a power supply facility 20.

[0020] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), and includes a battery 105 and an inlet 120. The battery 105 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, for example, and is an example of a power storage device that stores power for running the vehicle 10. The battery 105 is mounted on the bottom surface of the body of the vehicle 10. The power storage amount of the battery 105 is represented by, for example, SOC (State Of Charge). The vehicle 10 may further include an in-vehicle heating device (not shown) that consumes the power of the battery 105 to heat the battery 105.

[0021] The inlet 120 is provided on the side surface (for example, the front surface or the rear surface) of the body of the vehicle 10, and receives charging power for charging the battery 105 from the power supply facility 20.

[0022] The power supply facility 20 is provided outside the vehicle 10, and includes a power cable 210 and a connector 220. The power cable 210 transmits the power supply power from the power supply facility 20 to the vehicle 10. This power supply power corresponds to the charging power of the battery 105. Charging the battery 105 using this power supply power is also referred to as "external charging". The connector 220 is provided at the tip of the power cable 210. In this example, the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the vehicle 10 and the power supply equipment 20. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the inlet 120, the power cable 210, and the connector 220.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2, the vehicle 10 includes a battery 105, a temperature sensor 110, an inlet 120, piping 130, a power line 140, a signal line 150, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 160. The battery 105 and the inlet 120 are the same as those in Figure 1.

[0025] The temperature sensor 110 detects the temperature TB of the battery 105 and outputs the detected value. The piping 130 is through which a heat transfer medium can flow. In this embodiment, the heat transfer medium is water, but it may be antifreeze, oil, or other liquid. When the heat transfer medium is flowing through the piping 130, the heat transfer medium exchanges heat with the battery 105. The piping 130 includes pipes 132 and 134. Pipe 132 is the part of the piping 130 through which the heat transfer medium before heat exchange flows. Pipe 134 is the part of the piping 130 through which the heat transfer medium after heat exchange flows.

[0026] The power line 140 is connected between the battery 105 and the inlet 120, and transmits the power received by the inlet 120 to the battery 105. The signal line 150 is connected between the inlet 120 and the ECU 160.

[0027] The ECU 160 is a control circuit that controls various devices in the vehicle 10 and communicates with the power supply equipment 20 via the signal line 150. For example, the ECU 160 sequentially acquires the temperature TB detection value from the temperature sensor 110 and sequentially transmits this detection value to the power supply equipment 20. The ECU 160 sequentially calculates the SOC of the battery 105 and sequentially transmits the calculation result to the power supply equipment 20.

[0028] The power supply equipment 20 includes a power supply device 205, a power cable 210, a connector 220, a heat transfer unit 225, piping 240, a temperature sensor 260, an ambient temperature sensor 280, a signal circuit 285, and a control device 290. The power cable 210 and connector 220 are the same as those in Figure 1. The power supply equipment 20 may further include a button (not shown) that receives user input to initiate external charging.

[0029] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the inlet 120, power cable 210, and connector 220.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3, the inlet 120 has a water inlet 122, a water supply inlet 124, a power receiving inlet 126, and a signal terminal 128. The water inlet 122 and the water supply inlet 124 are in communication with the piping 130. The power receiving inlet 126 is connected to the power line 140 and receives power from the power supply equipment 20 during external charging. The signal terminal 128 is connected to the signal line 150 and is provided for exchanging various signals between the vehicle 10 and the power supply equipment 20.

[0031] The power cable 210 includes conduits 212 and 214, a power line 216, and a signal line 218. Conduits 212 and 214 will be described later. The power line 216 is provided to transmit power (charging power) from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10 during external charging. The signal line 218 is provided to exchange various signals between the vehicle 10 and the power supply equipment 20. The signal line 218 is located between the signal terminal 228 and the signal circuit 285 (both described later).

[0032] The connector 220 includes a water inlet 222, a water receiving port 224, a power supply port 226, and a signal terminal 228. The water inlet 222 and water receiving port 224 are connected to the water receiving port 122 and water inlet 124 of the vehicle 10, respectively. The power supply port 226 is connected to the power receiving port 126. The signal terminal 228 is connected to the signal terminal 128 and is provided for exchanging various signals between the vehicle 10 and the power supply equipment 20.

