Charging system

Abstract

This system provides a charging system that mitigates the disadvantages incurred by charger operators due to poor manners and improper use of vehicle chargers. [Solution] The charging system includes a vehicle charger equipped with at least one of a sensor and a camera; a detection means that, upon detecting input of a user identifier of a user using the vehicle charger, detects a first usage manner representing the usage manner of the vehicle charger and a second usage manner representing the usage manner of the parking lot of the electric vehicle connected to the vehicle charger, based on at least one of first information detected by the sensor and second information acquired by the camera; and an awarding means that, if at least one of the first usage manner and the second usage manner meets a predetermined standard representing good usage manners, awards reward information to the user identifier.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A user who uses a facility having a parking lot may charge the in-vehicle battery of an electric vehicle using the power supply equipment provided in the parking lot. When a user is using the power supply equipment, other users cannot use the power supply equipment. If each power supply equipment in the parking lot is used for a long time, the number of users per unit time for each power supply equipment may decrease. It is known that when a certain time or more has elapsed since the start of charging, an electronic mail is sent to the user's mobile terminal to notify the user to stop using the power supply equipment earlier (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a vehicle charger including the above-described power supply equipment, due to the low awareness of manners of users, the user who uses the vehicle charger next may have an unpleasant feeling. Examples of the low awareness of manners of users include, for example, messy storage of the charging gun inserted into the charging port of an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an electric vehicle). Also, leaving the charging cable connecting the charging gun and the charger unwound is also an example. In addition, a delay in leaving the parking lot after charging is also an example.

[0005] If vehicle chargers are used over the long term due to poor manners, users may avoid using parking lots equipped with such chargers. This could lead to a decrease in the number of vehicles using the parking lot per unit of time, ultimately resulting in disadvantages for the businesses that install the vehicle chargers.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a charging system that suppresses the disadvantages incurred by charger installation businesses due to the poor use of vehicle chargers by drivers with poor manners. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The charging system according to the present invention includes a vehicle charger equipped with at least one of a sensor and a camera; a detection means that, upon detecting the input of a user identifier of a user using the vehicle charger, detects a first usage manner representing the usage manner of the vehicle charger and a second usage manner representing the usage manner of the parking lot of the electric vehicle connected to the vehicle charger, based on at least one of first information detected by the sensor and second information acquired by the camera; and an awarding means that, if at least one of the first usage manner and the second usage manner meets a predetermined standard representing good usage manners, awards reward information to the user identifier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the disadvantages incurred by charger installation businesses due to the poor use of vehicle chargers by drivers with poor manners. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging system. (b) is a diagram illustrating an example of an electric vehicle. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of how the charger management server operates. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1(a), the charging system ST comprises a charger management server 10 and a vehicle charger 30. In this embodiment, a fast charger is described as an example of the vehicle charger 30, but instead of a fast charger, a standard charger with a lower rated output than that of a fast charger may be used. The vehicle charger 30 is installed in the parking lots of public facilities and commercial facilities. For example, the vehicle charger 30 is installed in the parking lots of highway service areas, city halls, shopping malls, etc.

[0012] The vehicle charger 30 includes a charging port 31, a cable holder 32, and a charging gun holder 33. The charging port 31 is connected to a three-phase AC power supply 31A of several hundred volts. The charging port 31 is also connected to a charging gun 38 via a charging cable 37. The tip of the charging gun 38 is connected to the charging port of the electric vehicle 50. By operating the control unit (not shown) of the vehicle charger 30, the electric vehicle 50 can be rapidly charged from the vehicle charger 30.

[0013] The cable holder 32 holds the charging cable 37 by wrapping the cable cable 37 around the cable holder 32. The cable holder 32 is equipped with a weight sensor 34 that detects the weight of the charging cable 37. When the cable holder 32 holds the charging cable 37, the weight sensor 34 detects the weight of the charging cable 37.

[0014] The charging gun holder 33 holds the charging gun 38 when the charging gun 38 is housed in the charging gun holder 33. The charging gun holder 33 is equipped with a contact sensor 35 that detects contact between the charging gun 38 and the charging gun holder 33. When the charging gun holder 33 holds the charging gun 38, the contact sensor 35 detects contact between the charging gun 38 and the charging gun holder 33. In this way, the housing of the charging gun 38 in the charging gun holder 33 is determined based on the detection by the contact sensor 35.

