Charging system

Abstract

We provide a charging system that allows for improved maintainability. [Solution] The charging system 10 comprises a housing 20 and a plurality of blower mechanisms 30 provided inside the housing 20. The charging system 10 includes a control unit 40 that determines the number of blower mechanisms 30 to be used according to the required power for charging, and determines which blower mechanism 30 to use according to the operating performance of each blower mechanism 30.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a charging system, there is one for charging a driving battery provided in a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a charging system provided with a heater for suppressing the occurrence of problems associated with a decrease in temperature.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the charging system performs rapid charging or the like, if the charging power is large, heat generation becomes large. Therefore, for example, a plurality of blowing mechanisms such as a plurality of electric fans for cooling may be provided in the housing of the charging system. However, in this case, depending on how the plurality of blowing mechanisms are driven, for example, one of the plurality of blowing mechanisms may reach the end of its life significantly earlier than other blowing mechanisms. Therefore, there is a risk that the maintainability deteriorates.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The charging system for solving the above problems includes a housing and a plurality of blowing mechanisms provided in the housing, and a control unit that determines the number of the blowing mechanisms to be used according to the required value of the charging power and determines the blowing mechanisms to be used according to the operating results of each of the blowing mechanisms.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The above charging system can improve maintainability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the charging system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the actions performed by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Configuration of charging system 10> As shown in Figure 1, the charging system 10 comprises a housing 20, a plurality of blower mechanisms 30, and a control unit 40. The charging system 10 in this embodiment is equipped with six blower mechanisms 30.

[0009] The multiple air blowing mechanisms 30 are, for example, multiple electric fans for cooling, each having an electric motor, and performing air blowing operations by driving the electric motors. The multiple air blowing mechanisms 30 are installed inside the housing 20.

[0010] The control unit 40 supplies power to each of the multiple blower mechanisms 30 individually based on various input information. The control unit 40 in this embodiment determines the number of blower mechanisms 30 to be used according to the required charging power. The control unit 40 also determines which blower mechanism 30 to use according to the operating performance of each blower mechanism 30.

[0011] For example, the control unit 40 receives information on the required power before charging begins. The control unit 40 also receives information on the operating history of each blower mechanism 30, which is stored in a memory (not shown). The operating history information includes, for example, the operating history of the blower mechanism 30 up to that point, and includes information corresponding to the operating time of the blower mechanism 30 and the output of the blower mechanism 30, i.e., the airflow rate.

[0012] The control unit 40 then determines that the more power the charging requirement is, the more blower mechanisms 30 will be used. The control unit 40 also determines which blower mechanisms 30 to use, based on the operating performance of each blower mechanism 30, so as to equalize the operating performance of each.

[0013] <Operation and function of the charging system 10> Next, the specific operation and function of the charging system 10 described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 40 performs the following steps when, for example, a start signal for the blower mechanism 30 is input before charging begins.

[0014] In step S1, the control unit 40 reads the operating history information of each blower mechanism 30 stored in memory and proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the control unit 40 determines the number of blower mechanisms 30 to use according to the required charging power, and then determines which blower mechanisms 30 to use according to the operating performance of each blower mechanism 30, before proceeding to step S3. Specifically, for example, if the required charging power is relatively small, the number of blower mechanisms 30 to use is determined to be 2, and the 2 blower mechanisms 30 with the lowest operating performance out of the 6 blower mechanisms 30 are selected as the blower mechanisms 30 to be used.

[0015] In step S3, the control unit 40 drives the blower mechanism 30 based on the information determined in step S2 and proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control unit 40 authorizes the start of charging and terminates this process. As a result, charging by the charging system 10 begins, and cooling is performed by the blower mechanism 30.

[0016] <Effects of this embodiment> Since the control unit 40 determines the number of blower mechanisms 30 to be used according to the required value of the charging power, it is possible to obtain a sufficient cooling effect without driving the blower mechanisms 30 more than necessary. Also, since the control unit 40 determines the blower mechanisms 30 to be used according to the operating record of each of the blower mechanisms 30, it is possible to equalize the operating records of the plurality of blower mechanisms 30.

[0017] Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent one of the plurality of blower mechanisms 30 from reaching its lifespan significantly earlier than the other blower mechanisms 30. That is, it is possible to equalize the lifespan timing of the plurality of blower mechanisms 30. From these, the maintainability of the charging system 10 can be improved.

[0018] For example, since it is possible to prevent one of the plurality of blower mechanisms 30 from reaching its lifespan significantly earlier than the other blower mechanisms 30, the first replacement timing of the blower mechanisms 30 can be delayed. Also, for example, since the lifespan timing of the plurality of blower mechanisms 30 is almost the same, all the blower mechanisms 30 can be replaced simultaneously while making it as unnecessary to replace as possible. Since the period for replacing the blower mechanisms 30 is the non-operating time of the charging system 10, replacing all the blower mechanisms 30 simultaneously contributes to shortening the non-operating time of the charging system 10.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0019] 10…Charging system 20…Housing 30…Blower mechanism 40…Control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] The casing and Multiple air blowing mechanisms provided within the housing, A charging system comprising, The system includes a control unit that determines the number of blower mechanisms to be used according to the required charging power, and determines which blower mechanism to use according to the operating performance of each blower mechanism. Charging system.

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