[0033] Thus, when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120, the water inlet 222, water receiving port 224, power supply port 226, and signal terminal 228 are connected to the water receiving port 122, water inlet 124, power receiving port 126, and signal terminal 128, respectively.

[0034] Referring again to Figure 2, the detailed configuration of the power supply equipment 20 will be explained. Figure 3 will be referred to as appropriate below.

[0035] The power supply unit 205 converts power from the power grid (not shown) and supplies charging power to the power receiving port 126 through the power supply port 226 when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120. The heat transfer unit 225 includes a tank 230, a pump 250, and a heating device 270.

[0036] Tank 230 is a storage container for storing the aforementioned heat transfer medium (water in this example). Piping 240 communicates with Tank 230 and allows the heat transfer medium to flow through it. Piping 240 includes pipes 242 and 244. Pipe 242 is the portion of pipe 240 through which the heat transfer medium flows out of Tank 230. Piping 244 is the portion of pipe 240 through which the heat transfer medium flows back to Tank 230. Pipes 242 and 242 communicate with the water inlet 222. Pipes 244 and 244 communicate with the water receiving inlet 224.

[0037] The pump 250 transports the heat transfer medium from the tank 230 to the water inlet 122 through the piping 242, 212 and the water inlet 222 when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120.

[0038] The heating device 270 is an electric or gas-powered heating device that heats the heat transfer medium in the tank 230. In this example, the heating device 270 is provided inside the tank 230, but it may also be provided inside the power supply equipment 20, outside the tank 230, around the piping 240, or inside the piping 240. The heating device 270 may also be externally mounted to the housing of the power supply equipment 20. The temperature sensor 260 detects the temperature TM of the heat transfer medium in the tank 230 and outputs the detected value. The ambient temperature sensor 280 detects the ambient temperature TE of the power supply equipment 20 and outputs the detected value.

[0039] When connector 220 is connected to inlet 120, signal circuit 285 can exchange various signals with ECU 160 via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, etc., through signal lines 150, 218 and signal terminals 128, 228. For example, signal circuit 285 can obtain the temperature TB detection value from ECU 160. Signal circuit 285 can receive a signal (not shown) indicating the connection status (connected / disconnected) between connector 220 and inlet 120 via signal line 218. Signal circuit 285 can receive the result of ECU 160's calculation of the battery 105's SOC via signal line 218.

[0040] The control device 290 controls various components of the power supply equipment 20, such as the power supply unit 205, the pump 250, and the heating device 270. For example, the control device 290 can control the power supply (external charging) from the power supply unit 205 to the vehicle 10 by controlling the power supply unit 205. The control device 290 can also control (drive) the heating device 270 so that the detected temperature TM is equal to or greater than the temperature reference value of the heat transfer medium. This control is also referred to as "heating control." The temperature reference value of the heat transfer medium is determined in advance as appropriate through experiments, etc., and corresponds to an example of the "first reference value" in this disclosure. The control device 290 acquires various signals from the vehicle 10 through the signal circuit 285. These signals include a signal indicating the detected temperature TB, a signal indicating the connection status between the connector 220 and the inlet 120, and a signal indicating the calculation result of the SOC of the battery 105 by the ECU 160. Therefore, the control device 290 can determine the detected temperature TB, the connection status, and the calculation result.

[0041] According to the above configuration of the power supply system 1, when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120, the heat transfer medium (hot water in this example) heated by the heating device 270 is transported by the pump 250 from the tank 230 through the pipes 242, 212 and the water inlet 222 to the water inlet 122. This transports the heated heat transfer medium to the pipe 130 and circulates through the pipe 130. As a result, heat exchange occurs between this heated heat transfer medium and the battery 105. Consequently, even if the vehicle 10 does not include an on-board heating device, the battery 105 can be warmed while driving before or during external charging. Therefore, the time for external charging (user waiting time) can be shortened while avoiding increased manufacturing costs and a larger vehicle 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the heat transfer fluid, after heat exchange, returns to the tank 230 through the piping 134, the water inlet 124 of the inlet 120, the water receiving port 224 of the connector 220, and the piping 214 and 244 of the power supply equipment 20, where it is heated again by the heating device 270. As a result, while the heating device 270 is running, the heat transfer fluid circulates through the closed-loop path formed by the tank 230 and the piping 242, 212, 132, 134, 214, and 244, and the battery 105 is continuously heated.