[0015] The vehicle charger 30 also includes a communication port 36 and an external imaging camera 39. The imaging camera 39 is installed at the top of the support column 39A. The imaging field of view of the imaging camera 39 includes the vehicle charger 30 and the electric vehicle 50 parked in the parking lot. The imaging camera 39 is connected to the communication port 36 via a communication cable 39B that passes through the inside of the support column 39A. The imaging camera 39 can acquire images within the imaging field of view.

[0016] The weight sensor 34, contact sensor 35, and communication port 36 are connected to the charger management server 10 via a communication network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. This allows the charger management server 10 to acquire weight information representing the weight of the charging cable 37 detected by the weight sensor 34, storage information indicating whether or not the charging gun 38 is stored, and image information including images captured by the imaging camera 39. The weight information and storage information are examples of first-order information. The image information is an example of second-order information.

[0017] The charger management server 10 is implemented using hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), NVM (Non-Volatile Memory), and a communication interface (I / F). The CPU of the charger management server 10 stores programs stored in ROM and NVM in RAM. By executing the stored programs, the CPU implements various functions described later and also performs a series of processes described later. The programs should conform to the flowchart described later.

[0018] The charger management server 10 is equipped with various functions such as a status detection unit 11, a manners detection unit 12, a point awarding unit 13, and an information and communication unit 14. The manners detection unit 12 is an example of a detection means. The point awarding unit 13 is an example of a point awarding means. The status detection unit 11 detects the parking status and charging status of the electric vehicle 50 based on image information acquired via the information and communication unit 14. The manners detection unit 12 detects the user P1's manners towards the vehicle charger 30 based on weight information, storage information, image information, etc. acquired via the information and communication unit 14.

[0019] The point awarding unit 13 awards points to user P1's user ID (Identifier) ​​when user P1 behaves well when using the vehicle charger 30. In other words, the point awarding unit 13 associates points with user P1's user ID when user P1 behaves well when using the vehicle charger 30. User ID is an example of a user identifier. For example, the point awarding unit 13 may award monetary points usable at public or commercial facilities to the user ID as reward information. The point awarding unit 13 may also award non-monetary points usable for experiential services provided by the business that installs the vehicle charger 30 as reward information. The situation detection unit 11, the manners detection unit 12, and the point awarding unit 13 each perform various processes, but the details of these processes will be described later.

[0020] Refer to Figure 1(b) for details of the electric vehicle 50.

[0021] The electric vehicle 50 includes a charging ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 55. The charging ECU 55 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output I / F, an NVM, etc. Also, the electric vehicle 50 includes a battery 56, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 57, and an MG (Motor Generator) 58. The battery 56 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery 56 stores the power supplied from the vehicle charger 30 based on the charging control of the charging ECU 55. The battery 56 supplies power to the MG 58 through the PCU 57 when the electric vehicle 50 is running.

[0022] The PCU 57 is a driving device that drives the MG 58. The PCU 57 includes a power conversion device such as a converter and an inverter. The PCU 57 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 56 into AC power for driving the MG 58. The MG 58 is driven by the PCU 57 to generate a rotational driving force, and the driving force generated by the MG 58 is transmitted to the driving wheels 59R, 59L of the electric vehicle 50 through the power transmission gear 59. Thereby, the electric vehicle 50 runs.

[0023] In this way, the electric vehicle 50 is equipped with the battery 56 without an engine. The electric vehicle 50 can run by the MG 58 using the power stored in the battery 56. For example, the electric vehicle 50 includes a plug-in EV (Electric Vehicle). The electric vehicle 50 may be a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine in addition to the MG 58. The electric vehicle 50 may be a fuel cell vehicle further equipped with a fuel cell using hydrogen as fuel together with the battery 56. In this way, the electric vehicle 50 uses electric power as all or part of the power source.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the charger management server 10 will be described.

[0025] First, the situation detection unit 11 detects the arrival of the electric vehicle 50 (step S1). For example, based on a series of image information, when the situation detection unit 11 detects a change from a first situation in which the electric vehicle 50 is not present in the captured image to a second situation in which the electric vehicle 50 appears in the captured image, the situation detection unit 11 detects the arrival of the electric vehicle 50.

[0026] When the arrival of the electric vehicle 50 is detected, the status detection unit 11 performs an authentication process (step S2). For example, when user P1 operates the control panel of the vehicle charger 30 and enters the user ID and password as authentication information, the status detection unit 11 detects the input of authentication information and obtains the authentication information via the information communication unit 14. Upon obtaining the authentication information, the status detection unit 11 compares the authentication information with the pre-registered authentication information in the charger management server 10 to determine whether the authentication information and the pre-registered authentication information match. If the authentication information and the pre-registered authentication information do not match, the status detection unit 11 prompts the control panel of the vehicle charger 30 to re-enter the authentication information.