[0043] Thus, according to this embodiment, the heating device 270 is provided in the power supply equipment 20, and the heated heat transfer medium is transported from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10 to warm the battery 105. Therefore, the vehicle 10 does not necessarily need to include an on-board heating device, and thus the on-board heating device can be eliminated. Alternatively, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power of the battery 105 is consumed to drive the on-board heating device while driving before external charging, which would reduce the driving range of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power of the battery 105 is consumed due to the operation of the on-board heating device after the start of external charging, which would prolong the external charging time.

[0044] The control device 290 may start driving the heating device 270 to warm the battery 105 after the heat transfer medium has been transported from the water inlet 222 to the piping 132. However, it is preferable that the control device 290 preheats the heat transfer medium so that the detected temperature TB is equal to or greater than the heat transfer medium's temperature reference value by the aforementioned heating control, and then operates the pump 250 when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120. This control that operates the pump 250 is also called "transport control".

[0045] According to the heating and transport control, the heat transfer medium, which has been preheated to a temperature above the temperature reference value of the heat transfer medium, is transported from the water inlet 222 through the water receiving inlet 122 to the piping 130 and circulates through the piping 130. As a result, the battery 105 is heated faster than in the case where the heating device 270 is started by the control device 290 after the heat transfer medium has been transported from the water inlet 222 to the piping 130 and the battery 105 is then heated. Consequently, the temperature of the battery 105 can be raised to the appropriate temperature earlier during external charging, thereby appropriately shortening the external charging time.

[0046] The control device 290 preferably performs transport control when the temperature TB detected from the vehicle 10 via the signal circuit 285 is less than the temperature reference value of the battery 105. The temperature reference value of the battery 105 is determined in advance as appropriate through experiments, etc., and corresponds to an example of the "second reference value" in this disclosure.

[0047] By implementing this transport control, the preheated heat transfer medium is transported from the power supply equipment 20 to the piping 130 only when the battery 105 is cold. In other words, if the battery 105 is already sufficiently warm when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120, the preheated heat transfer medium will not be transported to the piping 130. As a result, the heat transfer medium from the power supply equipment 20 is not unnecessarily transported to the vehicle 10, thereby appropriately reducing the power consumption of the pump 250.

[0048] Preferably, the control device 290 stops the pump 250 if the temperature TB detected by the vehicle 10 via the signal circuit 285 exceeds the temperature reference value of the battery 105 during transport control.

[0049] With this configuration, when the battery 105 is sufficiently heated by the heat transfer medium from the power supply equipment 20, the transport of the heat transfer medium from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10 is stopped. This prevents the temperature of the battery 105 from rising excessively while appropriately reducing the power consumption of the pump 250.

[0050] The control device 290 preferably performs the aforementioned heating control when the detected value of the ambient temperature TE is less than the reference value of the ambient temperature. The reference value of the ambient temperature is determined in advance as appropriate through experiments, etc., and corresponds to an example of the "third reference value" in this disclosure.

[0051] With this configuration, the heating device 270 is driven only when the outside temperature TE is low (for example, in winter) to preheat the heat transfer medium in the tank 230. In other words, the heating device 270 is not driven when the heat transfer medium in the tank 230 is already warm (for example, in summer). As a result, the power consumption of the heating device 270 can be kept to a minimum.

[0052] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure for processing performed by the control device 290 in this embodiment. This flowchart starts, for example, when the control device 290 determines that the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120. Hereinafter, steps will be abbreviated as "S".

[0053] Referring to Figure 4, the control device 290 obtains the detected value of the ambient temperature TE from the ambient temperature sensor 280 (S10). The control device 290 determines whether this detected value is less than the temperature reference value RVe of the ambient temperature TE (S15). If the detected value of the ambient temperature TE is greater than or equal to the temperature reference value RVe (NO in S15), the process proceeds to S35. If the detected value of the ambient temperature TE is less than the temperature reference value RVe (YES in S15), the control device 290 drives the heating device 270 (S20).

[0054] After S20, the control device 290 determines, according to the detection result of the temperature sensor 260, whether the detected temperature TM of the heat medium heated in the tank 230 is equal to or greater than the temperature reference value RVm of the heat medium (S25). If the detected temperature TM is less than the temperature reference value RVm (NO in S25), the control device 290 drives the heating device 270 until this detected value reaches the temperature reference value RVm. If the detected temperature TM becomes equal to or greater than the temperature reference value RVm (YES in S25), the control device 290 maintains the temperature of the heat medium by controlling the heating device 270 (e.g., intermittent driving) so that this detected value is maintained at the temperature reference value RVm (S30).

[0055] Subsequently, the control device 290 controls the power supply device 205 to start external charging when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120 (S35). S35 may be performed in response to a user operation instructing the start of external charging, or it may be performed automatically without such user operation when the connector 220 is connected to the inlet 120.

[0056] The control device 290 determines whether the temperature TB of the battery 105 detected from the vehicle 10 via the signal circuit 285 exceeds the temperature reference value RVb of the battery 105 (S40). If the temperature TB is less than or equal to the temperature reference value RVb (NO in S40), the control device 290 executes the aforementioned transport control so that heated heat transfer medium (hot water) is transported from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10 (S50). If the temperature TB exceeds the temperature reference value RVb during transport control (YES in S40), the control device 290 stops the transport of hot water from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10 (circulation of the heat transfer medium in the aforementioned closed-loop path) by stopping the pump 250 (S55).

[0057] After S50 or S55, the control device 290 determines whether the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 105 has reached its target value (S60). If the SOC has not yet reached the target value (NO in S60), the process returns to S40. If the SOC has reached the target value (YES in S60), the control device 290 stops external charging by stopping the power supply device 205 (S70).

[0058] In this flowchart, it is assumed that S40, S50, and S55 are executed during external charging to transport hot water from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the execution during external charging, S40, S50, and S55 may be executed before the start of external charging (after S30 and before S35) to transport hot water from the power supply equipment 20 to the vehicle 10.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, the heating device 270 is provided in the power supply equipment 20, and the heat transfer medium heated in the power supply equipment 20 is transported to the vehicle 10. As a result, the battery 105 is warmed by this heat transfer medium. Consequently, the vehicle 10 does not necessarily need to include an on-board heating device. Therefore, it is possible to warm the battery 105 during external charging and shorten the external charging time while avoiding an increase in the manufacturing cost and size of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, even if the vehicle 10 includes an on-board heating device, the output (or power consumption) of the on-board heating device can be reduced, making it possible to miniaturize the on-board heating device.

[0060] As described above, since the vehicle 10 does not need to include an on-board heating device, or the on-board heating device can be miniaturized, the weight of the vehicle 10 can be reduced, and space can be secured to improve the flexibility of the arrangement of each on-board component in the vehicle 10. Furthermore, if the on-board heating device is not required, even if a heating device 270 (heat transfer medium transport unit 225) is installed in almost all power supply equipment 20, the overall manufacturing cost of heating devices can be reduced. This is because the number of power supply equipment 20 in society as a whole is basically less than the number of vehicles 10, and even if a heating device 270 is installed in almost all power supply equipment 20, if it is not necessary to install an on-board heating device in many vehicles 10, the total number of heating devices that need to be manufactured in society as a whole will be reduced.

[0061] [Example 1] In this embodiment, the inlet 120 is provided on the side of the vehicle body 10, but it may also be provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body 10.