[0027] The status detection unit 11 determines whether the vehicle charger 30 is being used for the second time or later if the authentication information and pre-authentication information match (step S3). For example, if the number of times the authentication information and pre-authentication information have matched is the first time, the status detection unit 11 determines that the vehicle charger 30 is not being used for the second time or later (step S3: NO). In this case, the status detection unit 11 detects the start of charging (step S4). Specifically, when user P1 operates the control unit of the vehicle charger 30 to instruct the vehicle charger 30 to start charging, the status detection unit 11 detects the start of charging. When the status detection unit 11 detects the start of charging, the vehicle charger 30 starts charging the electric vehicle 50.

[0028] When charging of the electric vehicle 50 is complete, the status detection unit 11 detects the end of charging (step S5). For example, the status detection unit 11 detects the end of charging when it detects that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of charging. The status detection unit 11 may also detect the end of charging when the user P1 operates the control unit of the vehicle charger 30 and is instructed to end charging from the vehicle charger 30. Upon detecting the end of charging, the status detection unit 11 detects the departure of the electric vehicle 50 from the parking lot (step S6). For example, based on a series of image information, the status detection unit 11 detects the departure of the electric vehicle 50 when it detects a change from a third situation in which the electric vehicle 50 is present in the captured image to a fourth situation in which the electric vehicle 50 is absent from the captured image.

[0029] When the situation detection unit 11 detects that a vehicle has left the parking lot, the manners detection unit 12 detects the manners of use (step S7). For example, the manners detection unit 12 detects a first manner of use representing the manners of use towards the vehicle charger 30 based on weight information and storage information. The manners detection unit 12 may also detect the first manner of use based on image information and AI (Artificial Intelligence) image diagnosis of the image information. Furthermore, the manners detection unit 12 detects a second manner of use representing the manners of use of the parking lot for the electric vehicle 50 connected to the vehicle charger 30, based on image information. The manners detection unit 12 may detect either the first or second manner of use, or it may detect both the first and second manners of use.

[0030] When the manners detection unit detects poor usage, it determines whether the usage manners are good or bad (step S8). Specifically, the manners detection unit 12 determines whether the detected usage manners meet the criteria for good usage manners that have been set in advance. For example, the manners detection unit 12 determines whether the charging cable 37 is left unwound. If the weight information does not include the weight of the charging cable 37, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the charging cable 37 is left unwound. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners do not meet the criteria and that the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are bad. On the other hand, if the weight information includes the weight of the charging cable 37, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the cable holder 32 is holding the charging cable 37. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners meet the criteria and that the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are good. The manners detection unit 12 may also determine whether the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are good or bad based on the weight information and image information.

[0031] Furthermore, the manners detection unit 12 determines whether the charging gun 38 is put away haphazardly or not. Based on the storage information, if the manners detection unit 12 detects that the charging gun holder 33 and the charging gun 38 are not in contact, it determines that the charging gun holder 33 is not holding the charging gun 38 and determines that the charging gun 38 is put away haphazardly. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners do not meet the standards and that the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are poor. On the other hand, based on the storage information, if the manners detection unit 12 detects contact between the charging gun holder 33 and the charging gun 38, it determines that the charging gun holder 33 is holding the charging gun 38 and determines that the charging gun 38 is put away. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners meet the standards and that the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are good. The manners detection unit 12 may also determine whether the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are good or not based on the storage information and image information.

[0032] Furthermore, the manners detection unit 12 determines whether there is a delay in leaving the parking lot after charging is complete. Based on the image information, the manners detection unit 12 determines that there is a delay in leaving if it does not detect a change from the third situation to the fourth situation described above within a certain period of time after charging is complete. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners do not meet the standards and that the usage manners of the vehicle charger 30 are poor. On the other hand, based on the image information, the manners detection unit 12 determines that there is no delay in leaving if it detects a change from the third situation to the fourth situation described above within a certain period of time after charging is complete. In this case, the manners detection unit 12 determines that the usage manners meet the standards and that the usage manners of the parking lot are good. The manners detection unit 12 may determine whether either the first usage manners or the second usage manners meet the standards, or it may determine whether both the first usage manners and the second usage manners meet the standards.