[0062] Figure 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the power supply system 1 according to this modified example 1. Referring to Figure 5, the power supply system 1 according to this modified example differs from the power supply system 1 of the embodiment (Figure 1) in that the inlet 120 is located on the bottom surface of the vehicle body 10 and within the vicinity of the battery 105. In other respects, the power supply system 1 according to this modified example is the same as the power supply system 1 of the embodiment unless otherwise specified. Therefore, a detailed explanation will not be repeated. The vicinity of the battery 105 is a three-dimensional area within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 meter) from the battery 105.

[0063] Referring to Figure 5, the battery 105 is mounted on the bottom surface of the vehicle body 10, and the inlet 120 is located on the bottom surface of the body and in the vicinity of the battery 105. Therefore, according to Modification 1, the length of the piping 130 (132, 134) from the water inlet 122 to the water supply inlet 124 of the inlet 120 can be shortened, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the piping 130.

[0064] [Differentiation 2] The heat transfer unit 225 does not necessarily have to include a tank 230. In this case, the power supply equipment 20 is connected to an external water pipe or reservoir, and the heating device 270 heats the heat transfer medium supplied from the water pipe or reservoir. After heating, the heat transfer medium is transported by the pump 250 through pipes 242 and 212 to the water inlet 122 of the vehicle 10.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Power supply system, 10 Vehicle, 20 Power supply equipment, 105 Battery, 110, 260 Temperature sensor, 120 Inlet, 122, 224 Water inlet, 124, 222 Water inlet, 126 Power inlet, 128, 228 Signal terminal, 130, 132, 134, 212, 214, 240, 242, 244 Piping, 140, 216 Power line, 150, 218 Signal line, 205 Power supply device, 210 Power cable, 220 Connector, 225 Heat transfer unit, 226 Power inlet, 230 Tank, 250 Pump, 270 Heating device, 280 Ambient temperature sensor, 285 Signal circuit, 290 Control device.

Claims

1. Electric vehicles and The electric vehicle is equipped with a power supply facility located outside the vehicle, The aforementioned electric vehicle is Energy storage device, A first pipe through which the heat transfer medium exchanges heat with the energy storage device when the heat transfer medium is flowing, The inlet includes a water receiving port that communicates with the first piping and a power receiving port that can receive charging power for charging the energy storage device from the power supply equipment, The aforementioned power supply equipment is A second pipe through which the heat transfer medium can flow, A connector having a power supply port that can be connected to the power receiving port, and a water supply port that communicates with the second piping and can be connected to the water receiving port, A power supply device that supplies the charging power to the power receiving port through the power supply port when the connector is connected to the inlet, A power supply system including a heat transfer unit that transports the heated heat transfer medium to the water inlet through the second pipe and the water inlet when the connector is connected to the inlet.

2. The aforementioned heat transfer unit is A storage container that communicates with the second pipe and stores the heat transfer medium, A heating device for heating the heat transfer medium in the storage container, The system includes a pump that transports the heat transfer medium heated by the heating device from the storage container to the water inlet through the second pipe and the water inlet, The aforementioned power supply equipment is A first temperature sensor that outputs a first detection value which is a detected value of the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the storage container, The heating device and the control device for controlling the pump are further included. The control device is Heating control is performed to control the heating device so that the first detected value is equal to or greater than the first reference value which is the temperature reference value of the heat transfer medium. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein transport control is performed to activate the pump when the power supply port and the water supply port are connected to the power receiving port and the water receiving port, respectively, after the first detected value has become equal to or greater than the first reference value due to the heating control.

3. The electric vehicle includes a second temperature sensor that outputs a second detection value which is a detected value of the temperature of the energy storage device. The control device acquires the second detected value from the electric vehicle, The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the transport control is performed when the acquired second detection value is less than the second reference value as the temperature reference value of the energy storage device.

4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the control device stops the pump if the acquired second detection value exceeds the second reference value during transport control.

5. The power supply equipment further includes a third temperature sensor that outputs a third detection value which is a detected value of the outside temperature of the power supply equipment. The power supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the heating control is performed when the third detected value is less than the third reference value as a reference value for the ambient temperature.

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