[0033] If the user's manners are good (Step S8: YES), the point awarding unit 13 awards points (Step S9). As described above, the point awarding unit 13 awards monetary or non-monetary points to the user ID of user P1. The point awarding unit 13 may award different points for each type of usage manner, or it may award a common point regardless of the type of usage manner. For example, if the charging cable 37 is not left lying around, the charging gun 38 is not put away haphazardly, and there is no delay in leaving, the point awarding unit 13 may award 1 point for each type of usage manner. On the other hand, in such a case, the point awarding unit 13 may award 1 point for fulfilling all the usage manner requirements, or it may award 3 points. Once the point awarding unit 13 awards points, it terminates the process. If the user's manners are not good (Step S8: NO), the point awarding unit 13 terminates the process without executing the process in Step S9.

[0034] Here, in the process of step S3 described above, if the number of times the authentication information and the pre-authentication information have matched is the second time or later, the status detection unit 11 determines that the vehicle charger 30 has been used for the second time or later (step S3: YES). In this case, the status detection unit 11 determines whether or not the user has points (step S10). For example, the status detection unit 11 determines whether or not points have been assigned to the user ID based on the authentication information. The status detection unit 11 may also determine whether or not the user has accumulated points that are equal to or greater than a pre-set point threshold. If the user does not have points (step S10: NO), the status detection unit 11 executes the process of step S4.

[0035] On the other hand, if points are held (step S10: YES), the status detection unit 11 detects the start of charging in the same way as the process in step S4 (step S11), and then illuminates the vehicle charger 30 (step S12). For example, the status detection unit 11 illuminates or flashes the LED (Light Emitting Diode) light provided on the vehicle charger 30 to let the user know that user P1 is highly conscious of proper usage manners towards the vehicle charger 30. If the vehicle charger 30 has the operator's logo or the logo of the service provided by the operator, the status detection unit 11 may illuminate or flash these logos. In this way, if user P1 uses the vehicle charger 30 with good manners, they can enjoy a special experience.

[0036] When charging of the electric vehicle 50 is complete, the status detection unit 11 detects the completion of charging in the same manner as in step S5 (step S13), and then discounts the charging fee (step S14). The status detection unit 11 may discount the charging fee by subtracting a certain amount from the basic charging fee, or by multiplying the basic charging fee by a certain discount rate. Instead of discounting the charging fee, the point awarding unit 13 may award points.

[0037] When the charging fee is discounted, the status detection unit 11 detects the vehicle leaving the parking lot (step S15), similar to the process in step S6, and terminates the process. After the status detection unit 11 detects the vehicle leaving, the manners detection unit 12 may perform the processes in steps S7 and S8, and the point awarding unit 13 may perform the process in step S9. This increases the rate at which points are accumulated compared to when these processes are not performed.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, the charging system ST comprises a charger management server 10 and a vehicle charger 30. The vehicle charger 30 is equipped with a weight sensor 34, a contact sensor 35, and an imaging camera 39. When the charger management server 10 detects the input of a user ID from user P1, it detects the parking manners of the vehicle charger 30 and the electric vehicle 50 connected to the vehicle charger 30 based on weight information, storage information, and image information. If the detected parking manners meet the criteria for good parking manners, the charger management server 10 assigns points to the user ID. This makes it possible for the charging system ST to suppress disadvantages to the charger installation business caused by the vehicle charger 30 being used with poor manners.

[0039] In addition, a business operator that installs the vehicle charger 30 may manage multiple vehicle chargers, including the vehicle charger 30. In this case, the charger management server 10 may detect usage manners for each of the multiple vehicle chargers and award points if the usage manners for each vehicle charger meet the standards. Furthermore, the vehicle charger 30 may be equipped with a microphone that can contact the business operator, and the charger management server 10 may award points if a report is made through the microphone that leads to the prevention of damage to the charging gun 38 or malfunctions of the vehicle charger 30, or to on-site improvements.

[0040] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] ST Charging System 10 Charger Management Server 11. Situation detection unit 12 Manners detection unit 13. Point Award Section 30 Vehicle chargers 34 Weight Sensor 35 Contact Sensor 39 Imaging camera 50 Electric Vehicles

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle charger comprising at least one of a sensor and a camera, When the input of a user identifier of a user using the vehicle charger is detected, the detection means detects, based on at least one of the first information detected by the sensor and the second information acquired by the camera, a first usage manner representing the usage manner of the vehicle charger and a second usage manner representing the usage manner of the parking lot for the electric vehicle connected to the vehicle charger. A means for assigning reward information to the user identifier when at least one of the first usage manners and the second usage manners meets a predetermined standard indicating good usage manners, A charging system having

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